New owner of a 2007 touring edition here, wanted to express my thanks to everyone on this forum who have helped me make the awesome decision to purchase a Prius - a birthday/graduation present to myself (my previous car was a 98 civic). Thanks to you all I've had the car a week and have already - checked my cabin air filter (some dandelion fluff but looking good) - turned off the annoying backup and passenger seat beeps - turned up my Bluetooth mic level - inflated my tires to the recommended 42/40 - purchased a sunshade from the Priuschat shop - purchased a replacement battery for my smartkey fob - learned that the "auto" headlight option mentioned in my manual was never actually an option in the US I've also got quite a little wishlist going already... I'm pretty sure I need new headlight bulbs, and I for SURE know I want that Kenwood subwoofer and DICE ipod unit. Oh, and the turn signal mirrors Trying to be patient on the mods though, especially since I am in grad school for 3 more months and still need to find a "real" job. The only downside to this great car is I find myself wanting to drive more. Mainly since the car is amazing and fun but also to increase my mpgs as my normal commute is actually pretty short. That's all for now, will post pix as soon as I get a chance to give it a good wash!
:welcome: Lots of threads here that'll help with mileage. For instance, many have found that even here is So Cal, we benefit from installing the electric block heater (EBH). As a "short trip" person, if you start your morning at the same time most days by having the EBH pre-warm the block (using a 24hr timer), that warm up period won't kill your mpg's. Before you know it, you may end up getting 60+ mpg and beyond - if you become as whacked out obsessed as some of us.
Just wanted to echo Ananda13's thank you for all of you being here. What an incredible resource this site is. Onlya couple of days into owning a 2009 touring edition, and now that I have gotten over the bizzare "my engine died at the stop light" feeling, it is a really fun ride. PS - I'm coming to the Prius from a 1997 Suburban, where 12-14 mpg around town was a good day, so to say I am stunned already is a gross understatement.
Welcome aboard, Ananda and dstrauss. :welcome: Get comfy; no doubt you've only scratched the surface of the amount of info here. The great part is that as you become more experienced in your ownership you will start asking more educated questions. Most of them are probably already here so a quick search and you get your answer. And then, in true karmic style, you will have the opportunity to help out new owners when they have answers. It's the circle of life that keeps Priuschat a fun place to hang out.
Ananda13: If the small 12V starter battery in your 2007 Prius is still the original battery, you should expect to need it changed soon. I also own an '07 and I love my car. Welcome to the Prius community!
My goal is to go to Toyota this weekend and pick up service records so I know exactly what has and hasn't been replaced already. Is the 12v battery something that should be replaced preemptively?
Congrats Ananda13 and dstrauss and :welcome: to you both to PriusChat! Anada: The car is 5, possibly 6 years old (depending when it was built) so it would save you grief if you did replace the 12V proactively. You will get plenty of warnings (e.g. dimmed headlights if you turn them on without the car in READY or random lights and beeps).
