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Bad MPG

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Fuel Economy' started by Alpha, Jul 23, 2009.

  1. Alpha

    Alpha New Member

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    Hello every one,

    I am getting only 42.2 miles per gallon in city not high ways.

    It is an 04 prius with 85k Miles on it. When I 1st bought it 3 months ago it had 83k and would do 59/60 MPG in city.

    I have no errors on the dash.
    I don't use the air-condition.
    It is not this much of hells from and to work.
    Tires have the right air pressure.

    dose any one know why do I get this bad MPG? what would be the reasons?
     
    #1 Alpha, Jul 23, 2009
  2. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    It is impossible to diagnose anything from "42.2 miles per gallon in city."

    What has been done to the car in the past 3 months?

    - tire pressure
    - oil level
    - last oil change type
    - gasoline brand and octane
    - weather
    - route change
    - how is it measured

    Bob Wilson
     
    #2 bwilson4web, Jul 23, 2009
  3. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    This much is good: "It is not this much of hells from and to work." Imagine if you had to deal with bad mileage *and* driving through hell. :D

    Tom
     
    #3 qbee42, Jul 23, 2009
  4. Matt Herring

    Matt Herring New Member

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    That's a pretty big drop...sounds mechanical if you have not altered the route you drive or the way you drive.

    Recent oil change that may have been overfilled? Check tires psi as well.
     
    #4 Matt Herring, Jul 23, 2009
  5. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    Well, you've listed the most obvious and check-able issues. We should also check your normal battery SOC and the route you drive. The normal battery SOC will give some indication to the driving style and the route should be checked for congestion and construction.

    It's been 2,000 miles. That's long enough for the Prius to figure out your driving style. Do you know anything about the previous owner and their route/driving habits?

    I see that you live in the USA so that helps narrow it down as far as population/terrain/speed are concerned.
     
    #5 TonyPSchaefer, Jul 23, 2009
  6. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    But is it hell at either end of the route? Maybe that's the issue? :madgrin:
     
    #6 dogfriend, Jul 23, 2009
  7. Sandy

    Sandy Hippi Chick

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    mine has been always at the average due to short trips.
     
    #7 Sandy, Jul 23, 2009
  8. Celtic Blue

    Celtic Blue New Member

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    That's called "Houston."
     
    #8 Celtic Blue, Jul 23, 2009
  9. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    OP, I'll give you my stock advice (which no one so far as I know has followed):

    Cut out variables!
    Find a nice quiet road on a day with no discernible wind about 5 miles long and travel it in cruise control at 60 mph without AC for a round trip MPG. Less than 55 mpg suggests a car problem.
     
    #9 SageBrush, Jul 23, 2009
  10. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Roll the windows all the way up and use the air conditioner. The battery system draws its cooling air from the passenger cabin through the vent at the right side of the back seats (be careful never to block that vent). When the battery system gets too hot it doesn't work as well.
     
    #10 richard schumacher, Jul 23, 2009
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