Has anyone compiled a list of must-know info...

[allidavie]

This is such a general topic/idea that I didn't even know how to search for it, but I was wondering if anyone had compiled a list of the top/must know tips for new Prius owners (or if maybe we could start one here with links to the relevant, already-existing threads?). I just picked up my new Prius today (Silver #7) and this info gathered in one place would be so helpful... but I can't figure out what I need to know because, erm, I don't know what I need to know yet. Thanks!

[aaf709]

Outside of a "Prius For Dummies" book, there is http://wiki.ehow.com/Category:Toyota-Prius and http://john1701a.com/

[allidavie]

Y'know, when I picked my car up today I made a joke about whether someone had written Prius for Dummies yet. Thanks for the links aaf709!

In the meantime, I found another thread here on PC that might be helpful for newbies like me... I will keep posting any new ones I find (if people think this is a worthwhile endeavor, that is).

Info on breaking in the engine:
http://priuschat.com/Just-got-your-Prius-t14398.html

[richard schumacher]

1. Read the owner's manual. (It's not as clear as it could or should have been but most of what you need is in there.)

2. When the last gas gauge pip starts to flash it means "buy gas right now, dammit". (The fuel tank bladder varies in capacity. Therefore the driver cannot know how much gas is left in the tank by estimating from the amount put in at the last fill and the distance driven since then. Almost daily we see posts from people who got stuck somewhere with warning lights flashing becasue they assumed that they could drive another 10 or 100 miles after the gauge started to flash. Learn from their example. Don't repeat that mistake.)

3. At an oil change put in 3.0 to 3.5 quarts of oil, *not* 3.9 quarts. (The owner's manual and apparently the shop service manual are misleading-to-wrong on this point: the system capacity is 3.9 quarts, but oil sticks to the inside of the engine and so some of it never drains out. Thus one must put in less than 3.9 quarts during an oil change.)

4. If a salesman tells you something that disagrees with the owner's manual, the salesman is almost certainly wrong. (For example: don't leave the car in "B" all the time. "B" is for going down long steep hills, to avoid riding the brakes.)

[windstrings]

Originally posted by richard schumacher@Jan 31 2006, 08:03 PM
3.  When the last gas gauge pip starts to flash it means "buy gas right now, dammit".

[snapback]201571[/snapback]

I filled up as soon as my last one started flashing.... I could only get 9.5 gallons in it... thats after letting it stop while on high flow, then the lowest flow and it stopped again.. I didnt' add any more.... that means theoretically... I still have 2.5 gallons left?
Humm...... thats about 100 miles!

[richard schumacher]

Originally posted by windstrings@Feb 1 2006, 01:58 AM
I filled up as soon as my last one started flashing.... I could only get 9.5 gallons in it... thats after letting it stop while on high flow, then the lowest flow and it stopped again.. I didnt' add any more.... that means theoretically... I still have 2.5 gallons left?
Humm...... thats about 100 miles!

[snapback]201734[/snapback]

It *would*, if there were not a bladder inside the fuel tank. In reality you cannot be sure how much is left by estimating. Buy gas when the gauge says to buy gas and you will never run out.

[Kiloran]

Members of this site also have collected much of the best information in our Toyota_Prius_FAQ.
Check it out.

[cgraham]

The "must know" facts for new Prius owners are not obvious or gathered together in one place to my knowledge. I assume that by "must know" you mean a rapid orientation to what a person should know for basic operation immediately, and during the first few tanks.

I am compiling some information for my wife as I will be turning over the car to her, won't have an opportunity to tutor her. and she is not the kind to do her own research (you should have to do research for basic operation???).

The Prius is different enough from other cars in so many ways that a "getting started guide" is essential.

The very minimum is the valet card intended to tell you or a parking attendant the bare minimum to start, drive and park. It will get you off the dealer's lot. As soon as possible I recommend reading the Pocket Reference Guide which you should receive with the car. I think it is the most useful short document.

I am compiling a short "must know" supplement (based on limited Prius experience so far, including selected PriusChat info and info extracted (painfully) from the Manual which is not in the 1st 2 sources (or bears repeating). Almost every day I revise it based on something I learn, but it is short by design.

These three sources are selected to convey essential information and nothing else.

I do NOT recommend starting with the Manual. It is very long, totally tedious, hard to follow, and porly organized. If you read the Manual thoroughly, you would not drive the car for two days. It does, however, contain important information. It is best used as as a reference - e.g. for "How do I..."

The OP asked only for the "top/must know tips for new Prius owners", which I interpret as "what do I need to get started?" Some valuable information or links have been posted on this thread, but while helpful, I don't think they address the question - they are either too limited, or too detailed.

C

[Jack 06]

Congratulations on your Prius! (You may have posted "I got it! on another thread, but I haven't run into it.)

[cgraham]

Originally posted by Jack 06@Feb 2 2006, 03:16 AM
Congratulations on your Prius!  (You may have posted "I got it! on another thread, but I haven't run into it.)

[snapback]202436[/snapback]

Thank you, Jack. I see you are flashing a red beauty yourself - I was meaning to ask when you got it: about the same time as mine, I suspect. hope you are happy with it. Tell me about it.

You must have missed my (semi-vent) thread: "prep clowns". ( didn't think you missed anything, except sleep).

I picked mine up Jan 26. I'm certainly please with mine: it has everything I need, except I was surprised a tinted windshield is not stock. (I know, assumptions, assumptions). We have some severe glare in NM.

!st tank was 42.8 and climbing: a good sign I think. I know not to get excited about 1st tanks. But it already beats the opposition. Maybe the holy grail after a tank or two. I'm delightes with the effective use of technology, the many features, driveability, and the roominess. The brakes are great.

The car definaely leans to the left on L curves (have not noticed it on R yet), but as I used to drive a motorcycle with side cat, which suffers from strange centrifgal forces, I can handle it. I may add a BT stiffening plate, which I read helps a lot. Maybe different tires next time around.

I'm sufficiently impressed to have cleaned out the garage and installed a door opener: that says a LOT!

I bought a largish barbecue last night which came in a startlingly large box. To my surprise, the great maw of a hatch swallowed it with only slight indigestion after putting the seats down: a bungee cord held the hatch down. No problems.

I don't think I'm going to want to give this car to Flora. A '96 Corolla is going to be a bit of a come-down.

Did you like the State of the Union address? I alreadk KNEW the Union is in a state, so didn't bother to listen. I was particularly amused by remarks about weaning from oil dependency, considering the source. 'Nuff said.

Regards, Charlie