Hi all, new Prius C owner

If you remember, could you tag them here? Thx!

 

Looks like ATEQ is the preferred provider of TPMS reader/reset tools out there.

The ATEQ 'Quickset X' is their latest model for the 'DIYer' :

www.amazon.com/dp/B08GDWF74C/?coliid=I2MI6VKKIK94XY&colid=3FKPGGE7EFQD4&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

However, it's just a wee bit expensive. Looks cool though.

Edit : Looks like the Autel MaxiTPMS TS508 is another option ( but expensive as well )

 

Update....I ordered a set of Michelin 'X-ICE® SNOW' tires...their latest snow tire.

Shop Michelin X Ice® Snow Tire for Extreme Weather | Michelin

Also ordered a set of aftermarket steelies.

As for the TPMS sensors...I think I will have Costco put them in and then figure out how to do DIY swaps of the summer set later on. I'll probably order some sort of doodad like the 'ATEQ 'Quickset X' I mentioned in post #62.

BTW - I'm also getting Michelin Cross Climate 2's on our 2012 Hyundai sonata Limited. The car hasn't been driven much lately...but I decided to keep it for now. The Sonata currently still has the *original* garbage OEM tires on it ! Only 52K miles on the car though...but yeah...time for a tire change. I also threw new rotors/pads on it ( Power Stop K5376 kit )...gonna look very nice with the new tires! BTW - the Cross Climate 2's looks like an awesome tire. Michelin really did their homework on it.

 

Just to update, I was able to get the snow tires on.

• Went with the Michelin X-Ice Snow at Costco. Apparently the X-Ice Snow is the latest iteration of Michelin snow tires.
• I had Costco mount them on a new set of steel aftermarket rims ( Daughter had the car out of town at the time ).
• I did have Costco install TPMS sensors as well ( Costco uses Dill brand REDI-Sensors ).
• I acquired an "ATEQ Quickset X" unit so I can reprogram the TPMS sensors when I switch sets.

• I got the tires home and attempted to read the sensors with the ATEQ tool. No luck. On a whim I set the make/model to a 2012 Prius liftback instead of a 2012 Prius C...and it *did* read the sensors. Hmm... After a lot of research I discovered that Costco installed the incorrect Sensors! They didn't believe me at first...but once they understood I knew what I was talking about, it didn't take long for them to agree with me. . So back to Costco for new sensors ( they were extremely apologetic ).

• When my daughter got the car back here for the weekend, I bolted on the tires and went thru the TPMS reprogram process with the ATEQ tool. Went perfectly. I'd recommend the "ATEQ QuickSet X" if anyone is in the market for a tool like this.

Oh...and my daughter also took out the drivers side mirror glass and broke the integrated mirror turn signal on a bad turn in a very tight parking ramp. Luckily I was able to find a cheap replacement unit on Ebay that was from a donor car. I replaced the entire side mirror unit.

Also installed a new 12V battery ( O'rielly "super start" brand )...they had a 20% off coupon and it was time to replace it because it still had the original 12V in there!

Also installed Weathertech floor mats....because winter's coming.

 

Well...it actually is "my" car. She is just "using it". Hmm...maybe I should ask her to buy me out on it. Uhh...that's not gonna happen.

Plus, I figure snow tires are a good investment. Especially since she needs to drive 20+ miles each way to/from work ( in the Minneapolis area ). And probably good to have an operable side mirror as well.

 

Spring update...

My daughter survived the winter with no mishaps. She had around a 50 mile commute 5 days a week ( 25 miles each way in and out of the center area of Minneapolis ). She drove through some pretty nasty weather. The Michelin X-Ice Snow did wonders for her confidence and turned the Price C into a little snow demon.

She will now be off to North Carolina for grad school August...I hear winters are much better over there.

 

Summer '22 update.

Well..the 'lil Prius C is now in North Carolina ( we are in Minnesota ). We moved our daughter to Chapel Hill, NC for graduate school last week.

I got to drive the moving van...while my wife and daughter drove the Prius C. I think I had the easier job...as they were also moving my daughter's cat who meowed the *entire* way there. It was just me in the truck.

After the move, we also took the Prius C on a little trip to Asheville, NC, drove two sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway, toured Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and 'experienced' Gatlinburg ( not my favorite place...lol ).

Believe it or not, with the three of us and our luggage packed into the Prius C, the car did surprisingly well as a road trip vehicle. Believe me, I never thought I'd say that. 53MPG overall didn't hurt either.

The only downside is that I won't be able to do maintenance on the Prius C anymore. If anyone knows of a good hybrid shop around the Chapel Hill, NC or Durham, NC area...let me know.

 

Winter '23 update. The 'ol Prius v wagon is still running...but it is starting to have issues. Brake booster is coming on more than it should...and while the head gasket seal is still holding, it won't forever. I'm considering replacing it at this point if used auto prices ever come back down to earth.

At any rate, we have more than gotten our $8500 worth out of it.

BTW - Daughter still has the Prius C in Chapel Hill, NC. Any recommendations for a good hybrid shop around the triangle area ( Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill )?