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First Prius..First Post

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Matt_A, May 11, 2013.

  1. Matt_A

    Matt_A Junior Member

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    Hi all. I'm new here and new to Prius. My wife and I got a new 2013 Prius (two) about a month ago to replace her last car. So far we love it. She has consistently averaged in the low to mid 50's mpg per tank, and the car is smooth and quiet. While the car seems great, there are just a few annoyances. First, why are the DRLs able to be turned off? My wife has a habit of twisting the stalk all the way to "Off" instead of stopping at "DRL" when she parks at night. Then, in the morning when its light out, she's driving around without them. I consider the DRLs a nice safety feature. On most vehicles with DRLs, they are always on. I wish these were the same. Our second gripe is the infernal backup beep. Seriously? A backup beep? And it's inside the car. It's not like it's warning a pedestrian. Do we really need a beep to let us know the car is in reverse? And the best part is, you can't turn it off! So the DRLs can be switched off, but a useless and annoying beep can't be. :confused:
    Anyhow, I'm looking forward to hanging out here and learning more about this (otherwise) great car!
     
    #1 Matt_A, May 11, 2013
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome! all the best with your new wheels!(y)
     
    #2 bisco, May 11, 2013
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Congrats and welcome to PriusChat!

    The beep can be reduced to a single beep. The reason is that the Prius is quiet and in reverse, it's all electric (the engine may come on but it doesn't assist directly to reverse the car). Also, it's probably because it's not a typical shifter where it stays in place so just to make sure people know they're in reverse, the beep is there.
     
    #3 Tideland Prius, May 11, 2013
  4. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

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    You will need to go to the dealer, but the backup beep can be changed to one beep, I've read on this forum that it can cost from 0 to $75, depends on your dealer.
     
    #4 Munpot42, May 11, 2013
  5. nklb

    nklb Member

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    I believe there is an option in the menus accessed through the radio that will keep the DRLs on all the time. Take a look and see if it works for you! (I have a 2012 III and recall seeing the option, though I never tried messing with it; I just use the stalk)
     
    #5 nklb, May 11, 2013
  6. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    LOL!

    That's just kind of funny to me. I've only had my Prius for a couple of weeks and I came from a Honda Fit in which the Daytime Running Lights were constant and always on, and I like the fact that the DRL's on The Prius are able to be shut off completely.

    Also, and I know this is rarer, -I kind of like the reverse beep. It really doesn't bother me. I just take it as a subtle audio Que. Before I got my Prius, I thought I would hate the reverse beep....I don't.

    I know from years of haunting this site that the reverse beep can be disabled. I would think it would be a tougher task to make the DRL's constant.

    But good luck with both....
     
    #6 The Electric Me, May 11, 2013
  7. Sfcyclist

    Sfcyclist Senior Member

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    On 2013, there's a setting to keep them off all the time but not on... it's in the customize menu.

    Disable the beep... and it feels a whole lot better.. silly that it's default to on for USA.
     
    #7 Sfcyclist, May 11, 2013
  8. Matt_A

    Matt_A Junior Member

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    Thanks for all the info guys! Yeah, I looked through the menu settings on the display and saw the one that allows you to completely disable the DRLs, but not one that will keep them on all the time. I'm not sure why anyone would want to turn them off, but hey...personal preference I guess. I just like how they're always on in my 2010 Subaru Forester. As for the backup beep, I had also read that some dealerships will disable it or change it to a single beep. I asked my sales person when I bought the car and she said they can't (or wont) because its a safety feature. My next step is to ask a service tech there instead of sales. If they won't do it I'll check other Toyota dealerships. I'd be willing to pay to turn that dumb thing off. BTW, Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!
     
    #8 Matt_A, May 12, 2013
  9. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I suppose I can't win a debate about DRL's being off. But the reason I kind of like the option of turning them off, is saving the bulb. I really think in early morning, bright fully lit situations their value is minimal in operation.

    I like and use them in overcast situations and afternoons as evening approaches.

    But you are correct. It is probably safer to use them constantly, and having the "off" option does lead to forgetting to use them at all.

    But the amusing thing to me, is if you go to a Honda Fit owners forum, you can find threads where owners are asking how to disable the constant running lights. So it seems whatever you have, there is an audience that wants the opposite.
     
    #9 The Electric Me, May 12, 2013
  10. ChipL

    ChipL Active Member

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    I have a 2012 Prius, and I leave my headlights on by default. Letting them turn off automatically. Same way with my Baja. Don't understand why have DRL's vs just having headlights on...
     
    #10 ChipL, May 12, 2013
  11. Matt_A

    Matt_A Junior Member

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    I guess mainly for bulb conservation. In the 2013 Prius, the DRLs are LED instead of regular bulbs. LEDs draw less power and last way longer, so I wouldn't have a problem leaving them on all the time.
     
    #11 Matt_A, May 12, 2013
  12. ChipL

    ChipL Active Member

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    Understand that, but DRL's are not seen as well as headlights. And replacement costs are not that high IIRC....
     
    #12 ChipL, May 12, 2013
  13. RockerC

    RockerC Junior Member

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    Had my used 2011 Prius for a week now, and the back up beep is just awful. I hate reversing! Good to know it can be disabled, and I will be looking into that today.
     
    #13 RockerC, Jun 13, 2013
  14. andreyco

    andreyco Member

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    If the beep was an exterior one, yes it's a safety feature...but it's inside. Most people in the sales dept. don't have a clue what they are talking about, so they think it's an exterior beep. Bring your owners manual to the service department and show them the page that says the reverse beep is a dealer customization option (I don't remember the page number, but I'm sure someone will chime in...). My dealer took care of it for free without much of a hassle after I told them it's in the owners manual.
     
    #14 andreyco, Jun 13, 2013
  15. chengisk

    chengisk Junior Member

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    "Logic dictates that what cannot be switched off, can only be turned on once" - Sci. Off. Spock
     
    #15 chengisk, Jun 13, 2013
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