Does your spouse know how to use your Prime?

Absolutely not. If it doesn’t make motor sounds 100% of the time she wants nothing to do with it. She at least knows how to drive it in case of emergency but day to day ... nope.
The fact I’m anal about keeping the car neat and clean and her not so much might be a factor too.
If we are together she at least enjoys plugging it in after a trip.

 

My wife is a little intimidated by all the tech in my Prime. But she doesn't mind driving it. In fact, Sometimes, if she's going out on an errand without me, she'll ask if mine has enough charge for the trip so she doesn't have to burn gas in her regular Prius on a short trip.

 

driving is one thing but maintenance is the biggest headache. they like to use the cars but don't care about washing it or maintaining it properly.

 

Don't worry about it as the prime knows what to do! She'll be fine, just keep it charged.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

ah well, i don't know how to use the washer or oven...

 

My wife tolerates the Prime, but will not go out of her way to drive it.

She'll ride in it, but that's the extent unless there are extenuating circumstances prohibit the use of her RX.

But the RX is a great ride, so I can't blame her.

 

When we had only one car, she drove Prime. She liked EV mode, but she was never interested in learning how to switch EV/HV. Now we have two cars, she prefers her SUV. Actually, the 2014 Pathfinder Hybrid Platinum we got has a lot of advanced features my PP lucks like bird's eye view backup sonar, a memory power seat and power mirror, electrochromic rearview mirror, auto AWD, rear seats dual 7 inch DVD entertainment system, triple-zone climate control, heated/cooled driver and front passenger seats, heated rear seats, Bose 13 speakers premium audio, dual Panorama moonroof, rear roof glass with power sunshade...and more.

Nop, she has no interest in learning how to use any of those advanced features loaded on either vehicle. All she cares about is that the car has a lot of cargo space.

 

I was out today in my 4Runner and my wife used the Prime to do some shopping. She has a Lexus ES300 and she used that yesterday. I asked her which one she prefers and she said the Prime. I asked why and she said the driver's seat is smaller than the Lexus and fits her better and she also likes that she doesn't have to use a key to open the door or start it. I have never been in the passenger seat when she had driven it, but I suspect that she is not able to see the HUD if it is positioned so I can see it.

 

If your wife particularly enjoys the EV mode, why not let her drive it a few times without charging it for her? She'll definitely see the benefit of charging daily!

 

Same here. But I don't mind. Wifey does a lot for me. And she cleans her own gun, so I can't complain.

 

My wife is a little like that. She hates those softex seats. So, we're in her '17 Prius two on this road trip. And I like it better than the Prime in some ways. But the Prime still rules, imho.

 

Just let it go. Remember, most of us who buy the Prius Prime buy it for the gizmos and the technology. Most other people could give two hoots about it. When I got my Prime some friends oohed and aaahed over it, wanted to know all the details and how they worked. Others said "meh" but thought the ride was smooth.
My partner wanted to drive it but felt intimidated by all the stuff, and large screen. But she wanted to learn in case something happened to me and she had to use the car. I told her, just turn it on and drive it like you drive your Corolla. She did and really enjoyed. I'm happy.

In the end, I don't care what others think. I bought the car for me.

 

My wife drives it like a normal auto. She knows how to start it, shift it and things like that! She drove or gen 2 for 10 years so that helps. She does not have a clue about the car and does not care about it as long as it gets her there and home again. She said too me once , I can't hear the engine in that car!

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Back in the day when the VW bug was super popular, they had a print advertisement: "Does the stick shift scare your wife?". I don't think they would get away with that these days.

 

Different people make different use of technology. Most people will only learn to use those features which they perceive to be of immediate usefulness. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. If everyone were a tech-savvy geek, we wouldn't have the phrase "tech-savvy geek" in our language.

But your spouse should get used to plugging in the car just like her cellphone. Assuming your charging equipment is conveniently located, it's just a habit to get into. (Our Prime sends a message when it's left near its "primary charging location" and not plugged in. We've set this up to send an email to an address that auto-forwards to both our cellphones. It's a great reminder.)

Otherwise, let her enjoy the car and use the features she likes.

 

Great points, @Old Bear. In particular, do you mind if I steal this one? That is profound!!

 

Oh, I am not a "tech-savvy" by no means. Maybe "tech-novice-geek" is better suited for my description.

 

My wife appreciates the technology and loves driving her Leaf and says she would never go back to a gas burner and plans to keep it for a long time, but also thinks I am neurotic about the technology; such as always looking for freebie charging wherever we go, whether we are in my PiP or I’m driving in her Leaf, and how I also use Waze all the time (“in case there is an accident or police, etc.”).

She mostly drives her car as a transportation device, the only time the efficiency data in the Leaf is touched is when I play with it.