Change in MPG after Recall

Check the tire pressure. Some dealers will adjust the tire pressure to low.

 

Check the inverter coolant reservoir for flow!

Yes I know that's very the issue the car just went in for, but the irony is that several users here have reported taking their Prius in (with a fully functional inverter cooling pump) for the recall to "fix" it and then getting the inverter overheating problem in the first week after the "fix".

It think it's usually due to the job being done improperly and the presence of an air pocket in the coolant loop.

 

Yeah give me a minute and I'll dig up some pictures I posted previously.

 

Ok found it. Check out the pictures and instructions I posted in my reply #10 in this thread here : http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...95561-maintenance-repair-in-anchorage-ak.html

BTW. A decrease in MPG's is a common symptom of an overheating inverter. Even if it's not hot enough to cause warning lights and failure it can still be hot enough to cause it to protect itself by reducing the use of the electric drive. This decreases the MPG's.

 

It is the small tank at mid engine compartment. Have the car on ready with E-brake set then check for circulation in the tank. Their is also a way to bleed air off, but I would go back to the dealer for that! Hal

 

I get the car warm so that it can be in ready mode without the engine running (reduces vibrations and makes it easier to see the turbulence in the tank which indicates flow). I then remove the filler cap while it's in "ready" mode and just look straight down at the fluid.

BTW. I haven't tested it, but someone else pointed out that you can also do it in "Ig on" mode which is possibly safer. You get "Ig On" mode by pressing the power button without having your foot on he brake pedal. Press once (from off) to enter "Acc" mode and then one more time to enter "IG On" mode.

 

IG ON is enough, doesn't have to be READY.

Without removing the cap I can see fluid moving vigorously on a spot behind the translucent container wall. If you can't see it then open the cap and look down at the fluid surface. Shining light on the fluid surface also helps. Good luck!

 

It's been rather hot lately. Have you been using the AC more than you did before? Are you traveling the exact same route while watching the instantaneous mpg?

 

I guess I also observed lower MPG after the recall fix, but I was blaming it on the older orig 12V battery, having replaced it now we seem to be back to normal.

 

Not a bad idea to check the 12v battery. The dealer could have drained it then charged it back up but we all know that the damage is done by then. This especially true if the battery is the original unit.

 

Like I stated above, the dealer could have reduced capacity by leaving systems running with the car in ready mode.

I would suggest testing the battery with a multimeter at the battery terminals after the car has been sitting over night or at least a few hours. I wouldn't just replace it until you have tested it. I work in Auburn and live in Woodland if you need help.