Just bought a 2013 Prius II, new to hybrids

Welcome to PriusChat!
I resort to unlocking the doors, just so I can see the lights flash.

 

Welcome and congratulations!! Which part of Florida is home?

Silver is pretty mundane. But then again, you hardly notice if they're dirty unless you bump up against them and see your filthy pant leg. You can guess how I know that. I never tire of exploring the bells & whistles in mine.

Head on over the Gen three forums and get ready to have your head explode with information. Gen 3 (2010-2015) Toyota Prius Forums | PriusChat

 

When folks are shopping for NEW new cars I advise them to set the customizations before they buy. The salesman will make the Service Department do them for free.

As a new owner of an old new car, you may wish to have the Toyota dealer's service department make some customizations for you, even for money. (some times they will do them during a service for free)

http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om-s/OM47791U/pdf/OM47791U.pdf
Is your owners manual, on Page 596 it begins to discuss customizations. Items with a O in column 1, you can set and change. If you had navigation you could change the items with a O in Column 2. The dealer can set and change all the items with a O in column 3.
I park in a garage so I have all my doors set to open with one press of the Fob and when I touch the drivers door. If I parked in a dark and remote parking lot frequently, I would consider making only the drivers door open with one press. I have the headlights set to turn off when I open the drivers door, If i parked in the remote lot at night much I might set my headlights to turn off after 90 seconds.

Read the options and think of those where what suits you is not the way it works now. Have Service change them all at once.

 

congrats and welcome! all the best.

 

A few tips on finding a silver car:

- For places you commonly go (work, grocery store), always park in the same spot. I try to always choosecolumn of cars closest to enhance, but the spot in that column three or so spots furthest away from door. Easy to find, I get a little exercise, and I dont have to worry about people walking behind my car when I pull out. (Though I do back in when I can).
- If you can't find the car with the fib, put the fob in your mouth. It will extend the range of the fob (signal bounces off cranium and back out further)
- If you keep your GPS turned on, there are apps that will track you and let you know there last place you parked. (icant do that...it drains my old battery.)

-PNB

 

WOW!!! A perpetual motion machine! Who knew?

 

Probably the same dealerships that offer to change your blinker fluid for a small fee.

 

One time, troubleshooting a washer fluid leak, I managed to mix up the washer fluid pump and left turn signal electrical connections. First time I tried turning left afterwards, I turned on my signal and got rhythmic shots of washer fluid.

 

That's the year, and the trim level I use to own.
I think you'll be happy, it's a great vehicle.
My only initial advice is if you are being told you are only a few thousand miles from needing new tires?- You need new tires. Probably really right now. I mean, I don't know how anyone looks at tires and quantifies that someone is still only 1000's of miles away from needing new ones. In other words, if you need them? My guess is you need them now.
And I always felt especially with The Prius, tires were very, very important. Start doing your research as to what you want as replacement tires now. There's a lot of advice available right here at Prius Chat.

But with only 42,000 miles on The Prius, with a new set of tires? You can expect a lot of road trips ahead.

Oh, and given it's not a huge investment, I'd replace the wiper blades and bulb too....
If you found out about the wiper blades and bulb before purchase? I would of tried to leverage the dealership into replacing them before I signed on the dotted line. Usually, on items like that? If you appear to balk on the sale, they'll do it just get the sale done.
Kind of surprised a dealership (Toyota?) would sell a newer used Prius with basic items like a burned out bulb and wiper blades NOT in good repair. Those things don't cost much.

But get those basic items replaced, especially the tires...and enjoy.

 

I found that you can buy a tread depth indicater at the local parts store, makes knowing when to replace tires a no brainer, or you can wait until you see the wear bars in the tread.

 

Well I'm glad to hear you at least got a price reduction for those items.

Sure, absolutely true.
And if it was me? I'd check it myself.
But also my personal feeling with The Prius is that with regenerative brakes, and IMO a pretty aggressive traction control system, I felt having good/above average tires on the Prius maybe more of a priority than I felt with any other vehicle. With The Prius I felt replacement on the earlier side was better than the later side.
Tires are always a safety issue, so if anyone hints that they need them? My advice is nearly always by default...go get them.

 

Hi ckayte! I was wondering how much did you pay for your Prius. I am currently in the market to and found a 2013 Prius 3 with 81K on it. I am trying to figure out if the dealer is asking the right price for it.