New Prius Owner

Welcome and lots of luck with your new Prius. Just keep it well maintained, change oil every 5kmi ect. Air filter tends to need changing every 15k, keep an eye on it, keeps your tires inflated 42front/40 rear. After awhile you'll get used to the touch on the accelerator that will keep you in electric mode. And above all else have fun with it.

 

Spend time to read the manual. There are lots of secret compartments (like the one under the front cup holders). Congrats on the new car.

 

hoyosilver,

Go to: http://john1701a.com/

Read the User Guide. It has a wealth of info for new Prii owners.

Slide

 

Don't stop now. Order a second Prius for weekends.




<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hoyosilver @ Nov 1 2007, 11:00 AM) [snapback]533407[/snapback]</div>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(superwhite @ Nov 1 2007, 11:17 AM) [snapback]533471[/snapback]</div>

Wow, there's a secret compartment under the front cup holder? I'm going to have to look the next time I get in. Granted, I'm now only on day 5 of ownership so I suppose I can miss a few things here and there.

 

Hoyo,
Congratulations on your new car. As a newly new owner myself, I can tell you that I read the owner's manual cover to cover over the weekend and refer to it still when I have a question. I installed an after-market EV switch, but use if very little. I put some after-market decals, wheel centers, and flaps on it, but little else.

I drive 20-25 minutes each way to work every day. My car is outside in the parking lot. It heats up fine and gets nearly 4 times the gas mileage that I've been used to and can go that long between fillups for about a 3rd of the price. That's under regular driving with no geek maneuvers. I have changed my driving habits completely and overnight because I'm aware of the consumption--sort of like those speed limit signs the Sheriff's Department puts up so you can see how fast you're going. That ALONE has made a difference.

You live in Florida? Have you ever needed a block heater before? If you're curious about the savings associated with warming up the engine (THAT energy costs you in some way, doesn't it?), slide a drop-light under the car the next cold night. See what difference it makes.

The greatest influence in MY fuel consumption is in my driving habits. That, and the terrain. I live in the country and drive into the city, so at least 2/3 of the drive is highway speeds. You'll see what I mean.

Enjoy your new car--and the extra $$ in your pocket!

 

When you pick up the car take a copy of the pick up checklist:
http://www.vfaq.net/docs/pickup_checklist.html
It was written for the 2004 but most (all?) of the differences between an '04 and an '08 are invisible with respect to the checklist.

Spend a half-hour sitting in the car on the dealer's lot reading the relevant sections of the owner's manual.

Remember that when the last pip on the gas gauge starts to flash, buy gas immediately. Because of the fuel tank internal bladder, you cannot accurately estimate how much gas ought to remain based on how much you put in at the last fill and how far you've driven since then.

No more than 3.5 US quarts of oil are required at an oil change. 3 quarts is plenty and is very convenient if you provide your own oil. 3.9 quarts is too much; the owner's manual and the shop manual are both misleading on this point.

Follow the Scheduled Maintenance Guide. More is not required and will cost you money. Less can damage the car.

 

I strongly recommend applying a clear bra as soon as possible and either a rubber strip or the applique on the top of the rear bumper. For the clear bra check out www.ventureshield.com or 3M.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Nov 1 2007, 08:28 PM) [snapback]533703[/snapback]</div>

I second this advice 10x!!! I really wish I had done it.

 

If you're having trouble getting it started make sure your pressing on the brake when you tap the power button

If you just tap the power button you are in accessory mode.

I also have trouble getting my car started after its serviced...I'm not sure what happens when Toyota changes the oil, but I have to hit the reset button under the steering wheel to resolve the problem.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hoyosilver @ Nov 2 2007, 10:15 AM) [snapback]533872[/snapback]</div>

Actually, it's probably easier to upgrade the stereo that way than if you'd bought pkg 3.
You won't have to deal w/ all the integrated Bluetooth/Nav stuff that's integrated into the "premium" JBL amp.

Start browsing through the Audio threads and learn to search efficiently. There's all kinds of info on stereo upgrades for the various configurations. Take your time. Have fun!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hoyosilver @ Nov 1 2007, 12:00 PM) [snapback]533407[/snapback]</div>

Welcome to PriusChat and Prius-dom!

The ICE (internal combustion engine) likes to run to warm itself and keep it warm, often when it's not needed for propulsion. That's especially the case when starting after a prolonged cold-soak (e.g., overnight). The block heater will get it up to about 140F at startup, shortening the warmup cycle and allowing ICE-off driving sooner. Most report substantial MPG improvement in the first 5-10 minutes of driving.

Though the benefit is greater, as you might imagine, in cooler climates, don't rule it out because you're in Miami, especially if you do a lot of short trips with a cold ICE starting from somewhere you can plug it in. I use mine all year around, including the 90F+ heat of a Virginia summer.

 

You're not in danger of overheating by just using a block heater. You're in danger of overheating if you block your grill and drive in warm weather or heavy/long duration load (some people block their grills with pipe insulation foam during cold weather to keep engine temp up).

The engine will stay on more on short drives, but it also stays on above ~42mph. It's not a bad thing because all your power ultimately comes from there.

 

Bah, you're in FLORIDA so without even trying, you'll always be 45+ Mpg, just because of the warmer weather we get up North.

Get to know your car, get a feel to the coasting effect.

- Regular car, let go of the gas, you really slow down due to ICE compression.
- Prius, let go of gas, and your speed will only slightly slow down (unless going up a hill)

So once you have a feel for your car, you'll know at stops & red lights when to stop accelerating, and have a decent constant speed, to reach the stop/red light.

IOW, you use gas to accelerate, coast (no gas). Accelerate with power, don't floor it, but halfway down.

Once you get to 35mph, and let go of gas, if street is level, you'll easily do a 1/2 mile to 1 mile with speed dropping to perhaps 32mph.

Later, you learn how to press slightly on the gas pedal, after letting go, to remove the regeneration effect, and perhaps use EV only to maintain your 35mph, no gas used.

Coasting w/o regeneration, or in EV (all yellow) is the most satisfying experience, when people behind you in regular cars don't even notice you're in coast/EV mode.

 

As a former Florida resident (Jax and Orlando), I wholeheartedly agree with the recommendations to get a clear 3-M styled bra (and not just the removeable cover) BEFORE your next love-bug swarming! The removeable cover will protect the hood and possibly the bumper and front side fenders, but most vinyl-styled installers will cover the hood. bumper, front side fenders AND mirrors.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hoyosilver @ Nov 2 2007, 01:40 PM) [snapback]533970[/snapback]</div>

You're most welcome. Practice the Pulse and Glide technique that Mark Derail and others elsewhere on PC suggest, and you'll reduce the ICE-on time -- EBH aside.

No temp gauge; a light only. Many have added a ScanGauge to provide temperature readings and many other engine parameters not available for monitoring via factory instrumentation.

 

Most important is to adjust your tire pressures to the 42 front 40 rear suggested here. Makes a whale of a difference on gas mileage. Oh and if you remove those silly looking wheel trim rings your baby will look much better! :lol: