Two Prii, different mileages

I have the exact same scenario on my 05 and my 06. I chalk it all up to that the 06 is not yet fully broken in. The 05 has almost 20,000 on the clock and the 06 purchased in August this year has just over 5000 miles. In 15,000 more miles the 06 should do the same as the 05. But ,after being in the car business for 30 years, it is not uncommon for 2 exact cars to vary by as much as 15% in what they achieve in milage with all conditions as close as possible. They are not a single die cast piece. They all are a collection of pieces and they all are a little different. hense, a variation from car to car.

Before getting excited (legal action?!?) give it a year. My guess is that you will see them both giving you nearly the same mileage after the 06 is broken in.
-Paul R. Haller-

 

Hey welcome to Prius Chat pilot_dude!

Please share some specifics: mileage, tire pressure and tank fill up method for starters.

And hey, hang in there!

 

:lol: :lol: :lol: Now... THAT'S FUNNY..!!

Considering sueing the Dealer over MPGs? Read the window placard on which the EPA estimated MPGs are listed. There's a paragraph assuring you that your mileage WILL vary.

I must confess that a Plantiff does not need a CASE when filing a lawsuit, just a LAWYER. But then, frivolous lawsuits are thrown out by Judges much of the time.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Thanks for the laugh.

 

Do both cars have the same primary driver? The Prius computers remember the driving style of the driver(s) and adapt the hybrid synergy drive system to get the best performance accordingly.

 

You might want to swap tires between the cars. Worn tires will get better mpg, and also have smaller size so mpg will look even more inflated.

 

I have exactly the same circumstances as you do! No matter what we try, the 2006 always gets at least 4mpg less than the 2005. Believe it or not, I have two friends w/ 2006s who are also getting the identical differences between the 05 and 06s. One thing that I have noticed w/ my 2006, is that the compressor for the a/c runs MUCH more often than the 2005 w/ same outside temps and same inside settings. I dont know if this is the reason for the difference or not. No matter, I still wouldnt want any other car.

 

Like everyone else said, a 10 percent difference is certainly within the realm of possibility between individual cars. Are you quoting MPG that you calculate, or what is displayed in the consumption display? The displays can vary by around 5% between cars easily (My 05 always read about 7% high, my 07 seems spot-on so far.) If I just went by the display on both cars I'd be pretty disappointed with the mileage in the 07, but comparing the calculated results of both cars the 07 is getting better mileage for its first 1000 miles than the 05 did when it was new.

I tracked the mileage of my 05 for 35,000 miles, and the mileage continued to get better until the day I sold it. Some of that was caused by the tire wear which causes you to overestimate the distance you travel as the tires get smaller. Other causes include the reduced friction of components as they break in and wear together.

If you have long term calculated data on both cars, how does the mileage on the 05 compare with that of the 06 when they are the same age?

 

Possible, but probably rare: One vehicle has set its rear brake shoes to drag a little bit. Prius with rear drum brakes use conventional self-adjusters that set themselves during braking in reverse. No guarantee that they will always reset themselves perfectly.

It is pretty easy to lift a rear wheel, makes sure it spins nice, and back off the shoes if it does not (there is a little access hole to allow you to turn the whatchamacallit). A recommended procedure prior to any high-mpg driving event.

Disclaimer: system is as described for the classic Prius. May be slightly different in the new model?

Or, maybe your parking/emergency brake pedal is clicked down one notch and you haven't noticed the warning light?

 

You cannot sue the dealer for mileage, the dealer by law is not allowed to make any claims about mileage - only EPA can do that. Good luck trying to sue.

As for as difference, many things can impact that. I have a pair of 2002 pri's and one gets 4 mpg less than the other. But I know why it is, the one that gets lower mileage has slightly oversized hydroedge tires rather than the LRR Bridgestones. I don't care though, as that one handles so much better and is so much safer because of the tires.