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Need help! Major mpg loss!

Discussion in 'Prius c Fuel Economy' started by JaredSJLY, Jan 8, 2017.

  1. JaredSJLY

    JaredSJLY Junior Member

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    I posted before about the mpg disparity between my 2012 prius c and the 2013 prius c

    I just took a 12 minute drive from my parents house back to my apartment. In my old 2012 i could easily get 60 mpg without aiming for good mpg.

    I tried as hard as i could with my 2013 and made it to 40.5 mpg.

    Any ideas whats causing this? It seems like it uses the gas engine far too often, tries to keep the battery charged far too much.

    The car even seems a little sluggish. It only has 23k miles on it as well.

    Please help!!

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  2. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Headwind?
    Low tire pressure?
    Different tires?
    Colder temperature?
    Plugged air filter?
    Wrong spark plugs?
    Incorrectly gapped spark plugs?
    Wrong oil?
    Different gasoline?
     
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  3. JaredSJLY

    JaredSJLY Junior Member

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    Headwind: no, this seems to be pretty consistent
    Tire pressure: good
    Different tires: no.
    Colder temp: yes, but only slightly
    Plugged air filter: will check tomorrow, but assuming not, since i just purchased car from a lexus dealership and it only has 23k miles
    Wrong oil: i would have no way of knowing, but will check into that as well
    Different gas: no

    Also the cruising range after i fill up says around 370...where my 2012 would say around 440. So i am assuming it is correct and definitely getting less mileage per tank

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  4. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

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    How many tanks of gas have you gone through since buying car from the Lexus dealer? I will say that I don't get the best gas mileage in 12 miles of driving. It grows as I drive longer distances. But, there seems to be something wrong with the 2013. My guess is the dealer (Lexus mechanics) put in the wrong oil type. Don't even try to get them to admit it. I would just go ahead and either change it yourself or take to someone who will put in the 0-20w synthetic blend.
     
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    60 mpg on a 12 minute drive in your climate may be the anomaly.
     
  6. JaredSJLY

    JaredSJLY Junior Member

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    Most of my time spent driving the 2012 was in the summer. (I live in central virginia)

    I will change the oil out right away, and probably take it to toyota to check out the spark plugs to see whats up.

    I always use full synthetic, and it is highly possible that lexus used conventional oil and the wrong kind as well.

    I still have trouble believing that would destroy my gas mileage that much. Hoping it helps anyway!

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    agreed, i don't think either of those are a problem. otoh, don't expect or assume a lexus dealer will do everything correctly on a prius.
     
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  8. JaredSJLY

    JaredSJLY Junior Member

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    The spark plugs absolutely would destroy mileage though, correct?

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  9. JaredSJLY

    JaredSJLY Junior Member

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    Also different gasoline could be a factor...i bought my first tank in indiana, the second in west virginia...just now bought my first tank of the gas i am used to, but the cruising range still topped out at 370 instead of the 440 i'm used to in my old 2012 model

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    not likely at 23,000 miles.
     
  11. JaredSJLY

    JaredSJLY Junior Member

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    Any other factors you guys can think of? I'm at a loss aside from the regular things that affect mpg

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  12. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    Dying 12v accessory battery


    iPhone ?
     
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  13. JaredSJLY

    JaredSJLY Junior Member

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    Hadnt thought of that. That would cause the gas engine to run more often to keep it charged right?

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  14. I'mJp

    I'mJp Senior Member

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    Parking break ?
     
  15. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    Correct


    iPhone ?
     
  16. JaredSJLY

    JaredSJLY Junior Member

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    You know i think it would almost to be this unbelievable cold weather ( it hasnt been above freezing since i bought it) coupled with an underperforming 12v battery

    With 23k miles, i wouldnt think anything else would be malfunctioning. Anyone else agree?

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  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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  18. JaredSJLY

    JaredSJLY Junior Member

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    Sorry i was panicking, i was hoping someone could offer some info quickly!

    But i think i may have discovered that the prius hates cold weather more than i thought...

    After driving around warming everything up for about 30 minutes, i reset the mpg and got 61.7mpg in another 30 minutes.

    So, i am breathing a huge sigh of relief. Im guessing an upgrade on my 12v battery is probably in order, but the cold weather has to be the major culprit.

    Thanks guys for all your help!

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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  20. JaredSJLY

    JaredSJLY Junior Member

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    Also, i waited to see how long it took for the engine to kick back on after i parked, it was a little over 6 minutes. Seems to be right back at similar performance to the 2012 i used to have. Too bad its so freaking cold outside!

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