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Freshly Minted Prius Owner -- Any tips?

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by KarenEliz4, Nov 5, 2013.

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  1. KarenEliz4

    KarenEliz4 New Member

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    everyone!

    Last night, I drove my fully loaded 2011 Prius IV (Winter Grey!) off the lot. Couldn't possibly be more excited if I tried! Originally, we were considering the Prius C and wanted to wait until after our wedding (next September) but came across the IV and were blown away by the price. Long story short: the dealership had messed up the price of the car and we got it for about $2,000 cheaper than it should reasonably have been. All the bells and whistles, including cool blue glowing door frame thingees and heated seats. I feel like a rock star!

    This is my very first "newish" car ever -- I have never even once been on a car lot or chosen a vehicle. I was always given hand-me-downs. I was so emotional, I nearly cried!

    Does anybody have any quick tips for somebody who's just learning how to drive the Prius? I'm certainly going to read the manual cover to cover, and I lurk on PriusChat a lot, and I've done a lot of research -- but just wondered if anybody had any "Oh, this is easy -- do this right away!" or "Did you know the car can do this?" type advice to offer for my first few days while I'm still learning.

    (PS: Sorry if there are threads specifically devoted to this -- it seems like there are bunches of advice threads but its hard to suss out a solid "advice" post that's been surrounded by "talking about the advice" posts. Thanks for your understanding!)

    I AM SO EXCITED!

    Let's drive!
     
    #1 KarenEliz4, Nov 5, 2013
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  2. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Congrats and enjoy the car. I would say just drive the car and get used to it. Try and get a feel for the brakes and gas.
     
    #2 JMD, Nov 5, 2013
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  3. vskid3

    vskid3 Active Member

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    If you want mileage tips, this video is a good place to start.
     
    #3 vskid3, Nov 5, 2013
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  4. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Welcome to Prius Chat! Good choice on car!
    The only tips I have are (1) Fill-up the gas tank before it goes empty (resist the temptation to push the limit) and (2) be sure to check up on the green NY EZpass if you use thruway or NY bridges etc.

    NY is CARB state so believe your battery is covered to 150000 miles.
     
    #4 wjtracy, Nov 5, 2013
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  5. KarenEliz4

    KarenEliz4 New Member

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    That's all great info -- thank you so much!

    I got a pretty awesome bumper-to-bumper warranty, too, since the car was certified pre-owned at the dealership. So I've been really pleased (well, on paper -- only had the car a day) with how solid and comprehensive all the warranties and coverage has been.

    The other great thing: the car only had 19,000 miles on it, so I'm well within every type of warranty that I could have!
     
    #5 KarenEliz4, Nov 5, 2013
  6. Cozynest

    Cozynest Junior Member

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    Congratulations, both for the car and your upcoming wedding.
    We've had ours since March, and there are a couple of things that were a little unexpected.

    There is a fan vent next to the rear passenger side seat back, up against the door. Once in a while it kicks on to cool the traction battery in the back. The sound is faint, but strange. I was concerned that something was wrong when I first heard it, but it is normal.

    The start button and proximity sensors are great, and I've finally stopped whipping my keys out every time I approach the car, but early on I did accidentally leave the car on a couple of times and walk away. Be vigilant about shutting off even though the engine is not running. I had to make a habit of looking at the dash before I open the door!
     
    #6 Cozynest, Nov 5, 2013
  7. KarenEliz4

    KarenEliz4 New Member

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    Thank you so much, on all accounts! These are exactly the types of factoids I'm hoping to learn -- stuff that's not quite in the book. I've been confused once or twice already about whether the car was officially on or not, or off or not, and so I'm trying to be attentive to the Prius's many modes. Generally speaking, I'm used to cars where, if there's no engine noise, it's off. Not so, with the Prius! So your advice is very well received. Again, thank you!
     
    #7 KarenEliz4, Nov 5, 2013
  8. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    #8 fotomoto, Nov 5, 2013
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  9. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    OK good....hmm...well to qualify for the CARB warranty it is important that your car is CARB ceritified which generally means the first owner had to purchase in CARB state. So that could be a wrinkle....but not to worry the big battery generally lasts life of car anyways.
     
    #9 wjtracy, Nov 5, 2013
  10. Mr Incredible

    Mr Incredible Chance favors the prepared mind.

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    Read this entire site.
     
    #10 Mr Incredible, Nov 5, 2013
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  11. KarenEliz4

    KarenEliz4 New Member

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    The car was purchased here in NY - it had been leased through the local Toyota dealer (where I bought it) and has had all it's maintenance etc. done by the dealer!
     
    #11 KarenEliz4, Nov 5, 2013
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  12. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Welcome aboard and enjoy the ride!
     
    #12 spiderman, Nov 6, 2013
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  13. Bruce Cameron

    Bruce Cameron Junior Member

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    ^ what he said!!
     
    #13 Bruce Cameron, Nov 7, 2013
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  14. Alan Claver

    Alan Claver Junior Member

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    I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't realize that the Eco Mode switch turned the Eco Mode on and off. I assumed that there were only 3 modes - Power, Eco and EV since there's 3 buttons. :cool:.

    Of course, hitting the Eco Mode button switches between "Regular" and Eco mode. I'm now starting a new tank on "Regular" mode to see what hit that takes on the mileage. I got used to Eco Mode so I'm not sure I need to use Regular mode but it's now nice to know about it. Eco mode had plenty of zip for my purposes. When I was on the highway and needed more, I just switched to Power Mode.
     
    #14 Alan Claver, Nov 7, 2013
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  15. KarenEliz4

    KarenEliz4 New Member

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    Thanks for the tip, Alan! I've been slowly learning when to apply different modes and have felt a little sheepish too. At first, the Prius feels a little like driving a space ship! I've realized, however, that it's made me a far more attentive driver -- my mind, which used to wander, is now always on the car, the road and the conditions around me. So all that embarrassment is worth it in the end -- we've got to learn how to use these cars to their full potential!
     
    #15 KarenEliz4, Nov 7, 2013
  16. vskid3

    vskid3 Active Member

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    Just a note, the different modes just change the throttle mapping (and ECO makes the AC run more efficiently). Flooring it in any of the modes will give you the same amount of power.
     
    #16 vskid3, Nov 7, 2013
  17. Alan Claver

    Alan Claver Junior Member

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    It doesn't seem like that to me. I notice a big difference (especially at highway speeds) between the power delivered in Eco mode and Power mode. I guess that the eventual power is equal but the ramp up to that power is vastly different.
     
    #17 Alan Claver, Nov 7, 2013
  18. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Be aware that as the colder temps set in, you will take a fairly large hit in the FE area. If you want to analyze the effect of the modes, you should do it when you have stable environmental influences.
     
    #18 spiderman, Nov 7, 2013
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  19. Baldbubba

    Baldbubba Member

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    If you have an honest dealer consider yourself VERY lucky! Most charge OUTRAGEOUS prices for very simple things, and will scheme anyway they can to get you to pay for things that THEY feel is not covered by the warranty. If forced to pay for something, check with another dealer! My local dealer was going to "SPLIT" the cost of both headlight assembly replacement with me. I went to a dealer in Florida on vacation, they replaced them NO COST, was a $4000 set. Saved me over 2 grand! Are times the local dealer should have a gun and mask on the way they rob customers.
     
    #19 Baldbubba, Nov 12, 2013
  20. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    John's Stuff - Toyota Prius User-Guide

    Note that there is reference to the PHV version so feel free to skip those sections but otherwise it should be more or less applicable (a few screens won't be there on your 2011 model as they are new additions to the 2012 and newer models such as the Monthly Savings Record screen).
     
    #20 Tideland Prius, Nov 12, 2013
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