Mileage issues with new tires/roof rack possible gas leak?

This could have easily gone in the mileage thread, but there are other issues that I am dealing with too. Hi all. First post. I have been using PriusChat for years, but I have always gotten the answers I needed without having to sign up. This is complicated and goes in a lot of directions. Briefly, I got new tires. Not the ones I should have and I knew it. I do not expect to have the car for more than a year or two more so I did not want to spend the money on the correct tires. Probably a mistake but oh well now. I have over 211K on the car. At the same time I got the tires I put a Yakima rack on the car. And for discussion's sake, I installed a new Dorman hybrid battery myself about a year ago. And there is a new 12v too. I was surprised that after installing the new hybrid battery I did not really get any better mileage. I admit I have a heavy foot. I would get at best 44-46 mpg. But my wife also has a newer 2011 and I can get 48-50 in hers. Now, with all the new stuff and tires, I am lucky to get 41 if I am really careful. Now, after all that explaining, this is my question: I found a fuel leak a year ago that was almost impossible to find. I could smell the gas. It was a broken fuel line near a clip on top of the engine. I swear I might be smelling gas again. Are there well known points where there have been fuel leaks that I can check? My mechanic did not even find the first one after a thorough check. I was with him and helped. I was lucky to find it myself after checking further. I am also having acceleration issues when I first start off. Intermittent pauses in acceleration that go away after the first few minutes and can even cause me to have trouble pulling out in traffic when I floor it. But I can talk about that one later. Just thought I would bring it up now just in case it sounds related.

 

Kumho 185/65 40K mileage. Rated for 44 psi, but I have them up at 51 right now.

 

Yeah, you're probably right. Just thought I would try and find something that could be fixed if possible.

 

Yeah, that is really my main concern. I was hoping this might be something that has happened to others and might know some common places where this has happened before. The Toyota dealership was not very helpful. Also, what is going on with that intermittent power problem? Can it be pinpointed to an electrical device? Maybe this question would be better in a new post, or if someone is familiar with this problem, point me to a thread where it has been previously discussed.

 

Wow, great advice! I will be checking this today. Thanks. I was told the other day by someone who had an older Prius to check/change the spark plugs. I guess I am just not used to doing that on these newer cars. But I wanted to get someone's opinion on that. Easy enough to do, but do they really get fouled up on such a lightly used engine?

 

Excellent. Thanks again.

 

Ha! True fuzzy1. LRR tires? I assume that is the Silicon content? Or pressure rating maybe? At any rate, you're right. Next time.

 

Yeah, I will check it out. I am kind of scared to. I am sure it will get me mad at myself. But I will only have the car for a little while longer. I just want to try and tackle the possible fuel leak. If nothing else, before I sell it to someone. I checked inside the fuel filter. I was surprised to see some carbon buildup on the air intake. When I opened the carb all the way, there was a little oil visible inside. If that is the case, I am sure the plugs could be changed out. I am looking into that now. By the way Mendel made it sound, it might not be too fun. But worth it.

 

Luckily there is not that much oil. I would certainly be concerned if there was that much. It is just a heavy film of oil. But more than I would think would be in an engine like that.