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Toyota Prius

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Q: Toyota Prius?
I just bought a new 2008 Toyota Prius. I want to do some things to kind of “pimp/trick” it out and make it really cool. Money is kind of issue but not too much any suggetions are more than happily taken.

A: Well, I assume that you already purchased one of the top-of-the-line option package models, that already comes with Navigation, Bluetooth, and the Smart Entry&Smart Start system, as you cannot add these things to a Prius not already equipped as such from the factory. Hopefully you went for a Touring edition, as it comes with larger/sportier wheels, a better-tuned suspension, and a larger spoiler. You may have also added in a Sirius or XM satellite radio tuner as well.

Some simple things would be to get some window tinting (max. the law allows in your state), add in an integrated i-Pod connection (which would allow you to control and view your iPod from the Prius’ controls and touchscreen, besides providing an i-Pod audio and charging hookup), add a sportier shark-fin antenna, and some other useful items like window deflectors (keeps the rain out while your windows are cracked open) or mud guards.

Most people do not like the OE Goodyear Integrity tires that come stock on the base North American NHW20 Prius (like yours), as they have a relatively short life and rather poor traction on slippery roads (particularly after they’ve been worn a little bit). I’d highly suggest upgrading to a better “all-season” tire, or planning on switching out summer/winter tires seasonally. You could even look into getting some sportier alloy wheels at that point as well.

If you don’t mind losing some aerodynamics and alloy wheel protection, removing the plastic trim rings off of the standard alloy wheels makes for a different look (and wouldn’t cost you anything).

If you are capable enough (good eye/steady hands), you could even add in your own body side molding (may help prevent dings) or pinstriping (or other body art). I would also suggest maybe a clear plastic front-end bra (to keep away rock chips on your paint and headlamps) and/or on the rear bumper (to keep away scratches from dragging items over it in/out of the hatch area), available from installers such as ClearBra, Invisishield, Scotchguard http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Scotchgard-PPF/Home/For_the/Consumer/ , and the like.

If you were in Japan, there are even some body kits to allow you to make your Prius look even more sporty. http://toyota.jp/customize/prius/
http://www.sigmaautomotive.com/jdm/prius/prius0405.php imports some of them, along with many other Prius accessories that you may like to browse through.
Some other ideas can be found at http://priuschat.com/shop/

If you are more technically-minded, you may want to install a CAN-protocol ODB-II real-time scanner/display. Suggested offerings:
Scangauge II: http://www.scangauge.com/products/ (though check owner’s groups for group-buy discounts)
CAN-view: http://hybridinterfaces.ca/

If you had more money to spend, you could also convert your Prius to be plug-in capable (adding batteries, charger, and some more electronics. Depending on your usual commute, you may never need to use your gasoline engine again. You’d run mainly on the electric motor, and when your added battery pack was drained low enough after your overnight charge, the PHEV Prius would revert back to a regular Prius and use the gasoline engine for propulsion and recharging the hybrid batteries. But, startup costs are high right now for this ability to make your Prius plug-in capable (usual reports are 100+mpg), so your “money is kind of issue” may not make this feasible right now.

http://www.calcars.org/howtoget.html

Q: How do you manage the need of sudden acceleration on Toyota Prius?
I am planning to buy a Toyota Prius, but after the test drive yesterday I am so disappointed by the acceleration. I was trying to get on the service road but vehicles were exiting at 60-70 mph from the exit just behind where I was and I couldn’t even get on the service road for 10 minutes because I was scared out of my mind. Prius owners please help me decide how do you manage the need of sudden acceleration while changing lanes or turning right when a vehicle is approaching you fast.

A: I have a Honda with 72 HP and never have that problem.Give up the need to keep up with the big dogs.What was your previous muscle car and how much of a swinging richard do you consider yourself?I drive a hybrid sometimes and never have that problem.Your potency makes me humble just keep those blue pills a secret.

Hybrid drivers are passing in the left lane so they have a psychological need to be superior.They want to display green cred at the stoplight posedown and also be Conan the Barbarian during the commando mission to buy a bag of diapers.No difference between childish competition with green and childish competition with ghetto.

Q: What are greener and cheaper alternatives to the Toyota Prius?
I’m writing a story about how deceiving the Toyota Prius is and I can’t find any cars that would be a better buy than the Prius. Can anyone think of any? and please have explanations?
actually, I’ve found alot of information about how the Prius isn’t really green at all. Overall, it does more harm than good.

A: Nearly all cars are greener AND cheaper to drive than the Prius is as can be seen in this Yahoo Autos site: http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/1442/cheap-dates-the-10-least-expensive-cars-to-own/

Q: What do you think of a Toyota Prius with all tinted windows?
I drive a 02 BMW 325i right now but im really getting bored with the car and the image and want a change.
What do you think of a white or black toyota prius with all black tinted.. i thought it’d look kinda cool.

A: Get a Black Prius and don’t feel bad about it.

Amazing that the same people that B**** at people that buy hybrid Japanese cars are the same people that support Ford, GM and Chrysler and enjoy driving their gas burners that are made in Mexico, China and Canada that send American jobs away and send billions of U.S. dollars to buy oil from countries that hate our country and/or want us dead.

Q: How does the Smart Key system work on the Toyota Prius?
I recently purchase a Toyota Prius, the smart key system worked properly when we drove it off the lot. Then latter on we went to start it. We hit the power button twice but the car would not go into gear. I turned off the smart key system and put the key in, shut the car off and turned it back on and it worked. How do I get the smart key system working? Am I doing something wrong?

A: There’s a nice flash animation tutorial on the Smart Key System (formerly called Smart Entry & Smart Start) available at:

http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/2008/prius/key_features/smartkey.html

I also highly suggest re-reading the “Smart Entry and Start System” section of you Toyota Prius Owner’s Manual. In the US 2004 Prius Owner’s Manual, that’s in section 2-1 “Operation of Instruments and Controls,” “Keys and Doors” section, pages 23-33. You should also review the use of the Power switch and the push button start, which is also in your Owner’s Manual. In the US 2004 Prius Owner’s Manual, that’s in section 2-6 “Operation of Instruments and Controls,” “‘POWER’ Switch, Transmission, and Parking Brake” section, pages 129-134. Your manual’s pages may vary, however.

A common problem with new owners is that they neglect to press the brake pedal when trying to start the car. If you just press the POWER button without having your foot on the brake pedal, you just cycle between “OFF/ACC/IG-ON” modes. OFF is off; ACC is the accessory mode – 12v power is available for the lights, windows, wipers, and radio, but not much else; IG-ON is like ACC except that you now also have the MFD powered on and climate control/fan use. Note that the sole power usage is from the 12v battery, which is not recharged in any of these modes. It sounds like your not starting situation is this case of forgetting or otherwise not pressing hard enough on the brake pedal when starting the car, and getting stuck/confused in IG-ON mode.

If the brake pedal is depressed while pressing the POWER button, the car will cycle between “OFF/READY.” OFF is off, READY means that the car is ready to go and can be put into gear and driven. The hybrid battery is connected and will be recharged as needed by the gasoline engine, and the hybrid battery will recharge the 12v battery as needed.

Anyhow, yes, there is a toggle button under the steering wheel to turn on/off the Smart Key System if equipped. Unless you paid for this feature and don’t really want it, the only reasons to turn off the Smart system would be either for valet parking, or if you are not going to be driving your Prius for 2+ weeks (reduce the parasitic load on the 12v battery).

With a recognized Smart Key on your person, as you approach the Prius near one of the external sensors (front driver’s door, front passenger’s door, rear hatch door) from about 6 feet, the interior dome light will turn on and the car will be expecting you. The car will unlock when the back of the door handle of the appropriate external sensor is touched. (To lock, all doors must first be closed, then touch the black square pad on the outside of the door.) Get into the car. The car will recognize that the recognized Smart Key is inside of the vehicle (interior sensor), and will await for you to press the POWER button. All this time, you never have to touch your keyfob.

If you didn’t have the Smart Key System in your car, or you turned off the Smart system with the toggle button under the steering wheel, then to lock/unlock your car you’d have to press the lock/unlock remote keyless entry buttons on the keyfob, and to start the car you’d have to put the keyfob into the dash slot.

If the battery in your keyfob was dead, you’d have to use the metal mechanical key inside of the keyfob to unlock the driver’s door. Then just put the keyfob into the dash slot to drive yourself to a Radio Shack or the like to get a new keyfob battery.

If the Prius’ 12v accessory battery was dead, then to get into the car you’d have to use the metal mechanical key to unlock the driver’s door. You’d then pop the hood, and jumpstart your Prius… (The remote keyless entry will not work without the 12v battery. The car cannot connect up the hybrid battery to start the car without the computers running, and the computers first need the 12v accessory battery.)

There are some situations when the Smart system or the remote keyless entry may not work due to interference. For example:
if you have a metallic object next to your keyfob in your pocket or hand, such as a cellphone or iPod, or otherwise blocking the signal between your keyfob and the car
You are parked next to a high-power radio antenna, such as a radio station, a police/fire station, a military base

Q: Does the 2003 Toyota Prius have a gps installed into the dash?
I am thinking of getting the 2003 Toyota Prius and wondering if it has a gps navigation system installed in the dashboard.

A: Not standard but avoid the Prius if trying to save $$$$

Most people buying a hybrid are assuming they will be the least expensive vehicle to operate but that is totally untrue. Yes they are very good on fuel mileage BUT you have to consider ALL costs, not fuel alone. When including all costs over a three year period no hybrid including the Prius even makes the top ten list of most economical cars as can be seen here:
http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/1442/cheap-dates-the-10-least-expensive-cars-to-own/ The Chevy will be the most reliable.

So if your plan is to save money on operating costs then choose one of the top ten most economical cars form the list and avoid all hybrids sense not even one of them made the top ten list.

The other two answers are from the same guy using two accounts.
Typical Toyota deception…..

Q: Can a navigation system on a 2002 Toyota Prius be activated?
I would like to activate the navigation system in my 2002 Toyota Prius and was wondering if that is possible to do through a dealer or online? Also about how much does the navigation system cost per month? If it is even possible to activate it at this point.

A: All 2001-2003 model year Prius have those buttons on the dashboard, regardless of whether they actually have the navigation system installed. If you have the navigation system, then the buttons work; otherwise, they don’t (you get a message that says something like “external system not connected”). The navigation system was about a $2100 option on those cars, and you’re missing several components: The DVD unit under the right front seat, a cabling harness, and the GPS antenna buried inside the dashboard. Equipping your car is possible, but enormously expensive due to the large amount of labor involved in ripping-apart nearly everything inside the dashboard to position the GPS antenna correctly (and then putting it all back together again). You’ll be dollars ahead by just buying an aftermarket navigation system for a tiny fraction of the price and sticking it onto your windshield.

Q: What happens when a Toyota Prius runs out of gas?
Okay, first things first.

My girlfriends’ mom/dad seem to think that if they ever run out of gas in their 2007 Toyota Prius (hybrid) that the car’s engine or some part of the car will “blow up”. Now I don’t think this is quite the case and I’ve tried some mild research with inadequate results.

Does anyone know of anything like this ever happening, or is this just a myth.

A: Just another myth conception.

When you run out of gas in the Prius, all that happens is that you get an array of warning lights on the dash. You can still drive a short distance on electric power but don’t count on more than half a mile or so (this distance will vary by the amount of charge in the battery, speed, and terrain). Put more gas in and the lights will go out. Some Yahoo group members have run out dozens of times on purpose (for testing).

The manual indicates it’s possible to run the traction battery down so far that you won’t be able to start the Prius and will need to have the traction battery charged. However, Prius group members who’ve run theirs really far when out of gas indicate that the Prius shuts down before then, so perhaps it’s only the earlier years this applies to. If you shut it off while there are still two bars on the battery icon, you’ll never have to worry.

As in most modern cars, the fuel pump is located in the gas tank and is cooled by the gas so running out of gas won’t be that good for the fuel pump. I’ve never heard of anyone actually having to replace one due to running out of gas.

In 80,000 miles on a 2001 and 104,000 miles on a 2004 my wife and I have yet to run out. Just fill as soon as you see the “Add Fuel” light and the blinking fuel gauge bar. If it’s cold out or you are in an unfamiliar area, then fill when there is one or two bars left but before it starts blinking. This is really no different than what you would do in any vehicle.

Q: How does Toyota prius Hybrid engine with gas and battery work?
2007 Toyota Prius reliable and maintence records indicate.

A: The electrical part works to get the car going and once going if additional power is needed or the battery’s need charging the motor automatically starts. All is controlled by an integral computer powder management software.

Q: How much should I haggle for a Toyota Prius?
I was initially going to buy the Hyundai Elantra due to cost efficiency, but many suggest that I get the Toyota and I will be going to the dealer this weekend.

I know the base line MSRPS for around 23K, but if I wanted a blue tooth feature, how much could I bargain down? Since Toyota had the recall, do you think they would be more recpetive to lower prices? How much should I pay for a Toyota Prius II?

A: $2.37 a pound.

Q: What is the whirring sound after the Toyota Prius is powered down?
I hear a whirring sound for about 30 seconds after I power down the Toyota Prius. Anyone knows what that is? Is it a problem?

A: http://www.vfaq.net/FAQ-misc.html#whirring

As long as the sound doesn’t start getting louder or clunking, it is perfectly normal on a North American 2004-current Prius. It’s the pump taking warm engine coolant and putting it into the little thermos of the CHHS (coolant heat storage system), to store for use when you next start up your Prius to more quickly warm up the engine.

Q: What are the benefits of having a Toyota Prius?
I’m looking to buy a Toyota Prius and I am wondering about the benefits of the car in the realm of savings. For example are there any tax credits, can I use the car pool lane when driving solo, etc.

A: well when it comes to savings, Prius is not a bad choice.

Prius will easily do over 55 MPG, the official says 50MPG city to 48 MPG….I think. But depending upon your driving conditions you can easily do 55MPG.

you will definitely save ALOT on gas…..the prius has an 11.1 gas tank. Suppose the gas price in your area is 2.60……now your not completely filling up your whole tank but suppose your filling about 9 gallons of the 11.1 gallons. $23.4 gallons. (PRICE may vary depending upon how gas costs in your area)

you will also be helping the environment meaning it releases less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

you will be receiving government tax break. **Not sure**

there are more out there but you have to keep one thing in mind….Toyota Prius isn’t the only car out there

There’s the Honda Insight, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Ford Fusion hybrid, honda civic hybrid….list goes on and on…

research more on google.

Q: how do you access the rear view camera on the toyota prius?
i have driven a few toyota prius’ and noticed that sometimes when putting it in reverse, a rear view camera appears on the display screen. was curious if it was a standard or not on all priuses.
how do you turn on and off the rear view camera?

A: Just put the Prius in reverse. The camera will come on IF you have it.

It comes in the Prius with the package #2 through package #6.

Once in reverse, it comes on. Put the car in drive and it shuts off.

From your friendly Toyota Salesperson :)

Q: Where is the best country in Europe to buy a Toyota Prius?
Hello,

I am curious about where in Europe I can get the best deal on a Toyota Prius. I live in Poland, where it is sold for roughly 100,000 PLN (about 36,000 USD at the current exchange rate). This seems ridiculously expensive to me, and I am certain that one can be purchased for less elsewhere in Europe. What do you think?

Thanks in advance!
-Brian

A: In Britain you can buy them for £20,000.

Zarago.

Q: how far can a 2010 toyota prius go without an oil change?
I was supposed to get an oil change at 23,934 miles, which I just now reached 20 minutes ago and the maintenance light began to shine. But I’ve been neglecting to do that, since it is very close to the holidays and I’ve been busy with that this entire time. The dealership doesn’t reopen until the day after Christmas, and I’ve yet to call and make an appointment anyway. How far can a 2010 Toyota Prius go without an oil change before the engine kills itself?

A: you should change your oil at 3000 to 4000 miles or 3 to 4 months depending on the oil

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