Is there a point where you don't risk a long drive?

Yep. If you treat your Prius right, she'll treat you right.

Toyota Prius Hybrid does 1 million km as taxi in Vienna

 

I wonder if the catalytic converter has ever been stolen?

 

LOL! I have only heard of the thefts being a problem in the UK and the US, actually...

 

Other countries have different ways of dealing with such problems. It starts with not requiring a CAT in the first place. At the other extreme, some countries consider it totally acceptable to shoot whoever is under your car.

 

I thought that those two different solutions were on the same end, not opposite ends. I.e. the countries that would let you shoot such a thief, are countries that wouldn't require a cat anyway.

 

Does anyone know if there are Prius models made that don't have a CAT?

Dan

 

Lol... They started to become standard equipment in 1975. Now all cars and trucks have to have them. But you don't need to have one if you have an electric car.

 

About one out of every three that fail smog tests and are auctioned off to states that do not require vehicle emissions testing.
That's why test pipes and o2 spoofs are a thing.....

 

reminds of the feller who wanted to know where to find CARB approved oil catch cans.

 

you mean your own .sig doesn't remind you of that?

 

LOL! There you go! Nice!

 

I don't risk a long drive if there is water down both sides of the fairway.

 

I see what you did there

 

They call it GOLF because all of the other 4-letter words were taken.....

 

What about with 50 mph tail wind on par 5?

 

Only when they serve hot wings at the 19th hole.....

 

I'm at 245K on my 2010 and would take it on a 600 mile trip. Other than inverter warranty work (unlimited mile 15 yr warranty) no problems with regular maintenance. You should clean the EGR cooler and air intake manifold soon if you have not. I have been wondering what may go next though.....how long do the water pumps last?

SM-G960U ?

 

On my 2005 with 200,000 miles (320,000 kms) I wouldnt think twice about a 5,000 mile road trip. The thing is, I am not concerned about the risk of breaking down. I have CAA insurance that will cover long tow truck trips, plus cost of hotel during a breakdown. Sure, I might have to take a few days off work worst case if I get stuck in a random town for a bit before I can get back home, but the risk is low of that happening, and the consequences quite low as well.

Once I get my EGR system cleaned i will have no worries about driving my 2010 with 100,000 kms on long trips.

It seems like most people think that a vehicle breakdown would be the worst thing in the world. The few I've had were always solved rather quickly, and in hindsight led to a great story and great memories years later. In all cases I was surprised at the kindness of others and the way I was able to get the vehicle repaired and back on the road, even after being stranded in remote places. The two stories I can think of is when my Subaru legacy blew a head gasget and was overheating going over mountain passes in montana in winter. I spent the night sleeping in the back of my car, and slowly inched the car into Bozeman the next morning. The other major time I got stranded was in the middle of nowhere coming back from Jasper Alberta. Alternator and then battery died on my Toyota Camry and by a miracle I coasted it into the one diner that happened to be within 100 kms. Got a friend to deliver me a new battery and drove the car with no alternator another 100 kms home - it arrived at the car lot just before the battery died again. Good times!

 

For any trip you should always be prepared just incase such things happen no matter how reliable your vehicle is. Travelling through the desert in summer? Carry extra jugs of water in your car, plus food and extra warm clothes for nighttime temperature swings. Travelling in winter? Keep a sleeping bag and candle in your car plus food should you have to spend an unexpected night somewhere. It just makes sense for a lot of reasons. Plus even though these are remote stretches of highways, they are still highways, you could flag someone down in a few hours if you had a real emergency.

I find that the more remote you are the more willing strangers are to lend a hand. Broke down in rush hour traffic in a major city and you might be less likely to have someone pull over and check on you.