Another new Prius owner with questions

Hi ML,

Congrats!!!

Let me add a little bit to the answers:

1) As Tideland stated, yes, this is normal.

2) Just want to check that you're talking about your smart key and not the keyless entry. My smart key is about the same: 3' feet away from the car seems about right. I'll have friends try to open the door but can't until I (with the key) get to within 3' of the car. Maybe Tideland can add more to this.

But then, I really don't need it to work at distances greater than 3' since my arms can't reach that far to open the doors!

If it's the keyless entry, yes. When you push the lock/unlock button, is should work much further than three feet away.


Have fun!

-bob

 

If you'd like to eliminate the beeps while in reverse (they are only heard inside the car, so it doesn't do anything to alert pedestrians), check out the knowledge base for instructions.

As for tire pressure, lots of people on this board are using 40F/38R, 42F/40R, and some even higher. I tried it for awhile, but thought that the ride was a little harsh. I've settled on 37F/35R, and find that the ride is a little better, but also the handling is improved. Although a lower pressure than most people here, I'm averaging around 50MPG, so there isn't a huge mileage penalty.

 

Fob blocking and sensitivity

I've noticed with the Fob in my front left pocket, should I slightly pivot to the rear when at the door, the car will not sense thru my blocking torso, so I remember to give the car a clear channel and face the door directly. The Fob is actually very sensitive and I can transmit a Emergency Alarm signal thru two walls, one being a firedoor to the prius in the garage.

 

Hi and Congrats!

I just wanted to put in my 2 cents regarding the SKS (Smart Key System). As a fellow female, (one who has never had any kind of keyless entry before) who sometimes carries either a purse, briefcase, backpack or messenger bag I have taken to attaching my keys to my person instead of leaving them in my carry-on just so that I will not leave them in the car by accident. You will probably never have this problem, but I don't want to take a chance on my memory.

Also, regarding the back-up beeps. Not too long ago there was a thread started by another new owner in Australia who had gotten confused and accidently put his car in drive when he meant to put it in reverse. No harm was done (fortunately) but, as I was one of the few who confessed to having done the exact same thing (I am sure there more who have done it, but they kept silent ) I have elected to keep the backup beep active in my car for my own piece of mind and I don't let off of the brake until I hear that beep.

You do need to remember that the beeping is only heard within the cab of the car and not outside of her and that when you are in "stealth" mode (like pulling out of a parking space) your car is pretty quiet. Even though you have backup lights aplenty, people are not always as observant as they should be so you need to exercise extra caution just to be safe. I have been told that you can buy replacement bulbs for the backup lights that emit an audible beep on the outside of the car but have not investigated whether or not this is a viable option.

Also, just for fun, you might want to start an auto diary for yourself. It is a great way to see in a concrete, trackable manner how much you save, how much you use, how far you go and how long you go between fill ups, etc.

It is also very helpful when you are trying to compute your actual lifetime MPG vs. the info that you get from tank to tank averages on the MFD (multi-function display).

Oh, and so that you don't worry (because I did) when you fill up with gas the consumption info on the MFD will reset and you will start fresh with data applicable to that tank alone. No, there is no way (at this point) to get the car to tell you what it's actual lifetime mpg info is. So that is where the diary will come in handy.

Be sure to check your local Target & PepBoys (or equivalent) for some great and inexpensive aftermarket goodies that you can get to accessorize your new toy.

Target has some super things to organize the interior for a pittance $4.99 for a nice looking headrest mounted combo trash receptacle & tissue box holder and $9.99 to $14.99 for a great cargo tote (small or large) that comes in black, tan or grey which is comparable to what is available from Toyota but for alot less than they charge.

Most important, enjoy you car. You have made a smart purchase, not only for yourself, but for everyone around you as well. You have now chosen to be part of the solution and less a part of the problem.

Welcome and good luck,

Tisza

 

Hi Widdletink

I am a male and don't use a purse (sic), but the Toyota dealer gave me a lanyard with a clip on it, the sort you wear at conferences with your pass or name on.

I just clipped my SKS to this, looped it round my neck under my shirt - works like a charm. This way I ALWAYS have the SKS on me, will never lock it in the car and everyone is amazed when I open the car (apparently) without a key.

I even joked to someone that I had a special capsule inserted under my skin when I picked my car up - LOL.

 

Hi Stocky,

Wow, you're lucky... my dealer gave me a business card and that was it! Course the dealership does throw in free oilchanges for as long as I own the car (I will try for synthetic) so...

I like the lanyard idea. I will finally have a use for all the old ones I have left over from the last company that I worked for.

BTW, what is an i-Tech?

Take care,

Tisza

 

I noticed a couple of comments from people concerned about locking their smart-keys in the car. I did try doing this on purpose once and found that the car wouldn't lock. Apparently it detects whether the key is inside or out. I guess another interesting experiment would be whether the care will start with the key outside the door.

I don't know how reliably it can differentiate between indoors and out but at least this give you some peace of mind.

 

NZ and AUS have only two options - base model and i-Tech wihich has virtually everything - take a look at www.toyota.com.au

 

You will love the car. It does take a little time to get use to the view out the interior rear view mirror. As far as the SKS system, it does depend on how fast you approach the car but 3' is about when the interior lights come on and the door will just open with a pull of the handle. The tire pressure I've found the most satisfactory for the winter in the northeast is 40/38 F/R. The ride is not too hard, the handling is crisper, and the gas mileage is better than the factory settings.

 

The doors will not lock if you have the key inside the car and use the black button on the outside but you CAN lock them inside if you hit the power lock on the armrest before closing the door.

We also did an experiment and found that if I was standing outside the car - well, I was on the passenger side - my husband could not start the car. Also, if I get out of the car while it is running (the key is ALWAYS in my purse) and he drives away, the Prius gives him some warning beeps. It misses me when I'm gone, I guess

 

If you mean the one on the armrest, no. Got locked out that way. Fortunately, I was at home at the time where the other fob was - didn't have to call anyone and confess.