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Likes and Dislikes after a long trip

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by DJ Thomas, Mar 24, 2015.

  1. DJ Thomas

    DJ Thomas Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Elmira, Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    We just completed a 3,900 km round trip from -20°C Ontario to +20°C Hilton Head Island. This was our first real highway journey with our 2008 Prius (Touring, I think). For the most part I set the car on cruise control at the speed limit (10kph above in Ontario) and a bit slower at US and Canadian Immigration.

    Here are some observations about the car.

    Likes:
    Comfort - we take 3 days to wander down. This translates into about 6 hr./day with bio and stretch breaks every two hours or so. The car is comfortable in just about every way.

    Stuck for two hours on the interstate in West Virginia - thanks to jackknifed trucks - minimal road maintenance in WV and dumb driving on the part of two truck drivers. I left the car on and it sat there turning on the ICE every time the cabin (and I assume the catalytic converter) cooled down. Comfort and clear windows again - fuel economy not so much

    Through the mountains at 113kph (70mph) cruise control all the way. The ICE noise was noticeable but the speed remained constant unless I decided not to go through a truck in front of me. Fuel consumption 5.5 litres per 100 - impressive. Fuel consumption went down to the high 4s in Hilton Head at 20°C + - impressive.

    West Virginia doesn't salt or sand its highways well and does do begrudgingly on the interstate. State highway 19 was snow-ice covered and the Prius made me wonder why there is a skid control system on it at all. All the way through at 60kph including stopping at stop lights with not a peep from the skid control or traction control - winter tires help too. This car has great handling stability except for cross winds.

    Annoyances:
    Cruise control - the software gurus at Toyota decided to link the cruise control to the ICE so that when one stops at a stop light or sign and the ICE goes off, one has to reset the speed on the cruise - aargh! I guess they assume that stoplights are all in cities and cruise control won't be much use. Where we live and in a surprising number of spots in the Excited States, stop lights occur in 80kph + zones. I'll grow the reflex, I guess.

    Lastimer rattles - the interior of this car is almost all plastic. In cold weather, until the cabin is thoroughly warmed up the rattles exceed the road noise. In balmy Hilton Head they go away very quickly. The stuff we Canadians put up with to live in the best country in the world.

    Defrost system - works well in cold weather, not needed in warm weather, but in lukewarm, damp weather, it seems finicky. Getting a reasonable cabin temperature and clear windows is a challenge with the over complicated controls.

    Cabin Heat - where is the sensor that controls the adjustable control for cabin heat? Again in the Canadian climate one turns the heat control right down for the first few km to get the ICE warmed up faster, and then just sets a really high temperature (25°C or so) on the control to put some heat to the feet. Again in lukewarm temperatures it may be matching the temperature at dashboard level, but not a head or feet level.

    My kingdom for a heat gauge. I really would like to know when the ICE has reached operating temperature so I can turn the cabin heat on without guessing.

    In Summary:
    This car (at about 97,00 km) is a keeper, at least long enough for me to figure out how to cope with its quirks.
     
    #1 DJ Thomas, Mar 24, 2015
  2. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Thanks for the write-up and review. I hope your visit to the best country in the world was enjoyable.

    :D
     
    #2 TonyPSchaefer, Mar 24, 2015
  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
    IV
    Hi!

    I see you have a 2008, so maybe one of the mods will move this out of the Gen 1 forum into Gen 2 where you might get more responses from people familiar with your car.

    That is an annoyance, but it's not because of any sort of accidental linkage of the cruise to the ICE. At least for US-spec cars, there seems to be some legal requirement that cruise disengage itself below 25 MPH. They do it because the regulation requires it. Whether the ICE is running or not, if you gradually reduce the cruise setpoint you'll see it suddenly drop out right below 25 MPH (or whatever the regulation requires for Canadian cars, if different).

    I had an old Ford where the cruise would drop out below 25, but you could later resume your previously set speed. Toyota's seem to be designed to drop out below 25 and forget the set speed. I could see arguments for doing it either way; my guess is both manufacturers were trying to interpret the regulation and doing what they believed it meant.

    In my Gen 1, it has a little louvered intake in the lower dash finish panel, more or less above my inboard knee. There's a hose there that runs to the blower intake and the thermistor is in the hose, to make sure it doesn't just measure still air right around one spot of the dash ... it's constantly drawing in an air sample from the cabin and measuring that.

    You can buy a LinearLogic ScanGauge II right here at the PriusChat Shop, support this forum, and stick it on your dash set to display the ICE coolant temperature and whatever 3 other variables you feel like watching.

    You know, the heat controller does a lot of that itself. Watching the ScanGauge when I start my Gen 1 on a cold morning, just leaving the heat set for something moderate and the fan set to auto, I'll notice that I don't hear the dampers open in the heater until coolant temperature hits about 37 C (if I remember right) and then the fan will begin ramping up slowly around 50 C (again if I remember the right numbers). It essentially does the same stuff I would probably do manually if it didn't, so I just let it do its thing. I know Bob Wilson does watch the coolant temperature and take a more active hand in things.

    Glad you think so!

    -Chap
     
    #3 ChapmanF, Mar 24, 2015
  4. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    I try to avoid comments on the NHW20, 2004-09 Prius because I don't have one to test. Fortunately, Good Prius Friend Hobbit has done extensive work:
    I'm also a fan of John1701a:

    You alluded to one Prius aspect, the low amount of droning, engine and powertrain vibration. We hear it but the steering wheel and plastic interior are not affronting our fingers, arms, hands, and feet. I noticed after several 14-24 hour, 700-1,000 mile (1,100-1,600 km) trips, I might need sleep but I didn't ache.

    You might investigate a block heater which is more common in Canada. About 30-45 minutes in the morning can save about 2 of 5 minutes of warm-up.

    GOOD LUCK!
    Bob Wilson
     
    #4 bwilson4web, Mar 25, 2015
    Brian in Tucson likes this.
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