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Two Simple Solutions for Low Fuel Efficiency

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by PriusOnTheFence, Aug 21, 2020.

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  1. PriusOnTheFence

    PriusOnTheFence Member

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    This post is not intended for veterans, but for rookies/low-tech users.

    I was experiencing very low efficiency this winter, down to 36 MPG (read, not calculated).

    After reading a number of posts, I made 2 changes:

    --started buying gas from Shell. I used to get it from Kroger. Since it was on the same Rewards system, I assumed it was pretty much the same quality. I saw at least a 5 MPG change.

    --then I also increased the tire pressure to 40 (front) and 38 (rear). I went up to 46 MPG.

    Now that the weather is better, I am back up to 49.7 MPG. Could not be happier.

    Had gone to the dealer and got all sorts of horror stories about changing EGR pipes/valves/coolers etc.

    Try the simple stuff first!

    Btw, does anyone know if I can ask the dealer to see what the lifetime fuel consumption is? Toyota should make it readily available.
     
    #1 PriusOnTheFence, Aug 21, 2020
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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you can ask, but they can't read it. only toy corp has the key to that info
     
    #2 bisco, Aug 21, 2020
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  3. PriusOnTheFence

    PriusOnTheFence Member

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    I guess they don't want us to know!
     
    #3 PriusOnTheFence, Aug 21, 2020
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    likely, they never set aside some harmless things that might be of interest to some owners, and the secret sauce divulges all or nothing.

    that being said, some obd readers provide a lot of interesting data, but i don't think lifetime histories are among them.
     
    #4 bisco, Aug 21, 2020
  5. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Do remember that MPG varies by season, even without anything going wrong with the car itself:

    Why mileage gets worse in winter | PriusChat
    What was your tire pressure down to before this step?
    Of course you can ask! But that doesn't mean they'll have a useful answer.

    I'm not aware of Gen3 Prii having lifetime MPG meters. If it was something you wanted to know, then you should have either kept your own lifetime fuel log, or set aside one of the two Trip meters for that purpose. But the later is susceptible to accidental resets, both by yourself and by the maintenance technicians fumble-fingering it when trying to reset the maintenance reminders.


    For more ideas in tracking down low MPG, read here:
    Fuel economy complaints/queries? Please copy, paste & answer these questions, esp. if you're new | PriusChat
     
    #5 fuzzy1, Aug 21, 2020
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