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New Prius v driver

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by JaredGN, Feb 12, 2013.

  1. JaredGN

    JaredGN Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2013
    15
    1
    0
    Location:
    New Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Hi -

    I am new to the Prius world and have a 2013 Prius v Three. I finished reading the car manaul and had a few questions that I was hoping someone could help answer:

    1 - Is cruise control economical? Assuming yes, but wanted to make sure.
    2- Is ECO drive the best way to always drive? Assuming yes, but wanted to make sure.
    3 - What is the best gear for snow?
    4 - How / When do you use the "B" gear?
    5 - How do you know when the car is warmed up for the heater to work in the winter?
    6 - What does No mode do (when ECO or Power modes are not on)?
    7 - What is the Mpg for power mode?
    8 - Is there safety in case of hitting park or power while driving by mistake? Any idea what would happen? It

    Any insight would be greatly appciated!

    P.S. I am averaging about 42 MPG, and am really happy with it!
     
    #1 JaredGN, Feb 12, 2013
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,931
    49,507
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    :) congrats and welcome!
    1) yes, but not as good as learning to drive up and downhill with your foot.
    2) yes, but some do better without or in power mode.
    3) keep it in drive and get snow tires if you have to drive in snow a lot.
    4) down a long steep hill when you would constantly be braking otherwise.
    5) set the heat and it does the work for you. fan won't blow much until it is warm.
    6) all the modes adjust the sensitivity of the gas pedal. no mode is in between power and eco.
    7) there is no set mpg, it just makes the pedal more sensitive and if you ignore that, you will push further, accellerate faster and get lower mpg.
    8) nothing happens if you hit park and you can change modes at any time.
    9) all the best!(y)
     
    #2 bisco, Feb 12, 2013
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  3. Jzerocsk

    Jzerocsk Member

    Joined:
    Nov 28, 2012
    108
    31
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Bisco has it covered.

    This graph does a good job illustrating how PWR, ECO and normal modes affect throttle mapping.
    http://techno-fandom.org/~hobbit/cars/HSI/pedalc.gif

    Re #8, I thought if you hit park at-speed it will drop to neutral? Also, you can hold down the PWR button to turn the car off when moving in case of emergency.
     
    #3 Jzerocsk, Feb 12, 2013
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  4. ems2158

    ems2158 Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2012
    221
    162
    0
    Location:
    Bucks County, PA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Welcome. I got my 2013 Prius v 5 at the end of December and am happy with almost everything except the navigation system. I recommend you spend 30 minutes or more learning the nav system before you need to use it on-the-fly.
    I've been using Garmin, Tom-Tom and Google maps on Android for years with no problems but have found the Toyota nav system difficult and frustrating to use.
    Last Sunday I was trying to get to an address in Broomall PA. There was no way to get to that particular address with the built in nav system. I resorted to my cell phone and got the location and directions in 30 seconds vs. 10 minutes of frustration with the Toyota nav system.
     
    #4 ems2158, Feb 12, 2013
  5. JaredGN

    JaredGN Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2013
    15
    1
    0
    Location:
    New Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Thanks! I got gas this morning and decided to try out the Accessory mode for the first time. I noticed that it only seems to work with the radio and the window still locks out?
     
    #5 JaredGN, Feb 13, 2013
  6. umichioe

    umichioe Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2012
    77
    12
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Too bad Toyota packaged v Five with their crappy Entune and Nav.

    1) Steps to enter address are crazy.
    2) I hate the not entering address while moving "safety" feature. I can be the passenger.
    3) Integration with Bing is not very well done.

    I rather not have it and cut the price a bit.
     
    #6 umichioe, Feb 13, 2013
  7. parnami

    parnami Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2009
    227
    47
    0
    Location:
    .Lancaster, PA (Amish Country) :)
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Press it a second time with your foot OFF the brake.
     
    #7 parnami, Feb 14, 2013
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