Disappointed in Prius.... Any Advice for me?

Nitrogen: I raced Championship Cup Series (race lic #51) in the southeast region. Nitrogen existed. We didn't use it. I now teach advanced motorcycle classes on the racetrack. Racers still don't and neither do I

 

If you are going to replace the engine air filter, go ahead and do the MAS cleaner, and Throttle body cleaner as well. Get a old cotton t-shirt and wipe the area around the engine air filter. Since you are talking about farm dust, there's almost certain to br a very fine coating of 'atmosphere' that got thru the existing filter, and will have deposited an almost invisible layer around the filter housing.

 

Be careful with the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor: use only a MAF specified cleaner. CRC makes one, and I think the have posted a video on how to use it. The MAF sensor is very fragile. And expensive.

If cleaning the throttle body, use a carb cleaner, and don't spray directly: spray on a cloth or Q-Tips and clean that way.

 

If your parking space has access to an electrical outlet, get an engine block heater.
Engine Block Heater for 2004-2009 Toyota Prius - PriusChat Shop

Be sure to install a timer at the outlet so it comes on for an hour (or however long it needs to be to warm the engine block) before you have to leave the next morning. A reminder of some sort (big sign on your steering wheel), to remind you NOT to drive away before unplugging the engine block extension cord.

I imagine this would have an immediate improvement in for your Winter MPG.

 

It just had new tires put on it as well.

 

what did?

 

That fits a 2009 Prius!

 

I wonder how the OP's air filter mpg journey turned out?

 

I believe the Engine in your car is 1.5L. At 67,000 miles I think your engine is at good condition. And also perhaps the Hybrid Battery Pack. I think this Engine is not meant to go over 55MPH. Above 55MPH it's mileage starts to suffer. At 55 MPH , I have seen 65MPG in my Gen 2 2005 Prius. At 70MPH it goes below 50MPG. Mine is at 205K miles right now. Are you driving over 80miles per hour in Highways ? If you are then you may be driving it wrong or perhaps the wrong car if you are used to doing that. Here in the UK, some folks have the habit of driving 80MPH in Motorways which Prius should totally avoid.

About city driving there are couple of ways to drive it- like the pulse and coast method. Also wherever possible let the battery do the work. And be easy on the gas. Like making the battery bring the cars speed upto 10 to 15 MPH first and then only engaging the engine.



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This is a common misconception among noobie Prius owners. You will get better MPG stats if you actively engage the ICE and accelerate at 20 – 11 MPG (US) (23 – 12 MPG (UK)) , conserving your electric battery storage for when you are cruising or hill climbing.

Have a think about from where the electricity comes. It all generated by the gas (petrol) ICE. So it makes no sense to use up the store energy from the battery to accelerate, and then have to replace it later when you are cruising. All the conversions from one form of energy to another is inefficient (by definition), so you cannot possibly have higher MPG stats when forcing the car to do unnecessary conversions of energy.

 

I hope the OP has figured this out in the nine months since he posted it.

 

Assume sooner-or-later you will screw up, and plan accordingly:

Ensure the the block heater will not touch the road if left dangling. If it's coming out through the lower grill, zip-tie it solidly to one of the slats, in two locations, a couple of inches apart. Maybe double zip-tie the last location.

Also, use an extension cord that pulls straight out (not 90 degree connection), and ensure it pulls out relatively easily.

Lastly, loop the extension cord around something solid, so you won't be dragging it (and possibly a timer?) out of the garage.