What every newb should know

Hi everyone - I just stumbled on the site and joined this morning. The site appears to be just the ticket. I'm new to "posting" and not sure of the how's and where's (which forums) to do so. So, maybe someone could direct me a little?? My two issues/concerns right now are loosing power w/traction control on a gravel driveway w/ a hill (service writer told my wife ours doesn't have TC (BS), and the cleaning of the evaporator system (?). We own a 2006 w/ 56k miles.

Thanks,

 

this site is awesome, every prius owner should be on here. just the other day my lights were going out, i log on and found out how to change it, saving me $$$.

 

Welcome to PriusChat! You're right -- this place is "the ticket." IMHO, there's no greater repository of collective Prius knowledge and experience, except possibly among the Prius engineers themselves.

As for how to get answers to your questions, two suggestions: First, they both can be categorized as technical questions, so the technical forum would be appropriate. For future questions, the main forum generally is good if you can't figure out which of the others to use. If the moderators deem it appropriate for another forum, they can move it. Second, take a little time to learn how to use the search utility. Odds are, virtually any question that can be asked has been asked. With the huge volume of the archives, it might take a little time to find what you're looking for, but be patient and learn how to optimize searching. I generally prefer the Google search utility, available through the Search button on the bar at the top of a PriusChat page; it applies Google search functionality but limits results to hits from PriusChat forums.

As for your question about traction loss, you are correct to call BS on the service writer. Every Prius has TC; it protects the unique drive system from damage from wheels spinning. Traction loss on steep dirt or gravel hills and slick pavement is a real concern among some owners. A good search will turn up several threads.

I can't help with the second question, but again, do a good search.

A totally off-topic comment (which, by the way, as a matter of forum decorum, you generally want to minimize): I will be passing through your neck of the woods (well, Frederick, anyway) later today on a trip to Emmitsburg, MD.

Good luck!

 

First full tank of gas- got 47.6MPG- seems pretty good- it was mixed @70% freeway 30% city. I figure if is this new and get's that once broken in ???

Q? how do you dim the dash lights, brighten the buttons on the steering wheel, get the center stack lights on and get anything showing on the radio face? Maybe it is on page 437 of the owners book and I can't find it.

 

1) Dimmer is a wheel to the left of the steering wheel. Rolling up increases brightness. Rolling all the way up to the detent switches to day mode.

2) You can't. The brightness of the steering wheel buttons is fixed. You will get used to them.

3) Center stack buttons are controlled by the same dimmer wheel, but go black earlier. Roll up the dimmer wheel and they should light.

Tom

 

After struggling with the dim lights and finding no fix I adapted...I observed that the garage opener buttons on the rear view mirror are to the left of the green "on" light so I just reach for that side of the light at night. As for the steering wheel lighting I tried memorizing the locations but keep messing up because this car is my wifes and I've ingrained my Volvo button locations that are different. I guess I'll just have to become skizophrenic and split my personality /

 

This is great info -- thanks! We got our Prius partly to reduce our footprint, but since winter's come (we live in upstate NY) our fuel mileage has dropped from the high 40s to the low 30s. Our dealer tells us it's because of winter fuel and the addition of mandatory levels of ethanol. Comments? Do we really have to settle for this mileage during the cold months??

 

Typical expectation is 2/3 MPG lost for ethanol etc but remember that 2/3 MPG in a 22 mpg car is approx 10% and 10% in a high MPG car like Prius is more on the order of 4/6 less MPG. Cold weather takes its toll on all cars' MPG and that also is a bigger toll on a Prius number wise.
Do what you can with mods, driving technique, and trip planning and remember that you're still driving THE CHAMP ! :cheer2:

 

So glad I found this site. But I am having a bit of a problem with the search function and just finding things I had seen once already. For example, in my early browsing I noticed a post, thought it was for newbies, that listed a few mods you should do right away, 2 or 4 simple things and wax. I cannot find that post once again and have tried searching, as well as looking in the obvious sticky threads I thought it was in.

 

Yep, for us outside North America ... Petrol

 

what a 'pip'?

 

thanks, i am picking up my '09 prius in 2 days and am trying to get 'ready'

 

Be sure to check the bottom of the page when viewing a thread...it usually includes several links to similar topics. :welcome:

 

Just another new Prius owner joining the forum! Been a proud owner for 2 weeks now and love the car. Great tip on the gas gauge. I'm down to 3 and was waiting to get to two, but I'm not going to fool around and will fill 'er up for the first time tomorrow.

Off to read all the great tips!

 

Press the power button with your foot on the brake. easy

 

Ho! Ho! Ho! You are so funny!

 

I'm a brand new owner too. Just bought a 2009 Prius touring with #6 package.

I would really love to get some tips on how to drive in a hilly city (San Francisco) so I get the best mileage.

Also, does the mileage improve over time, as the car gets "broken in" or is that a stupid question? Don't jump all over me for stupid questions, please.

My last car was a 2005 Lexus RX330. Great car. Absolutely no mileage to speak of.

I got pretty much all the features of that car in my Prius.

thanks in advance