I've heard on other forums that the horn honking is often caused by the 12 volt battery failing. I'd have the 12 volt battery load tested and see if it has gone bad on you.
Does anyone now how to reset the "maintenance required" light that comes on automatically at 5000 miles. The guy at the oil change place didn't know and I can't find it in the owners manual. Thanks.
what year is your prius, i have an 06 and my breaks failed last night. the road was wet, but i slid a lot further than i should have. thankfully it was only for a red light, so no damage other than my pride when i had to back up out of the intersection.
Anyone else experiencing braking problems? I think this a serious enough issue to have it's own title. My brakes failed last night. I ran a red light because of it.
you have to remember that the Prius uses "fly-by-wire" technology on the accelerator and shifter. Meaning there is NO mechanical connection to the car. Holding your foot firmly in place only send an electronic signal to a computer which sets the speed. You need to lpace your foot very lightly on the accelerator and even remove it slightly. If you watch the mileage bar chart and try to maintain best mileage while being light footed on the accelerator I think the surging will disappear
That's about average being reported by car magazines who keep the cars a while and have everyone drive them "normally"...41-44 mpg is about right, with of course occasional variations plus or minus for those days you are strictly highway with a tailwind (the "plus") or climbing mountains in a lower gear (the minus).
My friend gets around 44 mpg most driving this past year and now and then on a flat highway he'll get up to 53-54.
41-44 is on the low side of the data being reported at GreenHybrid now. 47.5 mpg is the mean with the middle 505 of date falling in the 45-50 mpg range.
It sounds like the questioner might read back in this forum and elsewhere to get a few tips on not 'riding the accelerator' and let the HSD system do what it does best.
With good techniques and favorable weather now a driver should be able to get 47-54 all the time. I am exactly at 50 mpg with a 150 mi daily commute ( 85% Hwy / 15% City ). One of the key factors not normally discussed is that 'time in the vehicle' is critical in getting the best use out of it.
Well I think the data from the car magazines better reflects how most people drive them or want to drive them, that is, just like regular cars, with no conscious efforts at improving MPG. GreenHybrid data could be construed as "skewed" for this reason, as people are really trying to do better. I myself often practice "economy driving" when I remember to do it, and I notice a difference.
What I find interesting is after reading up on the Prius, I changed my driving techniques on my Pathfinder SUV, and have improved the mileage. Accellerate to speed, release accellerator, then slowly press it down until it just maintains speed - this causes the auto. trans. to shift to fourth gear full lock of the torque converter - the most fuel efficient mode for most vehicles. I think we can all learn to drive more efficiently. Thanks guys for the help - I'll be buying a Prius soon to further improve my mileage.
Has anyone tried Mobil 1 in the Prius gas engine to improve mileage? It made about a 10% improvement on my Pathfinder.
Essentially yes it is. With the pulse and glide technique and the option of coasting as the need arises you can seemingly 'turn off' the ICE and drift slower gradually.
With cruise control whenever the vehicle slows a 1/2 mph or so there is a 'boost' of fuel in order to maintain the set speed. You don't get the gliding/coasting benefit as much.
Last week the brakes on my 2005 Prius failed- the pedal went to the floor, and the ABS and emergency brake lights went on. Twenty minutes later, the brakes worked again. The local Toyota dealer was unable to diagnose the problem, and insisted that no changes were needed. The service manager is insisting that the car is safe to drive, but offers no evidence. This logic seems warped, because regardless of the fact that they are unable to determine the cause, the brakes did, indeed fail once already. Had I been going faster (I was stopped at a light), the consequences could have been catastrophic. Neither my dealership nor Corp HQ is willing to resolve this issue satisfactorily (ie replace anything that might cause such failire). Fixing it is certainly cheaper than the lawsuit that my heir will file if I am inuured or killed. Has anyone else had this problem? What did you do about it?
Neither my dealership nor Corp HQ is willing to resolve this issue satisfactorily (ie replace anything that might cause such failire).
Sounds curiously like the exact same situation as the one experienced by wkogler, How did you get to Corp HQ? It's usually the travelling district tech rep that has to look at the situation first and make a report.
For reference there are several Master Tech's on PriusChat who can assist you. If you have any info from the dealership you visited then the techs can look it up and give you some guidance.
I had a brake failure in my 05 Prius last week. My dealer was unable to determine the problem, nor was the District Service Manager. I would love to take it to another dealer, but I have just been blown off by the District Service Manager, who finally took my phone call (after repeated calls to him over the past week) and who controls all the dealerships between San Francisco and my corner of the world, south of Fresno. He said technicians checked the Wheel Sensing System, the Brake Actuator Assembly, the Skid Control ECU, the harnesses and connections, and could find nothing wrong. He said that the codes disappeared as they were doing the check, and wants me to believe that this "proves" the car is safe, and has flat out refused to take it any further. I also called Toyotas Customer Assistance number, and a Prius specialist was suposed to call me back, but never did. I repeatedly requested politely to speak with a supervisor, but nobody was willing to take my call, and nobody returned my call (it has been three days now). How was your brake failure resolved? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
when verbally putting a house number into the navigation system when you speak the house numbers clearly and seperatley it still repeats them back wrong . this is ever so frustrating! everything else seems to work fairly o.k. except for that one maddening thing. anyone else have that problem??? pete :mad:
Tricraig, I hope I can be of some help. First, I have heard of brake failures in some Priuses. I think I would first "Google" Prius Brake failures. Before I bought my Prius, 2005, in October of last year I did that and found out about the brake failures. I don't remember exactly what I read, but it seems there was a problem with some cars and it had to do with the "sensors", or something like that. Once you have the information I would take it to the Toyota person you worked with locally and see if he/she owns up to the situation, and then move up the line from there. In the instance I read about her car stopped in traffic or at a light. Either way a little touchy I would say. She said they were able to find the problem. When yours stopped, did you have it towed to your dealer? Just wondering. I think if they still don't act I might threaten to let at least the city know through the editor of your local newspaper, etc. Just my opinion and by no means a proven knower, if you know what I mean? :-0 or :surprise:
I am from No.NV where there is usually snow in the winter. I would not think of driving without all weather or Snow tires in snow. I totally agree with you even though I now live in NC. I still get all weather tires and take towels with me too for traction just in case I get in tough spots.
Leslie and all those others who have posted brake issues:
My original postings were from last fall and I had not followed the forums for a few months. Our "problem" was finally resolved as follows:
After the accident, my wife drove the car approx. 1/2 mile to our home and called the dealer, about a mile away. The car had restarted after the crash, and the brakes worked. The radiator was leaking. She then drove it to the dealer, when the night mechanic made the "there was a guy in here last night with the same problem" quip. Fast forward about two weeks of the dealer saying the body work needed to be done before they could do the analysis on the engine (cooling system was damaged and empty). Body shop saying they needed dealer to approve the repairs. Fast forward another 2-3 weeks, the body shop finishes repairs after loosing some time waiting for hidden parts. Car sits at body shop for 3-4 weeks while dealer and insurance point fingers at who is responsible. Car finally goes to dealer for analysis, waits 2 weeks for district tech to come out. When he finally does, he finds that all of the codes are erased from the computer and he can't find any problems, and (this is the good part), THE BODY WORK SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN DONE UNTIL THE ANALYSIS WAS FINISHED. He finishes his work and we wait for approximately 3-4 weeks for the letter from Toyota telling us (suprise, suprise) that there is nothing wrong with the car, so they have to assume that it was driver error, thank you for buying Toyota. No response to or admission of the mechanic's quip the first night.
Repair bill: $5,600. Total time out of our possession: 3 months. Hit on our insurance: $600 every 6 months, 3 years minimum. Frustration: Priceless.
I posted messages previously about my brakes failing. Well it happened again last week. This time it was not raining, and my boyfriend was driving. He had to drive on the shoulder of the road to avoid rear ending someone. So I took it to the dealer ship and the said there is nothing wrong with it. I don't know what to do, any advice would be appreciated!
While I have not gotten any resolution from Toyota (what is wrong with them?), I have filed a complaint with the NHTSA and the California State Bureau of Automotive Repair (division of Consumer Affairs). My hope is that when enough of us come to the attention of government regulators, it will force a recall. Let's hope and pray that in the meantime, none of us are killed or seriously injured.
Can anyone tell me how to adjust the headlight beam? It blinds people at low beam and it's getting irritating having cars flash their lights at you to dim them.
Help- I'm in W.L.A. and my car wash went out of business. Does anyone know of a hand car wash in my general area that REALLY does not use any mechanical eqipment? Thanks, silver siren
I've recently put down a deposit on a 2006 Prius. I live in West Texas where it is (1) extremely hot; and (2) flat. Are there any problems reported in this section of the country? I've been reading the posts--getting scared sometimes, being reassured others. I'm a few months away from actually purchasing this vehicle and, naturally, I'm skeptical. Thanks so much for this site. It really helps me research just what I'm getting into. I don't want to pay my life savings just to drive down the street any more. :shades:
I live near Charleston, SC which is also hot and flat---the area isn't known as the lowcountry without a reason. My 04 Prius' air conditioner is superb and handles the hottest weather with ease. Flat driving is a snap and speeds between 35 and 55 mph produce mileage over 60 mpg. Higher and lower speeds are less efficient but still excellent. In 31,000 miles I've not had any overheating problems whatever the temperature or stop-and-go conditions that may exist. Enjoy the car!
Thanks! I had been reading of brake problems, batteries that run out (necessitating towing), bad mileage, backup alarms that cannot be turned off, etc. I downloaded a "pseudo" owner's guide (45pp) and read that--and I'm all set to last for another six MONTHS in ordering this vehicle. I truly want to bankrupt Mr. Bush's little oil company--and send a distinct message to American carmakers (who almost don't exist due to foreign car manufacturers making the superior vehicles with mpg). I'm a geek at heart (MIS tekkie) and I'm unsure about making such a high price purchase. Thanks for the vote of confidence. I will purchase and drive with assurance! :shades:
There are over 120,000 Prius' in the USA. 2 people have reported brake problems, the reverse buzzer can be turned off (it doesn't bother me) and there have been no battery failures in the US or Japan. The touch screen has failed in a few models and if not under warranty it costs a bundle, and as far as mileage is concerned, I average over 53 mpg in mixed driving and have even hit 58 mpg in one 450 mile tankload of normal mixed driving. If you intend to keep the car for more than 3 years, buy a full Toyota extended warranty equal to the new car warranty for 7 years from original new purchase. There is a dealer in New England that sells the warranty (good everywhere) for $995.
And I pretty much second the motion...ours has 3600 miles on it, and no problems to speak of. I drive it hard and fast, just like every other car we've ever owned, and we generally see 40-45 mpg with the majority of our driving at freeway speeds of 70+ and with the AC on most of the time.
I dumped the crappy Goodyear Integrity tires in favor of Costco Michelin Xs - better handling, better traction in all weather, equal ride, better noise. Otherwise, I couldn't be happier.
Because of the electronics, an extended warranty is a must if you intend to keep the car beyond the basic warranty. As noted above, the touch-screen is a potential wallet-emptier if it goes out after the warranty has expired. The deals on the warranty are easy to obtain, with costs under $1k east to get - just don't let your dealer's F/I guy try to sell you one for more. The usual asking price is in the $1500 range, which is ridiculous. And you don't need to make this purchase until you get close to the end of the basic warranty - most certainly NOT in the overheated atmosphere of the new car deal closing.
Thanks - everyone. I feel so good about the purchase now. I also just learned that there is a guy where I used to work who purchased a 2006 Prius--and I feel great about this up and coming purchase! I WILL buy the extended warranty with the vehicle as I intend to keep it for as long as I can (probably run it into the ground like my present vehicle). I had "totaled" my Buick Skylark and, after having it "ressurected" have run it until it has gone to 150,000 miles plus. This will be my first real "import" in a long, long time. Happy motoring everyone! :shades:
I recently bought a new car, and did not choose a hybrid because I was unsure of the longetivity of the battery - I mean after 5 or 7 or 10 years.
The battery warranty is 5 years / 100K (in Texas), after that you are in uncharted territory on battery replacement. There have been several cars that have gone high mileage without problems.
In west Texas it gets REALLY hot, but no hotter than Phoenix (there are several Prius owners from there that frequent these forums). However, I have my doubts about batteries in hot weather.
You cannot run a hybrid "into the ground". The entire car propulsion system is linked through the central computer. It is a complicated system that requires that all parts be fully operational, or the system doesn't work. It is not like a conventional car in that respect. The brakes, transmission, and (of course) the battery and charging systems run through the computer. It is high tech to the max, a real selling point for many people. But that stuff has to be maintained.
If you don't need the size, you might consider a small conventional car, which would yield high 30's in MPG, but would be easier to maintain "into the ground". Or you could look into the couple of diesel options available, the VW Passat and the Jeep Liberty.
I'm not saying you should not buy a hybrid, but rather that you should consider all your options.
I bought my 06 Prius last Feb with all the options and had the misfortune of having a blown (broken connecting rod) at 2,500 miles (bah, one of those things, see previous Forum posting), the engine was replaced and I have been happily motoring since then. I did buy the extended warranty too but I always get a kick of humming on the car in the pool lane with those big SUV trying to imtimidate on my tail, a snicker a bit every time I gas up. You will enjoy the car and I have seen a lot of old hybrids around and recently even say them as taxis in the Bay Area. You will not regret it!
Maybe I should clarify what I mean by "running it into the ground." What I mean is that I would be a faithful companion to this wonderful piece of high tech equipment until it can absolutely function no longer; i.e. I have exhausted its usefulness and wisely given it checkups, going to a good and trusted mechanic, and used it until I got at least 150,000 miles out of it. When it cannot be sold or resurrected, I will see how much scrap metal is in it and then cry as I depart the scrapheap. :shades:
How many miles per year do you put on a vehicle? That will be very important as to the practicality of the car you buy. On the other hand if you just like the looks and concept of the Prius. Go for it.
The battery warranty is 5 years / 100K (in Texas), after that you are in uncharted territory on battery replacement. There have been several cars that have gone high mileage without problems.
Actually it's 8 yrs / 100,000 except in the CARB states where it's 10 yrs / 150,000 miles ( same vehicle ).
Running it into the ground? To me it depends on your definition. Is 200,000 miles ground level? How much is any vehicle worth at 200K? $1000-2000?
Toyota's website and literature all state that the batteries should last the 'life of the vehicle'. They further state that they stopped testing at 180,000 when there was no deterioration in the performance of the battery at 180K.
It is high tech to the max, a real selling point for many people. But that stuff has to be maintained.
Actually it requires no maintenance except a coolant replacement at about 60,000 mi intervals. The primary maintenance to any of the Toyota HSD vehicles is to the ICE as with all ICE vehicles. Actually the hybrids tend to save maintenance ( brakes ) and with certain insurers can generate discounts by simply owning one.
A smaller vehicle such as a Civic or Corolla or Elantra is always a better choice for saving money. There is no question about this. The main question here though is what if all these vehicles ( plus Mazda3, Cobalt, etc ) are eliminated since they are compacts.
The Jetta is the closest to the Prius in size since it bulked up but the Passat is way more expensive.
"Maybe I should clarify what I mean by "running it into the ground." What I mean is that I would be a faithful companion to this wonderful piece of high tech equipment until it can absolutely function no longer; i.e. I have exhausted its usefulness and wisely given it checkups, going to a good and trusted mechanic, and used it until I got at least 150,000 miles out of it. When it cannot be sold or resurrected, I will see how much scrap metal is in it and then cry as I depart the scrapheap."
Understood, but realize that your "trusted mechanic" is most likely the Toyota Dealer. The Hybrids require special equipment and training for maintenance. If you are only looking for 150K miles or 8 years, I think you will be fine.
" Actually it requires no maintenance except a coolant replacement at about 60,000 mi intervals. The primary maintenance to any of the Toyota HSD vehicles is to the ICE as with all ICE vehicles. Actually the hybrids tend to save maintenance ( brakes ) and with certain insurers can generate discounts by simply owning one."
I suppose I should have said "repairs". When one is intent on keeping the car until it "runs into the ground", it means repairing whatever breaks. While one could be lucky enough to get to 150K without breakage of some sort (parts do wear down, after all), it is unlikely.
I was not referring to the electrical components; I was referring to the entire vehicle.
Comments
Any luck with financial help from Toyota ?
What did you do about your transaxle problem ?
Frank
My friend gets around 44 mpg most driving this past year and now and then on a flat highway he'll get up to 53-54.
It sounds like the questioner might read back in this forum and elsewhere to get a few tips on not 'riding the accelerator' and let the HSD system do what it does best.
With good techniques and favorable weather now a driver should be able to get 47-54 all the time. I am exactly at 50 mpg with a 150 mi daily commute ( 85% Hwy / 15% City ). One of the key factors not normally discussed is that 'time in the vehicle' is critical in getting the best use out of it.
Has anyone tried Mobil 1 in the Prius gas engine to improve mileage? It made about a 10% improvement on my Pathfinder.
With cruise control whenever the vehicle slows a 1/2 mph or so there is a 'boost' of fuel in order to maintain the set speed. You don't get the gliding/coasting benefit as much.
Thanks, LW
Sounds curiously like the exact same situation as the one experienced by wkogler, How did you get to Corp HQ? It's usually the travelling district tech rep that has to look at the situation first and make a report.
For reference there are several Master Tech's on PriusChat who can assist you. If you have any info from the dealership you visited then the techs can look it up and give you some guidance.
How was your brake failure resolved?
Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
Linda
Shirley
Shirley
My original postings were from last fall and I had not followed the forums for a few months. Our "problem" was finally resolved as follows:
After the accident, my wife drove the car approx. 1/2 mile to our home and called the dealer, about a mile away. The car had restarted after the crash, and the brakes worked. The radiator was leaking. She then drove it to the dealer, when the night mechanic made the "there was a guy in here last night with the same problem" quip. Fast forward about two weeks of the dealer saying the body work needed to be done before they could do the analysis on the engine (cooling system was damaged and empty). Body shop saying they needed dealer to approve the repairs. Fast forward another 2-3 weeks, the body shop finishes repairs after loosing some time waiting for hidden parts. Car sits at body shop for 3-4 weeks while dealer and insurance point fingers at who is responsible. Car finally goes to dealer for analysis, waits 2 weeks for district tech to come out. When he finally does, he finds that all of the codes are erased from the computer and he can't find any problems, and (this is the good part), THE BODY WORK SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN DONE UNTIL THE ANALYSIS WAS FINISHED. He finishes his work and we wait for approximately 3-4 weeks for the letter from Toyota telling us (suprise, suprise) that there is nothing wrong with the car, so they have to assume that it was driver error, thank you for buying Toyota. No response to or admission of the mechanic's quip the first night.
Repair bill: $5,600. Total time out of our possession: 3 months. Hit on our insurance: $600 every 6 months, 3 years minimum. Frustration: Priceless.
Tricraig
I don't know what to do, any advice would be appreciated!
While I have not gotten any resolution from Toyota (what is wrong with them?), I have filed a complaint with the NHTSA and the California State Bureau of Automotive Repair (division of Consumer Affairs). My hope is that when enough of us come to the attention of government regulators, it will force a recall. Let's hope and pray that in the meantime, none of us are killed or seriously injured.
Be sure to go to the NHTSA website and file a complaint. This is what brings visibility to problems.
Thanks, silver siren
Great advice!!
I dumped the crappy Goodyear Integrity tires in favor of Costco Michelin Xs - better handling, better traction in all weather, equal ride, better noise. Otherwise, I couldn't be happier.
Because of the electronics, an extended warranty is a must if you intend to keep the car beyond the basic warranty. As noted above, the touch-screen is a potential wallet-emptier if it goes out after the warranty has expired. The deals on the warranty are easy to obtain, with costs under $1k east to get - just don't let your dealer's F/I guy try to sell you one for more. The usual asking price is in the $1500 range, which is ridiculous. And you don't need to make this purchase until you get close to the end of the basic warranty - most certainly NOT in the overheated atmosphere of the new car deal closing.
The battery warranty is 5 years / 100K (in Texas), after that you are in uncharted territory on battery replacement. There have been several cars that have gone high mileage without problems.
In west Texas it gets REALLY hot, but no hotter than Phoenix (there are several Prius owners from there that frequent these forums). However, I have my doubts about batteries in hot weather.
You cannot run a hybrid "into the ground". The entire car propulsion system is linked through the central computer. It is a complicated system that requires that all parts be fully operational, or the system doesn't work. It is not like a conventional car in that respect. The brakes, transmission, and (of course) the battery and charging systems run through the computer. It is high tech to the max, a real selling point for many people. But that stuff has to be maintained.
If you don't need the size, you might consider a small conventional car, which would yield high 30's in MPG, but would be easier to maintain "into the ground". Or you could look into the couple of diesel options available, the VW Passat and the Jeep Liberty.
I'm not saying you should not buy a hybrid, but rather that you should consider all your options.
How many miles per year do you put on a vehicle? That will be very important as to the practicality of the car you buy. On the other hand if you just like the looks and concept of the Prius. Go for it.
Actually it's 8 yrs / 100,000 except in the CARB states where it's 10 yrs / 150,000 miles ( same vehicle ).
Running it into the ground? To me it depends on your definition. Is 200,000 miles ground level?
Toyota's website and literature all state that the batteries should last the 'life of the vehicle'. They further state that they stopped testing at 180,000 when there was no deterioration in the performance of the battery at 180K.
It is high tech to the max, a real selling point for many people. But that stuff has to be maintained.
Actually it requires no maintenance except a coolant replacement at about 60,000 mi intervals. The primary maintenance to any of the Toyota HSD vehicles is to the ICE as with all ICE vehicles. Actually the hybrids tend to save maintenance ( brakes ) and with certain insurers can generate discounts by simply owning one.
A smaller vehicle such as a Civic or Corolla or Elantra is always a better choice for saving money. There is no question about this. The main question here though is what if all these vehicles ( plus Mazda3, Cobalt, etc ) are eliminated since they are compacts.
The Jetta is the closest to the Prius in size since it bulked up but the Passat is way more expensive.
Understood, but realize that your "trusted mechanic" is most likely the Toyota Dealer. The Hybrids require special equipment and training for maintenance. If you are only looking for 150K miles or 8 years, I think you will be fine.
Sorry, hit the wrong key, it is 8 years for non CARB.
I suppose I should have said "repairs". When one is intent on keeping the car until it "runs into the ground", it means repairing whatever breaks. While one could be lucky enough to get to 150K without breakage of some sort (parts do wear down, after all), it is unlikely.
I was not referring to the electrical components; I was referring to the entire vehicle.