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Bought a 2015 Prius Three

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by SPX, Aug 1, 2022.

  1. SPX

    SPX New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2022
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    Location:
    Simpsonville, SC
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Hi everyone,
    New Prius owner here. I bought a 2015 Prius Three with 197k miles from a Toyota dealership. Had a Ford Focus but can't get parts for it - google Focus transmission problems if you're interested. Any way, hope the Prius is as reliable as their reputation. Any advice for a new owner?
     
    #1 SPX, Aug 1, 2022
    mikey_t and bisco like this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    congrats and welcome!

    15 is the best year gen 3 due to updated pistons and rings.

    if you are a diy'er, dig right into the maintenance schedule and clean the egr circuit.

    all the best!
     
    #2 bisco, Aug 1, 2022
    Mendel Leisk and mikey_t like this.
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
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    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    For EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) see first link in my signature.

    (if on a phone hold it landscape orientation to see signatures)
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Aug 2, 2022
  4. SPX

    SPX New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2022
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    Location:
    Simpsonville, SC
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Thank you bisco and Mendel. Clean the EGR first. What else should be a priority?

    So far I'm getting about 41mpg on my commute to work. Most of that is on the freeway which can be stop and go like the city in the Greenville/Spartanburg area - I blame the short on off ramps.

    So a couple of cons. I am not good at buying cars so I don't find these things until after the purchase.

    1. No auto headlights. I thought that would be a given.

    2. The lock beep. Most cars you can turn off the beep when you lock and unlock the car but I could not find that feature on the Prius.

    I will go through your list Mendel but I doubt that I am going to buy snow tires for winter driving in
    South Carolina. One can only hope for that much snow,

    Oh yeah, and 3. The slow acceleration. I am having to learn to choose when I pull into traffic or merge more carefully.

    Thanks again for the replies.
     
    #4 SPX, Aug 3, 2022
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
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    Plug-in Base
    tranny fluid (it's not on the maintenance schedule, toyota calls it lifetime.

    if you don't know the maintenance history (you can check at toyota.com/owners and get a maintenance schedule there as well, if you don't have one.

    clean the throttle body and maf

    replace all fluids

    get a free 12v load test at an auto parts store

    learn where the 12v battery is, the jump point under the hood and the emergency release inside the hatch door.
    make sure you have tow completely working fobs, and test the maechanical keys in the drivers door lock.
    tyres pressure, bump up a bit over door jamb spec

    cabin and air filters check/clean/replace

    follow the maintenance schedule, repeating at the end of the highest mileage in the schedule
     
    #5 bisco, Aug 3, 2022
    mikey_t likes this.
  6. nicoj36

    nicoj36 Active Member

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Definitely clean egr. Search NutzAboutBolts on youtube for the diy videos. Give it a bottle of fuel treatment as well.
     
    #6 nicoj36, Aug 4, 2022
    mikey_t likes this.
  7. SPX

    SPX New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2022
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    Location:
    Simpsonville, SC
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Thanks again everyone. Looks like I have my work cut out for me. I'll buy some fuel treatment this weekend.

    I have one key fob and have tested the manual key.

    Where is the best place to buy additional key sets?

    Also a confession. I came home from work and went to bed and my sister found my car running. It had ran for a few hours. So now I know. Foot off the brake and press the button while in park. Has anyone else done this?
     
    #7 SPX, Aug 5, 2022
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
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    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Any time the cArs on and you push the power button, it should go into park and shut off, regardless of where your feet are. :coffee:
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Aug 5, 2022
  9. SPX

    SPX New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2022
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    Location:
    Simpsonville, SC
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Thanks Mendel. That works perfect.
     
    #9 SPX, Aug 6, 2022
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
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