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struts and shocks needed on 2012 V

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by dk_brookdale, Nov 4, 2021.

  1. doctorman

    doctorman Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2009
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    Location:
    NY 11020
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Just got the car and was trying to improve the MPG
    even though it is less than 80K miles on it but its 2012 model so it is 15 years old

    Tire pressure is set at 37 back 40psi in front

    did BG 44K in the fuel
    will do BG ERP treatment of oil with the next oil change
    got an oil catch can that has to be installed with a new PCV
    will clean the EGR cooler, pipe and intake and throttle body clean up with new gasket
    got a set of denso spark plugs to replace
    probably drain the coolant and fill up with new coolant

    Trying to get the car in a good enough condition that I don't have to worry about major things for a while
    and rejuvenate the MPG as close to as new
     
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
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    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    What Does Toyota say for it, 35/33 (front/back)?

    Has the EGR been cleaned?
    Transaxle fluid ever replaced?
    Regular brake service? (Toyota USA recommends tri-yearly or 30k miles, in a very subtle fashion, in the Warranty and Maintenance Booklet)
     
  3. doctorman

    doctorman Member

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    I think so .. but I always ran my other prius and highlander around 40psi based on priuschat
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Try setting to what the door decal says, for starters.
     
    Danno5060 likes this.
  5. doctorman

    doctorman Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    NY 11020
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    No history on the car, so I assume it has not been done.
    Transaxel fluid needs to be replaced at this mileage? would that affect the MPG? I bought the Transaxel fluid for my last 2nd gen prius and never end up doing it.
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Toyota ATF WS? In unopened bottles? Should be good still be good. It doesn’t age well, once opened.

    Any time is good for this. Just my 2 cents, based on drained fluid appearance: an early drain-and-fill is optimum. It’ll take about 3.5 quarts. There’s some info in my signature on it (on a phone turn it landscape to see signatures). It’s Gen 3 hatchback specific, but I think applicable to the v as well.

    I don’t think it’d improve mpg, more of a preservative measure.
     
    doctorman likes this.
  7. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
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    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Too high for a decent ride.

    MPG of a v is 42 on a good day. No freeway driving over 65, no hard acceleration, preemptive braking for regen and a good hv battery.

    A v is heavier and has a higher numerical final drive ration than a hatchback. Plus the aero is not as good.

    A v does have larger standard tires and a drum parking brake the hatchback does not have. It has a bigger AC system which can suck mpg if you keep it cold. If the hv battery has never been changed or was swapped to a reconditioned unit, that can cost mpg.

    The biggest concerns with a 2012v besides the hv battery are oil burning from low tension rings, a brake booster fail and an unexpected inverter fail.

    Forget the additives - they have been proven not to work and could be a negative in a 0w20 engine with tight tolerances. Changing the oil every 5k miles is the best you can do. There is little you can do with the brake booster. Some shops believe new genuine fluid is a possible help. Just had my brake fluid changed today. There is a software update for the inverter problem. Verify you have it. All these problems had extended coverage by Toyota but only the inverter is in effect for a 2012.

    There is also an improved egr valve and a better intake manifold you can buy. An ecm update covers those items.
     
    Air_Boss and doctorman like this.