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Question regarding our (new to us) '08

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by mkarolian, Mar 18, 2012.

  1. mkarolian

    mkarolian Junior Member

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    Today my girlfriend picked up an '08 from a used dealer. She got a decent price ($13,500) but I have my concerns (repainted bumpers, non-original carpet) the car had a clean carfax, she wanted it and I've learned not to argue.

    The car has HID lights, but the drivers side light appears to be a different color temp. Is this normal?

    On the steering wheel there is a button for SAT NAV but when we press it, it says the equipment is disconnected. Did cars ship with this button but not the necessary equipment?

    The car is sitting on snow tires now, is there a forum favorite when it comes to summers

    Thanks!
     
  2. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Welcome aboard MK.
    There are many good tire discussions here - please check them out.
    I am using Goodyear Assurance Comfortread very good all around tires but not the best MPG. I don't have HID or SAT NAV button so not sure there.
     
  3. mkarolian

    mkarolian Junior Member

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    Thanks much for the warm welcome- I will dive into the tire discussions this week!

    Even with the snows I was able to obtain 62MPG on a 5 mile trip :)
     
  4. jpadc

    jpadc Type before I think too often

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    I wonder about that. Carpet is an odd thing to change if it did not get wet... There are other reasons, but most suggest a lack of care.

    It happens a lot if that is what you mean by "normal." You can read more on PriusChat (PC) than you ever wanted to know about HIDs on a Prius.

    Here is one of the first things I learned of value when joining this board. You can do great searches on topics by using a google site specific search like below...

    Google Advanced Search

    Any issue you might have, its likely been discussed at length. You can learn a lot of valuable stuff...

    No. Is there a set of NAV buttons on the right side of the screen (you will learn its called the multifunction display - or MFD for short)? If not, it could be the steering wheel was changed, or the MFD was changed. If yes, maybe someone just removed the unit from under the driver's seat. Maybe when the carpet was changed???

    Last thing I will add before sending you on some serious reading is you should register the car with the Toyota Owners online site Toyota Owners Official Website: Service Coupons, Owners Manuals, Service Scheduling and More as they will have records of what a toyota dealer did to the car.

    Good luck and welcome to PC
     
  5. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    It's worth getting tires that have proven good low rolling resistance as it can make more than 5 MPG difference in the prius.

    Others may add to the list but some really good choices are.

    1. Michelin Energy A/S.
    2. Bridgestone ecopia EP100 (summer) or EP422 (all season).
    3. Goodyear Fuelmax.

    BTW. I've got the EP100's on my Prius and are very happy with them. We use summer tires all year round though, as there's no snow or ice here.
     
  6. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    That's impressive :), but you may not be able to sustain that over longer distances. Fuel consumption over a short distance is not always a good indicator, primarily due to changes in elevation and changes in the state of charge.
     
  7. MNGoan

    MNGoan New Member

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    There might be an easy answer for the carpet being replaced. There is a free service for "taking care" of possible unintended acceleration. Looks like they pulled out the original mat, cut out some carpet around the gas pedal.

    I do not know about those lights. I would agree that mine do not seem to shine evenly either. Wondering if someone else can comment on adjusting those lamps, or whether we should be outright changing at least one of those bulbs. I do know that the lights are not good enough to see in the dark after it rains. Probably focused too high?
     
  8. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    HID lamps change colour through there life especially when new, so if one bulb has been changed the colour will be different. Bulbs can also be bought in different colour temperatures from 3000k to 10,000k the higher the number the bluer the light but lower numbers give out more light (candle power), normal range to go for is 4,300 to 5,000 but buy in pairs to keep same colour.
     
  9. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Hmmm, the non-original carpet is very suspicious, IMHO. What states did it go through. Hope it wasn't a flood vehicle.

    Yes, the different color in light could be caused by only one HID being changed.

    As for the NAV button, yes, oddly enough, some shipped that way. See http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...w-prius-owner-many-questions.html#post1247444. Your car has nav if it has MAP and DEST buttons around the MFD (multi-function display aka the color LCD). If those are missing, you don't have nav. Also, nav equipped Priuses have a DVD drive in a large black box under the driver's seat. There's a cover/door on the rear of it to gain access to the drive.

    You can better tell what you have by looking at http://priuschat.com/forums/knowled...andard-optional-equipment-some-countries.html.
     
  10. NYPrius1

    NYPrius1 Active Member

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    Welcome to PC - Congrats on the New Car.
     
  11. mkarolian

    mkarolian Junior Member

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    Over 100 miles of driving I was able to achieve an average of 53.3MPG, hopefully this proves that the battery packs are in good shape!
     
  12. mkarolian

    mkarolian Junior Member

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    It spent most of its life in CT then the owner moved to RI before trading it in. It then went directly to NH.