A few answers to your questions...

[Prius Team]

Many of you have raised questions on the forums or at the Prius Connection events that we needed to investigate. We have a bit more information and wanted to share the latest with you. A few answers are still being investigated and as they become available, we'll be sure to post more info.
Thanks for your patience,
Erica & Doug

1. Does the Traffic on the Nav require an extra subscription fee beyond the normal Sat Radio? Yes, there are different subscription levels, see below for pricing from the XM site: XM Radio Only: XM Everything -- $12.95/mo XM Radio Only: XM Everything Plus The Best of SIRIUS -- $16.99/mo XM Radio + XM NavTraffic -- $16.94/mo (add Best of SIRIUS for an additional $4.04/mo). 90 day trial period is typically offered and some dealerships might have special offers as well.
2. Bluetooth Streaming with iphone? The iphone is not compatible, this is an Apple constraint, not a Toyota Navi issue.
3. Replacement costs of the LEDs? We do not have this information at this time. Closer to or at launch would be the time at which we’d know more about parts/service.
4. Navi: still DVD based system? Any easier to get updates? Yes, it's still DVD based and yes customers can buy map updates, usually every Fall from their dealership.
5. Safety Connect: can you add this later (retrofit)? No, unfortunately this is not possible. Safety Connect will be available on select Prius models beginning Fall 2009.
6. Will the new Prius use synthetic oil? I use synthetic now and have no problems, have you heard of any? No, the new Prius will not call for synthetic oil. And for current owners using synthetic oil, there seems to be no issues using it but it is unnecessary. The engine is very low stress, low RPM, and friction. Older engine seals may leak with synthetics due to smaller molecule size but haven't heard of issues with Prius.
7. Is it common to get static when listening to the AM radio in '04 & '05 vehicles? There were two running changes to fix this...improved antenna cable from the radio to the A-pillar and improved antenna mast assembly. These were improved at the start of the '06 Prius. The dealer can order these parts and replace the old ones to resolve the issue.
8. What is the engine break in period? Can I drive it across country right away? To extend the life of the vehicle, the following precautions are recommended: 1 - For the fist 200 miles, avoid sudden stops, 2 - For the first 600 miles do not drive at extremely high speeds, avoid sudden acceleration and do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods of time. (What this means is that for the first 600 miles it's better to drive at varying speeds without going extremely fast.)
9. Does the key constantly communicate to the vehicle like the CG Prius? And will the battery loose power quickly? In the following circumstances, the entry function is disabled in order to prevent the key from discharging: When the entry function has not been used for 5 days or more and when the key has been left within 3 ft of the vehicle for 10 mins or more.
10. On the display, is there a distance to empty icon? There is a small Prius with arrows pointing to a gas pump. It represents the miles you have left until empty or in other words, your cruising range.
11. What are the main differences between Gen 5 and Gen 6 Navi? A few of the key upgrades and features that come with the new Generation of Navi are: the ability to receive XM Traffic (additional subscription required), enhanced Bluetooth Phone Operation (including music streaming via Bluetooth), improved voice interface using simpler voice menus and better phone book transfers. Points of Interest are easier to input and find, and English/French and Spanish are now supported. Compatible phones that function fully with the 09MY vehicles’ hands-free systems can be found at http://toyota.letstalk.com for reference, and I would imagine the MY10 will be added to this site at some point soon. With Gen 6 Navi, the system will announce the actual street name prior to the turn using text-to-speech technology. Previous Destinations and Cell Phone Call History are now unlocked and accessible while driving.
12. Why isn’t the backup camera offered without the Navi? The current Multi-Information Display is not set up for a backup camera monitor. Therefore additional costs would have been associated with making the display capable of showing the camera’s image. In an effort to keep the base Prius costs and pricing lower for our customers, the backup monitor is only offered through the Navigation package in 2010 Prius.
13. Can I change out the 17” wheels on a Prius V to either 15” or 16” wheels or will they not support the advanced technology package weight? To our knowledge, there are no weight issues in supporting the advanced technology package and your local dealer can simply replace your 17” wheels with 15 or 16s.
14. The 2010 Prius is equipped with reduction gear between MG2 and sun gear. We know Camry/Highlander Hybrid uses the single-stage reduction gear (gear ratio is fixed 2.478) and Lexus GS450h/LS600h uses the two-stage reduction gears (gear ratio is 1.900 and 3.900). Does the 2010 Prius have the single-stage or two-stage? What are the gear ratios? 2010 Prius has a single stage and the gear ratio is 2.636.

[qbee42]

Thanks Prius Team. We appreciate the information.

Tom

[hybridtwins]

Originally Posted by Prius Team

-edit-

Bluetooth Streaming with iphone? The iphone is not compatible, this is an Apple constraint, not a Toyota Navi issue.

-edit-

The iPhone doesn't support Bluetooth streaming natively, but there are adapters available:

RXS: RedShift

Has anyone tried this?

[danl]

Wow this is really great update, clear and concise on the details. Thanks prius team!

[powrfuel]

sorry....are you telling me my iphone bluetooth WONT sync with the bluetooth in the 2010?

[a priori]

Thanks, Erica and Doug. Well done.

I have a new/old question for you about the 2010: Pricing!

I have heard just lately from a dealer to be named later (no, not named at all) that the 2010 model 1223 (Prius package II) will be priced $2,000 above the "comparable" 2009 model. I would assign the 2009 Touring Package #2 as the closest comparable model to the 2010 model 1223 (Package II). The MSRP for the 2009 is now at $25,165 for Touring Package #2, meaning the 2010 Package II would be starting at $27,165.

Of course, I had heard no pricing would be announced until at least April. Is there any chance numbers could be coming out sooner?

[ggood]

Originally Posted by powrfuel

sorry....are you telling me my iphone bluetooth WONT sync with the bluetooth in the 2010?

They are just talking about bluetooth audio streaming, i.e., wireless music connection between the iphone and the car stereo. Apple doesn't support that yet, but there may be some 3rd party adaptors that make this possible. All other bluetooth phone functions, including hands free operation and phone book transfers, will work.

[ggood]

[QUOTE=Prius Team;811375][*]Safety Connect: can you add this later (retrofit)? No, unfortunately this is not possible. Safety Connect will be available on select Prius models beginning Fall 2009.

Not something I care about or would be likely to subscribe to, but it's odd every car wold not come prewired for this, or be capable of retro fit, if Toyota wants to promote use of the service and get economies of scale.

[*]Can I change out the 17” wheels on a Prius V to either 15” or 16” wheels or will they not support the advanced technology package weight? To our knowledge, there are no weight issues in supporting the advanced technology package and your local dealer can simply replace your 17” wheels with 15 or 16s.

In the discussion of turning radius, it came out that the turning angle is slightly less for the 17". Sorry, I forget the terminology for the widgets that control the turning angle of the wheel. I got the impression changing the wheels would be slightly more complicated than just bolting on a new wheel, since the widgets controlling that angle of turn would also have to be adjusted. Did I misunderstand?

[Bill Merchant]

It's a matter of clearance, ggood. The maximum turn angle of the front wheels with 17" rims is limited to keep the tires from rubbing in the wheel wells. Swap 15" for 17" and there's no problem; if the 17" didn't rub, the 15" won't rub either. A car originally equipped with 15" rims has a smaller turning circle than a car originally equipped with 17" rims. If you change the 17" to 15", the turning circle stays the same.

However, the odometer, trip meters, and MPG calculations may be thrown off if the wheels are much different in circumference...

[ggood]

Originally Posted by Bill Merchant

It's a matter of clearance, ggood. The maximum turn angle of the front wheels with 17" rims is limited to keep the tires from rubbing in the wheel wells. Swap 15" for 17" and there's no problem; if the 17" didn't rub, the 15" won't rub either. A car originally equipped with 15" rims has a smaller turning circle than a car originally equipped with 17" rims. If you change the 17" to 15", the turning circle stays the same.

However, the odometer, trip meters, and MPG calculations may be thrown off if the wheels are much different in circumference...

Right, but you'd be stuck with the higher turning radius if you didn't make adjustments? Also, going from 15 to 17 (as some people want to do) would require adjustments, right? The available information says they are using low profile tires on the 17" to keep the circumferences close.