That won't help, Onstar uses CDMA cellphone technology and normally uses Verizon's system when avaliable, or other CDMA systems when out of Verizon's area. It does not use satellites for communication as many Onstar uses believe.
Toyota offers their Safety Connect but only as part of an option package on their models Prius Four and Five. I'm sure this will be extended to the Prius Plug-In but until final specs are released can't tell you for sure whether it'll be included in the base price or as an option.
Bad luck, mostly. Two Toyo Proxes tires in the first 6,000 miles. I can't wait until they wear just enough to downgrade them all to something better. Toyota's OEM tires are not good. When a PHEV finds me (in the way of a GenIV), if it doesn't come with a spare, I'll be carrying a donut tire/wheel with me on any long trip.
This is the new trend no spare. Hyundai elantra also no spare, saves money for the manufacter and weight. Mini cooper no spare they use run flat tires $$.
As long as they don't install factory run-flats in the things. Any of us can always add a small donut and wheel changing tools for our longer trips. Now that the PHEV seems to weigh only a smidgen more than the regular car, it might be a win-win not to carry a spare for low distance commuting. I would bet that there will be a thread come December detailing where the best places are to purchase the donut and tools on the cheap. There's enough old-timers here that have changed out tires a dozen or more times alongside a road in their lives to frighten them into having a spare along.
So where do you put this extra purchased temperorary spare tire, in a Prius Hybrid? The usual spot is a right-off: there's a large extra battery in the way.
right on the rear deck, on TOP of the battery. On my 2010 there are 4 tie down points, and I imagine there will be on the PHEV as well, you can strap it in tight to the floor deck.
actually those "straps" they "give us", are to fasten down the old, dead tire, after you put on the donut spare, as a full sized tire won't fit in the spot of the donut, and for saftey, you can't have the spare just "sitting" on the rear deck.. so the strap and 4 tie down points are to actually tie down your flat tire, after changing it out with the donut. BTW, I found this out by reading the manual, and had the experience of getting a flat from hitting a massive pothole with my low-profile tires on my 2010 Prius V... had to strap down the dead tire, as it was a week before the replacement came in.
I do not know, your groceries, picnic coolers, suitcases, bookcases from Ikea, and so on, get to share hatch space with a spare tire and a tool kit? I think there's a void under the plug-in battery. Toyota should do it right: shift the underside of the sheet metal floor up, and at least undersling a temporary spare.
I don't think anyone knows that, until the first one is delivered and someone tears it apart. They could have used the donut tire well space and the sapce above it for the packs, also remember there is a charger stowed in there somewhere as well as some circulation fans. some of the third party kits for the Gen 2/Gen 3 use the donut tire spare space as well...
This is probably a deal-breaker for me. I love 2004 Prius & have almost 190,000 miles so far. I do want a plug-in. Living in a remote area, and having solar power for charging it at home, it would be great. But living in a remote area, there are a lot of dirt roads, potholes, etc. I get a couple of flats every year. And if I'm on the way to work, I need to be able to change a tire & get back on the road pronto-- not call for roadside assistance and wait. And there are cell phone dead areas near where I live. And I need my trunk space. _______ So my question-- would there be any way to mount a rack for a spare tire on the back of the car? Maybe one that swings to the side for trunk access? The securty of having the spare would more than make up for a little wind drag.
Leaf doesn't have it. Volt doesn't either. If it is a deal breaker, plugin cars of this gen is for you. The battery is still too heavy and takes room.
