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

Low MPG and Dealer "upsells"

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Hach, Jul 21, 2016.

  1. Hach

    Hach Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2016
    23
    3
    0
    Location:
    indianapolis, in
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    So my 2007 prius is at 115k miles, bought it at 94k. The MPG has never been what I see a lot of others getting, but now it's getting worse. I'm an oversized semi escort driver so I have a light bar and top sign (never use it unless necessary). Before I was getting about 40 mpg, then 38 after the sign and now down to about 34 to 36. Sometimes higher sometimes lower. One day it started struggling to accelerate and felt almost like the transmission was slipping a bit. It starts to get a bit better but I take it to a toyota dealer on my way to my next job. They only have 1 tech that can work on it and he told me if anything was wrong the 17 sensors would light up. I asked if he thought it might be an issue with transaxle fluid needing changed and he told me that it can checked every 30k but it's lifetime fluid and most likely I just need spark plugs. Fast forward to now and local toyota tells me over the phone I need new spark plugs, both coolants flushed and filled, Trans pumped and filled, and throttle body Cleaned. All to the amount of 580 dollars. Should I stick clear of this dealer and find one who doesn't just start throwing stuff in without even seeing the car? I know the 2 coolants seem pretty easy to do, I won't touch the spark plugs bc of the risk of junk falling in the engine since they haven't been touched ever. Thoughts on the dealer and what else might be causing my mpg issues?
     
    #1 Hach, Jul 21, 2016
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,470
    8,383
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Let's resolve the poor mpg first, the maintenance is just something they get off the owners manual schedule.

    1. Change the engine air filter
    2. Check your tire condition and tire pressure. Inflating to 40lbs will help mpg
    3. Check for proper balance and alignment of your car's tires
    4. Make sure there are no braking issues that may reduce mpg
    5. If you are blasting your AC, it will decrease your MPG
    6. Cleaning the throttle body and MAF sensor may help the car run a little more efficient.
    7. Check the condition of the 12v battery, if it's over 5 years old and weak, it may be affecting MPG

    Maintenance items needed around 120k miles

    1. change spark plugs
    2. change both coolants
    3. change transaxle "lifetime" fluid
     
    #2 JC91006, Jul 21, 2016
    SDunahugh likes this.
  3. SDunahugh

    SDunahugh Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2015
    51
    22
    0
    Location:
    Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    you may want to invest in a code reader (scangauge 2) just cause there are no lights on dosnt mean you are not getting any codes



    '5. If you are blasting your AC, it will decrease your MPG" very much so. I set mine about 5 derg below outside temp (enough to keep the humidity down)
     
    #3 SDunahugh, Jul 21, 2016
  4. Hach

    Hach Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2016
    23
    3
    0
    Location:
    indianapolis, in
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I run the tires at 36, has a brand new 12v and new k&n filter. My tires aren't that great so I'm looking at getting them replaced soon. I almost never run the ac high and I've ran it without it on at all and it didn't change the mpg.
     
    #4 Hach, Jul 21, 2016
  5. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,470
    8,383
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Does the car burn a lot of oil? As the engines get older, they are less efficient....especially if they burn a lot of oil
     
    #5 JC91006, Jul 21, 2016
  6. SDunahugh

    SDunahugh Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2015
    51
    22
    0
    Location:
    Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    windows down? kills the areo
     
    #6 SDunahugh, Jul 21, 2016
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,809
    49,003
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    follow the maintenance schedule that came with your car.
     
    #7 bisco, Jul 21, 2016
  8. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,123
    10,049
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Here is an important questionnaire to give us more hints, while pointing you to common problem areas (though it missed brake drag from frozen calipers): Fuel economy complaints/queries? Please copy, paste & answer these questions, esp. if you're new | PriusChat

    From your info so far, I'd note that you could increase tire pressure a bit for a small improvement, though that is your choice. Higher pressure is not without controversy, and numerous folks dislike the harsher ride. New tires won't help MPG at all, in fact they will temporary decrease MPG. But good tires are a safety issue, so don't hold back for MPG reasons.

    AC does matter, but other variable factors may have masked it in your test. AC is also a human necessity in many climates. Just don't turn it on stronger than necessary.

    Coolants are not as easy to change yourself as you may expect, as you may not have the tools to get all the trapped air out.

    The k&n filter is controversial, and generally doesn't have a good reputation here. It won't hurt MPG a bit, but engine longevity is an issue. It is meant for uses where high power is more important than engine life. Anyone who needs that kind of power, isn't driving a Prius.

    How much aerodynamic cross section do the light bar and roof sign add? These are real factors, I'm surprised you initially lost only 2 mpg. My bicycle hitch rack, carrying two bikes, causes much more loss than that.
     
    #8 fuzzy1, Jul 21, 2016
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2016
  9. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2006
    7,028
    1,116
    0
    Location:
    South Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Low Rolling Resistance tires can make a significant difference.

    Does the traction battery's state of charge rapidly fluctuate?

    Does the car sit enough powered up that the engine fires up to charge the battery?
     
    #9 JimN, Jul 22, 2016
  10. gatorglenn

    gatorglenn Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2010
    138
    45
    0
    Location:
    Atlanta
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    It is hard to say what is wrong with your Prius. Changing Spark Plugs is fairly easy and not to expensive. It could be many other problems. Could even be your hybrid battery going bad.

    The coolant flush and fill is due to be done and if the transmission fluid has never been changed that should be done too. But I don't think those would kill your mpg that much. Figure out the mpg problem and then look at other maintenance items.

    Glenn
     
    #10 gatorglenn, Jul 24, 2016
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)