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2007 Prius with 220,000 miles

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Fuel Economy' started by Mike Allenfort, Jun 13, 2014.

  1. Mike Allenfort

    Mike Allenfort New Member

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    Hello
    I am new to PC. I have a 2007 with I think a #4 package (the one just below the one with NAV). I use this for work as a sales rep in the San Francisco Bay Area. I have many stories to tell about my mileage but recently I have had 37-39 mpg where I had 50 a few years back. I thought it was tires (Defenders vs. Energy Savers) but I notice some hesitation and the ICE runs more when stuck in Bay Area traffic. Any suggestions? I purchased a new 12v battery today and will install it this weekend. I saw many comments about that here on PC.
    Thanks everybody.
     
  2. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Lets see what happens after 12v...what kind did you get Optima?
    By the way it sometime takes a couple tank fulls gasoline after the batt change I think for the system to come back to the 50 MPG mark

    PS- Welcome! Congrats on 200miles! and you're out of CARB warranty <just kiddin>
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    hi mike, welcome to priuschat! if the new battery doesn't solve your problem, have it checked for codes to see if any problems have been logged. all the best!(y)
     
  4. Mike Allenfort

    Mike Allenfort New Member

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    Great. Thanks for the replies. I got the battery at Toyota dealer and haven't opened the box yet. Today is Friday the 13th so I'll wait 'till tomorrow. I'll post my reply then.
     
  5. Mike Allenfort

    Mike Allenfort New Member

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    Switched 12v battery today. Piece of cake. I haven't driven enough to tell if it's helping with MPG but I'll try to return to PC often.
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    friday the 13th?o_O
     
  7. Mr.Electric

    Mr.Electric Member

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    Make sure you still have enough engine oil. Some high mileage Prius loose mpg because of the engine dragging in a low oil condition. I'm sure you already checked tire air pressure.
     
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    New battery might benefit from an intitial charging session, with one of those low amperage intelligent chargers.

    Re Friday the 13th, hey: at 8 am Friday I was in the chair getting a dental implant. Of course I'm looking kind of like a chipmunk right now ;)
     
    Mike Allenfort likes this.
  9. Mike Allenfort

    Mike Allenfort New Member

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    Took a long trip to LA last weekend. I got 44 mpg going there and 41 coming back. I'm told there is a 1% grade on I5. Changing the 12v battery must have helped. I'm back in the 40+ range. I think it is the Michelin Defenders vs. the LRR tires I had before. I will switch back to LRRs when these wear out. Since I drive 100+ miles a day, that won't take long.