1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

What every newb should know

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by richard schumacher, Jun 8, 2008.

  1. burnselk

    burnselk New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2010
    35
    0
    0
    Location:
    Almost Heaven
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Richard, should both battery terminals (the - terminal cable and the + terminal cable) be disconnect from the 12 volt battery before conducting this voltage check?
     
  2. burnselk

    burnselk New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2010
    35
    0
    0
    Location:
    Almost Heaven
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Terrell, would you (or anyone else) tell us the "proper way to jump start" a Prius? And would these same procedures apply to the 2001 Prius?
     
  3. PriusTech

    PriusTech Member

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2011
    74
    53
    0
    Location:
    Seattle
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Please read the owners manual, it's described in detail, it's pretty involved if you've never done it before.
     
  4. burnselk

    burnselk New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2010
    35
    0
    0
    Location:
    Almost Heaven
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I've never jump started a Prius, but have plenty of other vehicles over the years. Is the Prius much more difficult to jump start?

    Are there details on this site as to how to jump start a 2001 Prius. If so could you kindly direct me to that site? My granddaughter owns the car and has the manual and lives some distance away from me. This could save me a trip. Thanks

    She told me the owners manual said you could NOT jump start the 2001 Prius..........but she just bought the car used from her aunt and is not auto savy at all. So I wanted to make sure it "couldn't" be jumped.
     
  5. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    7,663
    1,041
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    One important point: use the correct Prius ATF from Toyota. The ATF bathes the motor-generator windings and their electrical insulation. Other ATFs may be safe but it's not worth taking that risk to save $20.
     
  6. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    7,663
    1,041
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Leave them both connected. There are some small background loads on the battery; if the battery can't maintain at least 12.0V against them, or 11.0V when the headlights are on, then the battery is dying. Disconnecting the battery can give a falsely optimistic answer.

    You can jump start a Prius. You can't use a Prius to jump start anything else except another Prius because the starting current demand from a conventional car is too large.
     
  7. burnselk

    burnselk New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2010
    35
    0
    0
    Location:
    Almost Heaven
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Great, that makes the job of checking that 12 volt battery easy. Now all I have to do is get to it.
     
  8. duckyping

    duckyping New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2011
    8
    1
    0
    Location:
    Simi Valley, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    As far as I understand, the pulse and glide method is:
    1) accelerate hard and fast from a low speed to the higher speed you want to be at
    (example: on the highway, from 50mph to 80mph in about 15 seconds)
    2) once you get to the higher speed, let go of accelerator pedal and "pulse," which is slowly press and release on the accelerator pedal in order to keep the speed at the higher rate (or as close as possible to it
    3) the speed of the car will inevitably go slower and slower, even with the pulse method, so wait until the lowest speed is reached again (in this example, 50mph), and then repeat the acceleration quickly again
    Is this right?
     
  9. snead_c

    snead_c Jam Ma's Car

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2008
    667
    58
    0
    Location:
    Hendersonville
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Lots of comments available here on PC. Just the first I located is :
    HSI
    I'm still learning to get the most out of my Prius but "hard and fast" might be a little more than needed. It's so subjective.
    :welcome:
     
    1 person likes this.
  10. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2003
    2,943
    1,374
    67
    Location:
    Yokohama, JAPAN
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
  11. zohahunt

    zohahunt New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 30, 2011
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    new jersey
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Thanks fro letting us know that I will keep your rules and regulations very strictly.
     
  12. shand

    shand New Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2010
    3
    0
    2
    Location:
    New Zealand
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Thaks for the info, I have had my Prius for almost a year to commute 140Ks a day...I often run down to the Fuel warning light as I love to see what I can get out of the tank: Best 1008 K's from 41.9lts - 24.02km/l ... worst 727ks from 40lts - 18.7km/l.
    I find this an amazing, comfortable and quiet car!!!
     
  13. gasmiser1

    gasmiser1 EV Wantabee

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2010
    107
    15
    0
    Location:
    Cambria, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    N/A
    ...I often run down to the Fuel warning light as I love to see what I can get out of the tank..............[/QUOTE]
    -----------------------------------------------
    This practice will lead to premature fuel pump failure. Ask any mechanic. The fuel pump has to over rev (starve) to search for fuel. Fuel pumps are lubed and cooled by the flow of gasoline.
     
  14. hektorr

    hektorr New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2011
    13
    1
    1
    Location:
    LONDON
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    -----------------------------------------------
    This practice will lead to premature fuel pump failure. Ask any mechanic. The fuel pump has to over rev (starve) to search for fuel. Fuel pumps are lubed and cooled by the flow of gasoline.[/QUOTE]

    And what is the price of new fuel pump??:mod:
     
  15. hektorr

    hektorr New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2011
    13
    1
    1
    Location:
    LONDON
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I always wanted to know, how far I can get on blinking square and fuel end up at 90 miles. So guys if you get blinking last square :) do not panic :)
     
  16. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    7,663
    1,041
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    If you assume that 90 miles remain and make a habit of this you will run out, sooner or later. The system is not consistent.
     
  17. bootsykowan

    bootsykowan Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2008
    25
    3
    0
    Location:
    20704
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    In the meantime, taking in the risk factor and one's bank account, reporting all this helps all of us. It's a matter of cost allocation.
    Thank goodness the US has reported that the electronic system was not the cause of the Prius trouble.

    My Sony projector lamp gave up and so I'm doing more experimenting with my Vista system. I discovered the power of electronics and mathematical algorithms. It's called Visualization. I've heard all about how people use non-organic drugs to visualize. Now I wonder why. Mathematical bio-feedbacl seems to do the job for my old eyes. Turns out that the visualizations have improved my appreciation of the colors/tints in the horizon which I can see from my condo on the third level. You have to be above enough ground objects to see all this.

    So thanks for reporting all of you. My 2008 Prius has finally hit over 5000 miles. I'm amazed that my Prius starts now with a green battery.

    For all those that don't know. I found out the hard way in September 2010 that there's really two batteries. There's a 12volt battery that starts the starter. Something like that. I also discovered thereby that the rear ceiling light is a 3way switch and is very smooth. The off switch is in the middle and if you brush it, it turns on. I used my Prius to help me move to a new home and it had a full load with the seats down.

    I try to make sure that climate, audio and lights are off each time I park. Also that I click the park button.
     
  18. cgraham

    cgraham Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2005
    156
    33
    0
    Location:
    New Mexico
    1 person likes this.
  19. emig1441

    emig1441 New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2011
    13
    0
    0
    Location:
    Norman, OK
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    II
    great info!
     
  20. RICKKONK

    RICKKONK Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2011
    62
    1
    0
    Location:
    Westerville, Oh
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I just picked up my 2011 Prius 4 yesterday. I'm getting used to all the gadgets. I drive 150 miles a day to work (Highway). I hope I can average 48 MPG. This will save me around $90 a month at current prices. Anybody have any tips on the first tank or weeks of use. Will I see 48 MPG. Any suggestions on use will help.