So, since I have discovered the joys of using the mechanical key to lock and unlock and leaving the Pri ON when running very short errands (since most of my use is very short distances, and I am p***ed at the low mileage I get and don't want to have the "warm-up" cycle start every time), I also discovered the trick of turning the dash lights way down (so they'll go off after a while) and the screen "OFF" button. The problem is that the MFD OFF does NOT seem to be a toggle like all the others: I have to fidget and fiddle and do all sorts of contortions to just MAKE THE SCREEN STAY BACK ON. Intuitively, it SHOULD work thusly: DISPLAY to SCREEN OFF and OK. Then, DISPLAY ON OK...but it doesn't. Sometimes it seems to require I put the car in gear and sometimes...something else I can't figure out. I HAVE read the manual...it does not address this issue, anywhere I can find it anyway. Any ideas?
I've found in the past when I've turned the MFD off that in order to get it to remain on when you turn it back on, you have to push a few buttons around it (ie: toggle between climate, audio, info, etc). One shouldn't have to do that, but I've found that if I turn it on and leave it alone, it shuts off again unless I start pushing buttons.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rancid13 @ Aug 17 2006, 11:06 AM) [snapback]304758[/snapback]</div> That's what I mean...and it never seems to be the same sequence. Hmmm...do we need a consultation with our local PriTech dh (HEY GALAXEE...YOU LISTENING?) B)
Well, the other day I was playing around with the screen off (in traffic jam, so I was in drive the whole time). Had the same problem - but when I hit the info button once, and then the (trip info?) icon, (I think-- the left-most one, at any rate) it brought me back to normal (energy screen, with MFD on). Wasn't really intuitive, at any rate.
I think you just need to get to trip info or the map screen. If you hit CLIMATE or AUDIO, and you've got the "automatically return" option enabled, then it will go back to off after a delay, just as it would go back to INFO or MAP.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(KMO @ Aug 17 2006, 11:20 AM) [snapback]304768[/snapback]</div> I've had my "automatically return" option disabled on mine for quite some time though...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Proco @ Aug 17 2006, 11:16 AM) [snapback]304766[/snapback]</div> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(KMO @ Aug 17 2006, 11:20 AM) [snapback]304768[/snapback]</div> Note, please, I have package #3--no info button on steering wheel and no map screen. And it doesn't work consistently with using the info button next to the MFD.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rufaro @ Aug 17 2006, 02:23 PM) [snapback]304771[/snapback]</div> Ah. I thought the info button on the steering wheel would be standard. My bad.
This reminds me how in Calcutta, many drivers would go through the city at night without turning on their headlights. They reasoned that if they could see without the headlights the driving/parking lights would be enough for others to see their car. Certainly headlights are more important than LCD and LED displays, but so is the energy consumption. Last weekend a Bengali cousin was visiting and was surprised that I turned my headlights on during the day. He was really surprised to notice that most cars had their headlights on, even after I explained the reasoning behind daytime running lights.
Rufaro, Here is the answer. If your screen configuration is to automatically return the screen to the Trip info (that would be energy or consumptions screens) after a period of inactivity in either the climate or radio screens, then the situation you are experiencing after choosing screen off it typical. Screen off basically turns off the trip info screen. If you press the climate or radio buttons the screen comes back on to display those controls. If the automatic return feature is active then after a period of inactivity in the radio or climate screens, the screen will return to off. To get the screen back on, what you are really doing is turning on the trip info screens. So, from a screen off situation, press the info button on the right side of the screen. Then press the trip info button that is on the screen. The energy or consumption display should appear. At that point the screen is "on" again.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Proco @ Aug 17 2006, 11:26 AM) [snapback]304772[/snapback]</div> Nope, not bad...just the upper echelon Prius Smug Award! <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jeromep @ Aug 17 2006, 12:04 PM) [snapback]304793[/snapback]</div> I THINK I tried that one...but will do so again. Thanks!
A most interesting discussion. I did not know most of those tips. But I do have to say that leaving the car running while you are out of the car just to get good gas mileage makes no more sense to me than driving longer distances for a short errand just to keep the mileage up. Just a thought.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Lil Mo @ Aug 17 2006, 06:20 PM) [snapback]304990[/snapback]</div> Yes, it IS counterintuitive. BUT...since my commute is under 2 miles, and more than 1/2 of my 2k on the odo is trips of 10 miles or less (fewer?)...and since I accidentally discovered that leaving the car ON for very quick trips in and out of stores (because of having to leave it on for the dog), my mileage improves by 2-4mpg...AND since I have sat in the car, with it ON for similar amounts of time and not had the ICE kick on (when a/c is off), well, I kinda see it as fooling the computer. There is some valid reason, given the above, that I should turn it off, and thereby use MORE gas? I have no option about where I am going and when, given where I live, and that I cannot walk or ride a bicycle on the short hops, so I should NOT do what I can to maximize my car's potential AND minimize (ab)use of fuel?
I wonder why the engine ECU wants to start with a 'warm up' cycle. Perhaps it is to warm up the catalytic converter to reduce emission of hydrocarbons, CO, and othe nasties?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(theorist @ Aug 17 2006, 07:50 PM) [snapback]305060[/snapback]</div> Clearly, I do NOT know the answer to that...but am willing to listen to all answers...especially ones that will not hit my mpg OR increase my emissions!
