What every newb should know

A brilliant post...making several points I've made about other cars on other forums. I always say there is a bell curve of failures for every part and your part can be anywhere on that curve. And yes you hear from the failures, the ones that are working are out driving.

 

Karen, the counter tells me u have NOT been here in a while. I surely hope u have not given up. WHY ? because there is no other way to SAVE GAS $$ than owning a PRIUS, unless you have your own refinery. Period. I fell in love w/PRIUS after a 2 wk. vacation rentals in '08 '09+'10! And I never knew about this site as well as 'pulse & glide." I finally bought a 2007, w/59,900mi that happened to be LOADED w options. I was only interested in safety & MPG'S. I have a trusted dealer in West Palm Beach, Fl so i drive the 65 1-way miles to get only the work that is needed. Since July 24th, we've put 5,000miles + on her.
I did go for a new 12V battery for $175 installed & since then I'm getting a steady 50 PLUS MPG !!! In fact my recent 238mile trip to Orlando I'm STILL above 1/2 a tank & getting 53.6 MILES PER Gallon-I used both Shell & Chevron REG. gas...$3.12/gal in Orlando. i USED to get 22-25mpg, if u do the math, I've cut the price of gas in 1/2. This site has educated me immensely. I can NOT thank everyone enough. Spend time reading what newbies should know--read every CarFax 10X & don;t be afraid to drive a long way from home to save dealer's prep charges etc. I saved $699 right away from all local Toyota peeps in favor of Earl Stewart Toyota. 1 more VIP fact: Toyota's been making Prii since 1997 in Japan brought over to USA in 2000 or '01 I think. PRIUS is for real & if you get a ONE OWNER who had reg. maintenance YOU will be a WINNER !!!

 

Thank you for the info! I just bought a 2013 Pruis III and couldn't be happier. I look forward to learning all I can about my new "baby".

 

wow just wondered where you got a battery for 175.00 mine cost 375.00 in Pensacola ,went on trip to Ks shortly after, and had to spend 3600 for a main battery with only one yr warranty..now eng. light is on and may need a cadiallic converter..1200 .00 this car is costing me way to much, Its a 2002 ,I bought two and a half yrs ago, for 7,000, with the expense of 3600, 375.00 and now looking at 1200 , its not a good gas saver for me, mileage is good, but when it cost so much all the time in repairs ,its not a good deal..

 

Good thing you didn't get a Civic of the same year. It would cost you more in repairs!

 

Great stuff - Appreciate the info

 

Great site you have here and am glad to be here. I drove home my 2012 silver Prius lll today. I got a good deal on one of the last 3 2012's left on the lot in E WV. I'm pumped to not be pumping all that future fuel. Excellent info on this site.

 

Psh, Civics are cheap to repair compared to Gen 1 Prii. I even have your receipts to prove it.


iPhone ?

 

********************Sorry i did NOT see your post until tonight (2-20-13 7:14pm EST) I bought my battery w/ a 3 yr Gurr. for $175.00 +$15.install from Earl Stewart Toyota, West Palm Beach, Fl. I DID DICKER w them about the price. I believe I save $30 bucks-which still is good. Sorry 2 read about your troubles. I hope & pray I can keep this car AND replace the battery (main) by 150-160k or so as long as some %^&*-nutty Fl driver doesn't ram me when I'm going 65MPH on the fl pike where the LEAGAL SPEED LIMIT IS $%^& 65mph !!! gOOD LORD, the way they drive down here & race to red lights you'd think gas was 15cents a gallon. 98% are dumbass ! (sorry that's the cleanest i can be).

 

Picked up a 2011 II last week; made our first road trip (short one), drove without AC for 65 miles and could not believe the miles/gallon figure of 57.7mpg...I am beholding to my wife who put up the cash for the down payment...of course I have to let her watch "Wheel of Fortune" every night until I get the car paid off.

 

Thanks for the great advice! Nice Thread

 

This is a noob question but it's not good to leave the car to warm up correct?

Galaxy Nexus ? 2

 

12V 540 Whr Lead Acid Car Battery for Toyota Prius (2012) - L4/1.8L by Exide

Optima DS46B24R Optima battery direct fit replacement for Prius 2004 + & Plug-in Prius with Instructions

Under $2000, 18 month warranty
Remanufactured Hybrid Vehicle Battery Packs

It is impossible to give good advice without knowing the laws and we do not know your location.
If you knew the DTC codes and your state, we could perhaps save you quite a lot.

 

and rereading my post I am guessing you are in Florida.
If your DTCs really indicate a catalytic converter and not O2 sensors, try
Pensacola Salvage yards | Salvage yards in Pensacola, FL - YP.com

 

I push the power off instead of parking first. Is there anything bad from that outcome? Lmk asap!

Galaxy Nexus ? 2

 

No That is fine.

 

Thanks!

Galaxy Nexus ? 2

 

If you really must then you can. Of course it ruins mpg. Another variation is to leave the AC on, the car in Ready for long waits. I take long ferry rides listening to the stereo with the AC on. One could leave the AC on, in Ready, lock the door with the mechanical key for a short stop at the store. Just saying.

 

Thanks for telling me.

Galaxy Nexus ? 2

 

this thread is great. ive had my 3 for less than a week, but already love it.