prius virgin

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(beermandave @ Apr 19 2006, 05:45 PM) [snapback]242379[/snapback]</div>

To begin with just drive it. Get the feel of the car. The brakes are very different. Learn to anticipate the traffic and signals.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(beermandave @ Apr 19 2006, 04:45 PM) [snapback]242379[/snapback]</div>

if you want super gas mileage, read all of the posts on how to get better mileage out of the car. there's tons of material on that here.

if you like the car and the way it drives and mileage in the 40+ range is fine with you, drive the car and enjoy it with no special effects. it's a treat. wait til you see how it corners, with all that mass low in the body. wait til you find out ow much stuff you can cram inside with the seats down. and guess what? you can add a tow hitch and pull about 3-600 pounds with it, too!

happy motoring! i love my prius!

 

spend a lot of time reading here on PC.

congrats on the new car!

and i should have guessed right away you're in wi after reading your username...

 

Read the owner's manual.

If the fuel gauge gets to one pip, buy gas.

Put in no more than 3.5 US quarts of oil at each oil change.

 

Don't be afraid to change the tire pressure. I use 42/40, but you don't have to have it at those pressures.

As said above, just drive it.

Congrats!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(beermandave @ Apr 19 2006, 07:45 PM) [snapback]242379[/snapback]</div>

Welcome to the club of the smart people.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(beermandave @ Apr 19 2006, 07:45 PM) [snapback]242379[/snapback]</div>

Definitely follow the advice to fill up as soon as the gas tank gets down to one pip. I made the mistake of believing that one pip meant you still have 2 gallons left, and thus about 80 miles to go before running out of gas. Well, I ran out at one pip, on a very dangerous 26 mile long bridge over water, without even making it to 20 miles. So fill up!

Gary

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(beermandave @ Apr 19 2006, 05:45 PM) [snapback]242379[/snapback]</div>

Oh shoot, you want advice? I was hoping we were going to have a sacrifice here. Oh well, nevermind.

Advice, stay away from Fred's for awhile at least.

 

For starters, learn how to take your foot all the way off the gas pedal.

Then, learn how to coast. Look ahead 500 feet. Anticipate.

 

Are you drinking Bud Light from an over-the-shoulder neoprene tube while you drive? Be sure to put a seat belt around that barrel.

Are you a distributor?

My tip: set aside some time and establish some new-car baseline data for later reference. Take two hours on a day off and go to a freeway or, if available, other 4-lane highway. With the car warmed up, drive 10 minutes at a steady 55, then 10 at 60, then 65, etc. Use cruise for "quality control". Take another half-hour and drive around an urban/suburban area where you normally drive anyway, but in no big hurry. Go up the highest hill and coast down. Watch your MFD. Note to yourself the approximate temp(s) and your tire inflation.

When you've done this, you now have realistic expectations for your MPG. Some people wonder why they can't get higher MPG on the highway or in the city.

You should notice your MPG increasing gradually as you get used to the car. Some attribute increased MPG over time at least in part to the car "breaking in"; others don't think that happens, or at least not as much as it's the driver getting broken in. Whatever.

Don't "just drive it" at first---unless you could care less about your MPG. I'm not saying you should obsess over it as some do; most have a healthy interest in how they're doing.

Welcome to PC. Gentle enough? We don't eat newbies or our young here. We do chew on each other a bit in FHOP, and if you enjoy arguing issues, we'll welcome you there, too.