I've looked under the bonnet/hood a couple of times. However each time it takes me a couple of moments to figure out where that rod that keeps it open is stowed! This is a really primitive system for such an advanced car!
I think the way the hood rod is stored is genius! It reminds of the old VW Beetle and how it took air to power the windshield washer from the spare tire. It's cheap but does the job very well.
The solid strut is much lighter than a gas pressurised strut and it is unlikely to ever wear out. Besides, the number of times you need to lift the Prius bonnet, it's hardly a major chore.
haha- saw a bunch of parts: transluscent plastic parts, black parts, grey parts, silver parts and wires and some hoses. The oil level looked acceptable- but it was difficult to read AND my car wasn't parked on a level surface. So I'll be checking it today when I stop for coffee on my way to work.
I believe they also tell you in the Owner's Manual that you should check your tire pressure every two weeks...does anyone really do that? I'll check mine today just for kicks.
Well, you're right that it'll probably never break down unlike a pressurized system. I had trouble finding it because it's stowed in and hooks into different places than the one in the Gen II. Actually, it's much better than the Gen II system, which I found really hokey, especially after having been used to a car that had the pressurized system.
I bet that some do.....I always plan to check at least once a month but in reality its probably about 2 or 3 months....you can tell when your tires are getting low, your mileage will drop. :madgrin:
I decided to take Pat's advice and pop the bonnet and give my car a look see under the hood: I love power mode!
+ a few squirts of alcohol through the birdcatcher injection hat. I filmed Octavia at the track a few weeks ago while she was testing out pwer mode. http://www.fatalfoo.com/Movies/crazypass.mpeg (might have to right-click and save as)
I don't see how anyone could resist the temptation to pop the hood on a new Prius to see all those very cool, specialized, hi tech gizmos.
I was just having too much fun driving it and washing and polishing it...I knew I'd pop the bonnet eventually...and now I have. Tomorrow I'll use my tire pressure gauge (the one favored by most here) to check all my tires' pressure.
