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Only 29MPG for My Gen 2 Prius?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by dongfang, Feb 9, 2018.

  1. dongfang

    dongfang Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2014
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    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    II
    My 2007 Gen 2 Prius has 270K miles, and it is with me since 2013. It was running well and had average 46MPG (annual average).

    However, since last summer, after I drove it in 100F degree weather for 3 days (3 * 12 hours, the hottest three days in middle US) , the MPG became notable lower, and now it only reach 29MPG for today, while the weather is still above freezing point.

    I have checked:
    1. Tire pressure is not the problem,
    2. The spark plugs were replaced, and the throttle was cleaned recently.
    3. The engine is consuming oil for about 1.5 QT per 5000 miles
    4. Toyota TIS stream shows HV battery Internal Resistance R01~R14 are among 0.024~0.025ohm
    5. Sometime I can hear some noise that matching car speed, but that's not bearing noise, as I already replaced two bearings.

    Kindly, please share your point of view on why the MPG number is so low now? Anything else I should check?
     
  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    With a Gen2 at that mileage, my bet is you have a weak hv battery module.

    Some questions:

    • How fast do the bars for how full the battery is cycle?
    • Original hv battery?
    • Have you inspected the brakes to ensure they are not impinged?
    • Where in middle America are you located?
    I recently helped another member here that had low mpg (26-30) for a bit then had 2 failed modules in his battery pack:(.

    Got some modules and used the hybrid automotive Prolong equipment and it’s getting low 40s now:).

    Keep us posted (y).
     
    bisco likes this.
  3. dongfang

    dongfang Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2014
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    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Actually since I got this car in 2013, I always feel the ECU is not so "willing" to use the HV battery power, instead it requests ICE start often. I think this might be worse after that journey, but I don't have quantifiable data.

    Since I'm the 2nd owner, I'm not sure whether the dealer ever replaced the battery or not.

    I haven't checked the brakes, maybe I need find some video in youtube to do that.

    I'm in Seattle now. The journey I mentioned was driving this car from KY to it. During that days, the weather was so hot, and A/C was keeping running but can not reach the desire temperature, I'm wondering whether the HV battery was impacted because of that...

    However if it is HV battery issue, looks like the 14 HV blocks are still in same condition, unless I replace them all...

     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    boston
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    2012 Prius Plug-in
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    Plug-in Base
    yeah, maybe a new battery is probably your best bet.
     
  5. milestoempty

    milestoempty Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Is there an easy way to test the battery without removing it?
     
  6. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I believe @TMR-JWAP & @ericbecky use some Android based software.
     
  7. dongfang

    dongfang Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    II
    The HV battery each block's Internal Resistances and Voltages are the best data you need. Although purchasing a Bluetooth OBD+Andriod APP "Torque Pro" is enough to see these data, you may want to buy Toyota TIS Techstream which is much more powerful.
     
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  8. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    TechStream is only legally available through a Toyota subscription though.
     
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Feel the wheels right after a good drive; see if any feel hot.
     
    Prodigyplace likes this.