What a cool forum. Bought a 2008 Prius (option package #6) in Driftwood Pearl (love these color names ) around 10 days ago. Have read the manual but still have a few questions. 1. The "Consumption" screen is just on one setting until reset, correct? When I downloaded the extremely helpful Prius User Guide from this site, I thought there was an implication that I could also get "Lifetime" and "Trip" mileage data, but I think I misinterpreted the statement. 2. This might be a really obvious question, but what is the significance of the 50 Wh. car icon on the Consumption screen? 3. Lastly, on p. 202 of the manual, under "Using the automatic mode" in the air conditioning system section, there is the statement "The temperature for the driver and passenger seats can be set separately". Is this true? If so, I'm missing as to how to do this. I really appreciate all of those who have posted all of the helpful info on this site.
Hello and welcome to PriusChat! Congrats on your new Prius! 1. For 2006+ models, I believe it doesn't reset automatically unless you press the RESET button on the Consumption Screen. So you can leave it and track lifetime mpg or reset it every time you refuel and track tank mpg and use a spreadsheet to track lifetime mpg 2. It's just to show you how much you've regenerated via regenerative braking. 3. False. It's a single-zone system. I don't think they've updated it for 2008 to a dual-zone. If you don't see two "TEMP" up/down buttons on the CLIMATE screen, then it's a single zone.
The MPG reading doesn't reset till you do so manually. Since I maintain a lifetime-MPG spreadsheet, I occasionally reset the MPG reading for a trip. Over time, that MPG reading will stabilize, because it's averaging over the total miles since it was last reset. The "miles this tank" number resets when you refuel. I think less than a gallon will trigger the reset. But this reset doesn't affect the ongoing MPG calculation.
