My 03 Prius is not performing as it did when I first purchased it in 2015. The consumption monitor shows that I'm getting the same gas mileage as always (39 mpg), but I'm positive that I've been filling it up more although it's being driven less. I tested my HV Battery and all the cells are good. 1. Why am I getting less mileage per gallon all of the sudden? 2. Why isn't my consumption display giving me accurate information?
I would estimate that it's more like 25 mpg. I haven't done exact measurements, but that doesn't mean that the car isn't burning more fuel than before. I drive it less and I'm filling up more.
Please consider that your fuel gauge may be reading empty when there is still fuel in the tank, possibly causing you to stop for fuel more often. If the tank was ever siphoned, or if the gauge float in the tank is going bad, that could be the issue. You may still be getting good fuel mileage, but filling up earlier than you had been.
it is certainly possible that your gauge broke and the car is burning more gas at the same time. but to determine the cause over the internet with no information might prove to be difficult. how many miles on her, and what services has she had?
The car has 159,000 miles on it. All required maintenance taken care of. I had a bad cell in the Hybrid Battery that was replaced and has been working fine since. I can see a noticeable difference in MPG when my tires are filled to spec so I make sure to stay on top of that.
