New Owner Questions

jcthayer · 03-24-2008, 01:48 AM

Hi there,

We are jazzed to have a new Prius Touring 2008, Magnetic Gray (had for 3 days now!); we love our car. We have several questions: why doesn't Toyota install the skid plate, chassis stabilizer bar and the undercarriage bar as standard on it's Prius'? Does adding them affect my warranty? If we purchase these items (they sound rather important) will my Toyota dealer put these on, if we request it?

We were told that darkening the rear windows make negatively affect the GPS system etc. Any ideas on this?

Also the shark fin antenna is awesome; but does it affect reception negatively or postively?

Thanks to anyone that can answer any of these questions.

Constance and John

Bill Merchant · 03-24-2008, 02:47 AM

Welcome to PriusChat, Constance and John! The Search function (third link from the right at the top of the page) can help you find answers.

The BT Tech parts were not developed by Toyota, so they don't put them on as standard. They would add some cost too. If you buy them and add them to your Prius you will not affect your Toyota warranty at all. Your Toyota dealer will probably put them on (and charge you, of course) but any mechanic, or even yourself, can do it.

The GPS antenna is under the plastic dash near the windshield, so even metallic tint won't block the signal, unless you put dark tint on your windshield (which is illegal).

Radio reception with the shark fin antenna depends on how strong the broadcast station is. The shark fin antenna is smaller, so reception of weaker stations will be poorer than with the standard whip antenna.

Happy reading on PriusChat and congratulations on your new car!

jcthayer · 03-24-2008, 06:50 PM

Hi Bill,

Love the forehead artwork; now that is cool.

Thank you for responding to our queries; your answers will help us make some upcoming decisions; we appreciate hearing from you.

On the tinting, we were planning to only do the rear passenger and rear window and just a bit darker or not; still trying to decide; any ideas?

I will check the SEARCH function after I finish this note.

Thanks,

Constance and John

Bill Merchant · 03-25-2008, 02:12 AM

You'll be fine with the tinting you want. CA doesn't allow front windows or windshield to be tinted and I think the legal limit is 35% for the other windows. Search for Tint and California and you'll see lots of discussion.

I have HSD on the brain...

03-24-2008, 01:48 AM	#1
jcthayer Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: santa barbara Posts: 2 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	New Owner Questions Hi there, We are jazzed to have a new Prius Touring 2008, Magnetic Gray (had for 3 days now!); we love our car. We have several questions: why doesn't Toyota install the skid plate, chassis stabilizer bar and the undercarriage bar as standard on it's Prius'? Does adding them affect my warranty? If we purchase these items (they sound rather important) will my Toyota dealer put these on, if we request it? We were told that darkening the rear windows make negatively affect the GPS system etc. Any ideas on this? Also the shark fin antenna is awesome; but does it affect reception negatively or postively? Thanks to anyone that can answer any of these questions. Constance and John

03-24-2008, 02:47 AM	#2
Bill Merchant absit invidia Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA \| Oregon \| Portland area \| 97004 \| Posts: 3,925 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 6 Times in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 1 Friends: 47	Re: New Owner Questions Welcome to PriusChat, Constance and John! The Search function (third link from the right at the top of the page) can help you find answers. The BT Tech parts were not developed by Toyota, so they don't put them on as standard. They would add some cost too. If you buy them and add them to your Prius you will not affect your Toyota warranty at all. Your Toyota dealer will probably put them on (and charge you, of course) but any mechanic, or even yourself, can do it. The GPS antenna is under the plastic dash near the windshield, so even metallic tint won't block the signal, unless you put dark tint on your windshield (which is illegal). Radio reception with the shark fin antenna depends on how strong the broadcast station is. The shark fin antenna is smaller, so reception of weaker stations will be poorer than with the standard whip antenna. Happy reading on PriusChat and congratulations on your new car! __________________ Bill Bill.Merchant@PortlandHSD.info 2007 NL 5 Silver Wraith 2005 BC 6 Silver Cloud Portland Area HSD Meetup Group: PortlandHSD.info Become carbon neutral: Carbonfund.org or TerraPass.com

03-24-2008, 06:50 PM	#3
jcthayer Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: santa barbara Posts: 2 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Shade of Tint for Windows Hi Bill, Love the forehead artwork; now that is cool. Thank you for responding to our queries; your answers will help us make some upcoming decisions; we appreciate hearing from you. On the tinting, we were planning to only do the rear passenger and rear window and just a bit darker or not; still trying to decide; any ideas? I will check the SEARCH function after I finish this note. Thanks, Constance and John

03-25-2008, 02:12 AM	#4
Bill Merchant absit invidia Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA \| Oregon \| Portland area \| 97004 \| Posts: 3,925 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 6 Times in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 1 Friends: 47	Re: New Owner Questions You'll be fine with the tinting you want. CA doesn't allow front windows or windshield to be tinted and I think the legal limit is 35% for the other windows. Search for Tint and California and you'll see lots of discussion. I have HSD on the brain...