What's with all the warning beeps?

[kman42]

New Prius, new to the forums.

I was reading through the manual last night and came to the section describing all of the warning beeps that may occur depending on whether I have removed the smart key, put the transaxle in P, stopped the Hybrid system, or any combination thereof. First of all, how in the world can anyone decipher the ~15 inside/outside/warning light combinations?! Second, the manual, in general, is so poorly written as to be almost unreadable. For instance, it took me about 10 pages to figure out that 'back door' means the hatch while 'rear door' means the rear passenger doors. And why does it take ten pages to explain the smart key system anyway?

Bottom line, it seems the most important thing is to make sure the transaxle is in P when leaving the car, but I can't figure out from the manual what will happen if it isn't. It gives a vague explanation that the battery won't charge, but it won't be charging if the car is just sitting there and off anyway! And if it is so important to put it in P, why isn't this automatically done when the power button is pressed?

thanks,
kman

[Charles Suitt]

<_< At least, you tried to read the Owner's Manual. Seems many Prius owners don't even attempt.

You might want to log on to http://john1701a.com/ where you will find John's version of the Manual and much more useful Prius information.

[Ichabod]

I don't share your disdain for the manual, but I do sympathize with not being able/caring to memorize all the beep/light warnings. I think you'll find that in most situations you'll only hear or see one of 3 or 4 different light/sound combos that are easy to understand: Doors Lock, doors unlock, key in car, doors fail to lock.

The last two are pretty important as both can lead to situations like your car being stolen, or rolling down a hill and hurting itself or someone else.

I would say the smart key stuff deserves at least a few pages because 1) most of us have never owned a car with that feature, and 2) there is a lot more you can do with it than it seems at first. E.G. Reprogram the car to open all doors when any handle is touched, use the SKS switch under the steering wheel, replace batteries, and all that fun stuff.

[Michgal007]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ichabod @ Mar 28 2007, 01:25 PM) [snapback]413606[/snapback]</div>

I think you'll find that in most situations you'll only hear or see one of 3 or 4 different light/sound combos that are easy to understand: Doors Lock, doors unlock, key in car, doors fail to lock.
[/b]

I know the beeps of doors locking and unlocking. If it beeps other than that, I check to see if a key is inside. Usually, that's the case. If not, you can check other stuff like not turning the power off etc. If you really cannot figure it out, you can always consult the manual which should be in your glove compartment.

I think we have talked about the park button somewhere in PC before.

[jeneric]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kman42 @ Mar 28 2007, 09:29 AM) [snapback]413568[/snapback]</div>

And if it is so important to put it in P, why isn't this automatically done when the power button is pressed?
[/b]

It is done automatically when the power button is pressed.

[Oxo]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kman42 @ Mar 28 2007, 11:29 AM) [snapback]413568[/snapback]</div>

, in general, is so poorly written as to be almost unreadable. For instance, it took me about 10 pages to figure out that 'back door' means the hatch while 'rear door' means the rear passenger doors.

[/b]

Console yourself that at least it's an attempt at American English. No real English version was supplied when I bought mine in 2005. Mine refers to "gas" when it means a liquid (petrol) rather than a gas; it doesn't mention the bonnet or the boot and it spells tyres wrong, i.e. 'tires'. These are only the examples I can remember; there are others.
I wonder if anyone knows the history of this manual. Presumably the original was in Japanese and then it was given to someone to translate. Was he/she a native Japanese speaker? many foreign manufacturers are guilty of issuing poorly written manuals. I always assume this is because they are translations which have not been vetted by a native (preferably a journalist) of the country where the goods are sold

[subarutoo]

Just drive it, don't worry too much about the beeps. Its just a car. If you just keep the key in your pocket or purse, you'll never have a problem with it. (At least I haven't, so far.) Congratulations on at least reading the manual. I never can find the "Turn off Maint. Light procedure", though I know its in there somewhere. Do you know how many people can't program a VCR, or get the VCR clock to stop blinking 12:00? The same guy probably wrote those manuals, too. Hang in there, the car drives better than it "reads".

[jeneric]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Oxo @ Mar 28 2007, 12:10 PM) [snapback]413670[/snapback]</div>

Mine refers to "gas" when it means a liquid (petrol) rather than a gas; it doesn't mention the bonnet or the boot and it spells tyres wrong, i.e. 'tires'. These are only the examples I can remember; there are others.
[/b]

Touché.

[kman42]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jeneric @ Mar 28 2007, 10:44 AM) [snapback]413626[/snapback]</div>

It is done automatically when the power button is pressed.
[/b]

Thanks! That makes much more sense than the alternative. If only they could have said that in the manual rather than implying every other possibility over and over again.

One last question. Is there a case when you would not want it in P? I guess the question is why the P button is there at all. Is it so you can stop the car, put it in park (is it actually a state like Park on a normal car that will help prevent rolling?) and still have the hybrid system ON so that you can listen to the radio or have the lights on while outside the vehicle?

Sorry about all the questions.

kman

[jeneric]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kman42 @ Mar 29 2007, 09:10 AM) [snapback]414181[/snapback]</div>

I guess the question is why the P button is there at all. Is it so you can stop the car, put it in park (is it actually a state like Park on a normal car that will help prevent rolling?) and still have the hybrid system ON so that you can listen to the radio or have the lights on while outside the vehicle?
[/b]

Yes, it's like Park on a "normal" car. I heard it locks the wheels somehow with a little pin. It sounds like there may be more "play" on this Park position than in other cars. I've heard of the car "jumping" a couple feet when it sounded like it was probably in Park. In any case, just like in other cars, I'd think you'd still want the emergency brake on to prevent rolling.