I've got the first Prius in the neighborhood. It is 2011 Prius II. I'm going to go read the owners manual now.
Welcome! Don't be afraid to drive it like a traditional car until you've had the chance to absorb some learning. The manual is a good start. I have had my 2011 for almost 4 weeks, and I am crazy about it. I am getting 58 mpg by following tips from local friends as well as the video here on PriusChat. My fave is EV mode, as I spend a good bit of time in parking lots and drive thrus (bank, dry cleaners, school). Most of all, I love driving right past a zillion gas stations! Enjoy!
I remember that time for me 5 months ago. I started reading and it was a little discouraging because so much was new. It can be overwhelming. This was right before Christmas and I had to drive on a trip out of town. I wanted to understand the car before I went on such a long drive in it. Then I found a CD in the back of my owner's booklet and watched it on the computer. It made learning much easier and you can go back to it a few more times. (I've watched it at least 3 times). Check in the back of your booklet to see if you have one too. I highly recommend it!
Congrats on your new Prius and welcome to PriusChat:welcome: You're under a lot of pressure to prove to the neighborhood you made the right decision. Read the owner's manual, search the threads and prove to your neighbors you know what you're doing! Enjoy the high MPGs, technology and low emissions.
Add me to the list of learning also. The wife and i went on our first little excursion in our 2011 III and i tested some of the things learned from the wise owners here. We went about 450 miles total on flat highway and rolling hills. I had the bejesus scared out of me on the return trip while gliding from the top of a hill at arrox 60 mph. While on the way down for a couple seconds with my foot off the gas pedal all gagues when dark. I was about to yell oh s**t when they came back on without any bars displayed untill i had to touch the gas lightly to go up the next incline, whew. In the rain got 53.2 mph for the trip lots of fun playing with the prius.
