What do I have?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Skarka\";p=\"104907)</div>

This was one of my first questions last summer when I joined Priuschat after getting my car last August.

Welcome to PC and I'm sure you'll grow to love this car like we all on Priuschat do.

That sound is an invention by Toyota to improve emissions. Any engine pollutes the most when it is cold. So Toyota has a little pump that pumps the hot water out of the engine when you shut the car off. It pumps that water into a thermos and keeps the water quite hot for up to 5 days. Of course, the next day, it's extremely hot.

So when you stop the car and shut it off, you are hearing that pump. The next day, when you turn the car on, the internal combustion engine rarely comes on right away as the engine is waiting for that hot water to come back. Now the engine will not be FULLY heated by the water from the thermos, but it gives the engine a head start.

 

In 2004, Toyota started out with version 1 thru 9 but by the end of that years production some of those versions were not available. You have what I have which was version 9 when I ordered it in April, but by August when I picked it up, the package went by a letter. I'm not sure what the letter was.

Now I think the 2005 only have 3 or 4 separate packages, though I'm not sure on that.

Edit, Do you have SKS? If you don't then maybe you don't have package 9. SKS is when you have the little black button on the door handle. With the SKS, you don't need to take your key out of your pocket -- ever. Just press the start button with the key in your pocket. Off you go.

 

From what I have seen from others on Priuschat, most seem to change the oil every 5000. Most dealers seem to push us all to 3000 miles, but the concensus seems to be there is no reason for this, for the reason you point out.

There seems to be quite of few Priuschat members that have switched to synthetic oil. And some of those that have switched swear that it improved their MPG.

 

There's a small drawer down low under the front cup holder in the console. It took be 2 months to find it.

The power windows will still work for 45 seconds after you shut the car off, provided you have not yet opened the doors. My wife never remembers to shut her window so when she asks me to restart the car to close the window, I just close if from the driver side without having to turn the car back on.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(prius04\";p=\"104912)</div>

Yes, it does sound like a 2004 package 9. This is the same as the 2005 package 6. (except for the rear wiper, which changed from an option in 2004 to standard in 2006.) As I recall the letter code is "BC" for this combination, and applies to both the 2004 package 9 and 2005 package 6.

 

Hi Skarka,

What do you have??? . . . . . . . . . A GREAT CAR!

The only model to come with fog lights and the Navigation System is the “BC.â€
Package #9 in 2004.
Package #6 in 2005.

You have a 2004 Package #9 (BC).

The only change I know of between the ‘04 and ‘05 is the addition of two headliner tacks in the ‘05.

You are right about the wimpy fog lights, but they make YOU more visible to other drivers. On the other hand, I have found the Prius HID headlights to be wonderful in fog. The very sharp and low horizontal cutoff line prevents the lights from illuminating the fog above level of the car hood . . . which allows you to see out further.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Skarka\";p=\"104952)</div>

Welcome to Prius Chat...here are your package 9 options:


#9 includes intermittent rear window wiper; driver and front passenger seat-mounted side and front and rear side curtain airbags, anti-theft system and auto-dimming electrochromic rearview mirror with HomeLink® universal transceiver; Smart Entry & Start system; High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps, integrated fog lamps and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), JBL Premium 3-in-1 AM/FM Cassette/6-disc in-dash CD changer, nine speakers in seven locations and FM diversity reception; and voice-activated DVD navigation system with hands-free phone capability via Bluetooth technology. $5,245.00 (BC Package)

I could be wrong, but I believe you're right about the pass airbag....don't know for sure though....

Dave.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Skarka\";p=\"104952)</div>

Just look at the Toyota web site and know you have a BC model. No major changes between the ‘04 and ‘05 . . . except them headliner buttons. :wink:

http://www.toyota.com/prius/index.html

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Skarka\";p=\"104952)</div>

Hey, wow. Me too. Black just like my Prius. I got the FM radio with the cassette deck. There was an option to mount a CD changer in the trunk but I never did. Now that I've sold the car to my sister's son, I bought a used changer on eBay to give him for his birthday.

There are quite a few of us that used to own Saturns and now own Prii.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Skarka\";p=\"104950)</div>

I'm sorry, I mentioned this drawer because many owners seem to not find it right away. I did not mean to imply that CD/s could go there, though it certainly makes sense that you would think so. My mistake.

I keep my CD's in the center console in an upright position. I bought a bunch of slim cd cases so I can store quite a few. I removed that little drawer that slides in that console as I found it in the way one time too many.

 

Thermos Question---

Have the cars always had that? Does my '02 have it or was it added later???

 

Your HomeLink may not work because the industry used an unalolocated frequency. However, Homeland Security Service (HSS) has decided to use this frequency band. If you are near one of their outposts, you are basically hosed.

The Auto makers are scrambling to deal with this. And yes, I have #5 so I am also hosed potentially, although I am not using it at the moment. I live in Seattle, a Naval Port is near by and residents are having to buy new systems for their garages.

Adrian

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kirbinster\";p=\"105068)</div>

The earlier Prii did not have the "thermos" system. But Toyota did have another system to do a similar thing. But they found it did not work that well.

I believe that earlier system had something to do with the heat from the catalytic converter. I don't know how it worked.

How do I know this? I read about it in Priuschat. But my memory ain't what it used to be. A search might find out how it worked.

Plus, Toyota is giving away a book that is likely to have the answer.
"The Prius that shook the world" Just pay $6 shipping. Do a priuschat search on the book title for the phone number to order the book.
(If there are any left)

 

I though the fog lamps were still an option even on the pkg 9 on '04?

the other sound you hear is the brake system de & re pressurizing. (this happens after the themoas fills)