Noob in Alaska

Welcome aboard fellow Alaskan. Where are you located?

 

Congrats on your new Prius. Welcome to PriusChat. I hope Sarah Palin approves of your purchase!

Enjoy the high MPGs, technology and low-emissions.

 

Live in ER and work in Anchorage... hence the Prius. See you on the road!

Peter

 

Almost two years now and I very much enjoy my commute. Driving the Prius just doesn't get old.

 

Same here... after we bought ours they just popped out of the woodwork. Though the Alaska environment is not ideal for the Prius, it still does great. I suspect we will see many more in the coming years.

 

Looks low and sleek, but very shiney. Will you be taking off the wheel covers?

 

We were parked outside the theater the other night waiting to go in and a new salsa red Prius parked next to us. I noticed the passenger kept looking and pointing at my wheels. He finally got out and said, "are those the REAL Prius wheels?" with a look of excitement on his face. He added that he'd never considered removing the cheapo plastic covers before and said he'd dump his that same night. I told him about the center caps and he looked like a kid with a new toy at Christmas.

I just grinned at my wife and she smiled and said "boys".

 

Check out this link on PriusChat for cheap solution to center caps:
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...ons/79133-3-buck-alloy-wheel-center-caps.html

 

I ordered them from parts.com in 2009 for $54.71 total. Here's the thread with a post by Boo that has the part numbers and different styles. http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...61201-15-wheel-center-caps-4.html#post1016354

There's a smooth one and a textured one plus it lists the years that they fit. I went with the flat/smooth one. They snap right on. it's easier to keep the wheels clean without the OEM hubcaps. Granted the stock wheels are not beautiful, but they aren't bad.

 

Hi Spiderman and AKblackhawk!
I've just joined the priuschat forum, am a newbie so hope I am positing in the right spot! I've had my 2005 Prius for 5 years and love it...all 129,000 miles of it! Hope you have may many years on your new one AKblackhawk!

I will be hearing today re a job in Palmer, AK and if it all works out will be departing Atlanta with a cross country drive including the ALCAN for a move to Palmer in two weeks! EH gads..not alot of time! I've only lived in Utah through one winter with the Prius in which it did great! Surely have alot to learn about the Alaskan snowy/icyy environment and need some help! Do you recommend getting my Prius winterized at the Toyota Dealer in Anchorage vs another place? Engine block heater?, different oil/fluids, adding a starter--can this be done?, oil pan heater ?, purchase of stud tires and steel wheels, any special windshield covers to minimize morning snow scrapping, full spare vs donut for the ALCAN in case of a flat ?? Looking at renting a place near Hatcher Pass about 10 miles from downtown Palmer..info is main road is cleared regularly...will be driving between 3-5 schools in the Matsu daily as well as far as Talkeenta. Any advice re tires, dealers or shops for oil changes, or any helpful hints etc very much appreciated!!! Also no garage so I will plug in...also their is a shed out back of the cabin I might rent....can I store my regular tires in the winter in those temps outside or are their other suggestions you might have? Love to hike and ski and looking forward to AK!! Thanks for your time!! Have a good day!

 

Welcome to the forum travelchic! Since you're going to drive, I'd suggest you go by the book store and pick up a copy of the Milepost The MILEPOST: Alaska Travel Guide and Trip Planner well before you leave.

It gives you a ton of information about what to expect on the drive and what's available and where. Read it thoroughly before the trip.

One thing to note. When you're driving the sections of the ALCAN that are gravel and you meet a truck coming at you, slow WAY down before you meet it. The truck tires tend to pick up and throw rocks "forward" just as much as backwards. If you slow down you reduce the impact speed of those little "bullets". You'll find a lot of the trucks will slow down as they approach you to be nice. Be sure to give them a nice wave for their courtesy as they are on a $$ time table. Much of the road is on permafrost and just can't be permanently stabilized so there is always sections of construction. However you measure trip ETA travel times down here, the construction will make it slower up there.

Be prepared to see some beautiful country and great people on the way and after you arrive.

Remember, northern Canada and Alaska only have two seasons; Winter and Construction.

PS, If you will have Internet connectivity on the way, you can check DriveBC for British Columbia's drive conditions and Current Road Conditions - Highways and Public Works - Government of Yukon for the Yukon's road conditions, and Alaska 511 - Transportation & Public Facilities, State of Alaska. for Alaska roadwork, driving conditions, etc.

Also, always be prepared for one season colder than the time you are traveling.