Calling all Aussies and Kiwis !!

Hi Norman,

Well I'm in Melbourne as well, were abouts did you see the Prius in the driveway??

Could have been ours

Have you joined upto the Aussie Yahoo group yet?

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/australian-prius/

Thinking about doing a Prius drive some day.

Andrew

 

:wave:
Hi folks,
Received my new Prius (Silver) on 1st April after 3 month wait.
Haven't spotted any more in Perth so far ( I am told that there are 10).
I am working up to the 1000km free service - only done 450km so far.
My overall driving impression can be expressed in one word - SMOOTH!
In that short time, mainly flat terrain and freeway running, it is showing average 5L/100km (56 mpg).
Once the first service is out of the way I will move out a bit more on to country roads.
I notice many US owners recommend higher tyre pressures (42psi), but I am a bit wary of going away from Toyota's recommended figures, especially in hot weather - we get to >40 degrees C in summer.
Also need to confirm that the 10W30 oil will be OK in those extremes.
I did query Toyota on their Oz website, but they only redirected me to the local distributor - but nobody seems to know enough about it!
Anyway, I have gleaned a lot of info from http//john1701a.com - that guy lives and breathes Prius!

Regards,
Kenmac

 

:wave:
Hi norman,
The wait will be worth it.
I'm still getting to know the car of course, it will be a while before I get used to driving it - I find myself still reaching for the non-existent gear lever!
The brakes are more sensitive than what I'm used to, but that is only a matter of training or re-calibrating the reactions.
Haven't done my first fuel-up yet, so still to experience the much debated problems with that.
Re the mudflaps - do you think that they will affect the airflow to any extent?
I've noticed the buildup of "road stuff" on the body just past the wheel wells, so I was going to look at fitting flaps.
The windscreen is very deep and I haven't found a sunscreen large enough to fit, so I might have to modify one (add to it) to fit.
I was thinking of seatcovers - the airbags are a stumbling block though.
I had a dash cover custom built/fitted (before delivery) plus window tint, both pretty necessary in our climate.
The dash cover is a neat fit, following the contour, held down by velcro, and allowing for airbag release.
I was a bit concerned as to how it would look, but it turned out to be quite good.
I have two minor areas of concern.
One is the problem of bright sunlight on the centre display - during my road test (on a hot day), it tended to be washed out - unreadable!
Toyota maybe should bring out a hood acccessory for this.
You don't really need the display to drive the car - the energy animation is impressive but really only an "extra".
Of course the other screens are required because they contain "touch" controls for climate and radio/CD, some duplicated on the steering wheel.
The other thing is the lack of body protection down the sides - I will be carefull where I park in shopping centres - they supply a small tin of touchup paint, probably expecting the inevitable chips, marks.
I might see if I can find a suitable "stick-on" protection strip for this.
Toyota don't approve of towing so a towbar is not usually fitted.
However, with my previous car I used a towbar fitting to support a light wheelchair, for when I take my elderly mother shopping each week.
Although the wheelchair can be stored inside the car, I would prefer it external, to free up the rear storage space.
A bit further down the track I'll probably consult a towbar expert re the possibilty of fitting a lightweight frame, probably using the two tie-down points under the body.
Depending on your height, the split rear window can take a bit of getting used to - I'm not sure why they did that, they must have had a good reason I suppose, but I would have preferred the full window.
Also, the rear wiper has only 90 degree sweep, so only part of the glass is covered - what was wrong with 180 sweep?
The "under floor" rear storage space is a great idea - I have fitted four clear plastic containers which fit neatly inside, to keep everything together and sorted.
I will need a cargo net to use with the four tie-down rings they have provided.
This is a classy machine, are we tending to be a bit "picky" ?
Toyota have done such a good job in most areas that it is a surprise to find some things that seem to have been missed!

Your wait is nearly over.

Regards,
Kenmac

 

Hi norman,
Thamks for the info.
Why did you go for the I-tech package?
Seems extremely costly for what you get!
It would have been better if the individual options were available separately I think.
Buyers in US seem to have more choice.

Regards,
kenmac

 

norman,
I'm already retired a few years so I don't see the value in the I-tech of course.
Re the Mudflaps - you ordered from Canada so what will it cost in $AU, including freight?
Is customs duty payable?
I checked my average L/100km today (as displayed for 700km) and it has dropped to 4.9 (57.5 mpg).
The fuel gauge is gradually dropping and I will probably get a fuel warning soon.

Regards,
kenmac

 

norman,
Great !
I'm checking with the local Toyota Parts people to see if they will bring in some mudflaps - waiting for a reply.

Regards,
kenmac

 

norman,
In our previous talk re seat covers you mentioned the problem caused by seat airbags, and I just accepted that I would have the same issue, completely forgetting that my "non I-tech" car of course doesn't have that option.
So, now I will be looking around locally for something suitable.
Also, I has assumed that the rear brakes were drums ( I read it somewhere I think - probably US models) but you will be pleased to know we get disks all around.
Tyres fitted are Michelin - the "spare" is one of those "pretend spares" which are only good for limping home!
Incidentally, I still carry the small compact 12V compressor which I used for tyre inflating on my previous car.
It has medium "Croc" clips which normally connect direct to the battery.
I was wondering where it would connect on the Prius - maybe via the auxilliary power socket.
Anyway, I found that the positive lead can be simply clipped onto the "jump start" terminal that Toyota have provided.
This is located in the fuse/relay box under the hood, under the red flip-up cover.
The negative lead clips on to a chassis bolt/nut just above the box - it looks like it was meant to be used - it has a deep round washer fitted, making it all very easy.
I am not sure if the "jump start" terminal has fuse protection, but my compressor has its own fuse, so there isn't a problem.
Just noticed today - the shoulder seat-belt mounts are adjustable in height - they can be slid up/down to suit! (haven't seen that before)

Travelling on flat freeway at 100Kph on Cruise Control - seems to settle at about 3.5L/100km.
Average has already dropped back to 4.8L/100km.
Fuel down to 2 bars now - waiting for alarm.

The Cruise Control is the best I've come across - when you set the speed it locks on immediately, no hunting up/down as some do, (the advantage of full computer control I suppose), making driving a lot easier.

I still use one word for this machine - SMOOTH!

Regards,
kenmac

 

norman

Talked to local Toyota sales person today.
Dealers are being driven nuts - plenty of orders but no supply - Perth gets 3 per month on the Toyota ship.
He said a group of doctors have ordered some at the Nedlands branch, plus there is a small fleet order - I forget which firm.
All of this of course makes it almost impossible for the individual prospective buyer!
I think I was fortunate to get in before all this.
I notice that they are no longer advertising, and two reviews ( the tests were done) have not appeared in the local press - I am guessing that Toyota have put a hold on those to prevent further embarrassment.

kenmac

 

This isn't the sun its the screen. Even on cold days, after driving for a while the screen is warm to touch and the dash around it and ontop is warm to the touch.

This is the reason why there is a option on the touch screen to turn the display off on those long trips.

Loving the prius, nearly 5k on him average is between 4.8 to 5.2 with A/C or heater on, and driving normally!

getting 900kms roughly per tank. and taking about the 42-44ltrs to fill.

Andrew

 

norman,
re the dash mat.
I think that the original use was to prevent those old vinyl covered dashes from splitting open in the direct sunlight.
The current dash is of harder material, but we don't know how it reacts under continuous harsh conditions.
The one fitted on mine is same colour as dash (charcoal) so it probably won't prevent the heat being absorbed - just no direct sunlight.
Might just have to switch off the display on really hot days.
Once the 1000km service is done I'm just going to enjoy the car, without becoming obsessed with mileage checks, but I intend keeping a record of fuel costs.

Regards,
kenmac

 

Hi norman and others,
1st tank dropped to 1 bar on the gauge and I decided to refuel at that point - not flashing yet.
Went 858km @ displayed ave. = 4.8L/100.
Tank took 41.98L, so calculated use = 4.89L/100, same as display!
On 2nd tank so far 172km, temp 25 to 30C, flat terrain, max. 100kph, displayed average = 4.3L/100.
That would give 1000km per tank in those conditions.
Going in for free service this week, after which I will start to move further out of the City.

Regards,
kenmac

 

Hi norman,
The wait will be worth it.
I learnt a couple more things this week.
After refueling (full tank) I found that the displayed "average L/100" had automatically reset.
First I thought that it had reset when I cleared the TripA reading, but eventually was told (forum) that it occurs automatically.
I haven't noticed it mentioned in the Owners Manual
The car is in for free service today.
This is the first chance to speak to anyone that really knows anything about the car (serviceman).
In discussing the engine oil situation, I discovered that they use a form of "running in" oil for the first 6 months/10,000km.
I am trying to find out if I can use 20W50 oil (GTX2) in lieu of 10W30.
The reason is that I still have plenty of GTX2 left - I did my own oil changes on the Celica.
There isn't a warranty problem - just maybe a small fuel economy penalty, but not sure.
The 10W30 covers the really low range of temperatures which we don't experience, in Perth anyway.
I'm still waiting for an answer from local Toyota re importing mudflaps and will probably do the same as you if they cannot supply.
I bought a set of seat covers yesterday from Super Cheap - not sheepskin, but OK to protect the seats.
One thing has puzzled me about the design of this car - the rear wiper is located on the LHS and only sweeps a 90 degree arc to the centre of glass.
I think that they must have just left it where it is installed for LHD versions, and didn't bother to move it for RHD.
It should have been in the centre anyway. with full sweep of the glass.


Regards,
kenmac