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New Owner - 2 Questions

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by PianoPlinker, May 23, 2009.

  1. PianoPlinker

    PianoPlinker New Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2009
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    Location:
    NW Suburbs of Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hi all....

    Delighted to be part of this "select" group. Just bought a 2009 pkg 3 on Wednesday night. I am learning the special features but wondered if anyone has insights on two items:

    1) When driving at night, the speedometer display light spills onto the area of the dash right in front of it - which is fine. What is interesting (and a tiny bit bothersome) is that this green light is then reflected in the center of my windshield - like I am looking through a "green bar" of light. It is most prominent when I am away from streetlights (i.e. very dark). I have seen there is a display dimmer switch, which is the next thing I will try - but wondered if anyone else has noticed this... Were you able to "correct" it?

    2) I have a Palm Centro cell phone and got it the Bluetooth radio to recognize it. I understand that it is also possible for me to move/copy a number of my contacts to the Prius' phone book. Any secrets to doing that? Do I just "beam" them over - like I would beam them to another PDA?

    Many thanks! (I plan to be a regular visitor to the PriusChat website)
     
    #1 PianoPlinker, May 23, 2009
  2. Blauer Glimmer

    Blauer Glimmer Active Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2009
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    Location:
    NY (Southern Tier)
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    For question 1) dimming the lights helps. For question 2) I have a Verizon phone and I can't transfer my numbers. Someone else will need to answer your question.

    Welcome to the group! The people here are a wealth of information.
     
    #2 Blauer Glimmer, May 23, 2009
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

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    hello and :welcome: to PriusChat!

    1. Yes that is normal and it's only visible on really dark roads. One solution is to dim the lights a bit, the other (if you drive on dark roads regularly) is to put a thin piece of electrical tape on the dashboard just wide enough to block the light.

    2. I don't have bluetooth on mine so I can't help you there. Sorry!
     
    #3 Tideland Prius, May 23, 2009
  4. Doc Willie

    Doc Willie Shuttlecraft Commander

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    1. The Display Dimmer switch will fix the problem most of the time. If not, put some flat material, a piece about 2x8 inches, on the dashjust be hind the windo where the instrument lighting shines up. Use some adhesive (may mark the dashboard, but then you will keep it covered permanently), so it does not slide forward and make you instrument display go dark.

    2. Check you phone instructions. There is usually a menu item associated with a phone number or the entire phone book directory which allows you to transfer phone numbers via Bluetooth.
     
    #4 Doc Willie, May 24, 2009
  5. darkdragon1976

    darkdragon1976 New Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2009
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    Location:
    Las Vegas, Nevada
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
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    Great idea with the reflection, I don't know how well electrical tape would work because it is shiny - i think a gaffer's tape would be best. What about just ordering a dash cover, they are cloth and shouldn't bounce any light at all.
     
    #5 darkdragon1976, May 24, 2009
  6. PianoPlinker

    PianoPlinker New Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2009
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    Location:
    NW Suburbs of Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks for the suggestions, one and all. I will look into my phone support and see if there is an easy way to "beam" some contacts over. Worst case scenario: I just take the time to enter them manually...

    I picked up the car on Wednesday night and the dealership filled it up before I left. I drove it since then and had a short road trip to my parents 130 miles away. Unless something is whacky, I calculated that I got 54.4 MPG when I filled up! That strikes me as very high - is that possible? Note that I filled it to the pump clicked off and did not top it off (as I had read about the special "bladder" in the tank that can be damaged from overfilling). But I went 317 miles on half a tank! Is it possible that the car is this MISERLY with gas? If so, I am one very happy camper! Thanks..
     
    #6 PianoPlinker, May 24, 2009
  7. E Todd

    E Todd New Member

    Joined:
    May 21, 2009
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    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
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    N/A
    I've had my car for just over two weeks and am averaging 54.7 MPG. I've previously owned a few Camry's and a Corolla. So far, we just love the Prius.
     
    #7 E Todd, May 24, 2009
  8. JimboK

    JimboK One owner, low mileage

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    Because of the bladder, calculated tank-to-tank fuel economy readings can vary widely. Some of us have tracked the difference between calculated mileage and the MFD mileage for a year or more, and we've found the MFD to be quite close, 2-3% (on the high side). So unless you're anal retentive like us (;)), just use the MFD figure.
     
    #8 JimboK, May 25, 2009
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