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

Poor Mileage --- 2013 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by SlyCorona, Jan 7, 2023.

  1. SlyCorona

    SlyCorona Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2012
    4
    1
    0
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hello to all,

    I have a 2013 Prius that consistently provides poor milage typically in the low to mid 30's under all driving conditions meaning city or highway driving and in either summer or winter driving. These are calculated numbers.

    The car has 150,000 miles, the check engine light is "off" and it is well maintained (oil changes, spark plugs, air filters, tires, etc.) and I use the same tires I used on my 2005 Prius which always provided milage in the mid to upper 40's.

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

    Regards

    Dave
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    try a throttle body and maf cleaning. and clean the egrcircuit.

    see @NutzAboutBolts youtube diy videos
     
  3. SlyCorona

    SlyCorona Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2012
    4
    1
    0
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I did clean the MAF about a year ago with isopropyl alcohol. I will try a throttle body and maf cleaning. I never even thought modern cars had EGR circuits. I thought they were a thing of the past. I will look into
    it. Thank you for the advice!!!
     
    bisco likes this.
  4. Fast track

    Fast track Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2015
    12
    2
    0
    Location:
    Mesquite NV
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I have a 2015 Prius with only 41,500 miles. I can’t seem to get over 37 to 39 mpg combined City and highway. Tires replaced around 10,000 miles ago, we installed required rolling resistance tires (psi 35 front, 33 rear) Oil and filter changed regularly (3,000 to 5,000 miles). Engine air filter changed yearly. Any recommendations on how I can get it better?
     
    #4 Fast track, Jan 23, 2023
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2023
  5. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2018
    5,837
    3,137
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    What brand of tire? Their info may say RRtires, but not for a Prius.
    That's what the info for my tires said. I gained about 4 mpg in the city.
    But lost about 6mpg on the highway. 90+% of my driving is highway.
    I dropped from 48 to 42mpg. HUGE for me. These might just get nail on the outer/inner
    tread so they'll have to replace them with better tires. :whistle:
    It pays to get road hazzard insurance.

     
  6. Fast track

    Fast track Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2015
    12
    2
    0
    Location:
    Mesquite NV
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Michelin tires purchased at local Toyota dealer. We owned a 2010 prius prior to this that got much better mileage.
     
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,480
    38,108
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    What specific Michelin tire?
     
  8. Fast track

    Fast track Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2015
    12
    2
    0
    Location:
    Mesquite NV
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Michelin Premier A/S 195/65R15
     
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,480
    38,108
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    There have been reports here about those, they dropped mpg significantly. I think the sidewall says "Total Performance" instead of "Green X".

    I really have little faith in either of those labels btw. I replaced our OEM Michelin PIlot hx MXM4 (with "Green X" badge), with Michelin Primacy MXM4 (also with "Green X" badge") and our mpg dropped significantly . Very gradually has climbed back up, still not back to pre-swap level though.

    My take, you've got to take each tire as an unknown quantity; the manfucturer's claims have little merit.
     
    Bill Norton likes this.
  10. nicoj36

    nicoj36 Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2013
    494
    156
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II


    Try this takes only 3 minutes. I’ve gained back 5-6 mpg simply by performing this reset. Also fuel system cleaners.
     
  11. aliti19

    aliti19 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2011
    54
    3
    0
    Location:
    Chicago, Il
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I've seen this posted a few times. Can someone explain the relation between the steering angle sensor and fuel economy? Thanks!
     
    bisco likes this.
  12. nicoj36

    nicoj36 Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2013
    494
    156
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    It seems to reset ECU and improves steering and braking.
     
    aliti19 likes this.
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    but not mpg's?
     
  14. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2012
    1,411
    506
    0
    Location:
    Harrison Township, Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Welp, found a portion of your issue right there. 35psi front and 33psi rear is not high enough to achieve the best mpg. I keep all 4 tires (Bridgestone Ecopia's) at 42psi year round. In the winter time (currently) I usually get 44-46mpg on average per tank. I also have my grill blocked 95% and when a chubby friend wants to go somewhere, I insist we take their vehicle so they dont mess up my mpg averages :D:D Kidding, kidding! (.... or am i?) :whistle: hehe
     
  15. nicoj36

    nicoj36 Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2013
    494
    156
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Tire pressure can't affect MPGs that much. I live in a pothole-infested area and I only set my tires to 32 psi and I still average 47-48 mpg.
     
  16. Mr. F

    Mr. F Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2020
    341
    194
    0
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    That guy doesn't seem to know what he's doing or why. Read an explanation here.
     
  17. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2017
    6,103
    4,032
    1
    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I set mine to 44psi and still average 67 mpg, ytpms
     
  18. nicoj36

    nicoj36 Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2013
    494
    156
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Good for you. Must live in a nice area. I can't even raise my psi to 33 or above otherwise it's too uncomfortable and I feel all the bumps. I have Michelin defenders.