2 Questions For A 2 Day Prius Owner

Genoz World · 03-03-2008, 10:49 AM

Hi People!

I just got my BLACK #6 PACKAGE two days ago, thanks to everyone here, i managed to get a good deal and i'm relatively happy.....BUT..........

#1) why are the foglights so dim? it looks like a weak flashlight. can i get a intense bulb that will make this fog lamp more effective??

#2) driving only about 30 miles so far, the computer says that i am only getting 37 mpg. am i doing something wrong?

thanks!!!! please help me.

qbee42 · 03-03-2008, 10:59 AM

The fog lights are dim. They are mostly for decoration, although they do a small amount of good in bad weather.

You're doing okay with mileage. Just drive and it will improve with time, weather, and technique.

Tom

sugar land dave · 03-03-2008, 11:08 AM

It takes some time to learn to drive a hybrid efficiently. You can help learn faster by reading the stickey posts which the hypermilers, greenmilers, and longterm owners have posted in these forums. If it was made into a stickey post, you can bet it is filled with good information.

**efusco** · 03-03-2008, 11:26 AM

1) Yes, they're dim and mostly accent lights moreso than true fog lights. You CAN, however, replace the bulbs and I've done so. I replaced mine with some 80W White Lightnings and they are brighter, but more importantly they are much closer in color to my HID headlights and look like they're supposed to be there. See: 2004 Prius Light Upgrades about 1/2 way down the page

2) Don't sweat the mpg...you're playing, you're showing the car off, etc. Go to the Fuel economy forum here and read my article about "Why don't I get the EPA MPG", drive a tank or 3 try a few things like bumping up the tire pressure and combining trips and such and then let us know how you're doing.

Genoz World · 03-03-2008, 09:51 PM

Again, i really appreciate this forum as it is very informative.

i am really in a transition mode as my last car was a very nice, blk, 06 Cadillac STS, fully loaded. I am NOT downgrading the PRIUS, dont get me wrong, but it's just a radical change, something that i must work within my own mind.

i am not showboating my prius around, i'm driving it calmly, trying to break in the motor the right way, actually VERY docile......if i may say so.

with gas prices rising to the moon very soon and continuing, i'm just thinking about the long run. but i hope i didn't make a wrong decision about the prius.............

67GT500#2100 · 03-03-2008, 10:17 PM

Sounds like we got the same car. I got a black 2008 package #6 car last Monday. Good luck, and even at 37 mpg that you are getting now as a starting point you are saving fuel over the caddy. Soon with a little practice and strategy I am sure you'll be over 40mpg.

Texguy · 03-04-2008, 10:44 PM

No offense, but it's funny to hear someone say 'I'm only getting 37 mpg'.
I'm still on the outside looking in. My green/ash/#6 won't be here until Tuesday, so I'm currently getting 15 mpg (01 Jeep Grand Cherokee). Can't wait!, but have waited 5 weeks so far.

Katsu Curry · 05-03-2008, 07:22 PM

Hi Genoz,

congrats! I'm a new owner too (a 2004) and have spent a few hours on the forums. There are a few things that really helped me here.

One is the members put together a word and pdf document that is sort of an owner's manual for the Prius. I don't see it the link quickly. I'm sure someone else who knows the boards better might have it.

Secondly, the advice is "Just drive it". It takes a while to break in the new car and/or (in my case) new tires. The one interesting driving technique I saw that I'm going to try is called Pulse and Glide (P&G). You can read about it here:

Can you explain what P&G is???

Have a great time with your new car. I know I am.

ZC1 · 05-03-2008, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by efusco

1) Yes, they're dim and mostly accent lights moreso than true fog lights. You CAN, however, replace the bulbs and I've done so. I replaced mine with some 80W White Lightnings and they are brighter, but more importantly they are much closer in color to my HID headlights and look like they're supposed to be there. See: 2004 Prius Light Upgrades about 1/2 way down the page

Thanks efusco for that lamp tip. I appreciate it.

To the OP, let me answer a question you didn't ask.

Avoid washing/waxing/admiring your Prius for hours while the car stereo is cranking and all doors are open while in ACC mode (ACC: the first power button press when your foot is NOT on the brake)

I guess the question would be: Who is stupid enough to kill their 12v Aux battery twice within 3 days and how did you do it?

ZC1

greenlv · 05-03-2008, 08:04 PM

[quote=Genoz World;571011]Hi People!

#2) driving only about 30 miles so far, the computer says that i am only getting 37 mpg. am i doing something wrong?

Don't stress over the mpg. As the others have indicated, it takes a while to adjust to the proper driving style that will yield the greatest mileage. I'm on week 3 and my second tank and still learning. The good news is that I seem to be improving each week. I'm really impressed and happy with the car so far!!!

03-03-2008, 11:08 AM	#3
sugar land dave Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: houston Posts: 118 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	Re: 2 Questions For A 2 Day Prius Owner It takes some time to learn to drive a hybrid efficiently. You can help learn faster by reading the stickey posts which the hypermilers, greenmilers, and longterm owners have posted in these forums. If it was made into a stickey post, you can bet it is filled with good information.

03-03-2008, 11:26 AM	#4
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 13,369 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 23	Re: 2 Questions For A 2 Day Prius Owner 1) Yes, they're dim and mostly accent lights moreso than true fog lights. You CAN, however, replace the bulbs and I've done so. I replaced mine with some 80W White Lightnings and they are brighter, but more importantly they are much closer in color to my HID headlights and look like they're supposed to be there. See: 2004 Prius Light Upgrades about 1/2 way down the page 2) Don't sweat the mpg...you're playing, you're showing the car off, etc. Go to the Fuel economy forum here and read my article about "Why don't I get the EPA MPG", drive a tank or 3 try a few things like bumping up the tire pressure and combining trips and such and then let us know how you're doing. __________________ Evan E. Fusco, MD Seaside 04BC9/OEM EVb/NAV & auto-BT/XM Radio, CAN-View, Shark Fin, BT Stiff. Plate, Skid Plate & Strut Support

03-03-2008, 09:51 PM	#5
Genoz World Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: hollywood Posts: 323 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 13	Re: 2 Questions For A 2 Day Prius Owner Again, i really appreciate this forum as it is very informative. i am really in a transition mode as my last car was a very nice, blk, 06 Cadillac STS, fully loaded. I am NOT downgrading the PRIUS, dont get me wrong, but it's just a radical change, something that i must work within my own mind. i am not showboating my prius around, i'm driving it calmly, trying to break in the motor the right way, actually VERY docile......if i may say so. with gas prices rising to the moon very soon and continuing, i'm just thinking about the long run. but i hope i didn't make a wrong decision about the prius.............

03-04-2008, 10:44 PM	#7
Texguy Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Houston, Texas, USA Posts: 16 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: 2 Questions For A 2 Day Prius Owner No offense, but it's funny to hear someone say 'I'm only getting 37 mpg'. I'm still on the outside looking in. My green/ash/#6 won't be here until Tuesday, so I'm currently getting 15 mpg (01 Jeep Grand Cherokee). Can't wait!, but have waited 5 weeks so far.

05-03-2008, 07:22 PM	#8
Katsu Curry Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Isle of Denial Posts: 3 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: C Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: 2 Questions For A 2 Day Prius Owner Hi Genoz, congrats! I'm a new owner too (a 2004) and have spent a few hours on the forums. There are a few things that really helped me here. One is the members put together a word and pdf document that is sort of an owner's manual for the Prius. I don't see it the link quickly. I'm sure someone else who knows the boards better might have it. Secondly, the advice is "Just drive it". It takes a while to break in the new car and/or (in my case) new tires. The one interesting driving technique I saw that I'm going to try is called Pulse and Glide (P&G). You can read about it here: Can you explain what P&G is??? Have a great time with your new car. I know I am.

03-03-2008, 10:49 AM	#1
Genoz World Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: hollywood Posts: 323 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 13	2 Questions For A 2 Day Prius Owner Hi People! I just got my BLACK #6 PACKAGE two days ago, thanks to everyone here, i managed to get a good deal and i'm relatively happy.....BUT.......... #1) why are the foglights so dim? it looks like a weak flashlight. can i get a intense bulb that will make this fog lamp more effective?? #2) driving only about 30 miles so far, the computer says that i am only getting 37 mpg. am i doing something wrong? thanks!!!! please help me.

03-03-2008, 10:59 AM	#2
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 5,189 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	Re: 2 Questions For A 2 Day Prius Owner The fog lights are dim. They are mostly for decoration, although they do a small amount of good in bad weather. You're doing okay with mileage. Just drive and it will improve with time, weather, and technique. Tom

03-03-2008, 10:17 PM	#6
67GT500#2100 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Near Michigan International Speedway Posts: 9 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: 2 Questions For A 2 Day Prius Owner Sounds like we got the same car. I got a black 2008 package #6 car last Monday. Good luck, and even at 37 mpg that you are getting now as a starting point you are saving fuel over the caddy. Soon with a little practice and strategy I am sure you'll be over 40mpg.

05-03-2008, 08:04 PM	#10
greenlv Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 29 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: 2 Questions For A 2 Day Prius Owner [quote=Genoz World;571011]Hi People! #2) driving only about 30 miles so far, the computer says that i am only getting 37 mpg. am i doing something wrong? Don't stress over the mpg. As the others have indicated, it takes a while to adjust to the proper driving style that will yield the greatest mileage. I'm on week 3 and my second tank and still learning. The good news is that I seem to be improving each week. I'm really impressed and happy with the car so far!!!