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High fuel consumption (l/100km / EU)

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by lucaspiller, Mar 13, 2017.

  1. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
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    Plug-in Base
    congrats and welcome!

    how many miles on her?

    are you using heat?

    best to track l/km by the tankful
     
  2. Christopher MacIntosh

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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    2013 Prius
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    Base
    Thanks for the warm welcome, BISCO!! There are 92000km (57166mi) on the odometer. I live in Nova Scotia (most southern part of eastern Canada) where we are heading into our winter. Temperatures are currently around 0C to -5C (32F to 23F) but we will quickly be heading into the -15C to -25C range very soon. I personally don't use the heat, but my wife does, more so the days where she drives our 2yr old to daycare.

    I was messing around in the car and checked the battery voltage using the onboard diagnostics test. It was reading at about 12v with the car on (but not started), 11.5v with the lights on (held very well at this voltage with the lights on). I know that seems a bit low, but maybe it is a result of the colder temperatures here.

    We've only gone through one tank of gas so far, but when we got the car, the date was incorrect in the car's settings and we also didn't reset the trip odometers until 20-30km into the tank, but the computer readout on the tank was 6.8L/100KM which isn't too bad I don't think and I am fairly certain was equal to about 600KM+change to a single tank. We also have a 2014 Honda Civic and at best I can only muster up an 8.5-9.5L/100KM and we get about 450KM to a tank in that car.

    While driving the Prius over the weekend, it was a bit warmer this weekend and I did notice the car start to act a little more appropriately after I drove it for some time. So part of me thinking this is normal behaviour for this car.

    We typically don't use Engine Block Heaters in our province because it tends to be a bit milder than the central provinces, but I am wondering if I might be a good addition in a car like this? It would probably save my wife from driving with the heat cranked?

    Thanks again!!
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Plug-in Base
    an engine block heater is a good idea if you park outside or detached unheated garage. it will bring the heat up faster for your wife and child, but once the car is warmed up, it won't effect her heat settings.

    one major thing on gen3 (2010-2015) is the egr circuit. search here and read up about it. at your mileage, you are a candidate for a blown head gasket, and can hopefully preempt it with an egr circuit cleaning.

    your 12v is probably okay. try measuring it in the morning before starting the car. then turn the headlights on and see what it drops to.
     
  4. Hang Zhao

    Hang Zhao New Member

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    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
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    My car has the exact symptom after the hybrid system indicator pass the middle line. The fuel consumption immediately jump from 0 to >= 10L/100KM. After I read all posts from here, is the weak 12V battery directly causing the issue? or other reason? The price for check status of the car at Toyota dealership or check status of 12v battery both cost $140 at my city. I cannot afford to check them both(otherwise no money for 12V battery replacement, that's pretty expensive as well). Which one should be a good start?
     
  5. Hang Zhao

    Hang Zhao New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
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    N/A
    I measured the voltage of my 12v battery after I turn it off. It was 13v, is this normal? And will this indicated the 12v in good condition?