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2010 vs. 2012

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by bnaccs, May 15, 2013.

  1. bnaccs

    bnaccs bnaccs

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    I have a 2010 Prius and am using my aunt's 2012 to drive back and forth to work while she is on a trip. The 2012 is averaging 55MPG while the 2010 is averaging 45 MPG. I drive them the same way. I know that the information screens inside are different but wonder if the way it calculates gas mileage and distance to empty is different. I think they both have an 11.9 gallon tank. I have owned the 2010 since new and its distance to empty after filling up has never shown more than 420 miles. The 2012 shows 550 miles. Is there something wrong with my 2010, or what is the difference? Is the 2012 more efficient?
     
    #1 bnaccs, May 15, 2013
  2. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    The 2010 has more miles on it right? More miles gives a more representative average over time. One model year does not get better the next, especially a 10 mpg difference.

    Things that affect mileage, but again not by 10 mpg, is tire pressure, driving style, weather conditions, 15" vs 17" rims, etc.
     
    #2 Paradox, May 15, 2013
  3. jhinsc

    jhinsc Senior Member

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    Have you replaced the tires on your 2010 yet? Alignment could also be off.
     
    #3 jhinsc, May 15, 2013
  4. bnaccs

    bnaccs bnaccs

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    I replaced the tires at 30,000 miles and the car now has 37,poo miles. The replacement tires are Michelin Energy Savers, the original tires were Ecopias and the car got the same fuel economy. The car was aligned at Toyota when the tires were installed/ The 2012 has 19,000 miles on it and has Yokohama Avids on it.

    They both have 15 inch wheels. The 2010 is a III and the 2012 is a Two model.
     
    #4 bnaccs, May 15, 2013
  5. FroggyTaco

    FroggyTaco Member

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    Maybe your 12V battery is in need of replacing????

    Travis
     
    #5 FroggyTaco, May 15, 2013
  6. jhinsc

    jhinsc Senior Member

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    Hmmm, you should be getting approx. the same mpg's in both then. I had 49k miles when I traded to the Prius v, and I was still averaging 52 mpg. My Prius had the Yoko Avids on them until 40k when I installed Ecopia EP422's and mpg stayed the same. As suggested, have your 12v battery checked.
     
    #6 jhinsc, May 16, 2013
  7. alfon

    alfon Senior Member

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    I have over 97,000 miles on our Prius model year 2010. Tires are 15 inch (Michelin Energy Saver AS) 195x65x15. Last fill up was 52.8 calculated for entire tank of nearly 470 miles of mixed driving.

    My tires are all at max sidewall pressure 44 PSI.
    Oil change I do myself and install 4 quarts, so has not to over fill, with Toyota Brand 0w20 synthetic oil.
    My 12 volt battery appears to be OK according to my scan gauge 2.
    I have noticed no loss in mpg since new....
     
    #7 alfon, May 16, 2013
  8. szgabor

    szgabor Active Member

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    this myth again ....

    I had both Sandy flooded the 2010 I had 51.8 average for the 3.5 year everything included.

    Current 2012 gives me basically the same mpg .. you have to remember there is no identical trip or tank.

    But nothing in the 2012 changed explaining the 10 mpg average difference. By the what are you referring to as that number ??? They tweaked the front spoiler and the air intake is smaller but that will only come into play higher speeds and I really doubt would be more than maybe 1-2 mpg on a mostly highway trip.

    I do calculate mpg for every tank and use tripA per tanks ... after 12 fuel up I see the same about 5% average higher MFD numbers as I had with 2010. And getting generally the same number for my daily commute.

    Trying to compare singel trips is difficult.

    Also have you checked tire pressure on both ? that could cause quite a big difference.
     
    #8 szgabor, May 16, 2013
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