It feels like I have to push the gas pedal harder to get up to speed.

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by HoytHoytHoyt, Mar 25, 2013.

  1. HoytHoytHoyt

    HoytHoytHoyt Junior Member

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    The temperature has been in the lower 50's here in Atlanta. My C has 15,200 miles on it and it seems like I have to push the gas pedal alittle harder than normal to get it up to normal driving speed. My trip to work is 14 miles, Im usually getting 54 mpg, but over the last month it has been struggling to get past 50 mpg. Ive brought it to the dealer and they of course tell me that everything checks out ok, but I know its not running like it use to be. Im tryhing to blame it on weather, but for some reason I feel thats not the case.
     
    #1 HoytHoytHoyt, Mar 25, 2013
  2. X HCH2

    X HCH2 Member

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    It drives like that in ECO. Normal. Check that.
    X
     
    #2 X HCH2, Mar 25, 2013
  3. dick_larimore

    dick_larimore Member

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    As others have pointed out, make sure there is no obstruction of the cooling air vent for the high voltage battery back (driver side below the rear seat.
     
    #3 dick_larimore, Mar 25, 2013
  4. HoytHoytHoyt

    HoytHoytHoyt Junior Member

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    It hasn't been in ECO mode. The vent is totally free and clear.
     
    #4 HoytHoytHoyt, Mar 25, 2013
  5. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

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    Is it raining? That will account for the difference.
    Have you checked the tire pressure?
     
    #5 xpcman, Mar 25, 2013
  6. HoytHoytHoyt

    HoytHoytHoyt Junior Member

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    Will the CPU account for weather change? How long will the CPU take to adjust to normal weather? 50 miles? Its suppose to be warming up here by the end of the week. It hasnt been raining. Is there such a thing as a CPU reset so it can relearn my driving habits or for the weather change? I just had it in for its 15k service and all of the tires are set to 38psi all the way around.
     
    #6 HoytHoytHoyt, Mar 26, 2013
  7. RocMills

    RocMills Active Member

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    My first thought was also ECO mode.

    I'd up that tire pressure a bit, personally.

    And, wait, the cooling vent for the battery is under the DRIVER? I thought it was under the passenger seat and the jack or somesuch was under the driver's seat...

    Also, that slight a dip in MPGs certainly could be due to colder weather. In my experience, temps in the 50s yield MPGs in the 50s (sometimes with a struggle). I get really good mileage in the 60s, great in 70s and above.
     
    #7 RocMills, Mar 26, 2013
  8. Rob.au

    Rob.au Active Member

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    dick_larimore mentioned it was "driver side below the rear seat", which is correct. The battery vent is under the rear seat, on the left-side of the vehicle (driver's side for the US, passenger side for us). Yes, this is the same side as the jack under the front seat (under the driver's seat in the US, under the front passenger seat for us).

    The difference between 50 and 54 mpg is nothing in my opinion... I have variations larger than that every day.
     
    #8 Rob.au, Mar 27, 2013
  9. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    I see that just based on weather alone. I can get over 60 when the weather is above 50, but below that and I struggle to get over 50...:oops:
     
    #9 ztanos, Mar 27, 2013
  10. RocMills

    RocMills Active Member

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    Battery vent is on left side... okay, I've been keeping the rear right side clear. And vent is under back seat not front seat. Sorry for derailing the OP.
     
    #10 RocMills, Mar 27, 2013
  11. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    There is no adjustment for weather. Colder temps = lower engine efficiency and energy siphoned to heat the cabin. Simple laws of physics.
     
    #11 Former Member 68813, Mar 27, 2013
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