Questions: Mud Flaps/Splash Guards, Noisy Tires, K&N Filter, and Injector Cleaner

Hello Everyone!

My Forum name is "pleased prius owner," my real name is Dave, and I am a 61 year old, hearing impaired (wear hearing aids), retired music educator. I (and the bank) own a 2012 Regular Prius Five with black paint, gray interior, heavy duty rubber floor mats, lighted door sill thingies, and a few other options. I picked the car up on November 29, 2012 and have 20,700 miles on it as of today, September 2, 2013 (I drive, sometimes 2-3 times per week, from Toledo, Ohio to Columbus, Ohio to help care for my elderly parents). I absolutely love the car and it is performing ABOVE expectations and predictions in all areas.

My questions are honest ones and not meant to make it seem like I am the village idiot...I honestly don't know the answers to what I'm about to ask and would like some help from those of you with more experience owning a Prius. Here are my questions:

1. Mud Flaps/Splash Guards as advertised on prius chat accessories: Which ones are the best in terms of looks, the US or European ones? It is hard to see differences by looking at the pictures provided with the product information. I'm leaning toward the European ones.

2. Will the installation of either style (US or European) of mud flaps/splash guards cause drilling or other invasive actions to be taken in order to install them on the car? Which style will cause the least amount of invasion?

3. Will the installation of either style of mud flaps/splash guards cause a drop in mileage due to creating more wind resistance? I realize that this seems to be a "wacko question," but the first and foremost reason for me purchasing the Prius was to save money on gas. I do NOT want to hamper the car's ability to get outstanding mpg's. Will one style be less resistive than the other (or is this something that will be such a small issue that it doesn't matter...in other words, a wacko question).

4. The Prius Five comes with "low profile" tires (at least the one the bank and I own did). My car has Toyo Proxes A20 PXA20 P215/45 R17 87V Tubeless Steel Belted Radial M+S tires on it. I keep them aired up to 35-38 psi (more often than not at 38 psi). As I mentioned above, I am hearing impaired and wear hearing aids. Due to an unfortunate set of circumstances, I have had to get a new (state of the state of the state of the art) hearing aids and am now finding that the car is extremely noisy in terms of road noise. From almost the moment it starts moving (2 mph and up) there is a low pitched "rumble" (or "growl") that becomes quite noticeable with the new hearing aids. I had noticed the "rumble" with the previous pair of aids, but it now sounds as though there is/are wheel bearing(s) worn out and making noise. When I first noticed the "rumble" (using the old aids at the 15,000 mile service), I asked the dealer service writer about it...they (service writer and technician) drove the car and said that it is a tire noise and is "normal" for this kind/brand of tires. The amount of psi does not seem to make a difference in the amount of noise.

My questions: A) Am I being fed a load of used clarinet reeds at the dealer about this being tire noise? B) Are these tires really as noisy as they seem to be? C) Is there anything that can be done to fix this problem (other than having the hearing aid lady re-tune the hearing aids or not wear them when I drive)? D) Is it possible that I have one (or more) wheel bearings out/going out at 20,700 miles? E) Are there other causes for this kind of noise? F) Any ideas?

5. In all of my previous vehicles, I have used an injector cleaner (various kinds/brands...most recently "Lucas") and have had good results (haven't ever had to do one of those expensive injector/ fuel system cleaning jobs and my cars have always ran well and gotten better than advertised mpg even with up to 260,000+ miles on them). Does anyone have thoughts about this practice? I haven't used anything yet, but would like to get started soon (especially before winter). I am aware of the argument that the $$$ spent on "treatments" are wasted $$$ and I would be better off getting a six pack of (very) cheap beer and pouring it in me instead. My question is centered solely on whether or not injector cleaner (any kind/brand) SHOULD or SHOULD NOT be used in a Prius. Will using it cause harm? Things are working well at the moment and I don't want to do anything that will mess up "well."

6. In several of my previous vehicles, I have installed a K&N air filter for the internal combustion engine (ICE) and have gotten excellent results (up to 2 mpg better economy and noticeably better acceleration). Is there any reason that I should or SHOULD NOT do this in my (and the bank's) Prius? I know that an "up to 2 mpg" increase is not much and that it will take forever to recoup the cost of the filter and cleaning materials...that is not necessarily my goal. My thought is that if the engine is able to breathe easier, it won't have to work as hard. If it doesn't have to work as hard, it will last longer. If it lasts longer, I will be an even more happy camper.

Those are my questions at this point. I look forward to hearing from those of you who are much better versed in the world of Prius than I am. Thank you!

Dave
(pleased prius owner)

 

Thank you vskid3! Interesting article and site to which you directed me. I just spent about an hour poking around. The hearing aid issue can be programed resolved so I don't need to take them out when driving (they blue tooth directly from the cell phone to the hearing aids...wonderful to be able to hear on the phone again). I'm just trying to minimize hearing aid adjustments because one thing leads to another when messing around with the programing. I don't want to lose the other good things going on in the new hearing aids. Also, wanted to ask about tire/car noise with the specific tires I have on the car. I appreciate your comments and look forward to hearing more from you and others!

BTW, I'm impressed with the mileage you are getting in both of your vehicles! My actual (at the pump with a calculator) mpg is 51 ish mpg (versus the car display at 52 ish mpg). Compared to the 27 ish mpg I was getting in a 2009 Chevy Malibu (great car, great mpg for what it is), I couldn't be happier with the Prius!

Thanks for your insight!

Dave

 

Thank you JMD and orenji! Hope to hear more from you!

Dave

 

Hi eliotb! Nice to hear from you; thank you for the reply! Your insights on the tires, mud flaps, fuel additives, and K&N filter are all appreciated. I'm still hoping others will weigh in on the questions and see what's up!

I have Seimans Pure Carat Five (I think) hearing aids that bluetooth from the cell phone directly to the hearing aids (via the remote control on a lanyard around my neck) and also bluetooth to the car if the remote is left turned off. They work great! Oticon is an excellent manufacturer...I hope you get along well with them!

Great to hear from you!

Anyone else with some ideas? Please let me know. Thank you!

Dave (pleased prius owner)

 

Hi mikefocke! Thank you for the reply! Great to hear from you!

Anyone else?

Dave (ppo)