I will hopefully be picking up my new Grey Package 6 Prius this weekend! Have a quick question about startup- during my last test drive, while driving I noticed the power button led was not lit up- I am assuming this is normal? I know at various stages the power button lights up green and amber, and I guess when driving it isn’t lit up at all. If someone could educate me on the startup button and its led lighting, I would appreciate it- Also, if you just want to sit in the car and listen to the radio (the equivalent of inserting the key and turning it the opposite way of starting in a “regular†car) how would you do that with the Prius? Thanks in advance
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(drw @ Jun 20 2007, 04:25 PM) [snapback]465393[/snapback]</div> My LED does not stay on all the time, though I confess I don't pay close enough attention to know when it shuts off. To use the accessories, simply push the power button while NOT pressing on the brake pedal. You'll love your car. They are really fun.
Without stepping on the brake pedal, one press of the power button puts your Prius in ACC mode, a second push puts it in IG-ON mode, a third push turns it off. While stepping on the brake pedal, one press of the power button puts your Prius in Ready mode and a second puts it in Park and turns it off. In ACC you can listen to the audio system. In IG-ON you can also operate the windows. Both modes use the power of the dinky (technical term) 12V battery. In Ready mode you can listen, operate windows, and use the climate control system. The Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) will come on to warm itself in preparation for driving and to charge the High Voltage (HV) battery (and dinky 12V battery), as necessary. Gasoline consumption is not large. Congratulations on your new car, drw, and welcome to PriusChat!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Jun 21 2007, 01:31 AM) [snapback]465617[/snapback]</div> Bill, Thanks for the detailed answer- really appreciate it. So, if I wanted to sit in the car and just listen to the radio for, say, 30-45 minutes, do you think I would be better off in “ready†mode? Would doing so in either of the other two modes be too much of a drain on the battery? Thanks again, we are hopefully picking up our new car today!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(drw @ Jun 21 2007, 07:21 AM) [snapback]465704[/snapback]</div> If you listen to the radio and are in ACC (or IG-ON), you'll be draining the tiny battery. I suggest turning the MFD* if you do. If you're in READY, the ICE** may kick in to charge it. There's been a discussion on whether to use ACC or READY if you're at the Drive-In and use the radio for sound. *MFD= Multi Functional Display **ICE= Internal Combustion Engine
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(drw @ Jun 20 2007, 03:25 PM) [snapback]465393[/snapback]</div> It's best just to turn it ON, as though you were going to drive it, and leave it in "P". The little 12V battery drains so fast that you can kill it before you know it. It's not worth the risk.
Also in ACC mode, it will shut itself off after an hour. Freaked me out the first time! The 12V battery will last 1½hrs at least. I've sat in the car in ACC mode listening to the radio for 1½ hours
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jun 21 2007, 08:45 AM) [snapback]465758[/snapback]</div> Yeah, this was part of the discussion about the Drive-In. Since most Drive-Ins have double features, it wouldn't last in just the ACC mode if you wanted to see both movies.
