Low MPG, dealer says no problem ...

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Fuel Economy' started by Iria, Aug 11, 2012.

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  1. Iria

    Iria New Member

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    Wife's 2008 Prius with 46K miles. Just filled it up - 32MPG. This has been going on for a few months. We replaced the 12V battery, based on recommendations here. Still horrible mileage.

    The dealer charged us $110 to check the car out, said nothing is wrong.

    I am convinced the batteries are bad. I watch the "video game" and the engine is charging the batteries ALL THE TIME.

    What recourse do I have? The dealer says there is nothing wrong.

    As I said, replaced the 12V. Driving habits have not changed. Tires are inflated to (our) spec and fine.
     
    #1 Iria, Aug 11, 2012
  2. gmcneil05

    gmcneil05 Member

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    Do you heir your battery fan running a lot.
     
    #2 gmcneil05, Aug 11, 2012
  3. Iria

    Iria New Member

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    It's my wife's Prius. I'm not sure. How would I describe that noise to her?
     
    #3 Iria, Aug 11, 2012
  4. Iria

    Iria New Member

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    I will add that this happens even in the morning ... when the car is first started. I've see it blue when I drive to get coffee, then turn purple on the drive back. Wth? I'm looking to see if escalating to a district manager is possible. This just doesn't seem normal to me. My 2006 model was traded in on a Prius Plug-In and it had 65K miles on it and I was still getting 43-45 MPG.
     
    #4 Iria, Aug 11, 2012
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    what was she getting before it declined? there are so many possibilities, i would spend some time here before escalating with toyota. have you driven it for a tank to see how it does?
     
    #5 bisco, Aug 11, 2012
  6. Iria

    Iria New Member

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    About 45-47. Been declining slowly (she didn't mention it to me) for months, but recently I've been tracking it, and it's been 36, 38, 38 and now 32 for the past month. The dealer sees nothing wrong when he took it for a test drive and plugged in their instruments.
     
    #6 Iria, Aug 11, 2012
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    has anything else changed? commute? weather? tires? etc. etc.?
     
    #7 bisco, Aug 11, 2012
  8. Iria

    Iria New Member

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    Nothing that should cause a drop of what ... about 1/3? Also, as I said, we replaced the 12v battery based on things we read here. Official battery from the dealer, even.
     
    #8 Iria, Aug 11, 2012
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    have them test it. or if they want to charge you, there's a self test you can do. sometimes, a new 12v can be bad. i'm not saying it's not the hybrid battery, but toyota is slow to react to these things when a code doesn't pop up so you might as well keep investigating meanwhile. is it really hot where you live?
     
    #9 bisco, Aug 11, 2012
  10. Iria

    Iria New Member

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    Sheesh, right, they assume that the hybrid battery is only bad if a code pops up. It's the SF Bay Area so it varies. I don't think it has anything to do with a/c, as it's been pretty temperate lately.
     
    #10 Iria, Aug 11, 2012
  11. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    Iria,

    Take her Prius to Luscious Garage or Art's Auto in SF. Two good, independent hybrid repair facilities.

    JeffD
     
    #11 jdenenberg, Aug 11, 2012
  12. Iria

    Iria New Member

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    jdenenberg, thanks for the suggestion, but I would think if it's the hybrid batteries, it should be covered by warranty ...
     
    #12 Iria, Aug 11, 2012
  13. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    You can always take it on a freeway trip and see what it does for about 40 miles or so. That would rule out terrain and driving/commute differences.
     
    #13 F8L, Aug 11, 2012
  14. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    Assuming tire type & pressure, oil type & level, air-filter, and temperature extremes aren't to blame, that's an excellent next step. A steady cruise on relatively flat & windless highway can be revealing.
     
    #14 john1701a, Aug 11, 2012
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it might be worth a lucious analysis if you can't figure it out. if they can find it, they can fix it. if they determine it's the battery, you have ammunition to go back to toyota for warranty.
     
    #15 bisco, Aug 11, 2012
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  16. Iria

    Iria New Member

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    Standard tires, see dealer on time for services, checked oil, etc. etc. but it's worth a try, I suppose
     
    #16 Iria, Aug 12, 2012
  17. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    If the dealer is changing the oil most likely severely overfilled. Park on flat surface and check oil dipstick carefully.
    Oil must not be over fill line. I think you may fine its way over the line.
    Also inflate tires to 42front-40 rear. And lastly but most importantly put the car in "ready" and then open hood and take the cap off the little reservoir next to the Inverter. Its to the left of the square shiny cover and filled with pink coolant.
    While in ready look at the coolant in the reservoir with a flashlight closely. You should see really good flow/turbulence/movement of the coolant which is evidence of proper pump action. If not moving alot the pump has failed and is overheating the Inverter which kills battery mileage.

    And if it was me I would change the Inverter coolant anyway. Btw, please fill out your info panel. Car and where you live. It helps us diagnose your issue.
     
    #17 edthefox5, Aug 12, 2012
  18. Iria

    Iria New Member

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    Know any such facilities in the East Bay? We live in Castro Valley.
     
    #18 Iria, Aug 12, 2012
  19. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    One other good, independent, hybrid repair facility in CA is Avi's Auto in LA.

    JeffD
     
    #19 jdenenberg, Aug 12, 2012
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  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sorry, no.
     
    #20 bisco, Aug 12, 2012
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