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new car with very bad mpg

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Fuel Economy' started by andrejsvk, Dec 28, 2017.

  1. andrejsvk

    andrejsvk Junior Member

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    Hi everybody, I have just picked up the new prius from the dealer and I had very terrible MPG for the first drive. It was 320 km (approx 200 miles) and I was trying hard for good MPG. I had 4,9 l/100km (48mpg). I have also the previous prius and on the same trip I always get less then 4l/100km in the same conditions (more then 58mpg). I have 16" wheels with propper pressure and same tires as on gen 3. Also the engine has very rough sound and actually sounds way worse then the old gen3 I have. Is it possible that this is only because the car is brand new or should I be worried something is wrong? Thank you
     
  2. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Are you saying this is a gen 4 Prius? All I have seen have either 15" or 17" wheels, not 16" Heavier rims, non-LRR tires, and low tire pressures can reduce fuel economy.
    When I picked up my 2017 with 15" wheels a year ago, it said I got 59 mpg on the 150 mile drive home from the dealer. (US gallons)
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i wouldn't worry, but i think most folks feel the gen 4 is a bit quieter.
    check the oil level, and go back to the dealer and drive another one to compare.
    i don't like comparing trip mpg, but would prefer tank fulls, preferably several. there are a lot of factors that can effect a trip, for better or worse.
    do both cars have 16" wheels? the new tires might cost a couple mpg's until they are broken in.
    is it colder there? winter formula petrol?
     
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  4. andrejsvk

    andrejsvk Junior Member

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    Yes gen 4 https://photos.app.goo.gl/WZHxIcInfGossqcE3, it was sold with 17" but I bought another set of tires with alloy rims for winter. And those are 16" as toyota does not allow 15" in europe as replacement. Same for my gen 3. Toyota did not allow 15" so I had to buy second 16" set. I have the same pressure on gen 3 and gen 4, same tires Nokian WR D3 with same sizes. The only difference it that gen 3 has 120k miles and this one is brand new and that the new one sounds worse then the old one.
     
  5. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Nice choice of color. I like the black roof too.
    Was there any difference in the trim levels between the Gen 3 & Gen 4? Some people notice road noise more in the lower trim Gen 4, depending on the tires. Toyota uses several different OEM tires on the Gen 4, likely depending on available stock.
    Winter tires are generally noisier too. It could be just a combination of factors. Test driving another one is a good idea.
     
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  6. andrejsvk

    andrejsvk Junior Member

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    Thank you, the petrol is the same and no dealer here in slovakia have a gen4 to compare. I even ordered this one without seeing one live before (I had a gen 3 so I felt confident buing it without seeing). It is not a very popular car here. The sound is quieter but very rough, almost diesel like. I will give it a few more tanks before going back to dealer. It is maybe only some fuel problem (dealer filled in 10liters from canister). Oil level is fine, I checked it as first thing due to the sound.
     
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  7. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Do you tend to leave the Nokian tires on all year? If not, a drive with the OEM wheels could help narrow down the possibilities.
     
  8. andrejsvk

    andrejsvk Junior Member

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    thank you, trim level is the middle one, same for gen 3. The road noise nothing compared to the gen 3 and even the engine is quieter but the sound of the engine is terrible. It really feels like old spark plugs or something.
     
  9. andrejsvk

    andrejsvk Junior Member

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    no I use goodyear efficient grip performance 215/35 r17 for summer. Funny thing is that winter tires have better fuel efficiency as they are 195/55 r16
     
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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    can you record the sound and post it here?
     
  11. andrejsvk

    andrejsvk Junior Member

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    I will swith the tires between gen 3 and gen 4 if the problem remains after few tanks but they are the exact same tires.
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    some people say a new car needs break in, but i have never experienced it. maybe get both cars to the dealer and have a mechanic listen to both engines.
     
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  13. andrejsvk

    andrejsvk Junior Member

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    sure, will try tomorrow. I had clogged egr cooler and blown valve on the gen 3 (toyota paid the repair even when the car was way out of warranty) and it still did not sound as bad. It is not loud but feels very unnatural.
     
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    When reading that, this is popping into my head :) :

    upload_2017-12-28_9-58-27.png

    What size are the tires? Maybe they're non-stock, different outside diameter? If they're significantly larger outside diameter that could throw off the odometer and increase wind resistance. What are the tires too?

    Also, what speeds were you travelling? MPG drops very significantly and fast at sustained high speeds, for example.

    Addendum: maybe there's a stock 16" tire in your country, I'm likely completely off the mark on that, sorry. But yeah, what speeds were you doing on this initial drive? High speeds will depress mpg.
     
    #14 Mendel Leisk, Dec 28, 2017
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2017
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  15. CoolPrius

    CoolPrius Active Member

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    My experiences are the opposite. Engine sound and ride comfort are improved over previous generation (I did have 17 inch wheels). MPG is reduced in winter time for sure as you know. If issue persists after a couple tank fill and tire change then have the dealer run a diagnostics and check the engine compartment for any loose panels or covers. Your car looks sharp, good luck.
     
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  16. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    215/35 r17 - would give you a different rolling circumference from the original (215/45R17). That would make a substantial difference to both your speed distance readout as well as your mileage calculation. The 16" wheels are only about 1% different from the originals though.

    I would never take much notice of the 1st trip, nor the first fill. And the dashboard display is only a computed figure from a number of sensors, and can be a few percent out (though generally optimistic).

    You need to completely ignore the first one, fill the tank (first click only) even if the dealer says they've filled it, zero TRIP A, drive for at least ½ a tankful, fill and calculate with a spreadsheet or calculator.
     
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  17. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    We do not know if the fuel from the canister was fresh fuel. That could make the engine run rough. You
     
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  18. johnsontsui

    johnsontsui New Member

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    best answer.
     
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  19. YannGC

    YannGC New Member

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    I am very much delighted with my Prius Prime Petrol management. Very much a great investment


    iPhone ?
     
  20. ATHiker

    ATHiker Senior Member

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    How cold is it in Slovakia right now?

    We are in the middle of a bitter cold snap where I live and as a result my MPG is at an all-time low.

    For context:

    0B0E5397-1A6C-4D5B-848D-100A3AF359A3.png
     
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