Let's play 20 questions

* Where is "RDS" The manual says it's on the Audio menu, and the "RDS" logo is on the CD Player console... But I can't find it on the menu

RDS will show up when there's a message- most of the time i get "listen to [insert radio station here] and win some kind of prize!"

* Is it possible to "Fast Forward" on the CD Player... I figured out how to change CD's and tracks... But not fast forward or reverse... Seem's like a simple feature.

ya... if you figure that out, let me know. in a year i haven't found it. but i don't really pay that much attention.

* How do I get the AC to remember the temperature I want, every time I get in it resets to 75degrees.

that's strange. it shouldn't change...

* Can I get a FOB to recognize which driver is driving and switch the "User" to that user?

that would be awesome, but no

* Can I get the "USER" method to remember which cell phone is which persons? Or is the "Select Cell Phone" not registered with the "User 1" etc system.

see above answer.

* I ordered a EV switch from coastal tech, are they reutable? I emailed them asking when I would get it, thoughts?

some items they're real quick to deliver, some are very slow. customer contact isn't the greatest for the most part, but you'll hear both sides of that one. we personally have never dealt with them.

* Is the 12v battery in the right side of the trunk the one that runs the electronics? Or is their another one?

got that right it boots up the computers, basically.

* How can I see how much ( exactly ) fule is remaining. Or is a CAN-View the only option?

that's gonna be a CAN VIEW thing. otherwise all you get is the bars on the dash display.

* As I'm driving this past weekend, at night, I had a large number of people "Flash" me.. Are they thinking that my brights are on? Or are they mis-aimed?

could be mis-aimed- might bring that in for a headlight alignment. at least have it checked out.

* Also, I live in madison Wisconsin

woohoo! another wisconsinite!

* The Smart feature kicks butt, Can I get a "Smart" door know for my house, that would just seal the deal

wouldn't that be nice? you'll expect all doors to magically open for you from now on.


congrats on the car, you'll get a lot of enjoyment out of it.

 

* And where specificly is the "GPS" antenna... So I don't block it.[/quote]

It's between the screen (MultiFunction Display or MFD) and the windshield.

* And for that matter, since really all I have is a computer system with some wheels .. Are new features year-to-year really just software upgrades? With minor hardware changes?

No, it can be both.

As for the fast-forward on the CD, has anyone tried just holding down the >> button? That's how it used to work on my Volvo, and I haven't yet tried it on the Prius. A brisk press and it jumps tracks. Hold it and it skips through the current song.

 

* How can I tell if I have the : SSC-50P ECU on my 04?
since this was a recent campaign, it might take a month or 2 from the date of recall work for the information to post with your car's history information. wait till you've had it for 2 months and then call up your local dealership. they can look it up for you.

* Since I bought the car used, and the computer "Maint Items" was reset, how should I start out, I know when the next Oil change should be, but I guess the rest I'll just have to "wing it".
you can use the service intervals guide- if you didn't get one with your car you can get one at toyota.com- click on the "owners" link and you can download the service intervals for your car. you can either program those into the maintenance menu or just run off that guide.

* And where specificly is the "GPS" antenna... So I don't block it.
it's up toward the front, near the windshield somewhere IIRC

* And for that matter, since really all I have is a computer system with some wheels .. Are new features year-to-year really just software upgrades? With minor hardware changes?
the software updates are usually recalls and aren't scheduled or considered maintenance or anything. no real hardware updates are done through toyota for new features or anything.

 

Yes, as listed above the fast forward for the CD player is operated by holding down the foward or reverse keys (depending on whether you want to go forward or backward).

 

*Is it possible to "Fast Forward" on the CD Player... I figured out how to change CD's and tracks... But not fast forward or reverse... Seem's like a simple feature

you can fast forward/rewind a track by going into the audio screen on the MFD, there's a forward/backward arrow you can press.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Shane Brath @ Apr 19 2006, 10:16 PM) [snapback]242430[/snapback]</div>

Without having to go to the audio screen: Use the "Seek<>" button (Next to the "PWR" button by the Volume knob) to forward and rewind CD tracks.
NOTE: you have to hold the up or down arrows in for a few seconds before it fast fowards or rewinds for you. It'll show you the time of the track rewinding or forwarding on your screen (regardless of which screen you are on) when you do it.

 

"I was thinking of adding a Lumbar from http://www.rostra.com/, how do I actually order from them? Call them? And of all the "Bladders" which one do I need?"

I've installed the power lumbar in both front seats of our '04 and '05.

I used to work here, http://66.70.95.71/heaters/heaters.asp, so give 'em a call and tell 'em Curt the Prius guy sent ya.

The model # is 250-1453 if the link doesn't work.

The Prius seats are pretty standard and easy to pull out of the car and take apart to install the lumbar bladder. Has made all the difference to have lumbar in the car!

Ask any other install questions u might have, I'd be glad to help.

Curt. B)

 

* Is it possible to "Fast Forward" on the CD Player... I figured out how to change CD's and tracks... But not fast forward or reverse... Seem's like a simple feature.

use the ^ button on the left side of the steering wheel = "next track" for CD, "next preset station" for FM and AM radio.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(finman @ Apr 20 2006, 06:45 AM) [snapback]242583[/snapback]</div>

The -1453 part is 12" wide per Rostra's docs on their website. Based on another thread about the Rostra parts, that is wider than the area available on the Prius seats...? Does the bladder kind of wrap around the seat back, giving you a little bit of side support, when installed?

Another thread seems to indicate that the -1454 part is the one to get (10.25" wide, and looks more rectangular than the -1453). Are you familiar with that one, by chance?

Finally, regarding the install, anything useful to point out before I pull the seat and try? Anything to be concerned about disconnecting battery (or not), electrical connections under the seat, airbag concerns, etc?

Thanks,
Mike

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Apr 19 2006, 09:30 PM) [snapback]242442[/snapback]</div>

on my 2005 there is a button on the audio page that reads MSG, that will display the RDS stream if you are parked. it's disables when you are driving.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Apr 19 2006, 09:30 PM) [snapback]242442[/snapback]</div>

when the ignition is off (no ready light) that battery runs the 12v electric system. when the ignition is on, there is an inverter that supplies the 12v from the hybrid traction battery also.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Apr 19 2006, 09:30 PM) [snapback]242442[/snapback]</div>

i've always just used one bar as one gallon, except the first and last bars as two gallons. this works well for me, but may not for others.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Apr 19 2006, 09:30 PM) [snapback]242442[/snapback]</div>

i am assuming you have HID's then. the HID's have a very sharp cutoff, so it's brighter at the edge of the cutoff than normal lights. cresting a slight hill, even slightly raising the cutoff, could blind people. watch the cutoff line as you pass somone, it should stay about even with the hood of their car on a flat road. if not, get them checked and adjusted as needed. the dealer will probably do it for free.

 

"The -1453 part is 12" wide per Rostra's docs on their website. Based on another thread about the Rostra parts, that is wider than the area available on the Prius seats...? Does the bladder kind of wrap around the seat back, giving you a little bit of side support, when installed?

Another thread seems to indicate that the -1454 part is the one to get (10.25" wide, and looks more rectangular than the -1453). Are you familiar with that one, by chance?

Finally, regarding the install, anything useful to point out before I pull the seat and try? Anything to be concerned about disconnecting battery (or not), electrical connections under the seat, airbag concerns, etc?"

Hmmm, I'll have to check my actual invoice and owner's/install manual. I want to say that what I have is a foot wide, no issues installing in the Prius seats. No wrapping around. Maybe the PDA website is listing the wrong part #...I have only received one style of lumbar from them...the Rostra 1453.

As far as install...I did not disconnect the battery (the little 12 V in the right rear.) Really no need to, plus you can't test for switched power with no power! Which by the way there are several candidates in each of the kick panels, just use a multimeter to test. I simply unplugged the airbag and seat belt connectors, unbolted the seat and out it comes. I did not turn the vehicle on with the seats out, so maybe that's important.

The fabric comes undone with a little work. Clips and springs and whatnot , then just "peel" it up the seatback like an upside-down bananna. The air bag is there in the side to look at, but really as long as you're not messing with it it doesn't go anywhere or fall out or anything. I tested different locations for the bladder, plugged the harness into a 12 V supply I have on my bench and inflated, then sat in the seat on my garage floor to see where I wanted to officially mount it using the zip ties supplied.

Overall, it's a 3 out of 5 on the difficulty scale, about 3 hours total for 2 seats.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(finman @ Apr 28 2006, 02:47 PM) [snapback]246860[/snapback]</div>

Cool, thanks for the the info.

Airbag and seatbelt connectors -- are those the cables I see under the seat, presumably? I haven't looked too far, but assume there's some kind of positive-locking connector that I have to finagle out of its connector receptable, yes?

Mike

 

Yep, those just unplug by depressing a tab on the connector.

As far as what my owner/install manual says..."the 1453 replaces the 1452...and the 1454 replaces the 1455". It's a generic install manual that is no help in narrowing down the actual part #. And my invoice is nowhere to be seen. Sorry!! And no dimensions in the manual either.

Good luck. If I can help some more just ask.

Curt.