Prius sightings in Minnesota

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(zenMachine @ Sep 7 2007, 01:38 PM) [snapback]508643[/snapback]</div>

It's quite common in Ann Arbor and Madison (which may not be as cold as Minnesota). I think it's the culture of the place, more than the climate.

 

I am 7 hours north of Minneapolis. I live in Winnipeg Manitoba to be exact which is known for very cold weather. There is one taxi company here in the city named Duffy's, and they have a complete fleet of Prius taxis. The climate here is a little colder than Minnesota and this will be the first winter with my Prius. We really have a harsh climate and I am interested to see what my MPG will when it is -40C.

Cheers Mike

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(zenMachine @ Sep 7 2007, 12:38 PM) [snapback]508643[/snapback]</div>

Certain people helped to squash any possible misconception about hybrids in hostile climates many years ago...

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more photos

 

Hi All,

We had some of the -10 F mornings this winter. I used the Block Heater for 2 hours before start on those days. Started and ran no problem. The MG1 and the big traction battery are much much more powerful than the normal car starter, and the 1.5 liter engine smaller. So, the car has no problem cranking. The Bladder helps keep water out of the gas, too. No air space above the gas to be full of warm moist air, that then condenses out water. So if your in an area that can go from 32 to -5 in a day, well, that helps.

The only thing would be if the car does not start near instantly, it might not try a second time. I have not been in that situation. I have been in a situation when I got wet gas from a poorly run station, and the car ran ruff for a week until I put some good gas in to help dilute out the water.


Oh, forgot to say,

There was an engineer who worked at Toyota on the Prius to get the car to start down at very low temperatures. He had just figured it all out by a novel method, and was on a Helicopter to Toyota HQ to report his findings, that crashed. There were like 8 other engineers on the helicopter, too.

One thing that will definately help in cold weather is full synthetic oil.

 

Lots of them here in Wisconsin, too!
I don't know if I'm seeing more this summer since I've become more aware of them (I bought mine last November), but every time I go out I see 3-4 within a 5 mile drive. That wasn't the case last winter.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CdnPrius06 @ Sep 7 2007, 02:14 PM) [snapback]508683[/snapback]</div>

I've made quite a few posts on that topic. When I still had the house in Linden Woods, creeping along on McGillvray or Waverley downtown to work, at -40 I averaged 9.8 l/100km. That was before the winter front, the rear defrost on, and the heat on Max.

Some Prius owners claim their car puts on plenty of heat in cold temps. Others - like myself - find the Prius to be very cold blooded unless a winter front is made. Once I fashioned the winter front, the Prius had plenty of heat and would even - briefly - shutdown at red lights, at -40.

I'm surprised to see your future mods include an EBH. Every Prius I've seen at Woodhaven, Frontier, or Sunshine Toyota has already had an EBH installed

 

Jayman

First of all it is nice to know there is another Prius in Winnipeg that is not a Duffy's taxi. I commute from Micthell MB (highway 59 South then left on highway 52 ) each weekday to the Air Force Base off Ness. My round trip is 180 km and I would be interested to meet one day to discuss the car and compare driving techniques. Maybe you could teach me a few things about hypermiling and P&G to improve my overall MPG which is currently 49.5 MPG for the 5000 miles I have put on the car since 1 June 07.

My car has no EBH because it was an Arizona car that was imported by Haber Suzuki on Regent. It was the only used Prius at the time in Winnipeg with low mileage and I really want one. I was set to by a Hybrid Civic from Sunshine when I found that Prius. They could not even get me a used Prius but found the Honda for me.

I liked the Prius better because of the hatchback, room inside, gadgetry and I am more partial to Toyota than Honda. As you can see our other vehicle is Highlander which we bought at Sunshine. If you would like to meet sometime and talk cars just email me. I am a newbie but really love the car and the White paint has really grown on me.

Cheers Mike

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CdnPrius06 @ Sep 8 2007, 06:00 PM) [snapback]509202[/snapback]</div>

Commuting between Winnipeg and Mitchell, that sounds like Menno territory.

PA P

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CdnPrius06 @ Sep 8 2007, 05:00 PM) [snapback]509202[/snapback]</div>

Yikes that is a long commute. I would consider good winter tires, especially how the wind can blow drifts and create ice on 52/59. I'm thinking of a move out to your area myself, to get away from this STUPID city. Apparently I would only have to drive in once a week, everything else can telecommute.

One of my co-workers used to live in Mitchell, then moved to a bigger home in Landmark. I personally like the Mitchell/Steinbach area. I'm just hoping with that wind roaring across 59, your Prius traction control isn't as hyper sensitive as mine is.

I solved most of the traction issues by getting a set of Goodyear Nordic studded snow tires - on steel rims with proper conical lugnuts - at Canadian Tire. The tires are *very* noisy on dry pavement, but sure work well on snow and especially ice.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CdnPrius06 @ Sep 8 2007, 05:00 PM) [snapback]509202[/snapback]</div>

I will guarantee you will get better fuel economy driving on smoother roads in Minnesota and even NW Ontario. Ever looked at the road texture on 52, 59, 12, or especially 311 between Blumenort and Niverville? It isn't genuine pavement, at least not until you hit the newly opened 4-lane on 59. It's a rough macadam type stuff, and that can suck 5 mpg minimum out of your fuel economy.

When I was driving my Mom down to Mayo Clinic in Rochester a couple of years ago, once I entered ND and hit I-29, then I-94, my fuel economy shot up 4-6 mpg.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CdnPrius06 @ Sep 8 2007, 05:00 PM) [snapback]509202[/snapback]</div>

Oh, that explains it. At least you won't get a funny look if you happen to go to your local Toyota dealer and ask for a block heater to be installed. They do it all the time. You live pretty close to Funk's, might as well try them.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CdnPrius06 @ Sep 8 2007, 05:00 PM) [snapback]509202[/snapback]</div>

Unfortunately, I'm scheduled on a flight on this Wednesday, returning the 22nd. Yes, we'll try to hook up once I get back.

jay


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PA Prius @ Sep 8 2007, 05:11 PM) [snapback]509207[/snapback]</div>

Considering Mitchell is only 4-5 km west of Steinbach, you're correct. Some Hutterite colonies too. Overall nice friendly folk. If I could unload my condo, I would move there in an instant.

 

I see alot of Priuses (Prii??) day-to-day.

I think that John1701a said that the Twin Cities are one of the places where the Prius got a foothold.

I see at least three of 'em each day, without even looking. Heck, my wife and I parked at the Ren Fest, and I counted four other Priuses walking from ours to the front gate. :blink:

 

Jayman

We moved out to Mitchell because my wife found our dream house. We moved from a small bungalow in North River Heights (1100 SF) to our current house which is (3000 SF) custom build in 2001 and we have 3 acres of property. Kind of funny because I am a Navy guy living in an area where Religion is a way off life.

We basically bought or new home for the same price as our former bungalow. I can let my labs run loose and we have no nosey neighbours like we did in the city and have more than a postage stamp for a back yard. We enjoy the country living and we are on 30 minutes from Costco on Regent.

If the roads are really bad I have a room on the base to stay in all the time. I also have the Highlander if I am really concerned, but then my gas bill will more than double. When you get back we should get together at Timmies. Thanks for all the info you provided.

Cheers Mike

 

An article on the front page of the Minneapolis Star Tribune today.

"According to Polk, 3,576 new hybrid vehicles were registered in Minnesota in the first seven months of this year, up 98% from the same period in 2006."

To read the full article, click here.