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Question from a new owner

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by maestrosteve, Aug 30, 2013.

  1. maestrosteve

    maestrosteve Junior Member

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    Toms River, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Hello everyone,

    I just bought a Silver 2013 Prius three today. I'm the kind of person to read every word of every manual, and I need to know something now before I can get into the 800 plus pages, so maybe someone can answer this for me.

    I'd like to go into the car and really work my way around and learn the navigation/radio system. In one of the manual pages that I am reading right now, it says "To prevent the 12 volt battery from being discharged, do not leave the audio system on longer than necessary when the engine is not running (hybrid vehicles: the hybrid system is off).

    Maybe I'm just not understanding the way to do this, but when you start the car, the gas engine is not running. That means at that time you are not moving, so the gas engine is not on, right?
    If you turn on the radio or navigation system, you are running off the battery and it is not recharging, you are running it down. Am I correct so far?

    If so, are you able to start the car, sit in it for a half hour while it is not moving and listen to the radio?
    I'd like to spend some time programming the navigation system, learning the bluetooth thing, and everything else without killing the battery. Can you get the engine to turn on while you are sitting there so you don't run down the battery?

    Thanks for the help.


    Steve
     
    #1 maestrosteve, Aug 30, 2013
  2. mike3161999

    mike3161999 Junior Member

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    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    As long as the ready light is lit (car is on) the gas engine (ice) will start automatically to recharge the battery.

    SCH-I545 ? 4
     
    #2 mike3161999, Aug 30, 2013
  3. CdotK

    CdotK Member

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    the engine will turn on once the hybrid battery is too low. You will be ok to sit in it for 30 mins to learn how to play with your new toy. Its the same as any other car.
     
    #3 CdotK, Aug 30, 2013
  4. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    The hybrid battery charges the 12v battery not the engine directly. As mentioned above, it just needs to be in the "Ready" mode (brake + on button).
    Enjoy the read!
     
    #4 spiderman, Aug 30, 2013
  5. lumpy95

    lumpy95 Member

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    Three
    As you can see, I bought the same car. The battery gauge will get down to 2 bars and then kick the engine on as long as you have the car in ready mode. The book is talking about when you turn the radio, AC, etc. on and you are not in the ready mode, ie, ACC mode.
     
    #5 lumpy95, Aug 30, 2013
  6. maestrosteve

    maestrosteve Junior Member

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    Three
    Thanks everybody for the replies. I've been reading the manuals since my first post and just watched the quick reference guide DVD. Love the car. Why did I wait this long to buy one?
     
    #6 maestrosteve, Aug 30, 2013
  7. MPGnutcase

    MPGnutcase Active Member

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    Congrats on the new ride..............
     
    #7 MPGnutcase, Aug 31, 2013
  8. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
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    (Just a nit pick) The car cannot charge the HV Battery in N, so be in P when trying every thing out.
     
    #8 JimboPalmer, Aug 31, 2013
  9. maestrosteve

    maestrosteve Junior Member

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    Three
    Once again, thanks for the helpful answers. I just finished reading the 600+ page manual so I'm good to go.
    Replaced the carpet floor mats and rear carpet cargo mat with the all weather Prius rubber versions today. The only thing left to decide if if I want to keep SiriusXM past the 3 month trial period, and if I want to buy and put the mudflaps on. All is well.

    Time to just enjoy!
     
    #9 maestrosteve, Aug 31, 2013
  10. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    Speaking of the SiriusXm radio feature, I find the navigation of that really bad. There are so many channels and it's difficult to find what you want or even type in one if you know the number.
     
    #10 mediahound, Aug 31, 2013
  11. MPGnutcase

    MPGnutcase Active Member

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    I did not extend mine I like Pandora better
     
    #11 MPGnutcase, Aug 31, 2013
  12. maestrosteve

    maestrosteve Junior Member

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    MPGnutcase, I agree with you here. I've liked using Pandora for years. I like SiriusXM somewhat, but I don't like it enough to keep it at that cost. I've been thinking that I'd rather add to my data plan and use some of the other radio options available.
     
    #12 maestrosteve, Aug 31, 2013
  13. djasonw

    djasonw Active Member

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    Just get Sirius XM for the internet. It is cheaper and you can stream with your smart phone.
     
    #13 djasonw, Sep 1, 2013
  14. MPGnutcase

    MPGnutcase Active Member

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    I did recieve a 6mo trial offer for $25 from XM, but my Pri 4 came with 3yrs of XM data, Pandora, I-Heart radio still think the $25 is a waste...........
     
    #14 MPGnutcase, Sep 1, 2013
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