What every newb should know

I realize, I'm replying to an old post....but one reason not go below a 1/4 tank is that in tank fuel pumps are actually cooled by the fuel, too little and they run hot and can lead to prematurely failing.

 

Very good info. Should have read this before the test drive... it's mostly what I expected though.

 

Thanks for the great info !
Just recently purchased a 2009, two and a half year old Prius.
Could not resist a one owner vehicle for half the invoice price.
This is my third Hybrid,Honda 2005 Accord, and 2009 Civic.
Inferior Honda AC system required we jump ship. Yes we did purchase
a 5yr, 100,000 mile extended warranty. This vehicle has all original doc's,
stickers and books. What I would like to know is How many 2009 silver
pine mica package 6 models were made. Toyota could not answer this question, except to say about 139,000 were sent stateside. If anyone
knows the answer, kindly share it with me.

 

Nice info guys!:cheer2:

 

I have to disagree with this little bit of wisdom based on over eight years of experience with my 2004. I am a hyper miler, the type of person that lets the tank go pretty empty before I fill up. I know I have at least 100 miles more to go before the tank goes empty. I watch the fuel consumption and am aware of factors that may make that number less reliable (service visits, long idles, long accelerations, headwinds, etc) especially towards the last fifth of the tank.

My recommendation is to know your vehicle and understand its performance characteristics. Sure, you should be more cautious with a new vehicle. Once you know your vehicle you don't need to freak out and be a slave to the flashing fuel gauge.

My last fill-up was made after 140 miles after the gauge started to blink. 52.2 avg mpg on the trip meter. 10.1 gallons on the fill.

My record for most miles on a tank = 713.

Again, my recommendation is to know your vehicle.

 

AZGeek,

What octane fuel are you using to achieve these fabulous MPGs??

 

'
7. Fuel economy short-path zen:
- Gliding (lightly pressing the gas pedal so that no arrows point into or out of the battery on the "Energy" display) is better than coasting
- Coasting (foot off the gas pedal) is better than braking
- Braking is better than stopping

It may be counter-intuitive, but you maximize fuel economy by *minimizing* use of the big traction battery (the thing whose charge level is shown by bars on the "Energy" display). Conversions between forms of energy always incur losses by turning some of the energy into heat. Moving energy into and out of a battery is no exception. (So why does the Prius have a battery? Because, even with the conversion losses, it's still more efficient to use an electric motor for acceleration than to carry around a much larger internal combustion engine that spends most of its time near idle.)

The Prius internal combustion engine, like all engines, is most efficient near full load, so you *do* want to accelerate briskly away from a stop. Combining the above leads to the "pulse and glide" strategy: ideally, accelerate quickly away from a stop, then glide all the way to the next stop. This ideal is usually impractical or impossible, but approximating it can improve MPGs in all cars.

Cabin air, not outside air, is used to cool the battery and its management system; if they get too hot they work less well and can reduce fuel economy. In hot weather use the A/C as needed to keep yourself and the battery comfortable. '

so is it bad if i let the car slow down on drive to charge the battery

 

Please explain what the different colors mean on the battery display on the energy screen. Changes from green to blue to purple....What if it rarely stays "green"? Is it not charging properly? I commute 40 miles each way to work-up/down very steap hills. This morning I flat lined this battery indicator when I got stuck in the snow. It recovered but does not stay green for very long.

 

Best thread ever! Thanks everyone!

 

This question was lost in the shuffle and not answered...I was wondering the same thing--which display is most useful for gliding? I find the HSI display more intuitive (allows me to adjust my lead foot accordingly) but not sure if its the best display to be using.

Thanks!

 

hello i am very interested in a prius but i have a deciding factor i need to question. does the 150,000 mile warranty turn over to a new owner??? please email a response at [email protected] thank you very much

 

:welcome:

See following link :
Toyota Prius Battery Warranty | ABC Article Directory
A review of the Toyota site reveals that the standard hybrid battery is covered for 100,000 mi or 8 yrs
while Cal laws require 150,000/10 yr...way more than enough to cover a very rare lemon.
Interestingly I had a hard time getting Google to take me to an online copy of the warranty statement in a Toyota doc...just directions to check with the dealer.
:rockon:

 

great tips for a first time hybrid owner!

 

I have a 2008 and a 2010 Prius ,, I've noticed my mileage goes waaaaaaay down on 2008 when it gets cold. Soooo,,,, I checked resting 12volt battery voltage , and it runs about 11.7 to 11.9 volts,,,, and then just for kicks I checked my 2010 battery voltage,,, 2010 resting battery voltage is 12 volts. Sooooo ,,,, do I need a new 12 volt battery on BOTH cars????????

 

New I phone trying to post lol