PriusChat Forums - Gen II Prius Technical Discussion http://priuschat.com/forums/ Come discuss the technical ins and outs of the 2nd Generation 2004-2009 Toyota Prius and the Hybrid Synergy Drive System. en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:10:36 GMT vBulletin 60 http://priuschat.com/forums/images/silk/misc/rss.jpg PriusChat Forums - Gen II Prius Technical Discussion http://priuschat.com/forums/ ScanGauge II fillup reset do it or not (for relative MPG tracking)? http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/72346-scangauge-ii-fillup-reset-do-not-relative-mpg-tracking.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:48:05 GMT I have been diligently recording the average trip MPG and other trip parameters reported by ScanGauge II at the end of each trip. I never reset the... I have been diligently recording the average trip MPG and other trip parameters reported by ScanGauge II at the end of each trip. I never reset the MFD MPG - I want to use it as a lifetime MPG estimator (in addition to calculating total miles divided by total fuel pumped). So I use the ScanGauge trip MPG to give me feedback on fuel economy for each trip.

At each fillup the ScanGauge II has been quite accurate in determining the fuel used so I didn't have to change the amount of fuel added - until the last tank, ScanGauge thought I used 8 gal. but I could only pump in 7.8 gal (this was after the auto shut off, I pumped again and soon afterward it auto shut off again. In the past I never pumped again after auto shut off). This maybe the first encounter of the notorious bladder problem for me.

My question is how does the ScanGauge II calibrates itself with the fillup data. Does it remember all the previous fillup data or just the last fillup? In the former case I think it is better to enter the fillup data and the noise introduced by the bladder problem will be averaged out, but in the latter case it may be better not to enter the fillup data so that we can avoid the noise introduced by the bladder problem (and pump variation for that matter). ]]> Gen II Prius Technical Discussion 2009Prius http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/72346-scangauge-ii-fillup-reset-do-not-relative-mpg-tracking.html Parking Brake (?) Noises On Start-Up http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/72339-parking-brake-noises-start-up.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:24:06 GMT Every time I start up my 07 Prius, I do this in order:
1. Brake peddle pushed in,
2. Push 'Start' button,
3. Release parking brake,
4. Shift into gear & go.

I'm pretty sure when I release the p. brake I get this really strange noise. Like a chirping (maybe 3-4 times), but kind of matches a sound when you shut down the car. I had the parking brake adjusted a while back and it when away, then it started up again, little by little, until it's very noticeable. I had the dealer look at it just before the warranty ran out, but of course it didn't (hardly) make the sound. Maybe just a 1/4 sec sound, just once and he didn't hear it :( go figure!

Anyone know what this could be? Maybe I should do a sound bite with my camera.. lol ]]> Gen II Prius Technical Discussion txtabby http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/72339-parking-brake-noises-start-up.html cheap fix for HID headlight problem? http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/72234-cheap-fix-hid-headlight-problem.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:17:35 GMT I have not made any headway working with Toyota on fixing my HID headlights going out. Now BOTH are going out at the same time so it's time to take action. I would like to replace the HID bulbs and wiring to use cheaper halogen bulbs. Has anyone ever done this conversion? New wiring harness and the boot that connects to the headlight pod will probably need to be changed. I figured I can fix it this way for a lot cheaper than the $1000+ HID replacement. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Scott ]]> Gen II Prius Technical Discussion wpack98 http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/72234-cheap-fix-hid-headlight-problem.html FOB issues for a newbie http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/72156-fob-issues-newbie.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:40:27 GMT Just got an 08 not real sure what package I have


My FOB issue is that one of my FOB's works great. The other has issues. It will not lock or unlock the car doors. If you attempt to power the car without it in its key slot it gives you a key warning on the dash. I have replaced the internal battery in the FOB, same thing. Any ideas?
Thanks ]]> Gen II Prius Technical Discussion fadec http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/72156-fob-issues-newbie.html 300 bucks for a Block Heater http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/72142-300-bucks-block-heater.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:32:22 GMT I didn't have the time or mechanical confidence to install an EBH myself so I forked out a box of cash to have the dealer install it for me. It took a long time, so I guess I made the right decision. After a winter with it I don't think I will ever earn back the money in fuel savings.
In deep cold it seems that I reach stage III temperatures just a bit farther down the road with the block heater off, so why did I spend all this money?
I've been using the EBH on mornings where the temperatures are above freezing, and between short trips, to keep the engine warm, and I think that's where the savings might be. It's surprising just how fast our little engine cools off when parked, and when gliding in cool weather.
I have two plugs for my car, one on a timer that starts the EBH at 5 am (why heat the engine all night?) and the other is plugged in at all times for those 1 hour parks between short trips. By using the EBH to keep the engine warm I am able to re-enter Stage III without coming to a stop, which I find to be a complete pain.
My biggest problem has been to remember to unplug the block heater before backing down my driveway. Nothing is worse than getting to work and finding the cord hanging, a victim of being wrenched apart. To solve this, one of my kids' stuffed animals adorns my wiper control stick, blocking the power button when the car's plugged in. Goofy but effective.
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]]> Gen II Prius Technical Discussion nyty-nyt http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/72142-300-bucks-block-heater.html CVT control not truly continuous? http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/71935-cvt-control-not-truly-continuous.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:44:22 GMT 45 MPH, the CVT control does not seem truly continuous. At some low pressure position on the accelerator pedal, the...]]> For highway driving, say, speed > 45 MPH, the CVT control does not seem truly continuous. At some low pressure position on the accelerator pedal, the so called superhighway mode, the instantaneous MPG on the MFD shows, say, 75 MPG. With an ever so slight increase of pressure on the accelerator pedal, the instantaneous MPG would make a quantum jump down to, say, 63 MPG. Then with an ever so slight decrease of pressure on the pedal, it jumps back up to 75 MPG. I think the ICE RPM also jumps up and down correspondingly although ScanGauge is too slow to show the jump, just the change. This behavior is very similar to "changing gears" although we all know the PSD is continuous (as long as the ICE is outputting power).

Why is there such quantum jumps? Which part of the control system introduces such large quantization? ]]> Gen II Prius Technical Discussion 2009Prius http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/71935-cvt-control-not-truly-continuous.html Changing navigation DVD http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/71913-changing-navigation-dvd.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:26:27 GMT I have a 2006 Prius with the most expensive package that one could buy at that time. I took the car to my dealer recently and asked them to upgrade... I have a 2006 Prius with the most expensive package that one could buy at that time. I took the car to my dealer recently and asked them to upgrade the navigation DVD. They told me that they don't do that and don't know how.
I am buying the upgrade DVD from another dealer but do not know how to insert it.
I started the car motor, took off the cover on the navigation device under the driver seat and then pressed the only button that I saw on this device.
Nothing happened. No changer opened and no DVD was visible anywhere.
How do I change the Navigation DVD?
Thanks ]]> Gen II Prius Technical Discussion volkerbradley http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/71913-changing-navigation-dvd.html <![CDATA[I-5 California>Grapevine]]> http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/71890-i-5-california-grapevine.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:03:04 GMT Would like to know about experiences driving up the Grapevine heading south on I-5 with the Prius.:) Would like to know about experiences driving up the Grapevine heading south on I-5 with the Prius.:) ]]> Gen II Prius Technical Discussion warrior http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/71890-i-5-california-grapevine.html Strange part found in rear storage compartment what is it? http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/71850-strange-part-found-in-rear-storage-compartment-what.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:10:40 GMT :) :) ]]> Gen II Prius Technical Discussion docbooks http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/71850-strange-part-found-in-rear-storage-compartment-what.html homelink help http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/71820-homelink-help.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:09:31 GMT can someone give me some pionters on setting up the hlink garage door opener setting? i followed the instrutctions in the toyo manual and cannot get... can someone give me some pionters on setting up the hlink garage door opener setting? i followed the instrutctions in the toyo manual and cannot get it to work? the genie open is hlink capatible. thanks in advance ]]> Gen II Prius Technical Discussion pappyt http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/71820-homelink-help.html Transmission Question. Is the the ICE still coupled to the planetry gear when ICE is off? http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/71804-transmission-question-ice-still-coupled-planetry-gear-when-ice-off.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:50:57 GMT I was just wondering if the Engine output shaft is still coupled to the planet carrier of the power split gears when the prius is in all electric... I was just wondering if the Engine output shaft is still coupled to the planet carrier of the power split gears when the prius is in all electric mode.

Does the planet carrier just stop (and mg1 freewheel) or is there a clutch or something that decouples the planet carrier and lets it freewheel in this mode? ]]> Gen II Prius Technical Discussion uart http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/71804-transmission-question-ice-still-coupled-planetry-gear-when-ice-off.html why in Toyota Prius, ICE connected with planet-carrier,sun with generator and Motor with Ring? http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/71739-why-in-toyota-prius-ice-connected-planet-carrier-sun-generator-motor-ring.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:42:12 GMT why in Toyota Prius, ICE connected with planet-carrier,sun with generator and Motor with Ring? Why not other configuartion because 6 possiblities... why in Toyota Prius, ICE connected with planet-carrier,sun with generator and Motor with Ring?
Why not other configuartion because 6 possiblities are possible?
Regards ]]> Gen II Prius Technical Discussion sajjoo5 http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/71739-why-in-toyota-prius-ice-connected-planet-carrier-sun-generator-motor-ring.html MFD failure...need help in Australia http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/71664-mfd-failure-need-help-in-australia.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:43:19 GMT I've got another one of those Display Failures in my 2003 prius, which of course is not covered by warranty.

I'm in Bunbury (near Perth) and am hoping to hear from anyone who can help me sort this out without being way out of pocket. Does anyone have a corporate contact here in Australia that we might be able to take this issue to?

Is the Technical Service Bulletin EL002-05 the only TSB on the MFD or is there another one I can show to the dealers?

I cant understand why Toyota, who knows about the problem, will not just extend the warranty out. It's so frustrating, it makes me regret having a Prius. Errr...

Thanks in advance for any advice,
Cindy ]]> Gen II Prius Technical Discussion clochore http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/71664-mfd-failure-need-help-in-australia.html How do you remove the rear interior plastic http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/71629-how-do-you-remove-rear-interior-plastic.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:44:57 GMT Prius 2008 pk 6 Some one borrowed (permanently) my Calif license plate, by removing the two easy to remove Phillip heads screws - that came with... Prius 2008 pk 6

Some one borrowed (permanently) my Calif license plate, by removing the two easy to remove Phillip heads screws - that came with the car.

By the way DMV charged me $19 for another license plate. Kind a made me feel, like I was getting robbed for being robbed - but that's another story.

I was going to try to replace the new license plate with a bolt and a nut, with the nut being on the inside of the car. But in order to do this I need to remove the interior trim just behind the license plate.

I have called 3 Toyota service dealers and none of them seem to have a clue as to how it comes off. Either they want me to come in and create a bill or they were really ignorant of the removal. I figure that if the dash can be taken apart by tugging and snatching, the back cover should be a snap. One of them mentioned just pulling on it - but had never done it himself.

I am too shy and too tight to want to break something on my car. So, I bought security bolts instead. Though I feel that they can be treated like the Phillip head screws.

Any suggestions from some one who has removed the interior plastic behind the license plate?

Thanks,
Ray
:o ]]> Gen II Prius Technical Discussion rayxoxo http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/71629-how-do-you-remove-rear-interior-plastic.html Gen II -- Why No Hood Leading-Edge Gap Seal? The Gen III has it! http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/71617-gen-ii-why-no-hood-leading-edge-gap-seal-gen-iii-has.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:21:03 GMT I pull into a parking space between two 2009 Camrys (Camries?)
Just for fun, I get out and look at them really closely.
Whoa! What's this? There's a gasket sealing the ~3/8 inch gap between
the leading edge of the hoods and the bodywork. Its outer surface is
effectively flush with the body work and the hood... a smooth
transition between the two. Interesting.

Attachment 19770

I check the hood-upper grill gap on Amapola. It's about 5/16 inch, no
gasket. Open hood; no gasket anywhere in sight.

Check other Toyotas near by:
* Gen III has a ~1/8 inch gap and a gasket, again with a nearly flush fit.
* Recent Corolla has ~1/4 inch gap and a gasket, and a nearly flush fit.

Why should Gen II drivers care?

To help retain heat in the engine bay in the cold months I have both
upper and lower grill blocks. Additionally, I'm seeing some FE/MPG
improvement from using hadiant heat barrier/reflector. More on this
here:

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-p...or-gen-ii.html

I see the gaping 5/16 inch gap between the blocked upper grill and the
hood as a way for unwanted cold air to be jammed into the engine
bay, where I don't want it.

What to do?

I could buy some of the Camry gasketing. It is a very soft, hollow "P"
shape.Not all that expensive, ~ $22 -- I've found nothing in this shape
at the local Auto Zone, Pep Boys, etc.:

Wholesale Toyota Parts

Or, I could block it with a slice of the water pipe insulation material I
already use. Cost, ~ $0.00

In addition to blocking the air, I want a smooth transition, like the
other cars. I'm thinking I am more likely to get it with the Camry
gasket than with the pipe insulation.

Constructive comments, observations, etc, are welcome.
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]]> Gen II Prius Technical Discussion Rokeby http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/71617-gen-ii-why-no-hood-leading-edge-gap-seal-gen-iii-has.html