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2007 Prius with 220,000 miles

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Fuel Economy' started by Mike Allenfort, Jun 13, 2014.

  1. Mike Allenfort

    Mike Allenfort New Member

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    Two
    Hello
    I am new to PC. I have a 2007 with I think a #4 package (the one just below the one with NAV). I use this for work as a sales rep in the San Francisco Bay Area. I have many stories to tell about my mileage but recently I have had 37-39 mpg where I had 50 a few years back. I thought it was tires (Defenders vs. Energy Savers) but I notice some hesitation and the ICE runs more when stuck in Bay Area traffic. Any suggestions? I purchased a new 12v battery today and will install it this weekend. I saw many comments about that here on PC.
    Thanks everybody.
     
    #1 Mike Allenfort, Jun 13, 2014
  2. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Lets see what happens after 12v...what kind did you get Optima?
    By the way it sometime takes a couple tank fulls gasoline after the batt change I think for the system to come back to the 50 MPG mark

    PS- Welcome! Congrats on 200miles! and you're out of CARB warranty <just kiddin>
     
    #2 wjtracy, Jun 13, 2014
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    hi mike, welcome to priuschat! if the new battery doesn't solve your problem, have it checked for codes to see if any problems have been logged. all the best!(y)
     
    #3 bisco, Jun 13, 2014
  4. Mike Allenfort

    Mike Allenfort New Member

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    Great. Thanks for the replies. I got the battery at Toyota dealer and haven't opened the box yet. Today is Friday the 13th so I'll wait 'till tomorrow. I'll post my reply then.
     
    #4 Mike Allenfort, Jun 13, 2014
  5. Mike Allenfort

    Mike Allenfort New Member

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    Two
    Switched 12v battery today. Piece of cake. I haven't driven enough to tell if it's helping with MPG but I'll try to return to PC often.
     
    #5 Mike Allenfort, Jun 14, 2014
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    friday the 13th?o_O
     
    #6 bisco, Jun 14, 2014
  7. Mr.Electric

    Mr.Electric Member

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    Make sure you still have enough engine oil. Some high mileage Prius loose mpg because of the engine dragging in a low oil condition. I'm sure you already checked tire air pressure.
     
    #7 Mr.Electric, Jun 15, 2014
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    New battery might benefit from an intitial charging session, with one of those low amperage intelligent chargers.

    Re Friday the 13th, hey: at 8 am Friday I was in the chair getting a dental implant. Of course I'm looking kind of like a chipmunk right now ;)
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Jun 15, 2014
    Mike Allenfort likes this.
  9. Mike Allenfort

    Mike Allenfort New Member

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    2007 Prius
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    Two
    Took a long trip to LA last weekend. I got 44 mpg going there and 41 coming back. I'm told there is a 1% grade on I5. Changing the 12v battery must have helped. I'm back in the 40+ range. I think it is the Michelin Defenders vs. the LRR tires I had before. I will switch back to LRRs when these wear out. Since I drive 100+ miles a day, that won't take long.
     
    #9 Mike Allenfort, Jun 24, 2014
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