Help!! I keep staring at the MFD instead of the road

Help!! I keep staring at the MID instead of the road

I am a newbie 2010 Prius owner and I noticed that I spend most of my time staring at the MID (corrected) trying to get the best mileage instead of the road. I'm afraid I'm going to get into an accident. Does this obession eventually go away? If so, how long does it take.

It will diminish some after a couple months, but I think most posting on there will report that it never goes away.

You're in serious trouble if you can't take your eyes off of the MFD -- there isn't one in the 2010!!

I'm pretty certain you are talking about the MID, though, and I understand your concern. Just imagine what it has been like for those of us who first drove the Gen2. THAT was the MFD, and it is much larger, much more colorful, and placed lower -- further out of the line-of-sight of the road.

Yes, you'll learn how to deal with it, but it will take awhile!

In the Gen2 I was able to get away from constant references to the MFD, because I developed a very good feel for the car. The 2010 is so much quieter and calmer that I've wondered when (or even whether!!) I'll get to that point.

The best advice always has been for the new drivers to basically ignore the MFD/MID for at least a couple of weeks. Good advice, but very hard to follow. I suggest you try to look at the MID no more often than you look in your rear-view and side-view mirrors. After all, the traffic you drive in is much more important!!

When my wife and I drove my brother's 2007 she started to worry that I would spend too much time staring at the MFD and not the road. Evidently it is a valid concern, from the responses here. I know I'll have to be extra careful to keep my eyes where they should be.

I guess that's why Toyota created the less appealing MID and placed it in a better viewing position, so you can more easily go from mileage to the windshield. I'm sure anxious to find out.

Rich N.

Go with the force, Luke.

Just turn it off and keep your eyes on the road. It's a useful tool, but it doesn't need to be a distraction.

It will definitely go away with your first accident...!

Oh Oh. Be careful.

I heard of this infliction when the Prius first came out in the U.S. Here's a photo of the first casualty...

Forewarned is forearmed....

I've never driven a Prius for more than 15 minutes, but I guess I would be in the same situation as you. I have a Volkswagen Polo and I'm looking to the instantaneous fuel consumption very often! So I guess I would be more "obsessed" with a Prius

Fortunately in Europe all Priuses will be equiped with the HUD (Heads Up Display), so it will be a bit less dangerous to look at the eco-monitor

You said it before I got a chance!

BUSTED OUT LAUGHING!!!! :bounce:

My wife called me when she got to work this morning (her first time driving her new car). She said she's looking at the display too much. That worried me but hoping she'll get over it. With all the concerns I see above, I sure hope she learns fast to correct herself. (I'm driving it for a 2 hour drive Saturday so I'm sure I'll be in the same boat)

It's definitely addictive, but it becomes one of those things in the car you scan while mainly keeping your eyes on the road: speedometer, mirrors, MFD.

just tape a card board over the MFD. You can look at your data after you have arrived and stopped the car. Too much data during driving can be information overload, when your mind should be focused on the road conditions.

You can just switch the Display off. Press the Display button, and then press the Screen off icon/button.

Press any button surrounding the MFD to switch it back on.

EDIT: Oh, just noticed this is Gen III thread, why are talking about the MFD?, doh!

ATTENTION ALL CARS, BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR A 2010 PRIUS MODEL II . . . what color did you say yours is? . . . WEAVING DOWN THE ROAD. APPROACH WITH CAUTION & SOUND SEVERAL HORN BLASTS; DRIVER MAY APPEAR TO BE IN A NON-DRUG RELATED STUPOR.

You will eventual get over it, it just takes a little concentration!
Or "Use the Force Luke".
For Spaceballs fans, "The Schwartz"
Now just think if you had the ability to put a Movie on the Map screen LCD!!!

Think how much distraction and fun that could be!!!!!