How to Boost a Prius' Performance

The Toyota Prius is a hybrid vehicle that uses a combination of electricity and gasoline to run. The result is much better gas mileage than a regular vehicle, but, also, reduced speed and performance. While the car is not built as a performance vehicle, improving the performance is not out of the question. There are a number of things you can do to accomplish this.

Instructions

1. Replace the air filter. A new air filter will increase air flow in and out of the engine and result in a higher overall performance for the engine. In most cases, you will see a 6 percent to 11 percent increase in acceleration time with a new air filter.

2. Use 0W-20 synthetic motor oil during the next oil change. Synthetic oil will protect the engine better than regular motor oil and will increase the efficiency of the different components of the engine, which in turn will result in higher performance for the Prius on the road.

3. Tune the engine on a regular basis. Have the vehicle checked every six months or so to ensure that the engine is properly tuned. If even a small component of the engine is faulty or broken, it can result in as much as a 40 percent performance decrease for the vehicle.

Tips & Warnings

• Always hire an automotive professional to perform any operations on the vehicle. Performing these operations without the proper technical knowledge can result in damage to the Prius vehicle.

References

• Fueleconomy.gov: Tips
• John 1701a: Prius Maintenance