just purchased my first Prius. I have been looking for an used Prius for a while now and stumbled on this Prius v Five wagon. It was to clean to pass up. Every used Prius I looked at had high miles or was beat up. So I just recently purchased it, it's a 2012 Prius v Five wagon with the tech package with only 27,000 miles. It still looks basically new and it was a one owner car. Just was reading the forum and got concerned about everyone's issues with there 2012 models. The car functions perfectly, I'm getting about 38.5 MPG. I was just wondering if there is anything I should to do prevent any issues in the future, or things I can do to check the inverter or EGR? Thanks
Number one thing is to change the oil every 5,000 miles in an attempt to prevent oil burning, egr and pcv problems. Not 6,000-10,000 miles. Everytime like your wallet depends on it. The braker booster, hybrid battery and inverter issues may be a function of time as much as miles so just hope for the best. Egr cleaning around 75k might be useful but not just the valve. Include the much harder to remove and clean egr cooler. At the same time the intake should be replaced or removed and cleaned. Find and use an independent hybrid mechanic for the day the $2,000 and higher repairs are needed. This is as important as the oil changes to make the investment viable.
Congrats and welcome! I wouldn’t do anything at 27k except check the battery health and regular maintenance . Follow the time, not miles
It depends. Fuel economy has been all over the map since new on our 2012 Prius v Five with the advanced tech package. It usually ranged from around 38 mpg to 41 mpg on its original hard-as-a-rock low rolling resistance tires which provided a horribly rough ride and poor braking. It's ranged from around 35 mpg to 38 mpg on non-LRR performance tires that are much wider (look like they should be on a muscle car), provide a nice cushy ride and confident handling and braking. When on its Blizzak winter tires, it's ranged from around 32 mpg to 36 mpg. Current odometer is at a little over 45,000 miles. Car has been garaged night and day when not in use except for around four days/nights. . It looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor. I've wondered if head gasket failure that's fairly common on high mileage 2012-2013 Prius v is related to frequent highway usage and higher engine rpm.
Fuelly’s pegged the mpg somewhat higher than OP; top of curve around 45. 2012 Toyota Prius MPG - Actual MPG from 1,090 2012 Toyota Prius owners
Like any car and especially a Prius, rated fuel economy can be achieved through driving habits and use of decent gas. A Prius depends highly on its ability to regenerate power from braking, downhills and coasting. Using eco mode modulates the ac and gearing for enhancing mpg. Avoiding hard braking maximizes regen. If the hv battery is very weak from age, excessive cycling and heat, its ability to store energy is reduced resulting in lower mpg. Use of power mode with strong ac will reduce mpg. Braking at the last minute for lights and traffic reduces mpg. Yes, low resistance tires make a small difference but driving habits can easily compensate for the use of some comfortable 80k mile Michelins.
Are you working at fuel economy? We aren't. My wife drives her Prius v like a "normal" car - same as our V8 and V6 vehicles. If fact he has a bit of a "lead foot". I rarely drive it except to fuel it and take it to a car wash but I'm not exactly gentle on the gas pedal. That it is a hybrid had nothing to due with why we bought it. We bought it because it was a reasonably compact wagon with adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. We considered only vehicles with ACC and AEB. If there had been similar size and quality non-hybrid wagons with ACC and AEB on the market in 2012, then we likely would have bought one of those instead of the Prius v. The situation is different today since all vehicles sold by Toyota have ACC and AEB.
I would get rid of it.........before all the bad stuff happens and you can get $$$ for it. These cars are junk when they get 150,000 + miles on them. And they could start happening anytime....... especiallly the traction battery and the master cylinder with accumulator........ BIG $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$