What mods do you recommend?

[Jeffrey99]

I've had my Prius for about 2 weeks now..and after tinting the windows and getting all weather mats...the only other thing I really want is Sirius Sat. Radio. But I'm not gonna buy it till I hear that they have fixed the static issue, or someone finds a way to fix it. So my question is what mods would you highly recommend? I also have a couple questions...

1)will the BT stiffening plate help the car be more stable @ interstate speeds with crosswinds? About a week ago here in Indiana we had some stormy weather...and it seemed that with the crosswind the car was all over the road..

2)what is EV mode? and how does it work?

3)I leave for work at 5:00AM...with the dimmer switch all the way up the dash leaves a green glow on the windshield..right now I just have it dimmed just a little..takes almost all of it away..just didn't know if anyone had a easy fix for this so the dimmer switch can be all the way up..

just so you know I drive 90% interstate & 10% highway for 40 miles one way to work...

[Tempus]

The only thing I've put on mine so far is the Mud Flaps, and I recommend them. The Prius can really kick up gunk on the sides without them.

In hindsight, I kind of wish I'd put some clear-bra type material on the hood. It seems to collect chips more easily than any other vehicle I've ever had.

[keydiver]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jeffrey99 @ May 16 2006, 06:39 AM) [snapback]256158[/snapback]</div>

the only other thing I really want is Sirius Sat. Radio. But I'm not gonna buy it till I hear that they have fixed the static issue[/b]

Many of us have installed a more generic Sirius radio (no control from steering wheel or song names on MFD), and love it. It plays through the AUX input in the console, so the sound is perfect, and its much cheaper than the Toyota option.

[Jeffrey99]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(keydiver @ May 16 2006, 04:04 PM) [snapback]256454[/snapback]</div>

Many of us have installed a more generic Sirius radio (no control from steering wheel or song names on MFD), and love it. It plays through the AUX input in the console, so the sound is perfect, and its much cheaper than the Toyota option.
[/b]

Does it come with it's own box to show song/artist names? Or is it just hidden in the console? To be honest I don't pay much attention to artist/song names anyway, but would like the ability to look and see who it is. Do you have a webiste for it? That actually doesn't sound like a bad option.

[larkinmj]

I have a Pioneer AirWare XM radio. It sits in a cradle (mine is clipped onto the air vent), and it can also plug into your home stereo, and you can carry it around and listen to it (as long as you are ourdoors). They will likely be selling cheap now that Pioneer has come out with the Inno (MP3 capability and color display). Of course, if you're set on Sirius that doesn't help. I don't know if they make a comparable Sirius radio.

[aaf709]

[quote=Jeffrey99 @ May 16 2006, 03:39 AM) [snapback]256158[/snapback]</div>

1)will the BT stiffening plate help the car be more stable] interstate speeds with crosswinds? About a week ago here in Indiana we had some stormy weather...and it seemed that with the crosswind the car was all over the road..

2)what is EV mode? and how does it work?

3)I leave for work at 5:00AM...with the dimmer switch all the way up the dash leaves a green glow on the windshield..right now I just have it dimmed just a little..takes almost all of it away..just didn't know if anyone had a easy fix for this so the dimmer switch can be all the way up..
[/b]

1) YMMV. Some find a big difference and others notice just a subtle change.

2) EV mode stands for "Electric Vehicle." Available in Japan and Europe, but not in North America. It allows, under the right conditions, to drive the Prius on battery alone for about a mile under 34 mph. Used right, it may save gas, but overused it can waste gas. Remember, the ICE has to run to recharge what was used to run the EV mode. Handy for short trips, like going out of the garage or around a large parking lot. That being said, although the button itself isn't in the car, the software is. Basically you do a short ground to pin #27 to activate (or deactivate) it. There are several methods available to do that, ranging to free to about $50. Doing a search under "EV" will pull up several threads.

3) The easiest way to fix that is to get a piece of black felt and some double-stick tape. You want to make the opening in the dash itself smaller. Put the felt along the edge closest to the driver and secure it with the tape.

[talonts]

[quote=Jeffrey99 @ May 16 2006, 05:39 AM) [snapback]256158[/snapback]</div>

1)will the BT stiffening plate help the car be more stable] interstate speeds with crosswinds? About a week ago here in Indiana we had some stormy weather...and it seemed that with the crosswind the car was all over the road..[/b]

Yes, it will help. What will help more for crosswinds is throwing away the stock tires and getting just about anything else. The stock Integritys have extremely floppy sidewalls, the difference between them and HydroEdges on the interstates with crosswinds is amazing. The BT brace will still help minimize the car's oscillation in those crosswinds, but better tires will keep the BT brace from working so hard.

[ErikU]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(larkinmj @ May 16 2006, 03:27 PM) [snapback]256475[/snapback]</div>

I have a Pioneer AirWare XM radio. It sits in a cradle (mine is clipped onto the air vent), and it can also plug into your home stereo, and you can carry it around and listen to it (as long as you are ourdoors). They will likely be selling cheap now that Pioneer has come out with the Inno (MP3 capability and color display). Of course, if you're set on Sirius that doesn't help. I don't know if they make a comparable Sirius radio.
[/b]

I'm assuming that you use the fm modulator??? Is it possible to plug it into the mp3 jack like you can with the ipod? I have used a ipod fm modulator before and am not completely happy with it....live around dallas so there are quite a few radio stations that always interfere with reception. I love my xm but when I get the prius I will be loosing it. Just curious if you can plug it without anymore adapters.

[larkinmj]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Erik @ May 16 2006, 08:37 PM) [snapback]256574[/snapback]</div>

I'm assuming that you use the fm modulator??? Is it possible to plug it into the mp3 jack like you can with the ipod? I have used a ipod fm modulator before and am not completely happy with it....live around dallas so there are quite a few radio stations that always interfere with reception. I love my xm but when I get the prius I will be loosing it. Just curious if you can plug it without anymore adapters.
[/b]

I have the aux jack, so I plug it in directly. It also has a built-in FM transmitter, but the sound is better using the audio in. I did have to use a ground loop filter to eliminate some line noise, though- that was only a problem when the power plug was plugged into the 12VDC socket, but since I wanted to be able to charge it in the car I added the filter.

[Jeffrey99]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(larkinmj @ May 16 2006, 04:27 PM) [snapback]256475[/snapback]</div>

I have a Pioneer AirWare XM radio. It sits in a cradle (mine is clipped onto the air vent), and it can also plug into your home stereo, and you can carry it around and listen to it (as long as you are ourdoors). They will likely be selling cheap now that Pioneer has come out with the Inno (MP3 capability and color display). Of course, if you're set on Sirius that doesn't help. I don't know if they make a comparable Sirius radio.
[/b]

As of right now I'm set on Sirius...I used to have XM.. loved it..but then they cancelled Liquid Metal(the hardrock/metal station)...so now Sirius is the only Sat. radio with a metal station.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(talonts @ May 16 2006, 07:16 PM) [snapback]256543[/snapback]</div>

Yes, it will help. What will help more for crosswinds is throwing away the stock tires and getting just about anything else. The stock Integritys have extremely floppy sidewalls, the difference between them and HydroEdges on the interstates with crosswinds is amazing. The BT brace will still help minimize the car's oscillation in those crosswinds, but better tires will keep the BT brace from working so hard.
[/b]

I plan on getting some new tires before winter hits..I knew the Integritys were bad...but I didn't realize they were that bad