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Bought the 2012 Base today Mods anyone?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by crispytoast, Jan 26, 2013.

  1. crispytoast

    crispytoast New Member

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    2012 Prius Plug-in
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    Plug-in Base
    Outrageous deal... 26570... After tax rebate, basically around 24k for Seaglass Blue PIP with 4 miles on it! Could not believe this deal. Lower price than used models with thousands of miles on them.

    I was attempting hypermile driving on my 2009 touring, and the new model makes it so easy... got 62 mpg just driving back from Whole Foods (8 miles) using EV mode and watching the screen. It's about 16 degrees out, and in the 2009 I would have gotten about 34 MPG with the same light touch on the pedal. So far I'm interested in the following mods: Replace air filter, replace oil filter, upgrade spark plugs, install fog lights. I'm really interested in Exhaust and Cold air intake, but I'm taking my time researching, because I never want to lessen the mileage of the ride. The other "mod" I've been trying out is adding a little Tc-W3 oil (1 oz/5 gal). Any other performance mods/advice out there for the 2012 model? Thanks, VERY HAPPY with the new car, it rocks!
     
    #1 crispytoast, Jan 26, 2013
  2. 13Plug

    13Plug Active Member

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    Congrats but don't waste a penny on ANY of the "mods" you mentioned, except the fog lights. Seriously leave it alone :)
     
    #2 13Plug, Jan 26, 2013
    crispytoast, mnml and JMD like this.
  3. jhinsc

    jhinsc Senior Member

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    Hmmm, not sure I would do any of the mods except for the fog lights. Why would you use Tc-W3 oil? BTW, congrats on your new PIP!
     
    #3 jhinsc, Jan 26, 2013
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  4. 13Plug

    13Plug Active Member

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    No offense dude, but don't assume you know better than the Toyota engineers that have been developing the Prius for over a decade. Just drive it and enjoy it :)
     
    #4 13Plug, Jan 26, 2013
    crispytoast and JMD like this.
  5. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    ITA, after the foglights do practical things like the FIAMM horn upgrade, disable reverse beeping, etc.
     
    #5 xliderider, Jan 26, 2013
  6. 13Plug

    13Plug Active Member

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    Ditto, what does two-stroke oil do to your high tech engine? Remember your warranty??
     
    #6 13Plug, Jan 26, 2013
  7. crispytoast

    crispytoast New Member

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    Plug-in Base
    #7 crispytoast, Jan 26, 2013
  8. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Welcome aboard and enjoy the ride! Great deal.
     
    #8 spiderman, Jan 26, 2013
  9. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Just recall why I buy new cars
     
    #9 JMD, Jan 26, 2013
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  10. boppo

    boppo Active Member

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    There goes the 62MPG
     
    #10 boppo, Jan 26, 2013
  11. NortTexSalv04Prius

    NortTexSalv04Prius Active Member

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    Question does that apply for those Boeing engineers too and the dreamliner fire...??Nothin ventured nothin lost
     
    #11 NortTexSalv04Prius, Jan 26, 2013
  12. NortTexSalv04Prius

    NortTexSalv04Prius Active Member

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    These mods are do able. First mod I did is swap out all the incandescent bulbs in vehicle for LED , superbright LED website is where I purchase all of my LED(you find on ebay too,plus you may need a flasher relay specific for LED. The other mod is more for winter driving and that would be a modified grille block and engine block heater(toyota only)
     
    #12 NortTexSalv04Prius, Jan 26, 2013
  13. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    26,750? Wow, that's cheap. Congrats!
     
    #13 The Critic, Jan 27, 2013
  14. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    Congrats Crispy!

    I'd think twice about putting 2-stroke outboard oil in your gas... it may damage the catalytic converter and rings, valves, etc...
    Back in the day (mid 80's) when I worked in an Johnson Outboard dealership- we sometimes used (free to us mechanics) leftover 50:1 gas in our cars. One mechanic with a brand new Ford F150 pickup clogged his converter after just 20k miles. Although we had no real proof- we concluded that it was due to burning 2-stroke oil with his gas. After an $800 (out of warranty) bill for a replacement converter- he never ran 2-stroke oil in his gas again.
    Anyone with a 2-stroke outboard can tell you what their plugs look like after just one season of running with gas/oil mix. In outboards, burning oil with the gas also builds carbon deposits on the heads and rings. Ring failure due to carbon deposits is a major source of blown engines in 2-stroke outboards.
    I can't see any positive result of burning 2-stroke oil in the finely tuned Prius engine, but can think of many reasons not to do it...
     
    #14 ny_rob, Jan 27, 2013
  15. crispytoast

    crispytoast New Member

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    Plug-in Base
    So a periodic flush with Techron is probably good enough then.
     
    #15 crispytoast, Jan 27, 2013
  16. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    Does Techron remove carbon buildup- or is for fuel system components before ignition?
    We use engine cleaner/decarbonizer specifically designed for 2-stroke applications where carbon buildup results from burning oil mixed with the gas..
    # 775629 Carbon Guard OMC 12 oz.
     
    #16 ny_rob, Jan 27, 2013
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