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2007 Prius mpg & maintenance question

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Ttopcubasi, Aug 27, 2012.

  1. Ttopcubasi

    Ttopcubasi New Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2012
    4
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    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I bought my Prius 1.5 years ago used when I lived in Tennessee, and it used to get close to 48mpg with standard unleaded and factory recommended PSI on all tires.

    Then I moved to Texas and immediately the mpg went down to 42. During an oil change at the local Toyota dealer I was told the reason for losing the performance was the 10% ethanol mandated statewide for all gasoline sold in Texas.

    But now the car has 89,400 miles exactly on the odometer, and performs lately at about 39mpg.

    I read the thread above:
    What services you need and what you don't

    Read more: http://priuschat.com/f/gen-ii-prius-care-maintenance-and-troubleshooting.12/#ixzz24n2SET4H

    and I would like to ask if there are any recommendations out there on what service I may need to have performed on the car, and if there is a known reason why the mpg is getting worse.

    Thanks!
    Teo
     
    #1 Ttopcubasi, Aug 27, 2012
  2. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2011
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    Location:
    Hawaii
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I would post this in the Fuel economy section:
    Gen II Prius Fuel Economy | PriusChat

    Check the stickies there and fill out the form. There are many factors involved, and it takes some sleuthing to sort it out. Yes, ethanol in the gas is not good for MPG.
     
    #2 nh7o, Aug 28, 2012
    PriusCamper likes this.
  3. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2005
    12,544
    2,123
    1
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Yes, please fill out the questionnaire.

    First off, you commute likely changed. If it got much shorter, that'll kill your mileage. If you're driving much faster on the highway, that hurts too.
     
    #3 cwerdna, Aug 28, 2012
  4. Ttopcubasi

    Ttopcubasi New Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2012
    4
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    0
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Thanks for your suggestion
     
    #4 Ttopcubasi, Aug 28, 2012
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,925
    49,507
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    how's your 12v battery?
     
    #5 bisco, Aug 28, 2012
  6. Ttopcubasi

    Ttopcubasi New Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2012
    4
    0
    0
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    When I perform the battery test through the built in diagnostic: unloaded battery shows 12.3V and then when the load happens it dips to 11.6V

    So I should replace the 12V battery then, right?
     
    #6 Ttopcubasi, Aug 29, 2012
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