2017 Prius Prime -- Too Much Technology?

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by RichieRich, Mar 18, 2019.

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  1. RichieRich

    RichieRich Junior Member

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    Hey everyone. I’ve had my PriusPrime for almost a year and really like it. I have a lot of comments and questions for you!

    I think that “modern” cars these days are packed with so much technology; it almost becomes a burden for the dealership to educate the new owners. It took me nearly a year to learn about and utilize all the features on my 2017 Prius Premium – and I still have questions. I liked my salesman but would have liked more education on the vehicle. Questions:

    - Do all the features on the window sticker accurately describe what I should have equipped in my vehicle? I don’t see some of these features: head-up display, rain-sensing wipers, etc.

    - I don’t like the idea that someone could hack into my car electronically; and for example, immobilize my engine. Don’t I have the right to deactivate this function? How do I do this?

    I am amazed how smoothly the car drives, and this is the nicest car I’ve owned. We have solar, so it feels great to just plug it in to charge and know that I am saving money and gas while minimizing pollution.

    Thanks for any comments!
     

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    #1 RichieRich, Mar 18, 2019
  2. schja01

    schja01 One of very few in Chicagoland

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    Or ... you can “just drive it”.
     
    #2 schja01, Mar 18, 2019
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  3. Bob Comer

    Bob Comer Active Member

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    I think all those are Prime Advanced level only.
     
    #3 Bob Comer, Mar 18, 2019
  4. schja01

    schja01 One of very few in Chicagoland

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    The sticker says Advanced.
     
    #4 schja01, Mar 18, 2019
  5. 2015BlizzardPriusFour

    2015BlizzardPriusFour Active Member

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    Car pictured and window sticker are a prime advanced. I see the cutout for the HUD there. It’s one of my favorite things about our advanced.

    If you’re unsure how to activate it, there’s a small button by your left knee that says HUD click it once for speed or twice for speed and eco/ev range.


    IMG_0763.jpg


    iPad ?
     
    #5 2015BlizzardPriusFour, Mar 18, 2019
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    1. Yes. The HUD is accessed from the HUD button located to the left of the steering wheel. You can cycle between speed only (will display radar cruise distance too), speed + HSI, and Off.

    The rain-sensing wipers are activated by pushing the stalk down one level from OFF. The wipers will sweep once to indicate you’re in Auto mode. The ring on the stalk will control the sensitivity.

    2. The electronic immobiliser has been around for at least 15 years. It’s usually built into the key (for other cars that had keys to start the ignition) or the electronic key fob.m on the Prius. An engine immobiliser disables the engine while the car is off and will activate when the key pairs with the car (either when you insert the key in other cars or in the Prius, when you sit in the car with the key in your pocket).
     
    #6 Tideland Prius, Mar 18, 2019
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  7. Bob Comer

    Bob Comer Active Member

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    The OP has a Premium in his profile. If they all get the same sticker, I don't think I like that...
     
    #7 Bob Comer, Mar 18, 2019
  8. RichieRich

    RichieRich Junior Member

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    Thanks everyone, your replies are very helpful. I think I may have found the problem: the car I test drove was the Advanced, which I photographed one year ago after my test drive. But I ended up with the Premium! Now discussing this with someone at the dealership. Was it bait and switch? Simple mistake? Whatever, lesson learned: photo the VIN plates after test driving and purchasing.
     
    #8 RichieRich, Mar 18, 2019
  9. skierrob

    skierrob Member

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    They don't all get the same sticker. The car sticker matches the VIN. If his sticker says advanced, then it is an advanced unless the VIN does not match.
     
    #9 skierrob, Mar 18, 2019
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  10. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Humm, you have been driving Advanced trim over one year and never used HUD or rain sensing wiper? Like others commented your profile says you have a Premium trim, but the car photo proves you have an Advanced. Those features are Advanced trim only features. I think you should read the manual to learn those features. As for avoiding a hack, you can at least deactivate SKS, but not sure if that would prevent someone from wilfully hacking into the system altogether.
     
    #10 Salamander_King, Mar 18, 2019
    Last edited: Mar 18, 2019
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  11. schja01

    schja01 One of very few in Chicagoland

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    I vaguely remember there were several opt out options when registering for Safety Connect. Since I now have an account I can’t get to the registration page to see exactly which ones you can opt out from.

    I second the recommendation that the OP spend some quality time with the manuals.
    Being a Apple person I loaded the manual PDFs from owners.toyota.com into the iOS “Books” app. It made for easy reading on the iPad. Worth every minute spend but there are still things I learn by hanging out here.
     
    #11 schja01, Mar 18, 2019
    Last edited: Mar 18, 2019
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  12. Marine Ray

    Marine Ray Senior Member

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    Based on your pic and window sticker, you have the Advanced Prime which has the HUD and rain sensing wipers you asked about. You also have heated seats and heated steering wheel. Lastly, make sure you've explored all the Safety features.

    Capture.JPG
     
    #12 Marine Ray, Mar 18, 2019
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  13. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Just to be sure, you did not end up paying for the sticker price of the photographed Advanced or negotiated your final price based on the Advanced trim MSRP, for the Premium trim you got? That would be a blatant fraud.
     
    #13 Salamander_King, Mar 18, 2019
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2019
  14. kevin.c

    kevin.c Member

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    You can opt out of Toyota safety connect entirely. I think there’s instructions on their website.
     
    #14 kevin.c, Mar 19, 2019
  15. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    As it turned out OP does not have Advanced trim. No Toyota Safety Connect on Premium trim.
     
    #15 Salamander_King, Mar 19, 2019
  16. schja01

    schja01 One of very few in Chicagoland

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    Opting out may not turn off the Safety Connect Telematics radio. You can register for Safety Connect via the SOS button so the radio is active before you register . Does that mean it could be the target of a hacker?
    Best turn off Smart Key as that may not be 100% secure against hacking as well?
     
    #16 schja01, Mar 19, 2019
  17. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    No fog lights on the Premium either, but they are on the car in the picture. If the pictured car belongs to the OP, he definitely has an Advanced.

    Never mind. I just saw the post about the test drive. I do agree with the others that this car requires reading the manual.
     
    #17 jerrymildred, Mar 19, 2019
  18. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Yes, OP stated he took the pic shown above from the test driven car which was Advanced, but ended up buying Premium. (see the quote below) I am wondering how the price negotiation went in this case. I am hoping he did not start the price from Advanced trim MSRP.

     
    #18 Salamander_King, Mar 19, 2019
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  19. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    LOL! I was editing my post while you were typing. :ROFLMAO:
     
    #19 jerrymildred, Mar 19, 2019
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  20. JGC61

    JGC61 Active Member

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    What do you mean by" ring on stalk?"
    Is that the intermittent speeds adjustment?
    Thanks
     
    #20 JGC61, Mar 19, 2019
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