2007 Prius Low Usage Concerns

1. Limited usage by the first owner probably resulted in a short service life of the 12V auxiliary battery, but should not impact the high voltage traction battery very much.

2. No, usually low odometer readings are considered good as long as engine oil and oil filter changes happened per the maintenance schedule.

3. Who knows why the second owner turned it back in: maybe s/he didn't like the driver's seat, maybe s/he couldn't afford the payments, ?? I wouldn't worry about that if the car is in good condition now.

I don't know why you only got 34 mpg - unless you were driving the car hard or were driving in a very adverse climate. Typically I would expect to see mid-40s or better mpg for a moderate drive covering that distance.

 

The mileage you got concerns me because it is lower than it should be, How did you determine your mileage, did you do a reset before you did the test drive? Otherwise you haave been given good advice by the previous posters. Good luck with your choice.

 

At 34 mpg I would suspect the 12V battery as it is about the right age for replacement, unless it has recently been replaced and even then. With this age and miles the HV hybrid battery shouldn't be a concern since its still under warranty.

 

Like other's have written, the traction battery (hv) is of your least concern. 34 MPG could throw up a red flag unless it was bitter cold and you were running the climate control at a high setting. I too have to ask how you arrived at that figure. Did you reset the MFD? Also, if you sat with the engine idling for a long period of time with the heat on while it is cold outside after resetting the MFD, it is very possible to get a low reading such as that. Anytime the engine runs and the Prius is not moving, the average will begin to fall.

IMO, the MFD really doesn't give you a good average if you would have reset and then driven only 14 miles. During the first 10 or 20 miles after a reset, the numbers do fluctuate quite a bit depending on the operation of the Prius.

If you are really interested in the car, go back and drive it again. This time take it out and drive it at least 45 minutes to an hour. Also reset the MFD before you drive off. During really cold temps, it takes the Prius a good ten to fifteen minutes before it begins to give optimum efficiency (good MPG). If you still see mid 30's, I would then question the car. Normally, the Prius should give at least 40 unless you are sitting still and idling a lot with excessive loads on the engine. The average Prius driver should see mid 40's for an overall average. Remember YMMV.

Ron

 

Also, check the tire pressures. Probably the dealer has them set to factory specs, but the car is sensitive to that aspect. Better mileage happens with higher psi, but you should still do OK with the usual mid 30's range of psi.

 

What are the tires? Brand, model, size, and all info on the tires. What does it get, real time mpg, at 50 mph? There is obviously something causing a drag on the system. Does it run on only electric at 42 mph and below for about a mile before the ICE kicks back on? Is the heater set to Max heat? What does the dealer say about the low mpg?

 

Unless the Prius was previously driven enough to fully warm it up, sitting on a lot with the engine idling will not fully warm up the vehicle. At 38 degrees, it is very possible to get the mileage you did, most especially if the car has snow tires on it or tires that are non LRR tires.

As I stated earlier during really cold temps, it takes the Prius a good ten to fifteen minutes before it begins to give optimum efficiency (good MPG). Furthermore IMO, the MFD really doesn't give you a good average if you would have reset and then driven only 14 miles. During the first 10 or 20 miles after a reset, the numbers do fluctuate quite a bit depending on the operation of the Prius.

I suspect a combination of things have contributed to the outcome of your test drive. Some of them have already been mentioned in this string.

Ron