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

Gas mileage better with full tank!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by Rickkiboi, May 4, 2023.

Tags:
  1. Rickkiboi

    Rickkiboi Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2019
    17
    16
    0
    Location:
    Palmdale, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I have a 3rd Gen , 217k miles (9k on rebuild), original hybrid batt that’s tests fine, running 215/45/17s.

    I get relatively good gas mileage on a full tank, about 52mpg. However after about 40 miles of driving, gas mileage drops down to 39mpg.

    This started before the rebuild around 207k miles.

    Any thoughts?
     
    #1 Rickkiboi, May 4, 2023
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,710
    38,247
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    What was the rebuild about?
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, May 4, 2023
  3. Bill Norton

    Bill Norton Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2012
    1,822
    595
    0
    Location:
    MONW, Ks.
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Who cares what that display says.
    The real deal is what a paper and pencil says at fill ups.
     
    #3 Bill Norton, May 4, 2023
    ukulelegeek likes this.
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,781
    48,987
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    it could be that when the tank is full, the pump struggles to push enough fuel, but once a little gasoline is replaced with air, better suction is accomplished
     
    #4 bisco, May 4, 2023
  5. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2017
    6,114
    4,040
    1
    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I full tank on uphill driving and it get horrible mpgs. Half tank on the way back gets me twice the mpgs. Not sure why but I got the opposite result from yours
     
    #5 Grit, May 4, 2023
    Bill Norton likes this.
  6. Bill Norton

    Bill Norton Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2012
    1,822
    595
    0
    Location:
    MONW, Ks.
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Just to point out the obvious, you have a Level 5. I have one also, but those wheels and tires are never going to get you
    'Typical Prius fuel economy'.

    That's why I sold my 17" wheel set and now use standard 15" wheels and tires.
    I immediately saw a decent improvement! And the ride is quieter and less 'jarring'.
    It's weird how the Level 5's didn't have their own EPA numbers. They were definitely less efficient.
     
    #6 Bill Norton, May 5, 2023
  7. Bill Norton

    Bill Norton Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2012
    1,822
    595
    0
    Location:
    MONW, Ks.
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Just to point out the obvious, you have a Level 5. I have one also, but those 17" wheels and tires are never going to get you
    'Typical Prius fuel economy'.
    They look nice and the handling is quicker/better! I believe it also has a quicker ratio steering rack.

    That's why I sold my 17" wheel set and now use standard 15" wheels and tires.
    I immediately saw a decent improvement! And the ride is quieter and less 'jarring'.
    It's weird how the Level 5's didn't have their own EPA numbers. They were definitely less efficient.
     
    #7 Bill Norton, May 5, 2023
    ukulelegeek likes this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)