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aftermarket HIDs causing reduced mpg??

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Fuel Economy' started by boo510, Dec 2, 2010.

  1. boo510

    boo510 New Member

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    hi i drive a 2008 gen 2 prius and im starting to suddenly lose gas mileage after i hooked up my DDM HIDs 6k 35w w/ relay harness. before i was getting about 43mpg and now im getting like 35-39mpg.

    there's 60k miles on my car, tires r fine, oil change recently done, and no other mods to my car. can anyone help me solve the issue? is it possibly the HIDs because its wired to the battery?
     
    #1 boo510, Dec 2, 2010
  2. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Not likely. Unless there is a constant drain on the electrical system which is keeping the engine running when it should be turning off, I would suspect the recent drop in temperature and the increased moisture on the roads in your area.
     
    #2 F8L, Dec 3, 2010
  3. kenmce

    kenmce High Voltage Member

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    The headlights should pull no power when off. An easy test would be to drive the same route at the same speed with the lights on and off.
     
    #3 kenmce, Dec 3, 2010
  4. Paul58

    Paul58 Mileage Miser

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    I thought HID were supposed to draw less power than normal headlights. I think it's the drop in temps that's causing your drop in gas mileage.
     
    #4 Paul58, Dec 3, 2010
  5. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Perhaps the OP shouldn't have used the 1,000,000 cp lamps. ;)

    Tom
     
    #5 qbee42, Dec 3, 2010
  6. boo510

    boo510 New Member

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    last year around this time i didnt get a dramatic drop of gas mileage like this though
     
    #6 boo510, Dec 4, 2010
  7. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    If you are worried you loss of mpg is related to your new headlights then I would start monitoring how long your engine stays on. If it is staying on longer than norm
    al and not turning off at lights then you may have a problem. When your headlights are off there should be no drain. I bet you drive with them on during the day to show them off too? Or you just drive a lot at night?
     
    #7 F8L, Dec 4, 2010
  8. boo510

    boo510 New Member

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    uhh i still drive the same amount day and night regularly and no i dont leave my headlights on during the day. during the day i do seem to notice that i do lose some power as well
     
    #8 boo510, Dec 4, 2010
  9. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    Boo it's definitely the weather. I was getting 54mpg a month ago. Last week I filled up and got 47.0mpg. Sucks!
     
    #9 macmaster05, Dec 4, 2010
  10. boo510

    boo510 New Member

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    i hope its just the weather. im so sad im losing mileage and having to refill the tank more often
     
    #10 boo510, Dec 4, 2010
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