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Better MPG w/ 2008

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Fuel Economy' started by GusLee, Jan 19, 2011.

  1. GusLee

    GusLee New Member

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    I own a 2007 Prius and recently bought a 2008. For some reason the 2008, with about 10,000 fewer miles, gets about 4 mpg less than the 2007. I can't understand why it doesn't get as good or better than the 2007. Any ideas?
     
    #1 GusLee, Jan 19, 2011
  2. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Tire brands? Air pressure?
     
    #2 fotomoto, Jan 19, 2011
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  3. GusLee

    GusLee New Member

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    New tires a couple of weeks ago. Presumably the air pressure was correct at that time.
     
    #3 GusLee, Jan 19, 2011
  4. Hal W

    Hal W New Member

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    Most people run with 42lbs.FT. 40lbs.R . Tire stores normally pressure to 30 PSI.I would not be under 35 psi. What make of tire? Hal
     
    #4 Hal W, Jan 19, 2011
  5. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    In a similar vein, what weight engine oil and is it over full?

    How clean are the engine and cabin air filters?

    Have you tested the 12 volt battery to be sure it is holding a charge?
     
    #5 JimboPalmer, Jan 19, 2011
  6. BAllanJ

    BAllanJ Active Member

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    And new tires won't get the best mileage until they've been broken in.
     
    #6 BAllanJ, Jan 19, 2011
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  7. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    Tires are a major cause of reduced MPG so I'd assume tires until proven otherwise. To do that you'd need to post the exact tire brand/model/size and inflation pressure. Without information people cant help you.
     
    #7 uart, Jan 20, 2011
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  8. GusLee

    GusLee New Member

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    Thanks. I will check my air pressure and if necessary increase it to over 35 psi.
     
    #8 GusLee, Jan 20, 2011
  9. GusLee

    GusLee New Member

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    I just had it in at Toyota dealer for its 60,000 mile checkup. Hopefully, everything is as it should be.
     
    #9 GusLee, Jan 20, 2011
  10. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Please answer uart's question. There can be significant differences in rolling resistance between different makes and models of tires, thus affecting fuel economy.
     
    #10 cwerdna, Jan 20, 2011
  11. lextoy

    lextoy Active Member

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    dealer will only set tire pressure to factory specs, around 34 psi i think.
    you need to run 42/40 for improved mileage.
    plus you say you have almost new tires.
    that is your problem.
    new tires will kill MPG's
    give it 1000-2000 miles, monitor your MPG's, all other thigs being constant, tire pressure driving route etc, mileage should improve.
    also if your 2007 was driven thru the summer months MPG's will be realtively high due to ideal weather conditions,
    if yhe 2008 was only driven in the winter so far it will get lower MPG's due to the cold weather.
    compare winter MPG's to winter MPG's and summer MPG's to summer MPG's
    my car takes a 5 mpg hit in the winter easily, just due to cold temps.
     
    #11 lextoy, Jan 25, 2011
  12. covrc

    covrc Junior Member

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    Oour gas mileage is not as high as we had hoped.
     
    #12 covrc, Jan 29, 2011
  13. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    #13 cwerdna, Jan 30, 2011
  14. ystasino

    ystasino Active Member

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    I run my integrities at 44 psi and they still have about 6 months of tread left after 45 months and 42000 miles of use.
     
    #14 ystasino, Feb 7, 2011
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