What I hate about my Prius

I'm puzzled over the obsession to make the Prius look tacky/gaudy.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(xr72z's prius @ Nov 17 2006, 11:32 AM) [snapback]350816[/snapback]</div>

Actually the 22s really make you look like a joke to the SUVs LOL.

I call BS too, I don't think its possible and you CERTAINLY would not gain any mileage benefit since 22s are probably 4 times as heavy as the stock tire/rim combo.

If you have 22s, post pictures thats pretty simple.

 

The thing I hate most about the Prius is the bass-ackward safety engineering of the designers caused by litigation-prevention thinking.

On the radio display, if the station is broadcasting the 'MSG' information, I cannot press the 'MSG' button and see the whole message if the vehicle is moving. Instead, I get some warning about how it isn't safe to show me the information.

Of course, the car will allow me to spend 15-20 seconds staring at the display to see the same info rather than allowing me to hit the button and see it all at once, but then Toyota can deny all responsibility if I plow into someone trying to find out who sang that song that I haven't heard in 20 years.

I wish that society would stop trying to save me from myself. If I'm the type who's genetically predisposed to killing myself by eating a bowl of cereal while talking on the cell phone and driving, Darwin would be happy to see me go and the gene pool would be better off. The only drawback is the potentially valuable people I might take with me.

(And, yes, I actually saw someone eating cereal, talking on the cell phone, and driving at the same time. She was in my rear view a few months ago and actually took a second out of her busy drivetime routine to flip me off for blocking her progress when I moved out of her way. I was only doing 70 in the fast lane. Mea culpa!!!)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(B Rad @ Jul 10 2006, 02:59 PM) [snapback]283932[/snapback]</div>

My MPG is the same with big chrome wheels and great gripping wide tires as it was with the little ugly wheels and cheap tires.

I wish the rear window would open.

Took me a while to figure out how not to use the AC all the time in hot humid Texas.

A more intuitive and less nerdy MFD would be great -- like with color and icons --.

The leather seats are great but there could be an inch or two more leg room.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Agontyr @ Nov 19 2006, 01:04 PM) [snapback]351709[/snapback]</div>

I agree but if the American public wasn't so lawyer happy then Toyota wouldn't be doing this.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rest @ Nov 20 2006, 12:29 PM) [snapback]352250[/snapback]</div>

Hm, but NO other car manufacturer I am aware of does this in the American market. So, Toyota is unique with their "motion lock" and you can't blame "the American public.

Maybe some hungry lawyer will find a "victim" who was forced to stare at their cell phone keypad dialling a number, because they were not able to press the one grayed out contact-name button in their address book on the display pannel, because of Toyota's idiotic and DANGEROUS policy. Where is a good, safety-concerned litigator when you need one...?

 

I hate the fact that my so-called Smart Key is as dumb as a box of rocks. I have a tiny little purse (really; it's 6x6) and I keep the fob in the outside pocket, but the car only recognizes it 50% of the time. Which is enough that I keep using it instead of giving up entirely, but 50 percent of the time I'm cursing it.

Why is one little fabric pocket such a problem? Does this happen to guys too, through jeans or whatever?

My husband calls this feature "not ready for prime time" and says it shouldn't have been included (unfortunately, you can't buy any options packages without it).

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(trillium @ Jun 27 2007, 01:24 PM) [snapback]468930[/snapback]</div>

My key is usually in my pocket and I have never had the smart key not work for me. I usually wear slacks, so maybe my fabric is thinner.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(trillium @ Jun 27 2007, 11:24 AM) [snapback]468930[/snapback]</div>

Where do you keep your cell phone? It can interfere with the fob depending on its location relative to the fob. Under normal circumstances the sks should work more like 99-100% of the time.

It is a great feature.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(trillium @ Jun 27 2007, 11:24 AM) [snapback]468930[/snapback]</div>

Simple enough fix. Under the steering wheel is the SKS button.
Turn it OFF.
Use the keyfob like those of us without SKS do.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(trillium @ Jun 27 2007, 01:24 PM) [snapback]468930[/snapback]</div>

I carry this big Coach leather bag with my work stuff; I've got a smart key buried in it, in an inside pocket, which is in the dead center of the bag; it's surrounded on both sides by multiple layers of leather and cloth as well as electronic and hard copy items. I'd say it works at least 99.9% time.

What are you experiencing? Do you grab the door handle and the SKS doesn't unlock immediately? I have noticed this happens if I'm using only one or two fingers, or am wearing gloves...there's a maybe 1/2 - 1 second delay, but, in my case, it still works.

Is the problem that, as you walk up to the car, it doesn't recognize that your smart key is even in the area...or that it does recognize your key, but won't open the door immediately when you grab the door handle...? These may be two distinct and different issues.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rae Vynn @ Jun 27 2007, 02:40 PM) [snapback]468992[/snapback]</div>

A very helpful response.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(trillium @ Jun 27 2007, 01:24 PM) [snapback]468930[/snapback]</div>

My key fob is always in my pocket (jeans, khakis). No problems.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(trillium @ Jun 27 2007, 01:24 PM) [snapback]468930[/snapback]</div>

I keep it in my right pocket of my jeans and my cell phone is on my right side on my belt buckle area. I would say that mine works 99.9% of the time.

It usually only takes a second for the car to recognise me. I love this feature and I never want a car without it again.

Maybe the battery is getting low and needs to be replaced? Also I too noticed that if I try using it with 1 finger it has a little bit more of a delay just put your 4 fingers in there and it should work.

 

I keep my key fob in my front jeans pocket and have had no problems to date. Haven't tried opening the Prius when I have the key fob in my purse or bag though. I just take it out (out of habit I guess).

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(trillium @ Jun 27 2007, 02:24 PM) [snapback]468930[/snapback]</div>

I generally keep my key fob inside an inside pocket in a large handbag with all sorts of other stuff, except for the kitchen sink. I don't have a problem with unlocking or starting the car. When I'm inside the car, usually the key is still in the bag on the back seat.

Did you check both fobs? It could be your battery.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(trillium @ Jun 27 2007, 02:24 PM) [snapback]468930[/snapback]</div>

Must be something wrong with yours. Mine is deep inside a huge leather purse, inside a canvas totebag full of papers and files. And it works perfectly, every time. It irritates me that when I get home, I have to dig around in that huge leather purse to find the keys to the house.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Lola'05 @ Jun 27 2007, 06:07 PM) [snapback]469089[/snapback]</div>

No kidding! A smartkey for my house would be *awesome*!!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Jun 27 2007, 04:26 PM) [snapback]469098[/snapback]</div>

So, am I not the only one that has walked up to my house door, and pushed the Unlock button of my car fob? With no results?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(trillium @ Jun 27 2007, 01:24 PM) [snapback]468930[/snapback]</div>

Here's another possibility no one mentioned. Does your purse possibly have a shiny metallic lining? Metal could interfere with the signal from the fob. Other than that, check the battery, then go complain at the dealership. This is not normal.