I recently bought a Prius 3 and am very happy with its mechanical performance and fuel efficiency, but the driver interface sucks for the electronics. I'm used to my 2008 Mercedes S550, which may be an unfair comparison, but I really hate having to take my eyes off the road and reach across the dash to use a touch screen. I do like filling the tank for $25 rather than $70, though I have tried a few voice commands with mixed results. Sometimes I get the requested result, sometimes I get a random (or no) response, and sometimes I strangely get a message to the effect that this function is not available while driving, even though I can get it via touch-screen while driving. I found on the Mercedes there are a few commands I use often, and a huge number that I have no interest in. They are easy to find from either a tree structure in the manual, or an alphabetized list grouped by subsystem. From searching the manual and the various Prius forums it is appears that there is no readily-available comprehensive list of commands. The manual seems to give only examples, and implies that you can step through the on-screen menu trees by voice, giving occasional examples. But I've had very little success with that. I also don't like having to take my eyes off the road to read the list at each level or having the car speak the list, which is way too slow. Both take too much concentration away from driving. With the Mercedes I can usually activate a command directly even if it is several levels down in a tree (e.g. "navigate to <a stored destination>") while an audio screen is displayed. I have found a few lists on line, but they don't agree with each other and seem to be from 5-10 year old models. In general they seem to list far more commands than I see on my screens. I recognize that there is a learning curve which I have yet to fully experience, but does anyone have a comprehensive list of commands that would apply the the basic Prius 3? It would sure help.
Try "All Commands' or "Navi commands" while parked and learn them. I use voice navigation with success but had to learn a few things first: 1. The command has to be exact although there are multiple options to use 2. The fan speed on high or next to high can mask proper recognition 3. Speak faster, it does not like slow commands Example: Destination 11305 Alamo St. San Antonio Texas (no zip code necessary) There will be a pause (perhaps longer than expected), then it will say "Texas" followed by a pause. Sometimes the street will produce "multiple entries" which display on a numbered list. You glance at the list and say which one (by list number). Usually it's number "1". If it gets the street without question, it will usually read back the house number. Long house numbers like 11305 should be initially spoken as "one, one, three, oh, five" quickly. Saying "eleven three oh five" or "eleven thousand three oh five" will often fail and force a repeat of that portion. The system may display three routes options such as "fast, ecological, short" however you can just say "start" and it will start mapping. Unfortunately there does not seem to be voice commands for common requirements like "stop guidance or zoom" but you can bring up the map with "show map". In this case just wait and the confirm screen dismisses automatically. Setup "Favorites" whenever possible as they are easier and quicker to use. A favorite setup as your home address allows you to leave anywhere for home by simply commanding "Favorite Home". If you get lost "Favorite Home" gets you to familar territory pretty quick even if it's not really where you want to go next. Similarly you can save any location once you get there as a favorite for later voice command. You can also find the location on the map and save. You can override a current route by commanding a new destination or favorite. It will go through the same steps and will route to the new location, replacing the old. The best reason to master the voice commands is that you can use them while you are moving when manual methods are not available.
I've found that the voice command system is very sensitive to noise, and often won't work when I'm driving with the windows open. (Me: "Go home" SYSTEM: "Oklahoma.") However, when I roll up the windows, it's usually flawless. Don't know of a printed list of commands, tho.
Thanks - this may help. On my other car the fans shut down when the voice command button is pressed, but they don't seem to on the Prius. Here in Phoenix they're usually running pretty fast this time of year. I'll try shutting them off first.
You don't need to shut off the fans, just don't use the top two bars of fan speed when trying voice. I find the upgraded Prius v AC system does fine on medium after you have cooled it down. Most of the time I don't need max fan unless I have left it in the sun for a few hours.
I'm still not having much luck with the voice commands. I've tried it while parked with the fans off, and still have not found a way to select a stored destination, my most-needed function. I'm getting the message that the answer is: "No - there is no comprehensive list of voice commands." Can this be true?
Your profile indicates you are 78 so, if true, congratulations on buying a Prius and drive safe. Read my first post above assuming you have a Prius v model 3 Display Audio and not the Advanced Navigation Prius v (usually on the model 5). The display audio uses a simpler command set than the PDF below which applied to the 2004 model. The Display Audio manual in your glovebox has a Voice Command section on page 185 of the second section. Pressing the talk button on the steering wheel starts it. To hear all possible commands press talk, wait for the beep, and then state " More Commands" or "All Commands". It will read off all navi, media, phone, and radio commands with a pause between each. Simply pressing the talk button will bring up the top voice command menu after a short delay.
If you have stored a destination named Kroger, press the Talk button, wait for the beep, then say Favorite Kroger. Be sure to make the stored or saved name short and easy to pronounce, don't use the the whole address which is listed by default. Edit the name (using the rename function) to make it simple to remember and pronounce.
on that system there are only 33 cmds, put the talk button you can go thru the list with few key press. jrparker provided great tips, if you need help on destination entry here is a video on it
Thanks for taking the time to put this response together. I pretty much gave up on trying to use the voice commands because of the poor results. It usually misunderstood what I was requesting. I suppose that was because of the background noise. I've been storing my destinations as favorites before I hit the road, as you suggested. Once the favorite is stored, you can access it while moving. I'll give the voice commands another try using your tips.
It's great that the 6.1" versions allow you to enter a complete destination. That's definitely an improvement.
LOL, U have to try the new system with the new Home screen and split screen.. that system went a step back. U have to say "Enter a address" 1st before you can say the complete destination. A good note with these system is they support a larger command base.
Of course, how else would it know you want to input an address? How's it different from ours? We have to say "Destination" as well. "Destination", "House Number", "Street Name", "City"?
in the older system U say "Destination", "House Number", "Street Name", "City" all in a single sentence 1 step process. in the newer system U say "Destination" wait for the system to give U a prompt or U push PTT then "House Number", "Street Name", "City". 2 step process.
Great thread, thank you all-- as I too am frustrated with the system on our 2014 P-3 that we just bought. My wife already gave up on it, (its her car), so i will try these tips to educate myself, then try to educate her, if they work...
My Gen 6 system works the way you describe it in the second sentence. (2010 Prius with 7" Denso unit) <deep voice> "How can I help you, my son?" It's true, PriusChat is like a cult (but without all the negative connotations of the word "cult" ).
