What are your "must have" after-market accessories

Immanuel:

Well, technically you *can* offer a jump, but I don't think it would be very effective. A regular car battery should be able to offer at least 300-400 cranking amps. You might get 70-100 peak amps out of the 12 vdc inverter/converter.

The auxillary 12 vdc battery in the Prius is about the size of a lawn tractor or motorcycle battery. So that really isn't much help.

What I always worry about, with *any* newer vehicle, is the possibility of serious damage to the electronics due to surges/spikes during boosting. So if for any reason my Prius went dead on me, I would rather not get a boost from another car.

I went to my local Canadian Tire (Like Pep Boys or Autozone merged with a tiny Home Depot) and picked up one of their 700 amp booster boxes on sale for $60 Cdn. I've already used it a couple of times to boost other stranded motorists and it works very well.

All you have to remember is to charge it after every use, and you should plug it in once a month for an hour or two to make sure the internal battery is charged. It has a self-regulating internal charger.

Jay

 

Immanuel:

It's flammable/explosive too, isn't it?

Jay

 

You know, I had heard all these stories about the tire goo, but I don't know if it's true. Several years ago (pre-Prius) I discovered I had a flat tire. It was pitch black out, I was about 90 miles from home and it was 2am, so not much was open. I was able to get the tire partially inflated with the tire goo and drove a few miles to the next open service station. There I discovered my spare was also flat, and after weighing my options decided to fully inflate the tire and try my luck. I drove about 50 mph the whole way home, but I did make it.

That tire held air for several more days before I got a chance to take it to the tire shop, and I told them I had used the flat-fix-it goo and they said it wasn't a problem at all. This seems to conflict with the stories I've heard, so I don't know what to believe.

 

I do have exactly what is mentioned, and I avoid any jump start or boosting. I bought a 12 vdc unit with compresessor from sears. As for the foam it is a problem, my son worked at a Ford dealership and the foam do cause terrible problems, especially if held in for a long time. Perhaps the tire shop mentioned got around it, but in most cases it is a serious problem for the tire shop to handle a tire that has been re-inflated from a can of this "goo".

 

Interestingly, according to Consumer Reports, the Accord hybrid does not have a spare, but has the spare tire in a can.

 

Suggest you stay away from the Accord, at its price you should get a spare. The Honda foam is designed to seal and re-inflate, that part can work, but then, when you go to the dealer for a fix, they get you for a new tire and sometimes the wheel too. This is a good case to get a Prius!!

 

Re: What are your "must have" after-market accesso

:idea: "Ernestine" (Prius named after Lili Tomlin's telephone operator character since her responses are sometimes innane.) has the following "accessories" so far:

1. Body side mouldings;
2. Professional tire gauge;
3. 12v Compressor (I run 38 front 36 rear);
4. ExactMats (clear over original carpets);
5. Full-size cargo net;
6. Mobil-1 oil at 10,000 mile change;
7. Microfiber Wiping cloths (found at Sam's);
8. Multi-tool (pliers, screwdrivers, knife, etc....)
9. 2" stubby antenna (car wash consideration)

Considering:

a. Center console leather cover;
b. Sun shield for MFD (leather too);
c. Windshield shield (~100º F temps in Dallas summers)

 

The reason the Accord Hybrid does not have a spare is for weight considerations. The Accord Hybrid is simply an Accord with a hybrid system added along with the weight of the hybrid system. Honda would have had to redesign the suspension with expensive parts exclusive to the Hybrid. As a result, the Accord Hybrid cannot be ordered with a spare tire, nor a sunroof, nor can the rear seatback be folded down. The Accord Hybrid is at the very top weight limits for the suspension.

 

Hey Charles Suitt,

I was just wondering where you bought your "stubby" antenna from? I've been wanting one for my Prius.

Thanks,
LT1bird

 

Re: What are your "must have" after-market accesso

Here is my list:
1 leather interior
2 exacta cargo and floor matts
3 body side mouldings
4 flat cargo spider net
5 micro fibre towels and a small bottle of spray cleaner for interior
6 Toyota oil filters and wrench to fit
7 led lights in the glove boxes
8 back up digital display and audible back up chime
9 sunshade from here
10 Included options, carpet matts, bumper aplique, VIP alarm with glass sensor, pocket net, first aid kit
11 Meguires carnuba wax and detail spray
12 prepaid mantainance agreement, prepaid 100,000 extended warranty

-Paul R. Haller-

 

Re: What are your "must have" after-market accesso

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MHR\";p=\"105917)</div>

Today I added the Goodyear Triple Tread tires. Traded in my stock OEM's with 350 miles on them and now have a much better tire (top of the line all weather tire) with full road hazard coverage.

I will also pick up a 12v air compressor not to replace my spare tire in a can but in addition to it (as it would come in handy in an emergency when a partial tire repair... to get you to the next gas station is needed).

 

Re: What are your "must have" after-market accesso

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Paul R. Haller\";p=\"106750)</div>

How do you use this?

 

Re: What are your "must have" after-market accesso

There is a better product out there then either Meguires or Zaino (although Zaino is pretty good) - it's called "Pinnacle" Souveran paste. runs about $65.00 or so and the best there is especially for black or red paint work. All product lines have a detail spray which I use as a final once over to make sure the finish is flawless.

 

Re: What are your "must have" after-market accesso

Howdy LT1 Bird...

If your will go to eBay and search on "Prius Antenna" you will find many sources of several antenna lengths. The one I bought came from Germany (found on eBay) but I haven't seen their listings recently. The same replacement antennae are used for several cars, like the VW. Replacement is simple - unscrew original - install replacement.

I haven't noticed degradation of the AM or FM radio signals for use in the Dallas Metroplex area; however, I haven't driven "cross country" since. I keep the original long antenna aboard in case the "country" signal is significantly weaker.

 

Re: What are your "must have" after-market accesso

Do these ring a bell? They are from Germany:



And they fit the Prius just fine.

My personal experience is that if the antenna is 1/2 as short of the stock one, expect its reception to be 1/2 as strong. Unless of course you live in the city, then you probably wouldn't notice any difference.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MHR\";p=\"105917)</div>

Check with your dealer/mechanic before switching to Mobil-1. It's a good choice, you just may want to let the engine break in to 10-20K miles before changing from mineral oil.

Cheers,
Jeff

 

Re: What are your "must have" after-market accesso

8) Howdy Aerometer...

None of those German replacement antannae are what I ordered. Mine is very simple and was availalbe as short as 1" - black anodized aluminum. I chose the 2". Looks like the German manufacturer/seller decided there wasn't adequate profit for the overseas shipping costs and ceased to list on eBay. Mine was shipped from Germany. When I get a few minutes, I will find the invoice and post the contact info.

 

Re: What are your "must have" after-market accesso

:roll: I managed to find my PayPal Invoice for the short antenna. The seller can be reached at:

http://www.inovenda.de

One problem: it's in German and Euros. I don't know enough German to translate and am unaware of shipping costs, if indeed they will ship to the USA. My total costs in January 05 was $18.23 including shipping and I paid through PayPal.

Looks like a domestic source would be a better bet, although the German source provides a broader choice of colors and lengths.

For "What it's worth..."

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JeffHart\";p=\"108727)</div>

You're kidding! They ship these things with dino juice in them?