The Biggest Tool in the Newbie Arsenal

Is the search function.

The screenshot below was created because I actually read a thread today where the newbie poster claimed they asked a common newbie question, "Because they didn't know how to use the search yet." :fear:



Try to understand how often regulars here see the same exact questions asked over and over, day after day, month after month, year after year.

Remember, the people who have been on here a long time are your friends. They are the ones who will be able to help you when you have a real issue. Do not irritate these people by being lazy.

The two biggies sure to earn you the ire of the regulars: tire and mileage questions.

All of us at one point or another have asked redundant questions, so don't feel bad if you accidentally post about something you missed in a search. Just don't be guilty of not at least trying to search first.

Happy PriusChatting!

well said. i tend to be a little less diplomatic so i prefer to just keep my mouth (er, typing fingers) shut instead.

and your thread title "the biggest tool..." had me thinking you were calling someone out! :lol:

What time is it? I don't feel like looking at the bottom right of my window's pc monitor to look. Also, what is a Prius anyway?

I thought I was the biggest tool in Prius Chat?

No, you HAVE the biggest tool in PriusChat. Of course I'm talking about your wrench ... because it's really big....

p.s. The biggest tool NOT on PriusChat is GOOGLE!!! Try this on google:

siteriuschat.com mfd

You can search for shorter strings as above. You can also search for blocks of text by using quotes:

siteriuschat.com "the op is a troll" or
siteriuschat.com "prius vs. butterflies"

And for those of you that prefer a bit more powerful search tool, use Google directed at the PriusChat site. For example, if you want to search priuschat.com for the word headlamps, start Google in another tab and type this into the search field: headlamps siteriuschat.com

Hit enter and that's all there is too it.

Tom

We only need polls when there is doubt about the correct answer. No doubt about this one...

Thanks Tom, I guess my explanation of it wasn't as good without the "". Ha ha! If you want to defeat that particular smiley, here's the secret: use an uppercase P, like this:

Is there a site where I can input the VIN and find out what Package is on a Prius? Thanks. tls1@razzolink.com

Obtained by using the PriusChat search function for "VIN decoder". If you select to view the results "by post" instead of "by thread" it's easier to see which results are relevant to your question.

Welcome to Toyota Fleet | Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc.

I didn't test the decoder to see if it works.

Good thread. Valuable as a "Sticky." I would agree that the Google search engine does a nice job and is very likely going to bring you right to PriusChat.

Yes it is very likely. In fact there's a 100% chance that google will show you only Priuschat search results if you include the following in your search terms:

siteriuschat.com

I know it's sort of an arcane feature of google, but the more you use it (not just on Priuschat) the more you love it!

thank you!

I am ready to post after reading all these hints.

Thanks for this useful tip, Tom

hi guys new hear...don't worry the "Search" function and me are going to make a happy couple

welcome !