What I hate about my Prius

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mark M. @ Jul 11 2006, 11:29 PM) [snapback]284770[/snapback]</div>

On my HyCam, I have that, so I am not sure why it could not be on the Prius.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TJandGENESIS @ Jul 12 2006, 09:14 AM) [snapback]285001[/snapback]</div>

Maybe the HyCam doesn't have a bladder????

 

Sun visor extensions so I don't get blasted from the side early and late in the day!

More MFD data on charge rates to allow further fine tuning of driving technique. I am intrigued by the CAN View idea, but afraid to mess with things that might create warranty issues.

Legroom issue again! I hate the fact that I can almost live with the legroom for my right leg, but there is basically no place to put my left foot. Seems the dead pedal could be slimmed down a bit to afford a little better geometry, but I know this is not a concern in the Japanese home market.

I'm 6' 2", and I knew this was a problem going in. I wind up living with folding my left leg inboard, which makes the Prius a commuting-only vehicle for me. I can deal with it for 90 minutes or so, but a long trip would have me cramping up severely. So, I had to decide that it was important enough for me to tread a little lighter in my most frequent trips to accept the discomfort - easy enough, but on long trips we'll be in my wife's Accord or (Horrors!) my ancient diesel pickup! Too bad.

 

My 2 main issues in the 2+ weeks that I've had the car:
- blind spots caused by the wide pillars on both sides
- Nav lockout while driving (2006)

Otherwise - I LOVE my car!

 

I used to own a 1967 Mercedes and it had something that Toyota should have with every car. It was a metal plate (could be plastic nowadays) that was in an envelope attached to the owner's manual. This plate had the VIN, Model #, Paint Code and Trim Code. When the car was taken to the dealer you handed them the plate. It had most of the information they'd need for service or getting a spare part.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(AlphaTeam @ Jul 10 2006, 10:23 AM) [snapback]283950[/snapback]</div>

do other '06's do that, gang? my 04 doesn't. i've been tracking "nozzle cutoff" versus "full" (yes i AM OCD... ) and have averaged about .69 gallon after cutoff.

your gas station's nozzle may be running a high flow rate, allowing the fuel to back up the filler pipe and cut off the nozzle. try setting it to a lower rate, if you can. that might help.



<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JoJo @ Jul 12 2006, 12:54 PM) [snapback]285173[/snapback]</div>

i almost nailed at least 2-3 pedestrians in my own neighborhood (25 mph zone!) at intersections when i first got my prius. the driver's side A-pillar was my biggest problem.

i got used to it; i adapted to it, and it's not been a problem at all after the first few months of driving. take extra care for a while and i'd bet you get used to it, too. let us know after another six months' driving .

i hated the nav lockout, too, on my '04, so i installed the little switch to override it. that didn't work consistently for me and wife, so i sprang for the replacement harness and it's been much more happiness ever since.

now, if you can explain to me why the NAV voice stopped talking to us for about four months and has just returned, i'd love to know why! i have NO clue as to what might have turned it off. :blink:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(n2y2 @ Jul 12 2006, 11:48 AM) [snapback]284980[/snapback]</div>

Is that possibly an '04 issue? I don't see that on my '06.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(plusaf @ Jul 12 2006, 05:27 PM) [snapback]285195[/snapback]</div>

If you press Menu -> Volume you can set the volume of the voice guidance, including turning it off completely...?

Alternately, it can be increased or decreased one notch at a time by pressing the voice command button and saying "louder" or "softer".

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SmarterCarThanYours @ Jul 12 2006, 08:16 AM) [snapback]284950[/snapback]</div>

How do you do that? I seem only ever able to get one speed--usually VERY slow, but stopping every 6 oz or so with the Pri... <_<

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(n2y2 @ Jul 12 2006, 08:48 AM) [snapback]284980[/snapback]</div>

I don't know how it is in YOUR car, but here's what I do to get outside air: Since I usually only need air conditioning on quite warm days (4 months out of the year??), I turn the A/C on by the steering wheel button. The blue light on the dash says "A/C Auto" and if you look at the Climate screen in the MFD, the A/C and Auto buttons have yellow lines across the top indicating that they are activated. I hit the A/C button ONCE and the yellow line disappears. The "A/C Auto" blue light remains on the dash, but the ONLY thing I get coming through the vents is outside air. If I use the + and - buttons on the steering wheel, I can change the desired cabin temperature and the fan will either increase or decrease in speed automatically as it tries to get the temperature I want. IOW, if it's 80 degrees outside and I want the fan on High, I'll set the system as above and request a cabin temp of around 68. If I want the fan on low, I change the desired cabin temp to around 78.

This type of setting will remain when you turn off the car. If I want the air conditioning, I can just hit the steering wheel button for A/C and the compressor will go on (and I change the temp to around 77). Bottom line is that you CAN have just outside air while still keeping the system in "Auto" mode, and it will stay that way until you change it by the steering wheel or climate screen buttons.

Note: I REALLY REALLY REALLY wish the A/C button on the steering wheel would cycle through vent, A/C, and off instead of just A/C and off!!!!!!!!

Oh, and I wish the seats went back farther. Seat comfort is pretty great for me. I've done 500 to 1,000 miles a day in it, and the only thing I wished for was more legroom to stretch in.

Yeah, and I'd appreciate a telescoping steering wheel (that's why my very tall niece had to cross the Prius off her list).

I have no problem with blind spots since I adjusted my side mirrors according to Click and Clack.

And PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE give me a plug-in hybrid that can go freeway speeds on just the battery!!!!!!!

 

I love our Prius!!!

I do not love the MFD or the steering wheel for climate control. When I come home, it is usually in the afternoon and the fan is on high (no A/C) or the A/C is on (I usually set it just a few degrees lower than outside temp reading). When I leave home, it is usually in the morning and all I want is the vent on for fresh air (no A/C nor fan...or fan on low). Going to the MFD to trick the darn system to get rid of the A/C and auto features is annoying and distracting. I have a 2006 and I learned the 'vent only' trick from you guys here, so please enlighten me on a way to get the above, if you know a faster and easier (less distracting) way.

The armrests and center console should NOT BE cloth, IMHO! We've owned the vehicle since 2/9/06 and the fabric is already starting to wear and I don't even rest my arms in either spot. DH may. I haven't paid attention.

Since DH and I both drive the car and are different heights, we'd really love to have dual settings for the seat. Ironically, we do not have to change the mirrors. Since we also both drive our 04 Camry (power seats), I can say that it is faster to move the seat in the Prius. So, I'd rather have no power than power without two quick settings. LOL

There is no place for smaller objects, like purses and LARGE water bottles (1.5 liters), to go without rolling around on the floor at the feet of the passenger. In my previous car, I would put such items in the passenger seat since I rarely had passengers in that car. (Wasn't the family car.) I ended up with horrible stains on that seat from the bottom of my purse/backpack/whatever and spilled WATER, so I resolved to not put anything on the passenger seat of the Prius. I tried putting my purse in the hatch (fob in purse), but the car wouldn't go anywhere. Since this is the family car, it is frequently full of people. The cupholders are fine for smaller water bottles, but not the 1.5L we often use for all day outings or hikes. The door pockets do not hold more than a tiny water bottle and a "foot" towel for the beach.

Except for the climate controls (I find this REALLY annoying!!!), the rest are pretty minor.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(n2y2 @ Jul 13 2006, 11:37 AM) [snapback]285639[/snapback]</div>

Ungh? My car doesn't do that, or rather it does but it's intended behavior). If I turn the AC Auto of from the steering wheel it shuts everything off and it stays off.

But! If you go to the Climate screen and hit the AC (note no auto) button, it will turn of the compressor that cools the air. It will still try to maintain the temp (as it should) you have set (i.e 75) by running the fan (I assume harder if it's 95 out). Next morning when you drive away your car it will still try to keep (get to) the set temp (i.e 75) without using the compressor. Since it's 57 out it doesn't need the compressor as it actually will have to HEAT the cabin to reach 75, maybe even 67. This is why you feel th warm air. THIS IS INTENDED BEHAVIOR OF A CLIMATE CONTROL

If you don't want the system on at all hit the AC/Auto on your steering wheel. If you want the system on but not using the compressor to cool that air hit the AC button on the "climate" screen.

Me? I tend to have the Climate Control set to 75 in warm weather and 67 in cold and only use the steering wheel column. I tend to run in full auto mode (windows up) or completly off (windows down).

The confusing part is that the call two things AC when one should be Climate Control on/off (steering wheel) and the other AC on/off

 

There's no ashtray in my car! Not that I smoke, but you need somewhere to put spent gum etc. :angry:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(molgrips @ Jul 13 2006, 02:06 PM) [snapback]285779[/snapback]</div>

I use the little drawer underneath the center console for wrappers and light trash. But since I also use the same drawer for a dust cloth, I agree with you and wish there was a more logical place for trash.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(harrv @ Jul 13 2006, 06:30 PM) [snapback]285847[/snapback]</div>

Out the window works for me.














(kidding, I am...)

 

1) Ground loop problem, as mentioned earlier
2) I can't leave the rear-wiper up when washing the car (am I missing something?)
3) Adding to the nav lockout issue. I agreed once at the beginning, so give me full access
4) Thick A-pillar blocks view
5) Coming from an explorer, I liked the fact that I can resume my cruise control whenever I tell it to. On the prius, when I go below a certain MPH (25, I think) I would need to set the CC speed again.
6) I hate the capacity of the gas tank. Sure, I get 50 MPG, but why do I have to have a 450-500 mile-tank? I want a 1000 gallon tank! With the HyCam's 17 gals, it might actually get more miles per tank.
7) I need a place for my coins (right now I'm using the tray in the console). My Camru has this coin "cup" just above where the dimmer switch is located (left of the steering wheel).


- not thread related, but TJandGENESIS, can I get a closer shot of your wheel? The black one with the chrome lip? Thanks.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(airpolgas @ Jul 15 2006, 01:29 AM) [snapback]286600[/snapback]</div>

I think, you are correct. I will have to do the math, but I think you are correct.

Sure. This is the best I have right now.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(avion @ Jul 10 2006, 09:06 PM) [snapback]284281[/snapback]</div>

I agree with you....I'd love to sue them.....if I was only an attorney!

My wife has the 06 Civic Hybrid and she has complete use of the Navi system while moving and it is a much superior product....for instance, while you are driving down the freeway, you can preview what gas stations and food places are at each upcoming exit....WONDERFUL!

The ONLY minuses to the Civic vs. the Prius is that it doesn't have the keyless entry and doesn't offer bluetooth....but had I driven the Civic Hybrid before the Prius, I would have to say I'd have chosen the Civic....my wife had the 03 Hybrid Civic before the 06 and it is a totally different car now.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JeffSchlichter @ Jul 15 2006, 09:13 AM) [snapback]286711[/snapback]</div>

I wonder if we should package all these great comments and send them to Toyota. They should understand what customers dislike about the Prius and they should also understand that they may be hurting future sales due to their stupid decisions.