Prius Touring and DICE iPod

Hi VirgilG, welcome to PriusChat!

I have a 2005 with the JBL sound system, so I can't comment on the DICE interface on your 2007. Look at Danny's post for more information. I can comment on installation, since all these cars have the same internal configuration and I did the installation myself.

A Y adapter cable plugs into the back of the radio. A short extension cable plugs into the bottom of the Y and into the DICE unit. The iPod connection cable plugs into the DICE unit and your iPod. If you mount the DICE unit behind the cover from below the radio to the floor, and run the iPod connector cable under the carpet, you'll have about 18" available at the console end.

I chose to run the iPod cable into the drawer under the console. If you want to run it into the console, you'll have to drill about a 1/4" hole in the interior for the mini-DIN plug (which goes to the DICE unit) to thread through. I think it should be a fairly easy project.

As for break-in, I think my manual said take it easy for 500 miles. The fact is, the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE, not to be confused with Digital In Car Entertainment - DICE) is already run-in at the factory. Since the ICE goes on and off at the discretion of the drive computer, not directly under your control, unless you are driving up a mountain at 85 MPH every day, you can pretty much ignore break-in. Enjoy your new Prius, don't drive like a fool, and everything will be fine.

 

Hi Virgil. I thought about putting video on the MFD, but since my screen is lower resolution that later models, though a bit easier to connect to, I decided not to. I shouldn't watch iPod videos while driving anyway.

I can't comment on the noise of your car, obviously, but if the car you test-drove had over 40K miles, it could easily have had the OEM tires replaced. I found the Goodyear Integrity tires to be noisy and have poor grip. There are a wealth of tire discussions on here. I bought Goodyear ComforTred tires very early on.

I have over 27K miles on my Silver Cloud and I still avoid criminal speeding. Higher MPG saves lives, both on the highway and in overseas military adventure.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(VirgilG @ Jan 1 2007, 09:28 AM) [snapback]369253[/snapback]</div>

Yes, it's possible; take a look at http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=16560&hl= to see a discussion. Some have even used the feed to add a camera to the front of the Prius (to see how close it is to a curb).

I also have the DICE, but I keep the iPod in the lower glove compartment and the cable is plenty long for that. I hve the unit itself behind the far right A/C vent cover. If you want to use the center compartment, I suggest you put the unit more to the center (perhaps behind the pillar).

 

Hi Virgil -- I have a 2007 non-TE but my experiences should be similar to yours:

From what I've seen the cord is long enough to reach the center glove box. I have mine mounted to the upper right glove box for convenience, but have seen installations here on PC that have mounted it in the center.

As for functionality, I'm mostly happy. Not fully though -- sometimes the unit gets buggy and keeps the artist/album or title from the previously played song. The interface for moving up and down playlists is pretty clunky, IMHO, so I just leave it on one playlist most of the time and if I need to do any navigation within a playlist or to another directory I use the iPod directly.

The backup beeper sequence does work on the 2007 -- I have both the backup beeper and the passenger seatbelt beeper disabled. The code for releasing the nav system went away with the 2005 model I think -- you need to cut a wire in order to do it with an '07.

Good luck!