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Sudden reduction gas mileage after 15k maintenance

Discussion in 'Prime Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Ken Z, Dec 14, 2017.

  1. Ken Z

    Ken Z Junior Member

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    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Gas Mileage dropped over 10mpg after recommended induction service completed on the 15k service.

    Trip computer showed 45 mpg. Verified after 200 miles and fill-up... actual milage was 43 mpg.

    Hybrid system acted kinda weird too... Manually cycled through hybrid and EV modes and back to hybrid mode.. then hybrid system would use most of the electricity without normal cycling. After filling up, got better gas mileage but not normal.

    Next two days the system wouldn't stay in EV mode.. kept jumping out. Yesterday hybrid system back to normal and gas mileage that I'm used to.

    Took to dealer today and they said they found nothing wrong so they just reset the fuel computer... Obviously that's not the problem...

    Curios if anybody else had a similar problem..

    ..Thanks!...

    ..Ken
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    induction service is a scam. did they charge you for it? you may have to contact toyota, or even you consumer affairs office.
    the only things toyota recommends at 15k are cabin filter, tyre rotation and some inspections.
     
    Merkey likes this.
  3. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Why was this recommended? I'm not aware of it being on any maintenance schedule.
     
    Merkey likes this.
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    What is "induction service", some solvents sprayed into the intake? Maybe MAP sensor messed up?

    And at 15K??

    Check tire pressures too.
     
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  5. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Induction = wallet weight reduction :(.

    Typical induction service is done using solvents to cleanse intake parts of debris.

    Seems rather early at 15k(n).
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  6. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Had it been 150,000 miles, it would only be wallet reduction therapy, at 15,000 it is a warning to find another service department NOW! (If at 150,000 miles, you feel you need 'induction service' buy a can of Techron and add it to the gas)

    Not to mention that they are damaging your car to get repair work.

    This is your maintenance schedule, do not let the dealer add 'services'.
    https://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/omms-s/T-MMS-17PriusPrime/pdf/2017_Toyota_Prius%20Prime_WMG_lr.pdf

    page 43, notice that no where is any induction service suggested

    (Do not try to get even, just never give them another penny of work)

    The only possible addition anyone ever mentions is drain and fill the ATF WS in the transaxle. Since Toyota does not list a service schedule, we make up our own. I use 30,000 miles, then 90,000 miles, then every 90,000 miles. You are free to choose to drain and fill ATF, or not.
     
    #6 JimboPalmer, Dec 14, 2017
    Last edited: Dec 14, 2017
  7. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Should you feel that there is only one dealer, here are 9 within 100 miles. One has to be better than where you took it at 15,000 miles.

    Toyota Of New Bern
    5010 Hwy. 70 East
    New Bern, NC 28560
    252-637-7200
    23 miles

    Stevenson Toyota
    3124 North Marine Blvd.
    Jacksonville, NC 28546
    910-937-1555
    36.6 miles

    Pecheles Toyota
    4020 Highway 264 West
    Washington, NC 27889
    252-975-1500
    62.2 miles

    Massey Motor Company
    4760 Highway 70 West
    Kinston, NC 28504
    252-523-6111
    63 miles

    Greenville Toyota
    3615 South Memorial Drive
    Greenville, NC 27834
    252-321-3000
    68.1 miles

    Toyota Of Wilmington
    5640 Market Street
    Wilmington, NC 28405
    910-791-9735
    72.4 miles

    Toyota of Goldsboro
    301 North Oak Forest Road; POB 10865
    Goldsboro, NC 27534
    919-778-3232
    80 miles

    Deacon Jones Toyota
    1613 Sunset Avenue Hwy 24 W
    Clinton, NC 28328
    910-592-8951
    92.9 miles

    Hubert Vester Toyota of Wilson
    3712 Raleigh Road Parkway
    Wilson, NC 27896
    252-291-5300
    98 miles
     
  8. Ken Z

    Ken Z Junior Member

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    Thanks for all the feedback!. Shame on me for not checking the required maintenance schedule. Induction service seemed odd but this is my first Hybrid and I was in a hurry so went along with it... Won't make that mistake again.

    I'm going to ask them who they talked to at Toyota to see if the problem has occurred elsewhere and to document my intermittent problem for others to be aware and start tracking. I think I know what their answer will be as I told ahead f time them a reset of the fuel tracking computer is not going to fix the problem... They didn't have any mx codes show up so that's all they did and I suspect my problem is going to happen again.

    I just wasted two hours of my life getting the car to Toyota and back that I'll never get back...

    ..Ken
     
    bisco likes this.
  9. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    If you could find out exactly what chemicals they used, it might help diagnosing your vehicle's issue. We already know about your dealership issue :(

    For future reference here, what dealer?
     
  10. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    One thing, check your oil level to make sure it's correct. I know, it should not ave been touched but some have reported (in the past) bad MPG after finding their oil level was too high. Can't hurt to check.
     
    #10 Mark57, Dec 15, 2017
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2017
  11. FuelMiser

    FuelMiser Senior Member

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    Could they also have adjusted your tire pressures down? Or perhaps rotated the tires and reversed the direction of rotation? Either of these would cause MPG to go down. Take a good look at your service receipt and note all the actions they took.
     
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  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Service receipts vary, but can be a bewildering mish-mash of shorthand and acronyms.