What I hate about my Prius

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CJs Mom @ Sep 14 2007, 02:42 PM) [snapback]512626[/snapback]</div>

This is fixable. I found some flat black thin rubber foam, I think it was supposed to be a mouse pad, and cut a strip abount 1-1/2 in wide, and placed it right at the edge of the window that the speedometer projects through, and cemented it in place with artist's adhesive.

 

Oh yeah, those darned cloth armrests. What bimbo thought up that one??? Has anyone found a way to protect these? My car is only 3 wks old and I'm trying to keep that new look.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Kelleybean @ Sep 14 2007, 11:13 PM) [snapback]512867[/snapback]</div>

Then you might be looking for these.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CJs Mom @ Sep 14 2007, 02:42 PM) [snapback]512626[/snapback]</div>

Sounds like your phone is having serious Bluetooth issues. <_<

My old Motorola V710 phone was one of Motorola's first attempts at BT, and was horribly unreliable at connecting with ANY handsfree kit, either the earpiece or the Prius. The ONLY way to make that phone connect was reboot the phone - worked every time. After months of putting up with this nonsense (had the phone before the car), I eventually b*tched to Telus long enough that they gave me a credit equal to the phone and traded up to a KRZR phone instead. This phone connects perfectly every time.

My complaint about the BT (aside from the obvious lockout while in motion) is that it supports up to 4 phones, but you can only switch phones when stopped, and it is a tedious process at that! Ideally the car should "auto-detect" phones within range and connect based on a priority list. As well, there should be a toggle button easily accessible while in motion to switch from phone to another (such as if you have a work phone and a personal phone).

Just my Canadian $0.02... which is now almost on par with the US$! B)

 

No neutral, w/o powering up? what's up w/ that.
The hyhi, and our rx-400h, and a host of other hybrids can do it, so it makes no sense.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hill @ Sep 19 2007, 01:36 PM) [snapback]514844[/snapback]</div>

Not sure what you mean. No "accessory" mode, or you can't shift into neutral without the engine on? Not sure why you'd want to do the latter, but you can do the former by pressing the power button without depressing the brake pedal.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ScottR @ Sep 19 2007, 01:50 PM) [snapback]514854[/snapback]</div>

It can't be said any more simple ... no power, means you get no neutral. So ... if/when your car dies, and you CAN'T press the power button to get power, then guess what ... no neutral.
But other Lexus / Toyota hybrids DO have neutral ... even though the system may have no power. Get it? If/when you do get it, you'll tell yourself, "hey, that IS dumb". "WHY" is that important? If the car's power dies, and you got no neutral, you'll play hell trying to tow it. Better have a flat bead available, or forget about it. Is there a work around? Yes, but most don't know about it, and that being the case, they may be screwed.
Aparently, a lack of access to neutral is a product of the smart ignition. Some Toyota/Lexus hybrid models mearly have a mechanical key, and when their keys are turned, it unlocks the shifter so that you CAN go to neutral.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hill @ Sep 19 2007, 02:33 PM) [snapback]514885[/snapback]</div>

And why would you need a flat bed when lifting the front wheels off the ground works just fine? The transmission does not effect the rear wheels.

Amazing. You turned a minor issue into a personal attack. When you grow up, the discussion can be resumed.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ScottR @ Sep 19 2007, 03:05 PM) [snapback]514909[/snapback]</div>

I agree. Towing with the front wheels off the ground should be fine, as long as the emergency brake can be released, which naturally has nothing to do with power... or lack thereof.

To Hill's point, the only drawback I can think of to not having access to neutral without power is that if you battery dies, you can't PUSH the car to your dealer.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sarge @ Sep 19 2007, 03:44 PM) [snapback]514920[/snapback]</div>

or to the side of the road

 

Steering issue:

I love the car. Its very new to me but the only thing I don't like so far is the constant attention needed to steer the car. A gentleman here on PC a while back wrote a very long and precise dissertation on the problem before I had the car and now I know exactly what he's talking about. Most cars you can just hold the wheel straight and it'll roll down the road pretty true but this car is tight you must make constant non stop minute corrections to drive it straight. I hoping the BT plate I bought but not installed it yet and maybe some new tires might help.
That and the weird seat to steering wheel position. Not sure what the deal is there but I end up driving the car like a little old lady...sitting upright in the seat up on the steering wheel.Not sure if the seat is to low or to high. I suspect the seat is to high maybe. Other than that I really like the car. Highly recommend it to friends. Thanks.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ScottR @ Sep 19 2007, 03:05 PM) [snapback]514909[/snapback]</div>

Didn't mean to get feelings hurt. No personal (or otherwise) attack intended. And I'm sure no one would objectively believe being told to 'grow up' is a personal attack. But yea, getting the car to the side of the road would be another 'no typical type of neutral' issue as well. Before the point gets any more lost, the hybrid CAN be made w/ a neutral. Simply put, that was the issue of my pet peeve, before it headed to Pluto ... that it CAN be made w/ a traditional type of 'no-power necessary' neutral.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Drifty'sDad @ Sep 19 2007, 10:39 PM) [snapback]515081[/snapback]</div>

I haven't found the steering to need constant correction at all.
The car seat position can be tricky because there's no memory and no seat height adjustment -- although I find the seat height quite comfortable. I don't have a problem with it in general, but if my boyfriend, who's much taller than me, has driven it and I have to readjust, then sometimes I can't quite find the correct position. By the way, he doesn't have a problem with the driving position either. You might just need to play with the seat a bit until you find the right combination of distance and back angle.

 

I also haven't found the steering a problem, it is much better than our 1991 Corolla. Also the driving position is very good, now when I get into other cars I wonder why the steering wheel is so close.

All in all a wonderful car.

 

The seat adjustment (lackthereof) and non-telescoping steering wheel are the big hold-ups for me ... I've been used to both for quite a while now and it felt sort of strange to drive the Prius with my arms extended so far.

 

Never noticed a steering issue, so I experimented. Came out of a curve on a parkway and let go of the wheel. The car tracked straight until the next curve (about 1/5 mile). And yes, I did it when there were no cars nearby.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(n2y2 @ Jul 10 2006, 10:45 AM) [snapback]283808[/snapback]</div>

:blink: Most of which does not bother me. At 5'11", more driver space would be nice. For the cloth seats/trim go to the dealer and get aftermarket leather ($1000). You will never regret it. Aside from the nice ambieance, it wears well for the one year we have had it in both Prius Touring models.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lefat1 @ Sep 19 2007, 04:29 PM) [snapback]514940[/snapback]</div>

Uhhh... I can't think of any situation where a dead battery would leave me stranded in the middle of the road... :huh: I would think if the battery is dead, then the car has been parked for a period of time... and presumably not in the middle of live traffic.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Drifty'sDad @ Sep 19 2007, 10:39 PM) [snapback]515081[/snapback]</div>

As others have replied, I find the Prius no different from other cars in terms of steering. Alignment would definitely be something to check, but what tire pressure are you running? Over-inflating your tires as many people around here do (commonly 42/40psi for front/rear) will slightly increase your fuel economy and stiffen the ride, but may also lighten your steering and feel less stable at high speeds...? Of course, a soft tire may also appear as an alignment problem as well.

Toyota's recommendation is 35/33psi for front/rear; you may want to try that first and see if it makes a difference.