2001 Prius Wish List

1. A nav from a 2002 or 2003 salvage Prius should "plug right in", but there may be tricks to correct installation.

4. Another thread here discusses remote start on the more recent Prius model; should be possible.

5. Coastal E Tech sells that:
Remote Trunk Opener
and you sound like a candidate for some of their other offerings.

No help with the others.

Might we interest you in some more fundamental issues, such as a transaxle fluid change?

 

1. Navigation - there is an RGB interface on the back of the MFD but the last link I looked at indicated it had a non-standard sync requirement. But there is a simpler approach:

I've been doing some work on installation of 3d-party GPS in my NHW11 Prius. I've heard one too many complaints about:

• bad maps or expensive to update
• built-in "nanny state" limits - changing destinations while moving
• useless for finding where you parked your car in "the big parking lot"
• too expensive (mine was just over $200 at Costco)

2. Radar detector - I would recommend mounting the detector in the license plate holder at the front and a second one at the rear. Run the alert wire to the cabin and hide the indicator in one of the vents. Then mount the SAMs in the trunk and pop it open to fire when attacked by air-to-ground aircraft. Of course by the time the radar detector goes off, you're as good as dead. . . . But if you are running at speeds faster than 70 mph, you will get wretched mileage, ~39 MPG, versus 52 MPG at ~65 mph.

3. Upgraded computer - there were different releases and I would recommend getting a copy of the maintenance manuals and technical service bulletins. You may be able to find more recent, NHW11, 2003 versions from salvage vehicles but it will take a while.

4., 5. Remote starter - remote trunk - there is an undocumented, 3d button on the keyfob. This is decoded and could be used for one other function but it would take a bit of work. Once you get a copy of the electrical schematics, we can discuss what is involved.

6. PHEV - there is no off the shelf, package. There are however some techniques to exploit the electric traction capabilities already built into the NHW11.

7. Bluetooth tied to computer - twine works but monofilament fishing line is the traditional approach. Seriously, this is not a specification or requirement. What did you want it to do?

My recommendation is to first address the maintenance items of the car to make sure it lasts long enough to be of use. Then look at how to operate the vehicle to get the maximum mileage and/or length of service. Then let's go over the 'low hanging fruit' of expanded functionality.

Bob Wilson

 

You better have a good check done on your brakes, even if the car has very little mileage and is well kept. There is something very strange going on with the early design.

 

Yeah, the pads and shoes last waay too long. Like it's not hardly even using the brakes, or something. I'm not sure I'd trust it.

-Chap

Edit: sorry, I wasn't sure you were being serious, but I just now saw your other thread regarding the low mileage brake issues on your car. I'm sorry to hear of such an unnerving and frustrating experience. (At the same time, for the benefit of other people considering the classic prius, it doesn't sound as if your experience is at all common. I'd guess there's a sample defect involved, rather than a design defect.) -c

 

Hello,

I'm not so sure it isn't that common. Do a google search or a prius chat on brake issues on the early models. Apparently it has been an issue and I only recently discovered it to be true.

Total brake failure is not common in any car, but there seems to be a trend in the early Prius' that I didn't know. I also felt like I was doing what was necessary by going through Toyota - this is very life threatening in nature, particularly for a 17 year old driver.

 

If yours have the extra plug that lie under the cd changer (hide behind the panel), then it will plug right in (our canadian model didn't have it....or at least on mine). or else, you might facing this....

 

Please link the previous picture to the 'changing cabin air filter' instructions.