Top 10 for New Owners

learning proper pulse and glide techniques!

after that, i'd say just go with what interests you... no point in us telling you to focus on the BT phone features if it's something you end up not using.

Although the voice comands are pretty cool... i love getting stuck in traffic now, cause i can just hit the button and say "detour" and almost isntantly have a route around the busy intersection!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(withersea @ Jul 6 2006, 09:25 AM) [snapback]281941[/snapback]</div>

It's too late for you, perhaps, but the top ten priorities in your new Prius should be the same top ten priorities the first time you get into any new (to you) car and done before turning on the ignition (or the power button, or whatever it happens to be called in that particular vehicle).

1 - Locate the critical safety controls (horn, shifter, lights, windshield wiper, flashers, etc.)
2 - Check that all indicator lights work (turn & brake signals, parking & backup lights, headlights, DRL if applicable)
3 - Set radio push buttons to the stations you listen to (if you do), load CD changer, plug in ipod, whatever.
4 - Check and if necessary adjust the seat to fit you
5 - Check/adjust the rear view mirrors so they work for you (there is a proper way, search if you don't know it)
6 - Fasten your seatbelt and make sure your passengers have as well.
7 - Close your eyes and see if you can remember where the critical safety controls in step 1 are...
8 - If the car is really new to you, turn off distractions like navigation, radio, passengers, etc.
9 - If you really want/need to use the nav or other fancy feature, figure them out before you start driving.
10 - Verify the car is in park (if possible), else apply emergency brake, then start the vehicle.

Enjoy the experience of a new car, remembering all the time that the primary job of the driver is to control the vehicle so you can get from point A to point B without killing anyone.

Welcome to the world of Prius owners

Vince

 

I don't have a top 10, Tony's are good, but I'd also like to suggest you say "Screen OFF" if you have voice control, or hit the Display button and the Display Off soft button. There's a lot of info available on the MFD, but it can be distracting to learning the feel of the car. Don't worry about achieving hyper-milage fuel efficiency right from the start, learn how the car sounds and feels when it accellerates, decelerates, and switches modes. Jam on the accelerator and get used to the ICE revving sound; it will sometimes rev high when you don't expect it to, but it's OK, this is a smart car. See if you can detect when the car switches from regnerative to friction braking when coming to a stop.

When you are comfortable driving the car just like you would any other car, then you can turn the MFD back on and learn how to drive it like a Prius.

 

I agree with Evan: Pulse and glide is an extreme driving technique with is not suitable for use in traffic and which requires an almost Zen connection with the car. The glide is actually easy enough, but accelerating with no arrows is not.

Just drive your car and enjoy it. You'll learn its ins and outs. And come back here with questions.

 

I can't believe no one is mentioning the single most important thing-- turn off the beeping when in reverse!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Jul 6 2006, 10:32 AM) [snapback]282101[/snapback]</div>

I've never been able to detect the change from regenerative braking to friction braking. I've watched the speedometer so I know where it should be happening, and I still cannot feel it. Pretty cool car.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Jul 6 2006, 10:39 AM) [snapback]282109[/snapback]</div>

my suggestion is to NOT turn the resevre beep off. i and ohters here have had bead experience going in resvers without releaizing it because the car is so quite...the beep is a good reminder

 

I also suggest giving the manuals a readthrough. There's a lot of information to be had there. Don't be embarrased if you ask a question and be told it's on page 33. It's not the easiest to read.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(doc3osh @ Jul 6 2006, 12:35 PM) [snapback]282105[/snapback]</div>

Why? It's there as a safety device because when a new driver is waiting at lights there were cases of inadvertently putting the car into reverse instead of forward. And then bumping the car behind on take-off! The beep is a warning signal. I like it and certainly think it would be unwise for a new driver to get rid of it.

 

Congratulations on your new Prius - get out and enjoy it!

One thing that I haven't seen mentioned is use of the backup camera. Don't, I repeat DON'T use it as your only source of information when backing the car. I use a "sweep" pattern of the mirrors and windows, plus the camera display. I don't care if I look like an idiot swiveling my head around several times while backing...

Have fun!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Jul 6 2006, 08:39 AM) [snapback]281948[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Jul 6 2006, 12:35 PM) [snapback]282104[/snapback]</div>

You guys need to have more faith in some people . I got my Prius less than 3 months ago and have just over 2K miles. I started P&G in the middle of my first tank, and I consider myself pretty good at it now. My FE was 47mpg on the first tank; my last 2 have been 53mpg. Currently 54mpg after filling up two days ago. I started really aiming for the "deadband" accelerations only last month, and 2 weeks ago I noticed I was starting to hit those right on without looking at the MFD all the time .

If it weren't for those damn warm-up cycles giving me only 30-35mpg for the first 5 minutes on a cold engine, I bet I'd be averaging 65-70mpg... seeing as going both directions on my 20 minute commute all the bars except the first are 50-100mpg. I guess I need to work further away from home

Disclaimer: this post comes from a computer engineer. If you don't feel comfortable with modifying your driving style and staying safe, don't do it until you're ready! I just love the game of P&G as I drive... watching my mpg tick up.... ahhh.... <goes and kisses Prius>

 

I'm still reading the manual but Im dying to learn about pulse and glide!

 

Set your side mirrors properly!!! Here's a great link from Click and Clack:

http://www.cartalk.com/content/features/mirrors/index.html

You might find that there are larger blind spots in the Prius compared with other cars, and it's important (from a safety standpoint) to see as much as you can. It will probably take a little driving to fully adapt to this *correct* way of setting your mirrors, but you'll come to love the security of knowing that you don't have any more blind spots!!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Jul 6 2006, 10:05 AM) [snapback]282082[/snapback]</div>

I agree - relax and enjoy the ride - then cruise Prius Chat for tips!

The #11 top thing is, of course, to start personalizing your Prius. As soon as I got my license plates, I rushed out and purchase license plate holders (chrome plated palm trees). Sharp!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(doc3osh @ Jul 6 2006, 12:35 PM) [snapback]282105[/snapback]</div>

How do you turn off the beeping in reverse?

The beeping doesn't bother me that much, but I'd like to turn it off. If you don't see this message, I guess I'll just have to look it up in the manual.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swingshiftworker @ Jul 6 2006, 11:52 PM) [snapback]282434[/snapback]</div>

Here's a relevant thread for that:

http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=15362

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(v.jones @ Jul 6 2006, 10:31 AM) [snapback]282100[/snapback]</div>

Heh, I have the April 1958 issue of Popular Science and here is their list (only 8):

1- Use the Owner's Manual and figure out your controls so you know where they are.
2- Park as close as possible to the curb and check the curb in relation to the hood ornament (in a Prius? Yeah, right) so you know how to park. Line up hood ornament of car behind you in the mirror when backing into a space.
3- Check your clearances when you park to see how much room you have on the sides.
4- Let your wife* in on the fun (I ain't making this up) so she'll know what the indicators mean.
5- Explore under the hood, using the Owner's Manual as a guide book. Find the locations of the crankcase and auto-transmission dipsticks and the power-steering reservoir. While you're at it, be a professional--check their levels.
6- Be sure you have what you bought. Check off equipment on your invoice. Are all the extras there? Spare tire? Jack?
7- Look under the dash to look at the fuses and get the serial number of the radio.
8- Put a wood block on your garage floor as a guide for getting all of your new car in.

* if it were me I'd change that to: Let all of the drivers in on the fun.

As you can see, some is the same and some is.....huh????