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Prius in body shop for a few weeks, significant loss of MPG

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Ruby Quiver, Sep 30, 2009.

  1. Ruby Quiver

    Ruby Quiver New Member

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    I got side-swiped a month ago (after having my first Prius for 2 months, brilliant!) and finally got it back from the body shop yesterday only to find that, so far, after driving 75 miles or so MPG is averaging between 35-41mpg. I was previously achieving 45-51 driving to and from the same places.

    Something else to note is that the engine seems to run more when stopped and in park. A red flag is that I've noticed I can feel the engine kick in without it indicating so on the display.

    I originally started worrying that they let it sit for most of the time without running thereby having possible battery issues, 12V I assume. The hybrid battery doesn't seem to hold a charge quite as long and I find it more difficult than before to hypermile using electric motor/battery power only.

    I've consulted many other posts with similar issues but nothing I could find regarding body shop issues. I haven't checked to see if the engine oil is overfilled yet, though it didn't occur to me to do so with a body shop repair.

    here's some pics from the body shop:
    53918-01.jpg

    53918-03.jpg

    53918-06.jpg

    I'm thinking it's a 12V battery issue.

    Another interesting note is that when I put up a bit of a fuss when I got my rental with Enterprise; they were able to locate one Prius in their fleet in the Cleveland area, so I rented that this whole time, a grey 2008. I averaged 54.5 mpg with that one and the ride was noticeably smoother.
    I have this feeling that maybe something is dragging (like the parking brake doesn't acually FULLY disengage?) or some joint issue.

    Any thoughts, ideas or suggestions?
     
    #1 Ruby Quiver, Sep 30, 2009
  2. vertex

    vertex Active Member

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    Looking at the damage from the pictures, there should be no effect on the hybrid system . You should confirm that the right rear wheel turns freely (jack up the car, and it should spin easily by hand), and confirm that the rear wheel alignment is correct. Either of those issues will reduce mileage, however, I would expect you would feel some pulling on the steering, and that the car would not track straight without you correcting the steering.
    Your symptom could also be that the traction battery was damaged in the accident. This would normally cause the MIL to come on (I think it would be the MIL) With a scan tool you can check the cell voltage is the battery, they should all be nearly the same, no more then a few tenths of a volt difference between them. Based on your comment that the engine runs more, I highly suspect the battery.
     
    #2 vertex, Sep 30, 2009
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  3. Ruby Quiver

    Ruby Quiver New Member

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    whats the MIL?
     
    #3 Ruby Quiver, Sep 30, 2009
  4. vertex

    vertex Active Member

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    That is the check engine light, it is a yellow light to the right of the MPH display that looks like an engine.
     
    #4 vertex, Sep 30, 2009
  5. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Tyre pressures ?
     
    #5 SageBrush, Sep 30, 2009
  6. Ruby Quiver

    Ruby Quiver New Member

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    I haven't checked the tire pressure yet, but they sure don't look like they would account for a 20% loss of fuel economy.

    I'm actually quite depressed about this. I FINALLY get my dream car after almost a decade of dreaming and something like this goes and happens.

    I spoke to the guy from the body shop today and he's going to talk to a few people but I'm bummed out that I'm driving to Chicago this weekend on sub-par gas mileage.

    I suppose it could be the display/computer (MFD, right?) malfunctioning, but the car just doesn't feel the same as before it went in the shop.
     
    #6 Ruby Quiver, Sep 30, 2009
  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I suggest that you start by ensuring that your tires are correctly inflated using a good digital pressure gauge. Many group members use 42/40 (front/rear) psi or thereabouts. Don't depend upon visual inspection of the tires to help you decide whether they are properly inflated.

    Reset the mpg indicator on the MFD. Then, after your trip to Chicago, should you find that the mpg remains substantially lower than normal, you might have your Toyota dealer service dept check the car. See if the parking brake is binding and have the wheel alignment checked. Maybe the rear alignment was thrown off due to your accident.
     
    #7 Patrick Wong, Oct 1, 2009
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  8. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    What Patrick wrote. Visual assessment of the inflation of modern tires is highly unreliable. Follow his advice and see what happens during your trip.
     
    #8 richard schumacher, Oct 1, 2009
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  9. Ruby Quiver

    Ruby Quiver New Member

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    thanks guys.

    Today it seems as though mpg is improving, so maybe it just needs to be "broken in" again?
     
    #9 Ruby Quiver, Oct 1, 2009
  10. Matt Herring

    Matt Herring New Member

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    Assuming there is no mechanical damage to the car due to the accident I would consider a few things (some already mentioned)...

    * Check tire pressure
    * Check tire alignment
    * Ask the mechanic if they changed the oil and check for overfilling (assuming all fluids were flushed and refilled)
    * Consider the change in ambient temperature since you last drove the car 3+ weeks ago (I know 3+ weeks ago I was driving in substantially higher temps...especially in the morning...as much as 10-15 degrees higher which could affect mpg by as much as 2-3 mpg)
     
    #10 Matt Herring, Oct 2, 2009
  11. statultra

    statultra uber-Senior Member

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    upon connecting 12 volt battery or erasing DTC's on my prius the ECU seems to have to get used the driving habits.
     
    #11 statultra, Oct 2, 2009
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