PIP Mileage deterioration

I, too, bought a PIP several months ago and every time we plug it in and then get in to drive, the "total miles charged" is less and less; starting at 11 and now down to 8.4. After reading all posts I still don't get it??? WHY??????

 

i'm sorry, but if you have read all the posts in all the threads on this subject, and the faq, there's not much i can say to help. especially in hawaii, your ev miles should be going up, not down. are you climbing the volcano every day by chance?

 

The value starts at a default value. As you drive and conditions change (like outside temperature), the value will become an estimate based upon your own particular circumstances instead.

It will adjust accordingly as time progresses. It will still only be an estimate though.

Primary purpose remains the same. That value simply gives you a rough idea of how much electricity is available. Whether or not it is consumed for EV or to boost HV remains an unknown and continuously different variable. MPG is still improved nonetheless.

New owners tend to obsess with the estimate, which is great... since that is actually a secondary purpose. It draws you into the ownership experience, stimulating a heightened awareness of how the system actually works. That's something no manual or pamphlet could achieve. Heck, even the online exchange of "how it operates" isn't as effective as firsthand observation.

Enjoy your plug-in Prius. If you want to learn even more, purchase an aftermarket gauge. Using it, you'll be able to see capacity as a percentage rather than miles. That really adds to the understanding.

 

Could be a few reasons.

1) You are going uphills a lot in EV mode
2) You are driving "fast" (above 55 mph) in EV mode
3) You brake hard when the battery is near full -- regen amount is limited
4) You are blending gasoline and electricity. The battery charge used to boost gas MPG isn't counted as EV mile. So, the estimate will go down. However, the actual EV miles may be higher than the estimate.

 

or she actually has a lemon
Sampling isn't large enough to validate but the couple website's I've visited show 2012 models with this lower and getting worse range. And yes they could be doing any of the above - and here's another - a friend was getting consistently worse range than mine - we talked and talked and finally agreed that me driving solo vs him w 3-4 in the car could make the difference ! 300-500lbs...

Brian's 2013 PiP
980 mi
1.6 gallons
86% EV

 

Yep, you gotta' pick lightweight friends.

 

Don't pay so much attention to the miles on the display, instead track your actual EV miles. For example, I just drove this today:

11.6 miles showing after full charge
11.6 miles driven (50% highway / 50% city)

And after driving that I still had 1.0 miles remaining on EV meter. So, my actual EV range was higher than what it told me after a full charge.

 

I think it's because you are confusing capacity with range. If the display said "Fully Charged" or "3 Kwh of Charge Remaining," then you wouldn't worry, because it would always report the same thing.

The range isn't getting lower, the car's accuracy is getting better.

 

Being able to toggle between miles & percent would seem a worthwhile presentation upgrade.. But then again, so many people freaked out about color being used in combination with bars, it may not make any difference. After all, we still have owners regarding fuel information in ways not intended.

 

I bought my 2012 Adv.PiP in Feb. 2013. I was charging up between 11.5 - 12.4. Now, in April, I am charging at 9.6 and dropping. I called my service department today and I am waiting for them to get back to me (why I am here).
It has nothing to do with gauges or driving habits. My routine has been the same. I used to leave for work #1 and arrive with 3.5 miles remaining toward work #2. Now It peters out just BEFORE I arrive at work #1! (And since it is Spring, I am using LESS accessories.) Has anyone had Toyota actually provide a FIX that worked? I am definitely experiencing a significantly diminished EV driving range due to a lower supply after a complete charge. Thanks.

 

What is your commute like?
elevation gain/loss?
How fast are you driving? (what is the speed limit on the roads)
What is your tire pressure?
Did you have a regular Prius before? (and are familar with all the tips/tricks for it)?
Have your read the FAQ?

Mike

 

Is all else really the same? New owners often aren't aware of what to look for. Only having partial information leads them to make assumptions. Some have discovered they were misinterpreting data too.

Start with a simple question: How has MPG changed?

 

actually, you're the first person who has had diminished actual ev miles from winter to spring, so there wouldn't be anyone else to get a fix from toyota. hope you have some success, all the best!

 

Thank you, advisers. But the fact remains: I am able to drive 2 miles LESS on EV than I used to. My morning commute is a constant. No traffic or stop lights. My indicator tells me that my charge is complete and I have 9.5 miles. (It should be 11.5 - 12.) I run out in 9.5 miles. Work is 10 miles away, so I run out. I used to make it to work at 999, but now the gas kicks in...and I used to be able to continue on EV (without charging) for a few miles after work. It is important to me, because I am in the process of selecting my retirement condo in a beach community. I would really like to choose a unit close enough to drive on EV for the entire trip (NO gas). We all choose our PiP personal challenges. Mine is to live my daily life (mostly) within EV range. Like Takana (above), my charge capacity is diminishing, and I have lost 2 miles that should be available through the charge.

 

definitely sounds like you understand the system and something is drastically wrong. i would get it back to the dealer and don't take, 'there's nothing wrong with your car sir' for an answer, you should be getting 12-16 miles like the rest of us. all the best!

 

I have had my PIP for 2 months. initially, the EV battery charge was listed at 11+ but has been going down after charging to now below 10. The weather has been getting warmer during this time period. My concern is what is happening with the charging, not what happens on the road after charging. Why is the charge going down with each subsequent charge ?
If a "reset" corrects the problem, then I presume that there is a computer error occurring. Can one do the "reset" oneself at home instead of having to go to a dealer whenever the "reset" may be re-needed ? I am appreciate all the contributions to the discussion. Thank you.

 

welcome to priuschat! disconnect your 12v neg cable for a few seconds, that will sort you out. all the best!

 

Looks like Bisco is on a roll!

 

Sounds like a possibility...but..."neg"? Besides the car plug, all I can do is unplug the 3-prong at the other end. Wait. You mean the BATTERY cable under the hood?

 

The 12v battery in the back.