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. mudmanrv

    mudmanrv Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2012
    176
    17
    0
    Location:
    NE Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    I realize, I'm replying to an old post....but one reason not go below a 1/4 tank is that in tank fuel pumps are actually cooled by the fuel, too little and they run hot and can lead to prematurely failing.
     
  2. tv4184

    tv4184 V8 / Rotard

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2012
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Very good info. Should have read this before the test drive... it's mostly what I expected though.
     
  3. BonGeo

    BonGeo New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2012
    7
    0
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    :):)Thanks for the great info !
    Just recently purchased a 2009, two and a half year old Prius.
    Could not resist a one owner vehicle for half the invoice price.
    This is my third Hybrid,Honda 2005 Accord, and 2009 Civic.
    Inferior Honda AC system required we jump ship. Yes we did purchase
    a 5yr, 100,000 mile extended warranty. This vehicle has all original doc's,
    stickers and books. What I would like to know is How many 2009 silver
    pine mica package 6 models were made. Toyota could not answer this question, except to say about 139,000 were sent stateside. If anyone
    knows the answer, kindly share it with me.
     
  4. smileatme

    smileatme New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2011
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, California
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Nice info guys!:cheer2:
     
  5. AZGeek

    AZGeek Semi-informed Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2012
    627
    144
    63
    Location:
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I have to disagree with this little bit of wisdom based on over eight years of experience with my 2004. I am a hyper miler, the type of person that lets the tank go pretty empty before I fill up. I know I have at least 100 miles more to go before the tank goes empty. I watch the fuel consumption and am aware of factors that may make that number less reliable (service visits, long idles, long accelerations, headwinds, etc) especially towards the last fifth of the tank.

    My recommendation is to know your vehicle and understand its performance characteristics. Sure, you should be more cautious with a new vehicle. Once you know your vehicle you don't need to freak out and be a slave to the flashing fuel gauge.

    My last fill-up was made after 140 miles after the gauge started to blink. 52.2 avg mpg on the trip meter. 10.1 gallons on the fill.

    My record for most miles on a tank = 713.

    Again, my recommendation is to know your vehicle.
     
  6. damaniadc

    damaniadc New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2012
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    Phoenix
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two

    AZGeek,

    What octane fuel are you using to achieve these fabulous MPGs??
     
  7. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    7,663
    1,041
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    The key word there is "your". The 2004-2009 tank bladders don't all act the same.

    Also note that they can change over time. A habit of driving with the last pip flashing is a needless risk.
     
  8. edoloman

    edoloman New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2012
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    northridge california
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    '
    7. Fuel economy short-path zen:
    - Gliding (lightly pressing the gas pedal so that no arrows point into or out of the battery on the "Energy" display) is better than coasting
    - Coasting (foot off the gas pedal) is better than braking
    - Braking is better than stopping

    It may be counter-intuitive, but you maximize fuel economy by *minimizing* use of the big traction battery (the thing whose charge level is shown by bars on the "Energy" display). Conversions between forms of energy always incur losses by turning some of the energy into heat. Moving energy into and out of a battery is no exception. (So why does the Prius have a battery? Because, even with the conversion losses, it's still more efficient to use an electric motor for acceleration than to carry around a much larger internal combustion engine that spends most of its time near idle.)

    The Prius internal combustion engine, like all engines, is most efficient near full load, so you *do* want to accelerate briskly away from a stop. Combining the above leads to the "pulse and glide" strategy: ideally, accelerate quickly away from a stop, then glide all the way to the next stop. This ideal is usually impractical or impossible, but approximating it can improve MPGs in all cars.

    Cabin air, not outside air, is used to cool the battery and its management system; if they get too hot they work less well and can reduce fuel economy. In hot weather use the A/C as needed to keep yourself and the battery comfortable. '

    so is it bad if i let the car slow down on drive to charge the battery
     
  9. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    7,663
    1,041
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    It doesn't damage anything, but it reduces MPGs. There is no need for the driver to do anything special to charge the battery; the car charges the battery by itself.
     
  10. ddavids1

    ddavids1 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2012
    4
    0
    0
    Location:
    Oneida, NY
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Please explain what the different colors mean on the battery display on the energy screen. Changes from green to blue to purple....What if it rarely stays "green"? Is it not charging properly? I commute 40 miles each way to work-up/down very steap hills. This morning I flat lined this battery indicator when I got stuck in the snow. It recovered but does not stay green for very long.
     
  11. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    7,663
    1,041
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    That behaviour sounds completely normal. The colors are eye candy, redundant with the number of bars.

    Use snow tires and be careful; remember that a Prius cannot dig itself out of getting stuck.
     
  12. Prius M.D.

    Prius M.D. Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2012
    17
    8
    0
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2015 Tesla Model S
    Model:
    N/A
    Best thread ever! Thanks everyone!
     
  13. Prius M.D.

    Prius M.D. Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2012
    17
    8
    0
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2015 Tesla Model S
    Model:
    N/A
    This question was lost in the shuffle and not answered...I was wondering the same thing--which display is most useful for gliding? I find the HSI display more intuitive (allows me to adjust my lead foot accordingly) but not sure if its the best display to be using.

    Thanks!
     
  14. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    7,663
    1,041
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Probably better asked in one of the forums for Gen III. I'm not familiar with them and can't comment.
     
  15. metalmedicine

    metalmedicine New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2012
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    california
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    hello i am very interested in a prius but i have a deciding factor i need to question. does the 150,000 mile warranty turn over to a new owner??? please email a response at [email protected] thank you very much
     
  16. snead_c

    snead_c Jam Ma's Car

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2008
    667
    58
    0
    Location:
    Hendersonville
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    :welcome:

    See following link :
    Toyota Prius Battery Warranty | ABC Article Directory
    A review of the Toyota site reveals that the standard hybrid battery is covered for 100,000 mi or 8 yrs
    while Cal laws require 150,000/10 yr...way more than enough to cover a very rare lemon.
    Interestingly I had a hard time getting Google to take me to an online copy of the warranty statement in a Toyota doc...just directions to check with the dealer.
    :rockon:
     
  17. eds123

    eds123 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2012
    19
    0
    5
    Location:
    Orlando
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    great tips for a first time hybrid owner!
     
  18. Airman74

    Airman74 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2012
    8
    3
    0
    Location:
    Chico,ca.
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I have a 2008 and a 2010 Prius ,, I've noticed my mileage goes waaaaaaay down on 2008 when it gets cold. Soooo,,,, I checked resting 12volt battery voltage , and it runs about 11.7 to 11.9 volts,,,, and then just for kicks I checked my 2010 battery voltage,,, 2010 resting battery voltage is 12 volts. Sooooo ,,,, do I need a new 12 volt battery on BOTH cars????????
     
  19. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    7,663
    1,041
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    It's hard to give a universal answer. A cautious person would replace it now on the 2008, and soon on the 2010. People report starting Prius with a battery at 10V or less, so one could wait for symptoms to appear and then replace it immediately; but such a depleted battery is very easy to kill, for example by leaving on the lights or the radio, et cetera.
     
  20. Slickrick1969

    Slickrick1969 New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2012
    9
    2
    0
    Location:
    Midland Texas
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    New I phone trying to post lol
     
    1 person likes this.