Do I have the basics?

Hi! I have been reading on and off since early December 2005. Our 2006 Seaside Pearl #3 is due 2/3 - 2/10 and I want to have my 'ducks in a row', so to speak. This is my first new car purchase and I am excited beyond words.

I've asked some questions here and I have been searching and reading, as well. I have avoided some topics simply because I want to wait until the vehicle is here. I cannot recall all the procedures for changing default settings, etc, but I can do searches when the time comes. Thanks for all the advice and information on the Prius!

Here is my list of points to cover (for myself) and questions (for you):

~ Download and apply for CA Clean Air stickers. Dealer has a DMV clerk that sends off paperwork almost daily, so I should be okay with sending in the form and my $8 the day after we pick up the vehicle. I've read that some people have gotten warnings/tickets for not applying the stickers in the designated areas of the vehicle. Has anyone successfully used magnetic devices? (Not just for the stickers, but also behind the bumper.) What is the 3M clear sheet stuff called? I've read about a few people making sandwiches: 3M-sticker-3M, but I do not recall why. I've read that when/if we need to remove the stickers; we can heat it up to dissolve the adhesive. As far as I can tell, there is no way to prevent the paint all around the stickers to not wear/fade slightly so that the portion under the stickers will match exactly when they are removed. Is the point to have a uniform shape (square or rectangle) versus the almost-key shape that may be slightly discolored? We are likely to just leave them on the car once we adhere them unless I find a better way before they arrive.

~ Financing is approved and check/paperwork is in transit. Should arrive 2/1-2/3. Our down payment is available. I've already checked with dealer and they cannot match my financing. Although, salesman did say things could change in February.

~ Car mats come with our Prius at this dealer. No other add-ons are automatically included.

~ I've inquired about the clear mask and rear bumper appliqué and have not gotten answers on cost. Installation for the clear mask has to be done at a subsequent visit. If I do both, then they would prefer to install both items at the same time at a subsequent visit. If I just do the appliqué, they'll do it on the day of delivery. I need to find other sources for cost comparison.

~ We've decided against the extended warranty and paint/fabric protection services at this time. Are there any similar "services" the dealer is likely to offer us that I should investigate beforehand?

~ READ THE MANUAL!!!

~ Gas... DON'T RUN OUT!

~ Oil... 3 - 3.5 quarts is sufficient. Some/many (?) people prefer synthetic oil and the brand Mobil 1 comes up most often. My 1995 Corolla has a 7500 miles oil change interval and has never given me any trouble. Why does the Prius have a 5000-mile oil change interval? I read an incredibly long and detailed account of oil on this board somewhere, but can no longer find it. I learned a lot about oil, but I just want a simple answer. Can I go 5001 - 7500 miles between oil changes or will that void the warranty? Also, which weight of oil is most appropriate for our mild climate here in sunny San Diego and ordinary driving (mix of surface streets and highway)?

~ Tires... Stock tires are fine for our climate and terrain. We can consider increasing the tire pressure and it is advised to keep the front two tires 2 psi higher than the rear two tires. Most common seems to be default, 40/38, and 42/40. What type of device do you use to check your tire pressure? I have a basic chrome pen-looking device. Is that sufficient? How often should I check it? I check it before driving anywhere, right? Opposite of when to check oil...cold tires, warm oil???

~ Car washes... AY YI YI! That was quite a discussion. LOL What I learned was to avoid Dawn under most circumstances; no regular "brush" auto washes; wax occasionally; hand wash with 2 buckets; use separate mitts/towels for separate products (label them); wash & dry in the shade. Everything else seemed to be personal preference.

~ I do not recall reading anything on keeping/getting the interior clean, except some very specific circumstances. I will go the vacuum regularly and keep food and drinks to a minimum route. Dust is typically the worst offender in my area. Oh, and sand...

~ iPod... Simplest is a male/male short audio cord (Radio Shack?). Plays and displays only on iPod; and then you charge elsewhere. Belkin and Sik (sp?) offer more complex options.

~ MPG... I read Evan's article and found it detailed yet not overwhelming. I am a fairly sane driver to begin with, but I have been practicing lowering my highway speeds. This is rather tricky on San Diego freeways! I will be sticking to the 'go with the flow of traffic' mantra I learned way back in driver's training. I have climate on my side pretty much year-round and I tend to walk to places within 2 miles and I already group my errands to park in one spot and walk to as many places as possible. The finer techniques will have to wait for the car. Seeing the feedback will be a big motivator.

~ Tracking... I bookmarked several people's web sites and found some spreadsheets some of you use. I am trying to figure out the easiest method from a logistics standpoint. I'll be driving the vehicle in the beginning, and then it will be a shared vehicle since my husband has the longest daily commute. I drive the same or farther only 1-2 days a week. I have a PDA, but I only use it to play games when I travel. LOL I carry my cell phone when I drive. Are there any programs for those? Or do I have to enter everything into a note, and then transfer data (manually)? DH & I have the same LG caller-id flip phones...nothing fancy. Maybe an old-fashioned notebook and pen would be best for me, but DH will be unlikely to write anything down in it. I almost have him trained to drop all receipts into a tray, but that doesn't currently include gas receipts. We typically opt to not have them print out.

~ Sell my '95 Corolla... Remove personal items; gather maintenance & service records; tell everyone I know I need to sell it; list it on Craigslist (San Diego). If it doesn't sell within a reasonable time, then pursue paid advertising services (autotrader, etc). My insurance company allows a certain amount of time to sell our current vehicle without having to take a new policy to cover both vehicles (new one & old one). The new one is automatically covered for a certain number of days once purchased, but I will call them when it is in my possession. Our agent already knows we are buying it. (For comparison purposes, I called awhile back to inquire about rates for Prius, HCH, and new Corolla. For us, insurance rates were too similar to consider insurance a factor.)

Am I missing anything? Got any answers or additional links for me to read?

Thanks!

 

jeneric ~ Thanks! I did some research and still need to do a bit on the prepaid maintenance plan. I had never heard of VIN etching before!

Jack ~ Thanks! I never liked that pen-style pressure reading device I have. It always seems to give me the same reading regardless.

Bill ~ THANK YOU! I read a ton of links off that link above and printed some more sheets today. My husband does not thank you, though. ROFLOL

aaf709 ~ Thanks for the list! I wrote down the top five and will keep my eyes open over the next couple weeks.

Others ~ I'll enjoy the ride once the car is here! My DH agrees with y'all and wishes I would stop researching for awhile. I did actually stop for about three weeks...end of December through the day we got the phone call that our car was on the boat. I am just so excited and I love to research, so this keeps me from driving everyone around me crazy. I spread the wealth, so to speak. LOL

 

Tee Hee!!!

Here's an update just for you...

I emailed everyone I know in my county last night (midnight) with the details on my car for sale, asking if anyone knows anyone who needs a used vehicle. I woke up to five leads! Yippeeee! With any luck, we'll get it sold within the 14 days of new car possession "rule" for our insurance company (in order to cover both cars simultaneously without two policies).

In more shocking news, LOL, DH agreed to a book in the car for tracking purposes. He remains unconvinced that tracking is necessary, however. He must love me or something.

Enjoy your day!