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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.

  1. Joe Wall

    Joe Wall Member

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    Why did I pay too much? It was low for Kbb, had new tires and looked brand new inside. It was in excllent condition.
     
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  2. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    There are two kinds of long term gen2 owners, those who replaced the HV battery and those that will. Dealers typically charge $3-4k. Start researching the subject now.
     
  3. Joe Wall

    Joe Wall Member

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    Costs like $400 to replace cells.
     
  4. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

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    Here is So Cal we have had 40 degree nights and 60 degree days. I live 3.8 miles from work. Needless to say, my mileage is hovering around 39-40 mpg. My engine doesn't even get warmed up going to or coming from work. During the soon to be here blistering summer days, I will be back up to 48-50 mpg.

    I have read in here (Priuschat) that my 2015 has had different piston rings installed to keep engine from collecting oil. I haven't had any issues, but I only have 32k miles on my car.

    As others have stated, I would drive your car for a full month before figuring what your mileage is. The Prius computer adapts to the drivers driving habits to get you the best mileage.
     
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  5. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Less than that actually. Read the link in my signature to follow my buying a low miles gen 2 prius "adventure". :)
     
  6. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    You will always get worse mileage in winter.

    You may well find that 'free' non LRR tires will cost you more than 'list price' LRR tires over 50,000 miles.

    Meanwhile, buy an engine block heater if you can plug in, buy some pipe insulation and stuff it in the grill, and inflate your tires.
     
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  7. Joe Wall

    Joe Wall Member

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    I'm gonna go to the Toyota dealership soon. It has Nitrogen in tires and rides so nice.
     
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    love the nitro
     
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  9. Joe Wall

    Joe Wall Member

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    I do have to say it handles so nice in the winter compared to my Honda Civic. Even in the 2-4 inches of snow on the road it did very well!
     
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  10. Joe Wall

    Joe Wall Member

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    Is the Nitrogen mainly so it rides better or are there other advantages of using it?
     
  11. George W

    George W Active Member

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    An alignment after new tires increased my economy by 3 mpg
     
  12. srellim234

    srellim234 Senior Member

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    Forget the EPA and look instead at real world reporting.

    From fuelly
    Toyota Prius MPG - Actual MPG from 7,547 Toyota Prius owners

    2009 - 43.8 MPG (287 cars)
    2011 - 45.3 MPG (642 cars)

    From fueleconomy.gov
    Browse On-the-Road Fuel Economy Data

    2009 - 46.9 MPG
    2011 - 47.7 MPG

    Understand that for those rare cars delivering 60 mpg there must be multiple cars in the 30s to offset them to get to the averages. A mileage difference between the two years is there but not very significant.
     
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  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there you go again, using common sense. :rolleyes:
     
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  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    idk, but it just makes my car feel lighter, like floating on air
     
  15. Joe Wall

    Joe Wall Member

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    Ok thanks! Yeah not enough to make a difference. Thanks for finding that for me.
     
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  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Only the 2015's have both revised pistons and rings, apparently revised to reduce oil consumption issues. 2014 has the revised pistons only. The earlier years apparently have rings that don't press as firmly against the cylinder walls, to reduce friction, but they maybe pushed it too far.

    upload_2019-1-24_11-47-18.png

    FWIW, we have a 2010 with 79K kms, and it is so far consuming no oil.
     
  17. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

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    Joe,

    There is a law of diminishing returns with MPG. If you go from a 20 mpg vehicle to a 40 mpg vehicle you cut fuel cost in half. To cut in half again you would have to go to 80 mpg and even then the savings would be half of the previous half.

    Driving 12,000 miles per year at 40 mpg you would use 300 gallons of gas. At 50 mpg you would use 240 gallons. At today's prices you would save about $120 or $10 per month. Going form 50 to 60 would save even less.

    The main benefit of getting 50+ mpg is bragging rights. Enjoy your Prius and congrats on starting med school.

    One more benefit of a Prius, especially at the mileage of yours, is that you most likely won't need a brake job for many miles while a used conventional vehicle at that mileage would be due for one if it hadn't had one already.
     
    #37 royrose, Jan 24, 2019
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2019
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  18. Joe Wall

    Joe Wall Member

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    I didn't start medical school but hoping I will in the fall of 2019
     
  19. Joe Wall

    Joe Wall Member

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    I couldn't afford a 2015 but eventually I would like a newer Prius once the vehicles come down in price.
     
  20. Joe Wall

    Joe Wall Member

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    I was going to do the engine block but what size tubing is used? I know there's different sizes and this would be helpful to know. Thanks!