Warning Indicators - Too far away?

[chris_b_01]

Not having a Prius myself... I need to ask this

It seems like those warning indicators up in the top middle dash are far away from the driver. Can they be easily understood and seen while driving if they come on?

My car now (Ford) has them like most cars next to the speedometer

Can anyone post pics from the driver's perspective that show one lit up?

In anticipation of my own Prius to play with!


Chris

[cybele]

Originally posted by chris_b_01
It seems like those warning indicators up in the top middle dash are far away from the driver. Can they be easily understood and seen while driving if they come on?

I've not seen many of the alerts light up - other then their little test mode on startup.

But I can say that I like the heads up display and have had no trouble adapting to finding everything I need to know up there. (It tells you when your lights are on, the defroster, seat belts unlatched, AC on, recirculate, no keyfob, etc.) The color system is intuitive - blue/green for info and orange or red for alerts.

The symbols are very clear and large (but not too large, considering the distance).

If someone else doesn't post them, I'll try to get some photos this weekend.

[jasond]

Originally posted by chris_b_01
Not having a Prius myself... I need to ask this

It seems like those warning indicators up in the top middle dash are far away from the driver. Can they be easily understood and seen while driving if they come on?

My car now (Ford) has them like most cars next to the speedometer

Can anyone post pics from the driver's perspective that show one lit up?

In anticipation of my own Prius to play with!

Are you talking about the actual warnings, or the "defroster is on" light?

The defroster lights are clear when you look for them, and unnoticeable when you don't, which is good.

The alert lights almost never come on. I'm pretty sure there was a "bong" sound the one time I saw one come on (low fuel), and then it was hard to miss.

I find myself glancing at that panel every few minutes anyway, to be sure all the airflow/cruise options are where I think they are.

In short, I've had no problems with any of the display elements. And the spedometer is great, because I always have it obscured by the steering wheel in other cars.

[chris_b_01]

Yes the warnings.... it's good that there is a noise too that goes along with the light

Why would the speed readout be off to the right a bit

Wouldn't the location be better right in front of the driver?


Chris

[rflagg]

Personally my guess (if it is off to the right a bit, I can't recall right now) is that it's sort of in line when your eye falls to the MFD screen. The speedometer is *great* where it's at as far as I'm concerned, I spent way too much time in my past car checking my speed and not having my eyes on the road, where as in this car you can do both at the same time. I do think you'll find yourself looking at the MFD more though than your speed, in attempts to increase your MPG output.

-m.

[cybele]

Originally posted by chris_b_01
Wouldn't the location be better right in front of the driver?

The more urgent warnings are closer to the speedometer and will be seen much easier. The more superfluous information (most of which is duplicated in the screens if you use them) is off to the right, like the AC and defroster lights.

[randalla]

I have no problem with the heads up display for the speedo and warning lights. I got used to them quickly and am now quite comfortable with them. I would have liked to have some virtual gauges added to the MFD for ICE conditions such as coolant temp/oil pressure/tachometer. I would have also liked to have seen backlighting on the buttons on the steering wheel. Perhaps someone at Toyota is reading this and agreeing with me! :wink:

[Jon]

I've triggered the Triangle of Doom at least 3 times and when theres a problem with the car, you KNOW it.

Try opening the drivers door while the car is in drive and you'll get an idea of its capacity for warning.

Unless you were asking about something else...

-Jon

---
PriusXM
www.priusxm.com

[mikepaul]

I think I saw either the VSC or traction control light blink yesterday, when I pulled away from a stop sign and at least one of the front tires spun on the wet road. Went out too fast for me to see more than a flash.

I really wish someone would come up with a way highway departments could cheaply de-rubberize spots like that. Past standing-starts leave rubber, which gets really slippery when wet...

[diode]

Originally posted by mikepaul
I think I saw either the VSC or traction control light blink yesterday, when I pulled away from a stop sign and at least one of the front tires spun on the wet road.  Went out too fast for me to see more than a flash.

I really wish someone would come up with a way highway departments could cheaply de-rubberize spots like that.  Past standing-starts leave rubber, which gets really slippery when wet...

What I think is the problem is the paint they use for the white lines. When water gets on that paint it is very slippery, and it is right in front of your tires when you try to accellerate. They should use a gravel or pebble based paint instead of the fine chalky substance they use.