1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Fuel consumption issue

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Anupam, Oct 31, 2013.

  1. Anupam

    Anupam Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2013
    17
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Hello everyone, I have a Toyota Prius 2009, the GEN III model and I bought it from Japan. It is a second hand car which came with 75K km on mileage. Initially the fuel consumption on the display panel was 22-24, sometimes 25 [L/100km], but for about two months the consumption drop to 17-19. I always drive economically, I rarely drive fast. Actually the Prius taught me how to drive economically, I use the pulse and glide technique. I told my mechanic and we made several changes but though the problem is not solved. I'll better mentioned the changes I made:

    -Air flow meter changed (Denso)
    -New Bridgestone tyres inflated with nitrogen
    -Spark plug changed(Denso)
    -Servicing regularly on 10K km with full synthetic engine oil
    -Transmission fluid recently changed(about 4 months back)

    I need help from owners and expert who has ever experience this problem.I expect to solve it very soon.

    Thank you!
     
  2. Les_PL

    Les_PL Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2012
    317
    248
    0
    Location:
    Gdynia, PL
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Sounds like you bought the tank not a Prius tank.gif

    25 l/100km = 9.4 MPG [US]!!

    I believe the unit on your display is [km/litre] - then it makes sense. And the result is pretty good.

    mpg.JPG
     
  3. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2006
    5,963
    1,981
    0
    Location:
    Edmonton Alberta
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Yes, the Japanese use km/l. Do "by hand" calculations to confirm when you fill up - record mileage when you fill the tank (and fill it the same each time). The second time you fill up use the distance traveled and the fuel you put in to calculate the mileage. The reading on the dash is not accurate. It's an "estimate". Even the above method will give erroneous numbers. Only after 3 or 4 fill-ups will you get really close.
     
  4. Anupam

    Anupam Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2013
    17
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Three


    Thanks for this method of calculation, I usually calculate like this. Initially the consumption was Rs 2.30-2.40 per litre now it is Rs2.80-2.90 per litre. The cost of 1 litre is actually at Rs50(approx 1.6USD). I want to maintain the previous reading as I work in transport field
     
  5. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2012
    1,391
    543
    0
    Location:
    Santa Monica, Ca. 90405
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    The 12 volt battery is a good place to check, if it's going bad, so will your mileage.
     
  6. Anupam

    Anupam Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2013
    17
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Three


    Thks but recently checked the battery health, its 95% healthy
     
  7. RaZa

    RaZa Member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2011
    480
    93
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    If you are currently getting 58 or so miles per gallon (this is a unit im more familiar with) then you are at the top end of casual driving fuel efficiency for a prius. If you want to ever do any better than that you need to be very meticulous on your gliding and implement all types of hypermiling techniques carefully. But you are currently doing very well so I wouldn't expect too much more if you travel for a living, and especially if ever do any highway travelling.

    Edit:
    Oh I see you say you are currently getting 18 or so kilometers per liter, which yes is very poor (about 42 mpg). If this is something that doesn't seem to get better with careful driving, then it definitely seems like something is very wrong. Keep an eye on the efficiency meter and try to keep it pinned at the top as often as possible.
     
  8. Nora

    Nora Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2013
    128
    44
    0
    Location:
    CO
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    OK, you seem very knowledgeable, but I have to ask, are the tires inflated to a high enough pressure? I have mine at a compromise pressure of 38 psi front, 40 psi rear. 40/42 was a little too rough.
     
  9. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2010
    4,297
    2,348
    33
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Reverse your pressures to 40 front, 38 rear.
     
    WE0H likes this.
  10. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2012
    1,607
    877
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Regarding the new tires: Did you install LRR tires or are they standard tires? This can make a signification difference in fuel mileage.
     
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,695
    49,397
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    has it gotten colder where you live?
     
  12. DavidA

    DavidA Prius owner since July 2009

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2009
    2,328
    1,812
    18
    Location:
    Chicago western burbs
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    ^ That. I easily get 48+MPG average in the warmer months, but I'm happy to get even 34MPG average in the colder months. Worse yet, I drive only one mile to work and back, which destroys the mileage even more.

    Length of your average trip?

    Seasonal temperatures getting gradually colder?
     
  13. Anupam

    Anupam Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2013
    17
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Three

    I check the pressure regularly, but if it so, I will check it today
     
  14. Anupam

    Anupam Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2013
    17
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Three


    I changed the tyres according to its reference, originally it had Bridgestone tyres, I opted to the same brand and dimension
     
  15. Anupam

    Anupam Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2013
    17
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Three

    Actually we are moving in summer which it warm. I keep a concern for the temperature
     
  16. Anupam

    Anupam Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2013
    17
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Three


    I drive long distances as you can see from my post, it came with a mileage of 75k km on November and now its 100k km, mean 25k km in almost 1 year
     
  17. Nora

    Nora Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2013
    128
    44
    0
    Location:
    CO
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Good to hear. Sometimes I forget to check the most obvious things.
     
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,695
    49,397
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i would suggest the thread "fuel economy complaints/queries", it's a sticky in gen II forums. posted by cwerdna. all the best!(y)
     
  19. RaZa

    RaZa Member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2011
    480
    93
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Not too bad. That's just a little over average in the US. Personally I put about 50K km (just over 30K miles) on my car last year, but many people have it way worse than I do.