Bought a 05 Prius 3 weeks ago. 226,800 miles on it then. Toyota records indicate no maintenance has been done since 120K. Today it has 229,600 miles on it. Started off getting 38-39MPG on 500 mile trips... just got home today from another trip of 200 miles and it got 47MPG. What's been done since I bought the car: Before 38-39MPG 500 mile trip: New tires and inflated to 50PSI (sidewall 44, Cooper CS5) 1 bottle of Techron Fuel System Cleaner Today, right before 200 mile trip: New spark plugs New PCV valve New engine air filter New cabin air filter Oil change to Mobil 1 Synthetic and 0-30 oil along with 4oz of Marvel (Thought I'd picked up 5-30, oh well) MAF sensor cleaning Carburetor cleaner down carburetor throat Messed with headlight leveling sensor and turned on red triangle for my trouble.... After 200 mile trip, MFD said 46.8MPG and fuel tank calculation said 47.1MPG, filled up at same gas pump before and after. Over the last 2500 miles it used approx. 1/2 quart of oil. Hoping that I've put a stop to that as well with the PCV valve replacement and the switch to synthetic. Other work done: ABS light was on for wheel speed sensor, replaced that Now it has the Red Triangle for the headlight leveling system... part on order, headlights work better with red triangle on than they did before I messed with the thing... so once it's fixed I'll have normal headlights again. Future maintenance jobs include headlight cleaning, windshield replacement, coolant changes, transmission oil changes, and engine belt changes. Thanks to all of the posts here it has made this car very easy to work on. I was afraid my Hybrid battery was shot because it wasn't hitting the numbers I wanted to see but after today's 47MPG run I think the car is practically as normal as it can be at this mileage. Have no idea if the battery has ever been replaced. Elevations for 500 mile trip, 1 way: Start altitude: 419 metres End altitude: 255 metres Maximum altitude: 431 metres Minimum altitude: 236 metres Distance: 391.2 km Total ascent: 2001 metres Total descent: 2165 metres Maximum gradient ascending: 16% at 218.5 km Maximum gradient descending: 18% at 218.2 km Elevations for 200 mile trip, 1 way: Start altitude: 374 metres End altitude: 316 metres Maximum altitude: 460 metres Minimum altitude: 297 metres Distance: 147.1 km Total ascent: 886 metres Total descent: 944 metres Maximum gradient ascending: 12% at 98.5 km Maximum gradient descending: 10% at 98.3 km From the elevations the 500 mile trip should get less than 47MPG but not as low as 38-39MPG.
Are you sure triangle is from headlight levelling? Shooting carb cleaner directly into throttle body and/or the MAF cleaning might be factors. Also, just for giggles, try lowering tire pressures say at least 10 psi, see if there's any difference, for a tank or two. It'll be easier on the suspension/bearings, improve traction maybe, smoother.
You should also consider a Hybrid Automotive Ptologe battery conditioning system to extend the life of your Hybtid traction battery. @jeff652 is an active member here.
Yes... red triangle and headlight symbol came on the day before briefly so I knew it needed investigation. Right. I got tires for a very good price from a Cooper dealer that's what I went with. Next set of tires will be a higher MPG tire.
