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Why don't you just disable it? The instructions to do so are all over the internet.
You'll feel the hit of less traction and slush on your MPG more than a vehicle that doesn't have a fuel-usage display because you see it all the dang time.
I've gotten 51.1 to 51.4 for the 50k; My frenz with Prius's only get ~47 mpg.
When the CA EPA has ethanol put in the gasoline to cut cold weather polution--maybe 10 weeks a year or so, I can always tell 'cause my mileage drops to 46 to 49. (The CA EPA web site says the oil companiez can put up to 10% ethanol in the fuel if they feel like it. The ethanol refinerz must have overproduction with the recession; are they selling it to Big Oil at cut rates, and Big Oil iz putting the full 10% in my gas?)
If I turn off the power quickly, half the time I turn on the wipers. I don't know the drill about the little 12v battery. To chek it requires a lot of opening of various doorz, starting with the hatchback. Itz 4 yeerz old, now, I guess I should replace it, altho its nevr given any troubl.
The car bringz more road noise into the cabin than I'm used to. Its wind noise may be less than our '00 Camry.
The plug in Prius coming out when, in '10, will drive around town on battery only for how many, about 120 milez? My '04 pollutes vastly less than what %, 96% of US carz? I wont get the plug in until my '04 startz gettin shabbyt. When will that be, after 150k milez?
The little skinny tires are scary and based the mileage of some owners, not too reliable..40# of air is a very hard tire and should result in a jarring ride, but it's all for bragging rights of 50mpg..
The Prius is 100% foreign content so we have shipped the $$$$$$ overseas to help pay the retirement and health care of the Japanese workers..
Our country club was looking for new golf carts, and the Pruis was mentioned, however they were too big, otherwise they looked pretty good..lots of gauges to read for such a runt of a car.
Gas gauge, speedo, and tach is all one needs to enjoy stress free motoring and when the old battery goes, $100 buys another couple years..
When gas gets to $5.00/gal, maybe it will pay to go the hybrid route, all electric will never work in the USA..
Future gas pricing will be under the control of our taxing authorities and their goal is to emulate Europe with $6.00/gal worth of taxes to pay for the giveaway programs. Europe averages 10% unemployment so taxes are needed for those left working must support the idle bodies..
I enjoyed reading all the hype of the Prius owners and expected to hear all the praise for some owners paid big-time pricing to join the club..Our Fla toy dealer has 15 new ones to sell..Yes I have a Toy plus 09 Bullitt and a 06 S/C 06 Pontiac in the garage..big carbon footprint, however please keep driving your hybrid for I need the all the high-test non-ethanol gas I can find.. Thanks again, and remember what our President-elect stated on the campaign trail---check your tire pressure and help America break it's reliance on foreign oil...Wow
As to Obama's comments all I can say is there are a number of ways to be a smart & frugal driver. Tire pressure is just one. As to buying any car...I'm going for the car that delivers all the above mentioned selling points that the Prius so faithfully delivers on. Gas prices will fluctuate and may rise again to painfull levels. My Prius will continue to make that pain less difficult to deal with. 546 miles on one tank of gas in my Prius sez so.
Move on
You receive great mileage with the “OEM” tire. When you go to replace them, they are not available at a price comparable to other times. In fact: after going to over 30 Goodyear Tire Dealers, (0) could supply us with the “OEM” Tire. They all informed me that this tire was for the Dealers. The states I ask for Tires; CA, AZ, NM, CO, OH, PA, NY, NC, FL, TX & IN. I also stopped into dealerships in all of those states. None of them had an “OEM” replacement tire, unless they removed it from a New Factory Auto.
Tire pressure is important for the extra mileage. I have found that the Goodyear Tire that fits (All season) hold to the road and are great in the winter; only deliver 43 to 46 mpg. Not bad. Please: none of this 50mpg that folks seem to throw around.
I am sure there will be comments about this post. Please, if you want bragging rights, then, provide more information about how you obtain such wizardry with your Prius and where you live to gain this great advantage. We all want to know. If not then post something that is of use to all.
First, where you live surely effects one's milage. I live in N.W. Indiana where in summer I usually average between 45 and 49 mpg's. Come winter when the "ICE" runs considerably more due to cold & freezing temps my mileage drops to an area of 34 and 43 mpg's. Blends of winter fuel really do effect milage considerably. As to my driving technics, in the early years of ownership I strove to attain high milage marks. Unfortunately, I got lazy and lost my desire to be intense in that area and decided to consentrate more on just driving safe. Prius owners (when honest) can get carried away with achieveing high "mpg's." Likewise they also can exaggerate those stats.
The many blogs that have filled this post have shown that the Prius is quite a hybrid car but not without it's nay-sayers. Fortunitly the Prius has stood the tests of criticism. After all, Car & Driver, Motor Trend and the like can't be wrong and thousands of satisfied owners say it all.
As to tires, I would only add that quality tires make for a better all around vehicle. Michelins are my preference.
At 129,000 miles on my 05 I just replaced the small 12v battery since it was getting weak. If however I had to replace the traction battery at say 205,000 miles..or 305,000 miles then I'd go to our body shop and put in an order for the next totalled Prius ( front end totalled ) and try to buy the battery from the insurance company for $400 or so.
In both situation, I was able to drive the car back to my house and then to the dealer for repair.
Also at 120K miles, a routine check on my rear brake shoes showed less than 1mm left on the linings. I was lucky to catch it in time to have it replaced and the drum re-surfaced. Since I did the replacement myself and using Toyota OEM parts, it cost me about $75 only. The original front disk pads still showed 50% wear.
Right now at 155k miles, the shifter lever gets stuck at D or R. The dealer is again asking over $500 to replaced it. Shifter assy cost over $360. A trip to a local Prius dismantling yard cost $50. The car still drivable and the shifter problem is just a minor inconvenience.
No perceived problems with the batteries (aux and main) after almost 6 years. Twice I have to go on a 3 weeks vacation and upon my return, the Prius still started normally. Should any off the batteries go dead, I will go to my local Prius yard for a replacement and save big $$$$. If I get a new one, I don't think I will still use my Prius for another 6 more years..
I am on my thrid set of tires. I am satisfied with the Goodyear Comfort Thread tires that I've used after the original Goodyear Integrity tires. It's quiet and has good road handling. Alignment still not an issue on this car.
Lastly, my mileage? Still about the same as when I got it brand new.
My wife's car is the 2010 Prius just coming upon 5k miles. It is getting 53.2 MPG and is a much, much roomier and more comfortable ride. It does great cross-country drives.
So we are a two Prius family with a Coachman RV ... need to run it about once a year just to keep it from rusting up solid.
Bob Wilson
I contacted Toyota corporate, and they've advised me that their position is that this is considered normal. This in spite of the fact that my dealer's service manager states that this is not what he considers a normal or typical odor for a Prius. (I've seen reports of odors from battery gassing and mildew in the A/C....this is neither.)
Toyota's stance is that my burning eyes and other adverse reactions are my own personal health issues, despite the svc mgr confirming that the car gave =him= a headache. Toyota has agreed to schedule a field svc tech to look at the car, which could take up to a month. In the interim, they've stated it's my problem, and they will neither provide a loaner vehicle nor otherwise help.
I've only found one other report of this type of odor, and am hoping others can confirm the experience. Toytota's stance is that I'm welcome to file suit and/or go to the media, but they are unwilling to do anything more. :lemon:
3rd set of tires....3rd set of wipers (all around)....regular oil changes every 5-6K miles.....(to my amazment) same brakes.....tranny is super smooth and that too is so unexpected by comparison with other cars I've had thru the yrs. I've heard of several PRIUS hybrids with over 150K miles and running strong. One last note....This is the 1st car that I've owned that has litterally been trouble free for 6 yrs. Can't say that of any other of my 50 plus cars from the past. Oh! I still get 47-49 mpg's most of the time. Take good care of a Prius and it will take good care of you.
It takes a long time to develop a reputation but only a short time to lose it and that is a truism. Toyota developed their reputation before the internet was as pervasive. Stories on forums such as this at Edmunds and those such as the floor mats jamming accelerator, etc will chip away very quickly at the reputation. If I was Toyota I'd have someone on this and resolve it to your total satisfaction. Those who have problems today have a voice and if they feel wronged they will use it again and again.
If there is another problem I'm not aware of then perhaps there in lies other issues. I would also note that the Lexus seems to have other technical issues that I've seen in other bulletins.
We also bought a 2010 Prius, new last Spring, my wife's car. We're only at 9.5k miles but couldn't be happier. It is the errands and out of town trip car.
Bob Wilson
I agree with someone who mentioned that the beige interior shows all the dirt and stains. Mine looks pretty rough. I will not get that interior color again. I also looked at the floor mats after I got the notice from Toyota last Fall. I don't see how it could be a problem as long as you have the mats that came with the car, and keep them hooked in place.
I wouldn't trade my Prius for anything. I'm going to keep it for as long as it runs. It has been great reading all these posts by other happy Prius owners.
I have 115K on my 2007. My 07 is a silverpine/bisque package 6 (leather, NAV) and have had the headlamps problem - the two HIDs were replaced by Toyota (one went at 88K, the other at 92k) and when it hit 114K, my check engine light came on and stayed on. Turned out to be a bad ECU. Toyota replaced that free (the part that is, I paid labor) and otherwise, no other problems. I consider it to be almost problem free! And, for 115K high-speed miles on the 405 freeway, it's been a very reliable car!
Dianne
Note: The dash computer issue must be addressed in one other fashon. Too complex and also way too many controls under it's computer...thus when it goes out you are helpless to operate the; fan speed, temp, AC, direction of compartment air, etc. Come on Toyota......Get smart! ...K I S S: Keep It Simple Silly.
Jumping the battery is easy if you use the special terminal under the hood not the actual 12V battery down under in the back. It only has to be connected for a few seconds until the computer starts when the big traction battery takes over.