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Improved mpg after Fuel Injection cleaning

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by prakashG, Sep 1, 2021.

  1. prakashG

    prakashG Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2015
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    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    5 weeks back I purchased 2012 Prius with 115K miles on it. One owner. He did all maintenance as scheduled at Dealer. In my first 2 weeks, i noticed that the mpg is always 36-39. I compared it with my Prius C for similar trip, same driver me and similar driving habit. My old Prius C (2014) giving close to 49 and this Prius never crossing 39 mpg. I looked at all the maintenance records and schedule Maintenance chart to see what has been done at regular intervals.

    I think simple Spark Plugs change or Coils change does not happens till 120K? (I could be wrong).
    Fuel Injection cleaning is never a part of Schedule Maintenance.

    What i realized in this Prius the pickup was little slow. I mean the response to gas paddle was slow. I also realized that this vehicle is driven 115K miles in USA and I will be driving it in USA for more. I am not sure of Ethanol added fuel is common in other parts of world.

    Any way, Scotty KIlmer has a good video on youtube about what kind of Fuel injection cleaner works better in modern Fuels blends and Engines. I used 1 can of Gumot 510011 (PEA based). Poured when tank was half. then added more Fuel to full the tank. Then normal drive.

    after 60 odd miles, i notice some mild cranking sounds from engine and some greyeesh (not dark black) smoke from exhaust. It stopped after 10 minutes or so.

    After that next trip, mileage improved to 48mpg for the same trip. I also notice that the pickup and speed up is more responsive to gas paddle. Since then i have driven more than 100 miles and my average is above 48mpg now, with avg speed 45mph. This is with normal driving without being cautious of making some Prius Mileage records.
     
    #1 prakashG, Sep 1, 2021
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2021
    nicoj36, bisco and ASRDogman like this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    well done! now it's time to clean the egr circuit, before the head gasket bows (y)
     
    #2 bisco, Sep 1, 2021
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  3. Colorado Boo

    Colorado Boo Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2021
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    Location:
    Monument, Colorado USA
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
    Excellent! Do a Google search for "Top Tier Fuel" and find gas stations with it near you and always fill-up there. It has detergents that are great for keeping injectors clean. I, also, run a small bottle of Lucas Fuel Injector Cleaner in a tank in all my cars every month or so and haven't had a fuel injector issue in over 20 years, now.
     
    #3 Colorado Boo, Sep 1, 2021
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  4. prakashG

    prakashG Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2015
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    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Here is a link to video made by Scotty. He gives good reasoning here about how different Fuel injection cleaner are different and why PEA based cleaner should work better in modern cars and fuel blends.


    .
     
    #4 prakashG, Sep 1, 2021
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  5. Lucas Fox

    Lucas Fox New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2021
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    Location:
    Central , Illinois
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I am having a case of bad MPG. Car will show about 37 mpg avg., but will get about 35 mpg. I decided to replace the injectors and ordered all new 4 injectors from RockAuto Brand - ULTRA-Power. After installation the car showed it was getting 45 mpg. Whoo Hoo!! Went to fill up and the car was still getting only getting 35mpg. Uhhh... I then cleaned the original injectors and reinstalled them. Still the same outcome no difference in MPG (35) and the car is showing 37 mpg avg. again. Ran a few cans of seafoam through the tank. Here is what else I have done recently. Intake manifold cleaning, Intake cleaned, EGR cooler and piping, new plugs, PCV valve, New 12v battery, rebuilt the hybrid battery. Any ideas?
     
    #5 Lucas Fox, Dec 18, 2021
  6. Darklandscape

    Darklandscape Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2022
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    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    How many miles on it?
    If its high maybe try replacing the inverter coolant.

    Someone recommended this ecu reset that does more than the regular disconnect battery reset. In another thread it helped another person to get higher mpg.


    Have you cleaned the throttle body? Its pretty easy to do just use throttle body cleaner and a rag.

    You can also check the rear wheels to see if they spin well, there should go 1.5- 2 revolutions if you give them a good push.

    I am also having lower milage like you and will be trying a bottle of gumout I have.
     
    #6 Darklandscape, Sep 17, 2022
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