Toyota Prius Accessories & Modifications

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Comments

  • hondamatichondamatic Member Posts: 26
    "shift the "gear" selector from P to R, then back to P??
    P is NOT Part of the gear selector. So shifting from P to R doesn't even make any sense. "

    I guess the original poster misspoke (mistyped?) and meant push the "P" button, whenever that is mentioned. Yeah, we're all still used to cars that have "P" on the gear selector.

    It DOES work. I tried it last night. At first I thought the instructions may have been a joke, since they were so ridculuously convoluted. Kind of like an "Easter Egg" in some software or games. But it does work. You may have to pay extra attention to the timings for holding down various controls and stuff. I had try everything from the beginning twice to get the "b on" / "b off" to appear.
  • pepmeuppepmeup Member Posts: 3
    I am 6ft 5in and weigh 365 lbs, bought a 06 Prius just this weekend due to the fit. tried Honda Accord hybrid, honda civic hybrid and both 4cly and 6 cly accord and civic,also tried the Camry, Corrola and Matrix non fit as well as the Prius. The Back seat is bigger then the Accord. While the width is a little tight, so was all the other models. Bought to offset the mileage of driving my Chevy 1500hd four door. The Car is great and cant see anyone with size having a problem. My Friend saw me and stated how much room there was in the car with me Wearing it. Ha Ha.
  • whisperleewhisperlee Member Posts: 3
    I just got my new 2006 Prius with package #3 and leather seats.... Very happy with the car except one little problem: even though the seats are leather, the center console and all the door handles are still cloth, and the fabric was already getting dirty when I picked up the car. The dealer is looking into why it isn't leather through out, but they haven't been able to come up with a reason or a solution. It seems that when you add the leather option with a package other than #8, this is how the car comes... (or has any one seen the 2006 model with package 8)? They tried to custom make them for me but couldn't match the color.
    To me, these areas get dirty the easiest, and it really doesn't make any sense to have cloth at these places... not to mention it looks funny cosmetic ally.
    Has anyone run into the same problem?
  • prihighprihigh Member Posts: 4
    open the drivers window and the passenger rear.this worked for my prius.or open passenger front and drivers rear.open only 2 staggered windows.it worked for me.however if the wind is strong and from the right direction you will still get some noise.Good luck
  • bolerobolero Member Posts: 1
    We went to pick up our 2006 Prius on 1/2/06 and the first thing my wife noticed when she looked the car over was that darn felt on the doors and armrest. She noticed that they were already dirty just from the service people at the dealer getting the car ready. She asked the salesman could he have them done in leather. He made a call to a local company they used for leather work and they picked the car up within an hour and did the doors and armrest in leather. We picked the car up the next day and are very happy with the results. Our salesman told us the leater seats are done at the port so that is why the doors and armrest aren't done. He now says he is going to offer this to all customers wanting leather. It cost us an extra $225 but it was worth it.
  • whisperleewhisperlee Member Posts: 3
    Thank you for the response. My dealership told me that they were able to order the leather parts (from the manufacture?), but I don't know how much yet. I also just noticed today that the strip between the back seat and the back door is also in cloth.... still can't understand what they were thinking...
  • joeh4joeh4 Member Posts: 2
    Am waiting for my new 2006#2 and have read the complaints on tires. Would appreciate comments from those who have replaced their tires with good results and no loss of mpg? What tire pressures are recommended front and back for optimum mpg?
    Would like to start out with good tires instead of experiencing the troubles some have had here. Previously used Michelon Harmony tires on my 2002 Camry and they were the best I ever owned. Thank you for your comments.
  • dochollywood1dochollywood1 Member Posts: 3
    just bought an '06 prius and looking to connect the ipod without a fm transmitter. thought it would be simple to use connector to attach headphone jack from ipod to aux jack, but for some reason the prius will only play songs in mva and mp3 format and not the ones in the apple/itunes format (the ipod automatically scrolls/skips all of those until it hits mva/mp3). any idea how to "fix" this?
  • cruising7388cruising7388 Member Posts: 125
    Aren't the factory carpet floor mats an Option designated as "CF" or are they included in the MSRP? Can the all weather floor mats be used without the carpet floor mat or must they be used together?
  • rukindrukind Member Posts: 17
    I don't understand. The ipod is simply the source and the aux connects it to the head unit. The head unit (car radio) should take any source that can connect through the aux headphone jack. It's merely transferring music through with the amp creating a louder sound. I have this set-up on another brand car and it works perfectly. Think of it this way, the iPod works with any headphone brand, any home receiver, etc.
  • seekoseeko Member Posts: 33
    at what miles on the engine will you start to get a liittle better gas mileage? i only have 800 on car really like it so far . also wish the drivers seat would go back alittle farther cause i'm 6-3.
  • seekoseeko Member Posts: 33
    I HAVE 1000 MILES ON MY PRIUS AND I'VE ALWAYS USED MOBIL ONE SYNTHETIC OIL IN MY CARS. AT WHAT MILEAGE SHOULD I START USING THIS IN THE PRIUS?I CHECKED THE OIL TONIGHT IN THE PRIUS AND OF COURSE ITS NOT EVEN 1 SPECK DIRTY IN ANY WAY.BUT JUST CURIOUS WHAT ANYONE ELSE THINKS?I ALSO WONDER IF THE SYNTHETIC OIL WILL INCREASE GAS MILEAGE IN THE SLIGHTEST BIT? SO IF ANY ONE HAS ANY IMPUT I WOULD LIKE A LITTLE FEED BACK. THANKS PRIUS PEOPLE.
  • envirogirlenvirogirl Member Posts: 1
    I just got my '06 Prius just over 3 wks ago & when Toyota called to see how I liked the car (LOVE IT!), the lady told me that between 1000-2000 miles the car will reach it's MPG peak. I just now have a little over 600 miles on mine & it's averaging about 44.7. Looking forward to even better mileage.
  • bill666bill666 Member Posts: 2
    Mobil one will improve mileage a bit. The ,ost important thing however is how you drive the car. use a very light foot and when you reach your speed let up on the accelerator a second and you may feel the car shift then aplly a gentle foot to maintain speed. This manuever will keep the Prius in the proper gear....the CVT transmission can be in any place from 1st through 4th and anywhere in between like 3.5 instead of 4th. The result of the CVT transmission. Learn to pay attention to these thngs and mileage will go way up
  • seekoseeko Member Posts: 33
    BILL THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR THE INPUT. DIDN'T REALZE THE CVT HAD DIFFERENT GEARS SO TO SPEAK. I THOUGHT IT WAS ONE CONTINUOS GEAR. WNEN EVER YOU HAVE SOME INFO ON THE PRIUS PLEASE PASS IT ON TO ME IF YOU WANT. I WILL READ EVERYTHING YOU SEND. WHAT MILEAGE SHOULD I PUT THE MOBIL ONE IN AT? I HAVE 1100 ON IT NOW. SEE YA PETE
  • jrct9454jrct9454 Member Posts: 2,363
    ...the CVT DOESN'T have "gears" - thus the name "Continuously Variable". The ratios can change infinitely within the allowable range. There is no 1st, 2nd, etc....nor 3.5 or 4.5.

    Some manufacturers using CVTs have electronically "simulated" a given number of gears [usually 5,6, or 7], that can be paddle-shifted in a typical sequential shift fashion, but Toyota is not one of them.

    Changing to synthetic can be done at the first oil change - no need to do that before the 5k mark called for in the book.

    Frankly, with the 6 month/ 5k oil change requirement that Toyota uses these days [in direct reaction to the oil-gelling scandals of the past few years], going to synthetic strikes me as a waste of money. And I have used synthetic in ALL of my cars for the past 15 years....but if you're going to dump the oil at 5k miles, it makes little sense to use synthetic oil at 2-3 times the cost of the mineral stuff.
  • seekoseeko Member Posts: 33
    thank you much for the reply on the prius.i appreciate your input on this or any question i may have in the future. pete seeko
  • hktonfnxhktonfnx Member Posts: 1
    I just got my brand new 2006 Prius a couple days ago. But when I tried to insert my car charger, it blew a fuse. The dealership said it's my charger that's the problem, because the car charger units are made smaller than normal in the Prius. What???? Does anyone else have this problem or was I sold a lemon?!
  • seekoseeko Member Posts: 33
    hi there i've tried the car charger and it worked fine.dont know what the problem is .i will ask around to some of my prius friends. later pete
  • sysadminsysadmin Member Posts: 3
    Thank you, thank you, thank you. It works!

    Now, how does one disable the annoying chirp sound every time you select a menu option on the Nav or audio screen?

    I understand one may be able to decrease the volume of it, or disable it altogether.

    I like my 2006 Prius, but there are far too many **beeping** alarms in this car.

    Thanks,
    ~Mike
  • kskindrudkskindrud Member Posts: 2
    Thanks for the steps to cancel the Reverse beeping. I'll do that. HOWEVER, my problem is silently backing out of parking places in parking lots. I've almost hit three people who did not hear me coming (when on electric motor). One got so mad he pounded on my window. I've found two manufactures on the web who make "Back-Up Alerts" (Driving Comfort & Stying Concepts). The small units replace your backup light witih a new bulb and beeper you can hear OUTSIDE your car when backing. UNFORTUNATELY, neither yet make a size which fits a Prius (backup bulb size 7440). ANYONE know who does? Any problem installing such an aftermarket bulb/beeper combo on the Prius with its special battery? PLEASE inform.
  • tp06tp06 Member Posts: 2
    Hi there is a smokedlexan hood protector you can get from toyota [non-permissible content removed] products I ordered mine from the parts Department at my toyota Dealer it cost 66.00 dollars. This won't help the windshield but will protect the hood from bugs and rocks. TP06
  • khousekhouse Member Posts: 8
    Just curious has anyone had their Prius tinted. My wife just got a 06 with the Nav. sys. and was wondering if this would affect anything. I'm thinking the antenna for the Nav. is the back hatch so would metallic or non-metallic make a difference.

    Thanks,
  • monogram7monogram7 Member Posts: 5
    I bought a salvage Prius for 11k and fixed it for 4k. There was virtually no damage to systems, just body in the front of the car. Anybody want to take a guess if the thing will be as good as new? My question is without a warranty should I keep it or sell it for a profit? The car is in Phillidephia. I may have it shipped to California where I live. Also I am wondering about things that go wrong with Prius cars? When they do break what breaks and how expensive is it to fix? Bill monogram1@cox.net direct email
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    I bought a salvage Prius for 11k and fixed it for 4k.

    You are a brave soul. That salvage title will make it difficult to sell. You might as well drive it and live with it. It may run fine for a long time. What year and package is it? Good luck.
  • monogram7monogram7 Member Posts: 5
    It is a 2005 with 4000 miles on it. All I know is that it does not have Navigation in terms of what package. It's sand color. http://members.cox.net/2005prius/prius.htm
  • seekoseeko Member Posts: 33
    hi there. i have a 2006 prius with nav and i had a tinting specialty place tint mine and everything still finds directions 100% perfect.hope my answer helps you. pete :)
  • khousekhouse Member Posts: 8
    Ok thanks, I was just curious if the metallic or non-metallic made a difference. I was told the metallic tint holds up longer and is a better tint but don't won't it to effect the Nav. What did you use on yours?

    Thanks,
  • sysadminsysadmin Member Posts: 3
    I have visited one car audio installer and had the following experience trying to upgrade the factory audio to something more substantial. The business kept my car for a total of four days over the course of 10 days, trying to figure out how to install a 350 watt 4-channel amp (no sub) and then eventually removing the new equipment and giving up.

    It became obvious they didn't know what they were doing, and didn't know whom to consult for advice. They also did not realize they didn't know what they were doing -- they returned it to me as a successful installation.

    When they returned it, the sound system was worse than its original state. There was no bass left to speak of, it was all highs and mids. Furthermore, the NAV voice was no longer a calm, quiet "After the beep, please say a command." Rather, the voice was amped up and screaming at the driver.

    I had a horrible experience with these car audio installers, and I wanted to warn you all so you don't make the same mistake. Please be sure the manager of the establishment has successfully performed upgrades on other 2006 priuses, before committing.

    Lots of Luck. If you have similar experiences, please let us know.
  • mcsp00mcsp00 Member Posts: 3
    This may be a silly question from someone considering a Prius... but I'm an avid bike rider. It's important to me that a vehicle be able to either accept a bike rack, or actually fit a bicycle inside the vehicle.

    Does the Prius have easy to use bike racks available?
    Can a bicycle (say, a Trek or Schwinn Mountain Bike) fit inside the Prius?

    Thanks for any information you can provide.
  • bbyrd1bbyrd1 Member Posts: 8
    I, too, am an avid cyclist. I'm 6'1" tall and ride on a 60cm road frame. The bike slides in the back just as nice as can be, fully assembled, wheels and all. I first place a tarp over the interior for protection. My previous car (a 2000 Toyota Avalon) had a roof rack set up for a couple of bikes. The Prius is actually easier to use with the bike.

    My wife is also a cyclist. When we travel together with our bikes, we take the wheels, seat posts, and pedals off of the bikes, and place the frames neatly on top of the folded rear seat, one on top of the other, separated by an old quilt to prevent scratching of the frames. Placing a plastic trash bag over the chain and sprockets prevents grease from getting on the interior of the car. The wheels then go on top of the frames, allowing the entire regular luggage area to be used for luggage. The bikes stay safe and clean inside the car, and gas mileage is not compromised as with external racks.

    I also have a Saris Bones trunk rack that fits nicely on the rear of the Prius. I haven't had the need to use it, yet, but it is another option. See John's website at http://john1701a.com/ for pictures of this rack. I hope this is helpful.
  • cheryl06priuscheryl06prius Member Posts: 50
    Has anyone had the Toyota Integrated XM Satellite Radio installed on their 2006 Prius after purchase and if so are you satisfied? I still haven't located a Toyota dealer who is able to perform the installation.
  • jeffreyboyjeffreyboy Member Posts: 8
    Talked with my dealer on Monday (5/21/06) about installing XM. They ordered the parts from Toyota which arrived today; however, no one at the dealership has installed it on a 2006 Prius yet. I'm scheduled to have it done late June when the installer at the dealer returns from vacation. I'll keep you posted.
  • artcarterartcarter Member Posts: 2
    Did you ever get an answer about a backup alert? Have you found anyone that supplies one?

    Thanks.
  • kskindrudkskindrud Member Posts: 2
    No response to my 4/10/06 (#130) appeal yet. Still waiting to hear if 3rd party "BACKUP ALERTS" (replacement backup light bulbs, size 7440) are available for the Prius. Right now you can only hear the "beep, beep, beep" INSIDE my 2005 Prius. Such matching backup lights with a warning signal OUTSIDE your car are available for many U.S. cars, but not yet for the Prius per my Google search. The cost is under $30 which would be much cheaper (and almost as effective) as the additIon of a kid or barrier sensor ($100) or an external video camera ($500. - $1,000). Anyone know of a manufactuer who makes a BACKUP BULB SIZE 7440 "BACKUP ALERT" for the Prius for UNDER $30? K.S.
  • purplenitepurplenite Member Posts: 1
    Does anyone else get frustrated when trying to "read" the navigation screen in bright daylight?

    Is there an aftermarket product to solve this?

    Thanks
    Vicki
  • markwhallmarkwhall Member Posts: 2
    Try this link for a Nav screen hood.

    http://stores.ebay.com/Prius-Hoods_W0QQsspagenameZdomainQQtZkm
  • jeffreyboyjeffreyboy Member Posts: 8
    Spoke with my dealer about XM installation. The small black antenna, according to the install instructions from Toyota sits on the top right side of the dash under the front corner of the windshield. They will not move the antenna to an alternate location due adherence of proper install and warranty. I have decided not to have it installed yet. Anyone have any suggestions or experience with the install process and location of the antenna?
  • davem7davem7 Member Posts: 35
    While I can't speak for the Prius the antenna for my '06HCH XM(factory version installed by Honda dealer)is positioned in the interior on the upper portion of the windshield on the passenger side.

    All the XM material recommends exterior antenna installation for maximal reception but in my case the reception is excellent with neglible static.

    On the other hand I know someone with a Prius and rooftop antenna for a Roady type XM receiver and that person experiences periodic static and interference from other non XM stations.

    My hunch is that with the Prius factory XM, dealer installed, you'll probably get excellent results even if the antenna is interior mounted.
    It wasn't clear from your post whether you meant the upper or lower portion of the windshield, this could certainly make a difference.
  • jeffreyboyjeffreyboy Member Posts: 8
    Thanks for the information. The dealer said the antenna would be sitting on top of the dash right next to the windshield corner, passenger side. I'm trying to find pictures on the net of how it looks. I agree with you that with dealer installation, the reception will be excellent and it will be covered under warranty. I'm still debating though. Any more thoughts or suggestions would be helpful. Thanks davem7, I appreciate it.
  • drrexdrrex Member Posts: 1
    Priushoods.com

    Also window tinting will reduce side/rear glare :)

    rex
  • pathstar1pathstar1 Member Posts: 1,015
    There is really no need to wait for a "backup lamp/alarm". There are plenty of backup alarms that can be installed on the car and wired to the backup lamp circuit. They would have no noticable effect on the elecrical system, as they draw very little when operating and only operate when you are backing up. They can be mounted underneath the car so they don't mess up the looks.

    I've also heard of several cases where pedestrians have stepped out in front of an oncoming Prius because they can't hear it, so it's not just a "backing out" issue.

    Be careful passing cyclists as well.
  • prius4lifeprius4life Member Posts: 1
    Hi Vanessa,
    Thank you for posting how to stop the annoying reverse beeper on the
    prius group.
    I followed your directions and now can backup with out the "Beep Beep".
    I would like to post on my 2006 prius site, in the tech section, the
    directions you gave.
    Please let me know if this is acceptable to you.
    If you have any other programing tips for the 2006 Prius i would
    consider posting them also.
    Sorry for the group posting as your email is listed as "Private"
    Thank you,
    Wayne
    http://www.northrim.net/wyanders/prius/ :D
  • mtuftsmtufts Member Posts: 12
    Me too! Me too! I just purchased a 06 Prius with those beautiful tan cloth seats and I've already had a "guest" come in and muck them up. Did you ever find a source for seat covers? :shades:
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    The MP3 question post was moved to the Toyota Prius: Audio System Questions discussion.

    Please remember to check the discussion list to find the appropriate discussion for your posts.
  • websterkawebsterka Member Posts: 1
    Hello,
    I just purchased my 2006 Prius and can't wait to get my hands on it. In preparation I am researching how to enable my cingular blackberry 8700 with the bluetooth capability. I haven't found any instructions yet and wondered if anyone could point me in the right direction?
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    I'm by no means the primary driver of the Prius but I would imagine that to achieve the best NVH effects the engine goes back into the lowest possible RPM when cruising along at a constant speed.

    I also imagine the (RDX) host is about to run us off...but:

    I've been thinking seriously about adding a small, "ultra" small single swivel wheel trailer onto which would be mounted one of the new inverter style gensets, say of about 5000 watts. Run it on "home brewed" compressed natural gas and thereby continuously charge the Prius' batteries.

    That would be about 8HP into the Prius with the genset engine running at most optimal, probably/maybe just enough to move the Prius along smartly at cruise.

    To that end I have been keeping my eyes open for the market availability of a water cooled (for NVH) inverter style genset. Modifying the genset intake cam for Atkinson Cycle would likely be a piece of cake.
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    The post about the XM radio installation was moved to the Toyota Prius: Audio System Questions discussion.
  • katwaykatway Member Posts: 19
    Wet Okole makes great custom seat covers for the Prius.
  • audioshybridaudioshybrid Member Posts: 1
    DOes anyone know anything about these (amazing sounding) upgrades? Coastal Tech I want to take full advantage of my Prius, but I also dont want to mess it up, or get ripped off... Can anyone give me any feedback? Does this stuff really work? Will I completely lose my warranty by installing any of these options? Click this link to see what I am referring too. Coastal Tech
This discussion has been closed.

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