I posted before about the mpg disparity between my 2012 prius c and the 2013 prius c I just took a 12 minute drive from my parents house back to my apartment. In my old 2012 i could easily get 60 mpg without aiming for good mpg. I tried as hard as i could with my 2013 and made it to 40.5 mpg. Any ideas whats causing this? It seems like it uses the gas engine far too often, tries to keep the battery charged far too much. The car even seems a little sluggish. It only has 23k miles on it as well. Please help!! Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
Headwind? Low tire pressure? Different tires? Colder temperature? Plugged air filter? Wrong spark plugs? Incorrectly gapped spark plugs? Wrong oil? Different gasoline?
Headwind: no, this seems to be pretty consistent Tire pressure: good Different tires: no. Colder temp: yes, but only slightly Plugged air filter: will check tomorrow, but assuming not, since i just purchased car from a lexus dealership and it only has 23k miles Wrong oil: i would have no way of knowing, but will check into that as well Different gas: no Also the cruising range after i fill up says around 370...where my 2012 would say around 440. So i am assuming it is correct and definitely getting less mileage per tank Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
How many tanks of gas have you gone through since buying car from the Lexus dealer? I will say that I don't get the best gas mileage in 12 miles of driving. It grows as I drive longer distances. But, there seems to be something wrong with the 2013. My guess is the dealer (Lexus mechanics) put in the wrong oil type. Don't even try to get them to admit it. I would just go ahead and either change it yourself or take to someone who will put in the 0-20w synthetic blend.
Most of my time spent driving the 2012 was in the summer. (I live in central virginia) I will change the oil out right away, and probably take it to toyota to check out the spark plugs to see whats up. I always use full synthetic, and it is highly possible that lexus used conventional oil and the wrong kind as well. I still have trouble believing that would destroy my gas mileage that much. Hoping it helps anyway! Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
agreed, i don't think either of those are a problem. otoh, don't expect or assume a lexus dealer will do everything correctly on a prius.
The spark plugs absolutely would destroy mileage though, correct? Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
Also different gasoline could be a factor...i bought my first tank in indiana, the second in west virginia...just now bought my first tank of the gas i am used to, but the cruising range still topped out at 370 instead of the 440 i'm used to in my old 2012 model Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
Any other factors you guys can think of? I'm at a loss aside from the regular things that affect mpg Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
Hadnt thought of that. That would cause the gas engine to run more often to keep it charged right? Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
You know i think it would almost to be this unbelievable cold weather ( it hasnt been above freezing since i bought it) coupled with an underperforming 12v battery With 23k miles, i wouldnt think anything else would be malfunctioning. Anyone else agree? Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
Sorry i was panicking, i was hoping someone could offer some info quickly! But i think i may have discovered that the prius hates cold weather more than i thought... After driving around warming everything up for about 30 minutes, i reset the mpg and got 61.7mpg in another 30 minutes. So, i am breathing a huge sigh of relief. Im guessing an upgrade on my 12v battery is probably in order, but the cold weather has to be the major culprit. Thanks guys for all your help! Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
Also, i waited to see how long it took for the engine to kick back on after i parked, it was a little over 6 minutes. Seems to be right back at similar performance to the 2012 i used to have. Too bad its so freaking cold outside! Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
