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Just tested a Prime... dumb questions

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by Chris HV, Feb 1, 2023.

  1. Chris HV

    Chris HV Member

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    1) While briefly testing a 2018 Prime earlier today, I was quite surprised not to see any indication of HV batt charge level either on the dash screens or on the tablet screen (this was standard on all my Previous standard Prii.) While driving I pushed all sorts of buttons to no avail until I hit the "EV mode" one (I think) to the right of the shifter, at which point I got a message saying that the batt level was too low for a reading. This car was probably traded in about a month ago and just came out of inspection, and may not have been plugged in, said salesguy in guise of half-arse apology.

    They are supposed to charge it overnight and I should do an additional test drive in the AM. What darn button do I press to see the charge level? What am I missing?!

    Also, is there a quick way of checking the actual health of the HV batt? Would a 20 mile trip on EV mode uncover potential problems?

    2) That car is missing the "cargo cover", aka I guess "tonneau cover" (a funny term since tonneau means barrel and I'm pretty sure the Prime does not accommodate a barrel of wine or whatever oil out back... LOL) and I intend to have the dealer subtract the cost, BUT Toyota PCO returns a server error looking for that part after I enter the VIN. Is there another site where I could try to find the actual price of this part?
    BTW I did not see the "drop" where I normally inserted the "rolling shade" cargo cover on all our previous Gen3 cars, just to the rear of the back seat, so I assume that this is another type of design. Maybe some type of "suspended board"?
     
  2. schja01

    schja01 One of very few in Chicagoland

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    For future reference if you test drive a Prime and the dealer doesn't charge the car ahead of time (happens a lot) there is a "Secret" Charge Mode where the engine can charge the traction battery itself. It takes a while to charge the battery but you can do it while you test drive the car otherwise. To engage "Charge Mode" just press the middle "EV/HV" button for a few seconds. An indicator on the instrument display will tell you when "Charge Mode" is engaged. I wish I knew this feature existed when I was trying to test a Prime back in 2018. Hope this helps.
    J
     
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    unfortunately, after 5 years, most sales people don't understand the primes info screens
     
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  4. RovinRon

    RovinRon Junior Member

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    Can't help you with the technical stuff, still have to look everything up in the manuals!! However, I can help with the back cover. We got a used 17 without one. Found out that the Toyota price was $550 or right around that. I went on Amazon and found a new one for app. $125 (3 years ago) and it fit perfectly. Hope this helps
     
    #4 RovinRon, Feb 1, 2023
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 4, 2023
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  5. Chris HV

    Chris HV Member

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  6. Chris HV

    Chris HV Member

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    Thanks for the great tip J.
     
  7. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    There was someone here a few years back with a broken screen; he finally disclosed he’d punched it.
     
  9. schja01

    schja01 One of very few in Chicagoland

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    The 2018 Prime ADVANCED had a different style cover. It retracted like a window shade. A spring loaded roller mechanism.
     
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  10. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    The OP said the car he was posting about didn't have the slots for the retractable cover. Like in the Gen 3 he was used to.
    retractable "window shade like" cover
    #PT73142130
     
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  11. Chris HV

    Chris HV Member

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    Bingo!
    I stopped by the local stealership today, gave them my VIN and they confirmed that this is the correct part number for the 2018 Premium.

    This is indeed what I saw on the pics of several listings I was considering.
    Halfway to driving to one of those yesterday, the scumbag dealership finally emailed me a "revised" total price that had added over 2K of various "fees"! I turned right around and went to get some groceries.
     
    #11 Chris HV, Feb 2, 2023
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 4, 2023
  12. PT Guy

    PT Guy Senior Member

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    So...take the test drive. If you like it, start to dicker over the price. What they ask is not always what they'll take. Be patient. Time, silence, and your willingness to walk out are three of your strongest negotiating tools. Decide on your price. Tell them what you'll pay, then be patient and be silent. Let them stew over it until you either get your car or you decide that they don't really want to sell that car today. As you walk away, be sure they have your contact...they may call you with your price.
     
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  13. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    I don't have a clue why there is such a huge price difference between the two different cargo covers. I had the less expensive one ) ( the retractable cargo cover ) with my 2014 Plugin Prius. IMO it's ( the retractable cargo cover ) is worth 3 to 4 times what the one that we got in our Prime is worth, which is why it's stored with the hub caps.
    It's (the more expensive Prime cargo cover) just a fold-able (spell check thing for foldable) piece of cloth in a bag, like one of those foldable windshield sunshades and costs twice as much as the retractable cargo cover. IMO again, it's worth $50 at most. ask to see one unfolded before you pay for it, see if you agree.

    I guess I shouldn't complain ? it looks like the cargo rug thing (that board with the fabric over it and the 2 clips ajacent to the back seat ) which I've already broken on of those clip off of, that covers the Primes tractionbattery is $350 -- please? And there was some other related part to the windshield sun shade type cargo cover that was $450 which I thought at the time I was looking up the part # for you, was the retractable cargo cover, I'll post was it is if I can find it again.
     
    #13 vvillovv, Feb 2, 2023
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2023
  14. Chris HV

    Chris HV Member

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    Based on the detailed repair estimate I got for my totaled Gen3, I have a feeling that the pricing of EVERY single part Toyota sells is even more obscene than the average politician's mouthing.
    Good thing that these cars are so incredibly reliable!
     
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  15. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    I'm only observing. Share what you feel comfortable exposing concerning your experiences. I wouldn't share everything in my life here, and I wouldn't expect anyone else to either.
    I suspect that a total means your title is not clear, whatever. New OEM parts, no matter what car manufacture, are expensive. Obviously, a restore usually has OEM parts, wherever they were purchased and thanks for sharing what you feel comfortable adding.

    I've probably added way more than I normally would here, hoping above hope that others might relate more, than even others that might not relate, for whatever their reasons might be.

    I'm also pretty sure if you give one issue at a time, you'll find that someone or possibly many have already been through the repair themselves and are willing to share their experiences. of how they fixed or worked around their issues.
    Plus toytota unlike honda uses some open source software, which makes DIY repairs within the realm of even some backyard mechanics like myself. see: techinfo.toyota.com
    a wealth of OEM info per any toyota model.
    I currently have about half of the pieces I need to do dealer type diagnostics and repairs on our Prime. I've also subscribed to a standard subscription a few times already just for my models repair manual and other docs available with a standard subscription to techstream.

    If your plan is to keep the car, especially a car without a clean title, I'd recommend techstream to keep your eyes and ears on the machine from beginning to end of service, at intervals that make sense to you and your vehicle.
     
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  16. Chris HV

    Chris HV Member

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    Hmm, I very much appreciate your sharing your experience but I am thoroughly confused about this "clean title" reference. Where did you get that from?
    My Gen3 got totaled by the Insurance, which settled the claim.
    I'm just seeking to educate myself about getting a Gen4 Prime.
     
  17. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    The PHEV-battery SOC is shown on the MFD but only on the driving-information screen, which also shows the eco driving assist. Simply scroll it to that screen using the arrow keys.

    The tonneau cover is $188.69. The correct part number for your vehicle is 64910-47080, as it varies from model year to model year.

    https://parts.culvercitytoyota.com/p/Toyota_2018_Prius-Prime/Cargo-Cover/69093548/6491047080.html
     
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  18. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    My bad ... I saw totaled gen 3 and matched it with the gen 3 in the profile without remembering I had just looked up parts for a 2018 with and without the slots for the retractable cargo cover. .... Good catch, pologies..
     
  19. Chris HV

    Chris HV Member

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    Thanks for the tip about the SOC. I'm surprised it's not on by default bu anyhow, it sure looks like I'm gonna have to learn tons of new tech terms, acronyms and such...

    Yes, this cargo cover is the same willow had mentioned above. My stealership sells it for $275 ! And BTW, I can't even tell if that flimsy piece of foldable fabric comes with some cords to hang the whole thing from the hatch door.

    Please friend, no apologies are needed, you've already helped quite a bit.
     
    #19 Chris HV, Feb 4, 2023
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 4, 2023
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  20. Zed Ruhlen

    Zed Ruhlen Active Member

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    The cargo cover has straps sewed into it. The whole thing is totally worthless though. Mine falls off all the time and is so incredibly cheap it should be given away for free. I would find something aftermarket similar rather than pay hundreds of dollars for one