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Disappointed in Prius.... Any Advice for me?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Fuel Economy' started by Joe Wall, Jan 23, 2019.

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  1. Joe Wall

    Joe Wall Member

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    I just bought a 2009 Touring Prius. It had 67,000 miles for $7,900. New tires and was in excellent condition. I guess I expected the MPG to be better. I was told to not buy 2010 or 2011 due to oil consumption issues and possibly the engine. It's winter and getting average 37.8 which isn't bad. My 2002 Honda Civic was getting about the same MPG but needed to get rid of it for several reasons. I'll see how it does in the summer as far as MPG.



    I hate to get rid of it so quick but did find 2011 with 73,00 miles for $8000. I think I'll see how it runs in summer but was hoping for better MPG as I'm going to medical school and need a reliable vehicle with excellent MPG. Any advice for me?
     
    #1 Joe Wall, Jan 23, 2019
  2. Joe Wall

    Joe Wall Member

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    It just had new tires put on it as well.
     
    #2 Joe Wall, Jan 23, 2019
  3. scona

    scona Active Member

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    Life is imperfect, which I suspect that you will discover in medical school.
     
    #3 scona, Jan 23, 2019
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  4. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Gen 2 gets comparatively poor MPG over 65 MPH.
    Except for plug ins, all Prius get comparatively poor mileage until the engine warms up to 190F, after that they do very well. In summer perhaps 5 miles to warm up, in winter, perhaps 15 miles.
    New tires always get poorer MPG, if they are not Low Rolling Resistance tires, more so.
    I would inflate the tires to 40 PSI front, 38 PSI rear
    Cold weather will hurt MPG, I got better MPG until about 85F in my Gen 2.
    You may wish to consider a engine block heater and some grill blocking, to fool the car into thinking it is warmer.

    www.amazon.com//dp/B004A6EXVM


    In MS, I need to watch grill blocking as even in winter we have some warm days, In WI you should have fewer warm days in winter.
     
    #4 JimboPalmer, Jan 23, 2019
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  5. Joe Wall

    Joe Wall Member

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    Should I be concerned that the battery cells were replaced at 63,000 miles? I was unaware that you could check this out online.

    REMOVE AND REPLACE BATTERY. ($145.00 INSTALLED PLUS TAXES MOST VEHICLES) ~|~REMOVE AND REPLACE BATTERY. ($145.00 INSTALLED PLUS TAXES MOST VEHICLES) ~|~REPLACE BATTERY ~|~62992 BATTERY TEST... BAD CELL..... REMOVED AND REPLACED STARTING BATTERY
     
    #5 Joe Wall, Jan 23, 2019
  6. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    The 'starting battery' is the 12 volt battery, not the large battery.
    In 10 years, i bet it has been replaced at least twice.
     
    #6 JimboPalmer, Jan 23, 2019
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  7. Joe Wall

    Joe Wall Member

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    Also when I bought my used Prius I didn't notice but the second remote doesn't work. It will start the Prius but will not lock and unlock the vehicle. The batteries were replaced. Would it be best to go the dealership or just purchase something cheaper online to try?
     
    #7 Joe Wall, Jan 23, 2019
  8. Southern Dad

    Southern Dad Active Member

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    That could be the issue. When I put new LRR tires on my 2011 Toyota Prius my mpg dropped 4-5 mpg after about 5k miles I was back at 50 mpg again.
     
    #8 Southern Dad, Jan 23, 2019
  9. Joe Wall

    Joe Wall Member

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    Not sure what type of tires but got them at Costco i was told.
     
    #9 Joe Wall, Jan 23, 2019
  10. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Any advice for me?

    Yup....sit back and enjoy the ride. Give it some time while you learn how to drive it. It has a lot to do with technique. The only time I hit 38ish mpg is if I just finished a 85mph+ run from Columbia to Atlanta or back. It's been 25-45F here the last week and I'm sitting at 48.6 mpg right now. Thats a ~48 mile round trip each day to work and back home. Leave at 530am get home ~500pm.

    Technique...technique....technique

    My son is almost always in the 39-42 mpg range in his 2005 (actually, in both 2005's he's driven), yet I can get 47-51 mpg in the same car without any conscious effort.


    There's a hundred things that can affect mpg, but until you learn a prius, you're probably chasing your tail.
     
    #10 TMR-JWAP, Jan 23, 2019
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  11. Joe Wall

    Joe Wall Member

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    I tried hypermilling and drove slower got 50MPG on a trip. Any tips?
     
    #11 Joe Wall, Jan 23, 2019
  12. Joe Wall

    Joe Wall Member

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    I kind of got lucky. I heard the 2011's can get almost 60 MPG. Pretty amazing!
     
    #12 Joe Wall, Jan 23, 2019
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you won't do any better in a 2011 than you are doing now. sit low and drive slow. take the medical school approach
     
    #13 bisco, Jan 23, 2019
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  14. Joe Wall

    Joe Wall Member

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    Doesn't the 2011 get better MPG but 2010 and 2011 have troubles burning oil. I'm just curious why the EPA MPG is different. So you saying I can get the same MPG on both? I really really like my Prius and am very pleased but just the winter is killing the MPG right now.
     
    #14 Joe Wall, Jan 23, 2019
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    winter kills all hybrid mpg's. what are epa mugs for 2009 and 2011?
     
    #15 bisco, Jan 23, 2019
  16. Joe Wall

    Joe Wall Member

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    2009
    45/48 MPG

    2011
    51 city / 48 highway
     
    #16 Joe Wall, Jan 23, 2019
  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that is surprising. is most of your driving city? i wonder if they changed the test cycle
     
    #17 bisco, Jan 23, 2019
  18. Joe Wall

    Joe Wall Member

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    Right now I'm getting 37.8 MPG in winter. I read that 2011 can get up to almost 60 MPG.
     
    #18 Joe Wall, Jan 23, 2019
  19. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Paid too much IMO unless it has a new Toyota battery.

    Can't believe the other regulars missed this: What kind of tires? Regular tires, AKA not true economy LRR (low rolling resistance) tires, subtract several miles off the MPG scale. Real winter/snow tires are even worse.
     
    #19 fotomoto, Jan 23, 2019
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  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    not true. either generation 'can get'. but there re too many factors for you to just throw one away and buy another. either make an honest attempt to get your mpg up, or live with what you have. you're likely to have the same issues with a 2011.

    i used to get 60mpg in my 2008, but i drive like an old lady, and it was summer
     
    #20 bisco, Jan 23, 2019
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