Questions on new Prius

1) A picture is worth a thousand words . . . we can't diagnose “looks loose.†Does it rattle?

2) In the cooling mode, YES. But try bumping up the desired temperature to where it starts delivering heat . . . then other vents will be selected for you.

3) [if this is a 2006 model year thing, then somebody with a 2006 needs to answer this question. This is a good example of why it is helpful if you put your vital statistics in your profile]

4) The Prius does not keep a running lifetime MPG reading . . . but many PriusChatters do.

5) Oil over the full mark IS a big deal! It's not good for the car, or your MPGs. Three of the six oil changes my dealer did they overfilled. One would think that of all people, a Toyota dealership would know how to properly service Prii oil. Don't take any BS about an overfill. Tell them, “Toyota put those marks on the dipstick for a reason, and when it comes to the final word on if it is overfilled or not, I side with Toyota.â€

6) Yes, the plastic wheel covers come off with no tools. Whether it looks best with them on or off is a personal choice.

 

For number 1.. Mine came loose too, it's held on with cheap plastic push pins and they fall out if not pushed all the way in, especially if you accidently back up over a curb or something that can snag it. The dealer had to replace mine about three of those plastic pins fell out

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ghostrider @ Sep 16 2006, 10:15 PM) [snapback]320675[/snapback]</div>

The AIRBAG light is just a sign - they could just as easily have painted it on the instrument panel.

 

Yes, the word AIRBAG is always lit. I don't know why they didn't just paint that word there.

 

The airbag light is to inform you if the airbag on the passanger side has been turned to the ON/OFF position. If someone or someting less than 60lbs is placed on the seat, the airbag is programed not to turn on. This is a saftey feature to protect small children in the passenger seat. Anyone over 60lbs will set the airbag to the ON position. At least that's how I understood it in the manual.

 

Changing the oil at 1,000 miles is a pointless waste of oil.

Back in the old days, when engine-building technology was more primitive, cars came with special "break-in" oil that was intended to be used during the first thousand miles, during which time you were supposed to treat the engine very gently.

That is no longer the case. There is absolutely no reason for changing the oil before the recommended interval. In fact, the recommended interval is probably conservative. Changing the oil al 1,000 miles on a modern car is like covering the wall outlets so the electricity does not escape.

 

Just my best guess:

The "Airbag" light on the panel probably indicates that the airbags are "armed" and capable of deployment - that is, the electrical circuits are good. Simply having a "painted word" on the panel would have no real value.

 

Ghostrider -

RE:

4. I keep hearing of people talk about MPG since they bought the car. Am I missing something on a 2006. My manual says it will reset the MPG when I put gas in.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have a 2006.

As I understand it, the 2006 will automatically reset the amount of miles driven as displayed on the MLF. But only if you put in enough gas to cause the tank "bars" to increase by one or more. The 2006 will not automatically reset the MPG, but I believe the 2005 does. If you want the MPG to reset to "0," you must press the "Reset" button twice.

Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

As I understand it, the 2006 will automatically reset the amount of miles driven as displayed on the MLF. But only if you put in enough gas to cause the tank "bars" to increase by one or more. The 2006 will not automatically reset the MPG, but I believe the 2005 does. If you want the MPG to reset to "0," you must press the "Reset" button twice.

Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong.
[/quote]

Don't know about that. I always press reset (only once) myself after a fill up so I can try to track MPG per tank. I have not seen the miles reset on their own.

One way to find out is just experiment - don't press reset yourself and see if the miles reset themselves. B)