First of all, I just drove home a used 2010 Prius II (red). First time Prius owner! Second, my phone slipped off of the dash and slid INTO the steering column. I know. It hasn't been 24 hours and I already gave myself an unnecessary puzzle. I'm going to look through the gaps with a flashlight to see if I can find it but would appreciate any tips on how to remove the steering column cover, if I have to go that route. Thanks.
You should be able to take the flashlight and look up the steering column from below and see your phone. Lower the steering column down as far as it will go and pull it out as far as it will go. I know when I was installing my ScanGauge to the top of the steering column I had no problem pushing the cable up through the steering column with one hand from down below and catching it with the other hand from above and pulling it on up.
If you can't see it, then listen for it by giving yourself a call. Once you pinpoint the location, look under the dash for where you can gain access.
Thanks for the replies. I was adjusting the steering wheel position to see if I can get a better view and the phone slid down where I can reach it with my fingers. Drove it 250 miles today to visit a friend. Wonderful. The mileage display is a strong motivator to change driving behavior. I've never been so happy in the rightmost lane behind a truck in my life.
Nothing abnormal about a phone sliding into somewhere dashboard related. This is how the Prius does bluetooth calls, it swallows the phone whole.
