What every newb should know

Actually, now that I think of it, it's been so long since I used the actual USB charging port OR the USB data port that I don't recall how well they performed -- just that I don't think I had a problem. What I've used for a long time is a USB hub plugged into an adapter in the 12V accessory plug.

 

a. MAY TAKE LONGER TO BRAKE THAN YOU EXPECT! "Slippery" includes water, snow, ice, sand, gravel, oil, manhole covers, pavement stripes, speed bumps, and broken or pebbly pavement. Find a slippery empty parking lot and practice some panic stops before you ever have to make one.​

Can you elaborate this better?
Why? Longer to brake because is a Slippery surface like any other car with the same tires.
Or Longer because has not so good ESP/ABS?

I was planning to buy a 2nd gen prius.
Thanks

 

The traction control automatically enabled before Gen 4 can extend braking distances in scenarios mentioned above. The Gen 4 has a switch to disable traction control if needed. In panic situations it also amplifies the braking to help stop quicker. This is only for Gen 4 though.

 

Thanks for the fast response!
So.. in your opinion is just a bad esp/abs compared to other regular car.
Because gen4 is good.

 

I have never yet had to turn it off in my Gen 4 through 3 winters with snow.

 

Thank you so much for this post! It really saved my tail today!

 

Top ½ fills just as easy as the bottom ½

 

thanks for this thread! very helpful

 

Great place for Pruis,thanks.

 

Concerning fuel economy and the 'B' gear;
a. is it ok to engage 'B' anytime I would otherwise brake (e.g highway off ramp at 60mph)
b. I can't recall the exact situation but iirc the eco diagram of where energy is going, doesn't quite line up with my understanding of what 'B' does, namely regen braking

 

B is for engine braking, typically on descents of 600 feet or more. In those circumstances, your HV battery will fill and you will only have friction brakes. By engaging B at the top of the hill, engine braking will make it take longer to fill the battery, making a safer descent.

(If you had a Prius Prime, the rules change)

 

Hi Jere I've been told that B mode can overspin the ICE (internal combustion engine) at high speeds and I've noticed that with the Prime as well in HV mode, when the engine is running. So, I'd suggest you only use B mode at speeds where you feel comfortable with the RPM's that the Engine is revving up to, when engaging B.

The reason the rules changes with the Prime is in EV mode the Engine rarely if ever (depending on how one drives it) turns on and B mode can be engaged at any speed when the Engine is not running. Also due in part to the changes made to the way MG1 and MG2 work in the Prime as compared to the regular Prius.

 

I recently jump started another car with my Prius and now I have the problem light and a bunch of check engine lights on. Any idea what I should do?

The codes are p0420 (cat efficiency below threshold), c0200 (right front wheel speed sensor signal malfunction, c0205 (left front wheel speed sensor malfunction), c1241 (low battery positive voltage or abnormally high battery positive voltage), c1242 (open circuit in ig2 circuit), and c1300 (malfunction in ecu).

 

That's the easy one and first one I'd check.

Not a good idea to use the Prius 12 volt to jump another vehicle, as you found out..Try using PriusChat search box for more info on jumping another car with your prius.

 

Getting back to a post from October, B mode won't overrev the engine; the ECUs know exactly what the comfortable top RPM for the engine is, and will go right up to that if the descent is steep enough, but not a hair over.

Beyond that point it just won't be giving you any additional engine braking, so you will notice the car picking up speed, and will have to snub it with the friction brakes.

 

yes, thankful for this thread. newbies unite!

 

When I compare my MPG using the odometer and number of gallons, it is almost always a little lower than the car's calculation. I assume this is because the car often stops displaying a current MPG when idling but not moving (when it technically should say zero).

I had not known about the internal bladder in the tank. This would complicate things.

 

The North American Gen 2 Prius has a bladder. The Prius v does not.

 

Whew.. here I thought I was just buying a new car.. appreciate all the info

 

Looks like I've gotten lucky a couple of times... Barely coasting into a gas station in the middle of Nowhere, KY, and jumping another car, both without lasting damage. I do think I'll try to avoid pressing my luck in the future if I can help it. Thank you for this list!