Buying Used Prius Agonizing over Details : }

Kool & the Gang--that's one of those "new" groups.

I use RainX on the outside of the windshield. On the inside I have a microfiber pad on the end of an arm. Wetting the pad with water works about as well as anything else. I also treat it with a product to combat fog.

Be careful (or at least aware) cleaning the dash. Part of the instrument cluster is reflected so you don't want to push dust & crud down onto the glass in front of the speedo. A good way to freak someone out is to put a piece of paper there. The unobservant will think there's something wrong with the dash.

Can't help with the fogs, sorry.

 

He was upset you wouldn't leave it blank? You did the right thing. The right buyer will come along.

 

So, how are you liking Priusing?
Prius+Driving=Priusing. Have you filled up with fuel? Just curious...

 

Top tier gas info:

Top Tier Gasoline

No need for premium unless your car is designed for it. You won't get better mileage with higher octane gas, only better knock protection (which isn't needed if your car is designed/tuned for regular, like the Prius and most cars on the road).

 

No need to use premium gas - the ChuggyPig uses the Jungle-Juice (87 octane) and seems to love it. Fill to the 3rd "click" (i.e. fill slowly until pump stops automatically, repeat, repeat, replace cap, turn cap to 1 "click", job done! If you regularly overfill, you might damage the emission control charcoal canister thingamajig! (expensive )

 

I agree with WilDavis. The carbon canister takes the fuel vapors that you fuel tank makes while sitting in the sun. The vapors are stored there until they can be used by your engine.

Then using engine vacuum and a series of valves opening and closing, pull those vapors out and burn them. Now, let one of those valves stick or not open and the "check engine" light may turn on

I say MAY because this system uses two trip logic. The first time a valve sticks, the computer stores that that valve didn't open. How does it know? Pressure sensors tell the computer that the command was accomplished. It sees either a drop in pressure or an increase.

This helps reduce emissions. Also, your engine burns those hydrocarbons as part of the mix.

Just don't use a Prius as a bass boat. Those poor folks in South Carolina, with all that flooding, that is very rough on any vehicle.

 

I've never used "full-service" although I've driven on the New Jersey Turnpike with friends, and was surprised to find that there, drivers are not allowed to pump their own gas! (not sure of the reason, had it explained to me at the time, but seldom am in that area so doesn't really affect me!) - I would monitor them carefully, but keep well away from them whilst they're pumping just in case!

 

It is the state law in New Jersey you can't pump your own gas. Also, gas stations change their prices only once a week. In Indiana, its daily sometimes hourly. Which, IMHO, is absolutely stupid. Its the same fuel in that underground tank, it can't change 20 to 50 cents over night.

 

I like that - priusing. I know I am loving priusing. I am actually finding I am getting a lot better mileage in power mode...I think it's because I got so used to driving the Corolla which has a very front loaded gas pedal. Don't be afraid to give it some gas, it works better that way because you spend less time accelerating. In my opinion it would be silly if they made a Prius that required premium fuel...that would probably wipe out most of your gas savings over a corolla type vehicle

 

My Father was a big fan of the Hudson Terraplane ( yes, Virginia they really do exist). While driving that car, it was called "Terraplaning".

I inherited my Dad's love of cars and working on them. He was a flight engineer in the Air Force for many years. I gave him a ride in my Prius and he smiled during the entire ride. So, Priusing is something we all do almost everyday. Daisy is just starting to feel the difference in how the great car operates. The "Invisible Hand" is the feeling you get when you feel the torque coming on strong.

By comparison, a Corolla is about the same size but doesn't have that powerful feel. The Prius has it, and the Hybrid Camry gives it even more. My Dad said it felt like a six cylinder to him.

 

Oregon is another full service state. Count me in the group of citizens that doesn't understand that quirk in the slightest. Seems like nothing other than an opportunity to try to squeeze another tip out of me (not happening).

 

I remember that the thinkology behind having a full service fuelling station was there would be fewer fuel spills (yeah, right). I throw the B.S. flag on that one. I've never let anyone fuel my car, not even my wife or my daughters.

Yes, fuel can blow out of the filler neck, the pump fill handle can stick causing fuel to spill, too. I've never had this with my car.

On a different note, winter is coming which means fuel bladder shrinkage. Don't try to stuff more fuel in just so you don't have to fill so often. Doing it just turns your fuel gauge into a "guess gauge". Also, don't be alarmed if after a fuel up all the ten blocks or pips don't light up. Mine will light nine but ten may show up later. Ten may not turn on either until the temp goes to 50 degrees or more sustained.

 

We've lived in Coquitlam for over 25 years. AFAIK it's the last bastion of full-service-only-policy in the lower mainland. North Van used to be too; they finally smartened up. It's a head-shaker. Anyway: I think I've filled in our fair community once.

 

That is definitely how I feel about the Prius vs the Corolla. The battery gives it a lot more punch even though the HP figures are close (Corolla has 130). Power mode is getting addicting...throw in 3-5 mpg improvement for me vs regular mode on my work drive and this car is becoming even more fun!

 

Have you looked in the Ye Olde PriusChat Shoppe (give them a call, and ask to speak with Danny (he's the BossFellah) and it was he who recommended the Husky floor mat for ChuggyPig's cargo area (he showed me one at the 2GoB4 get together I mentioned earlier. I've used it ever since last October and it hasn't worn out yet! As to the bug-shield (or mini-bra) ChuggyPig came complete with that already fitted and the window thingies (I think they were made by WeatherTech??? (take a look at the pics in my photo album to see to what I'm referring!)

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