Is there already a thread of easy fixes to minor annoyances to the Prius? Like "lower the rear headrests to increase visibility" or "hack your Prius' storage space issue by..." If not, have you guys adjusted anything minor that makes the Prius experience just a little bit better?
Try Duct Tape - MythBusters reckoned it could fix anything. If it doesn't work, use bubble wrap. Seriously, if I'm not using my back seats (which is most of the time), I have them folded down - it improves rear visibility a little.
I raised the cargo floor of my Four with "styrofoam" to create a flat surface and provide some storage spaces in carved out pockets. I also keep my rear seats lowered to accolade golf equipment.
I wonder why all markets don't have the low profile rear headrests like we have in the UK, so much neater. Different regulations I guess.
Have the dealer change the continuous backup beep to a single one. I set my door locks to unlock all doors when opening from the drivers one since I usually place things on the back seat. I raised my tire pressures to the 39/36 F/R recommended for the Eco instead of 36/35. I figured it couldn't hurt and might improve MPG. My dealer says the set the tires to all 35 at the 5K check and I seem to have seen a mileage drop. I will adjust them back today.
In the US you can fold the rear headrests forward while keeping the seat backs upright which minimizes the loss of vision thru the rear hatch. The most likely reason that the US Prius does not have the low profile rear headrests is cost (the low profile ones cost more). This is the same reason that the side mirrors don't have turn signal flashers or motorized retraction which are available in other countries. I added a doughnut spare tire to the trunk of my Two Eco. Cutting out the hard foam insert below the floor cover allows the tire to fit without raising the load floor. The tire repair kit is history. According to he label on the bottle of sealant, using this stuff will ruin the TPMS sensor in the affected wheel.
With our 3rd gen too, I've noticed flipping the rear seat backs down gives you better rear view. On the other hand it looks kind of funky/incomplete. There was someone in 3rd gen conjectured: he got better mpg with the rear seat backs flipped down.
whoa. It will ruin the tpms? Does the two eco have a tpms? If so, how do you check it on the computer? That seems nasty since that means a small puncture means Toyota will have to replace the tire and tpms and we get charged more right? Unless their procedure is to clean it out if possible. I wonder how much the tpms costs.
If a TPMS sensor is defective (or you have a flat), there's a warning light on the dash. Info starts at page 607 of Owner's Manual. TPMS replacement sensor through the dealership would be over $100 I'd safely hazard, considering the parts cost and labour to install and initialize.
The Repair Manual does indeed say to “Retrieve the tire repair seal from the removed tire,” though I’m not sure “retrieve” is the word I would use to describe cleaning up the mess. If the tire is repairable, it can then be patched or plugged and reinstalled; the sealant does not damage the tire. Toyota and the sealant makers disagree about the need for replacing the TPMS transmitter. The Repair Manual is unequivocal: CAUTION: After use of tire repair sealant, replacement of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is required to ensure normal system operation. (Normal system operation cannot be ensured by only repairing or replacing the tire.) The owners of the Fix-A-Flat brand claim otherwise on their website: The TPMS device should also be cleaned off with water to remove any sealant which may have come into contact with the device. After the repaired tire is replaced and inflated the TPMS system will resume operating as normal. That’s a good estimate. The tire pressure monitor valve sub-assembly (the TPMS transmitter) in each tire is Toyota part number 42607-52020, list price $79.39 or ¥6,000. Toyota’s Flat Rate Manual allows 0.7 labor hours for removal and reinstallation of one wheel and tire, plus another 0.5 hours for TPMS transmitter registration. Tire shops can also do this work, since TPMS transmitters are often replaced when new tires are installed. Each transmitter has a lithium battery; the Repair Manual says to remove these before disposal, but it does not mention replacing the battery to extend the service life of the transmitter. My Three Touring came with a compact spare tire and wheel, but I also carry a can of tire sealant, to be used for a second failure or if it is unsafe or inconvenient to install the spare at the roadside. In such situations, the costs of a new TPMS transmitter or the labor to clean the tire and wheel are unlikely to matter.
I got my spare tire as part of the deal when I bought the car a week ago. Per the sales guy, the dealer cost for the doughnut spare was $194. Someone on this forum said that TireRack sells them for $140 - $150.
Can I view my tire pressures from the screens? Or is the tpms only for alerting when pressures are low?
I don’t remember finding any way to show the tire pressures on the Combination Meter or Navigation Receiver Assembly. Techstream (under Chassis / Tire Pressure Monitor / Data List) can display the pressure and temperature reported by each transmitter, though there is no indication of which transmitter is in which tire. The values are shown in engineering units (psig and °F, in the U.S.), but I don’t know the accuracy specification.
The rear headrests as we know can be folded down. They can also be completely removed. Push in on the stop button and lift up. i removed mine and drove around for awhile, but I do have rear seat passengers now and then. Sister even pulled the passenger seat headrest out! Not fair or safe, so my back headrests simply stay folded down when not in use. I did remove the center headrest and toss it. Now I want to know how to get rid of The numerous holes and plastic squares from headrests and latches so the back seat looks good.
