I am a new Prius driver (and a new driver, period). Is there any way for the wheel to get back to its original position after making a turn by just releasing it? How can I make the light switch automatically during the evening/night time? Thanks.
Pretty sure neither of those are available features on the c. Have to do without fancy features when buying a car like this
Ok bear with me. I'm guessing you want the steering wheel to automatically return to straight-ahead. Is that right? Very few cars do this [unless you're used to a Citroen SM]. The steering wheel position is entirely your responsibility as the driver. You should never be releasing the wheel under any circumstances, as you likely cannot always foresee a road hazard that could pivot the tires and send you on a different trajectory. Now with that said, there are 2 fundamental geometry terms for the suspension called Trail and Caster, both of which improve the front tires inherent tendency to return to straight ahead. They cannot be adjusted on most production cars, as they're very sensitive geometries and the manufacturer cannot put your safety at risk [and thus risk a lawsuit] by allowing you to haphazardly adjust them. To go further, there is an aftermarket suspension bushing that allows you to add up to 0.5° of positive caster [and also trail] in the front of the Prius c [and Yaris and Scion xD]. It's a Whiteline product, which is a top-end aftermarket company based in Australia. This would slightly increase the inherent on-center feel while rolling down the road [as well as increase dynamic camber, but that's another story], however it won't bring the steering wheel back to straight-ahead automagically. Of course this kind of mod is at your own risk, though I'll be installing a set of these this weekend on my own c as I prefer greater static caster than the stock alignment provides. I hope that sheds some light on the situation.
Thank you, that's is what I was looking for. I guess neither is doable. My driving instructor kept teaching me to release the wheel after completing a turn so it would automatically return to stright-ahead (now i know the term, lol). I found it to be very convenient.
Imagine a world where a computer turns your steering wheel for you. Maybe someone will develop REGENERATIVE STEERING WHEEL CORRECTION. +1 MPG for every minute you let go completely of the steering wheel.
You guys all have great points and regen steering WAY cool idea, like the anit-power steer. However im guessing Mr. TDog is learning in a driver Ed type of car. When I was in drivers ed the car i had to drive had a alinement really really tight meaning the wheels in a \ / kind of shape making the car fall to center VARY easy. I remember driving that car for the first time vary vary well. I had been driving my fathers truck for a while be for the class. this beast did not fall to center ... ever. So the little Civic my high school had felt weird as it wanted to go straight. The point I trying to work my to is that the Prius C is not alined that way. Just as the car comes with low resistance tires to better your MPG is also is alined to me more | | in its wheel base to save get better MPG. This is another reason that i think some groups think this car has no feel to the steering. You dont have to fight to turn the car. Ryephile know who i mean . Its pretty cool that you can feel the difference in this car TDog. I bet there is not anyone one els in the US that can did. Every one els here has been driving long enough and in enough different cars its not noticeable to us.
The big old car I learned to drive on - without power steering - 1959 Ford V8 - did kinda return the wheel towards DC. In fact - if you weren't careful the steering wheel spokes could give your hands or fingers a painful whack when the wheel spun back after a turn. Imagine a 3600 lb V8 without power steering - parallel parking was a b...... As for automatic lights - my now dead 2001 Prizm (base model) had automatic headlights AND daytime running lights. When I inherited my '97 Prizm I often drove around at night with only the DLRs on because the '97 did not have auto headlights. The auto headlights - I didn't like it when I first got the 2001 - now I really miss them. YMMV
Even though there isn't auto headlights in the c, is there some timer that turns the headlight off to save the battery from dying if you forget to turn your lights off? I remember reading about it somewhere, but I can't recollect whether that was the liftback or the C...
^Yes, the c does turn off the lights after a certain amount of time. I'm thinking 20 minutes? Maybe? Kinda pulling that number out of my butt.
Your butt is good! Here's the manual: Light reminder buzzer Vehicles without a smart key system A buzzer sounds when the engine switch is turned to the “LOCK” or “ACC” position and the driver's door is opened while the lights are turned on. Vehicles with a smart key system A buzzer sounds when the “POWER” switch is turned off or turned to ACCESSORY mode and the driver's door is opened while the lights are turned on. Battery-saving function In the following conditions, the remaining lights will go off automatically after 20 minutes in order to prevent the vehicle battery from being discharged: ●The headlights and/or tail lights are on. ●The engine switch is turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position (vehicles without a smart key system) or the “POWER” switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off (vehicles with a smart key system).
Regarding the headlights turning off after 20 mins of the car being powered down, I tested this and it's true. however, I *hate* having to wait 20 minutes. The manual suggests but is unclear that this setting might be able to be modified by the dealer. Has anyone had success with having the light-turn-off set to a time shorter than 20 minutes?
