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Hey Toyota!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Gadgetdad, Mar 31, 2007.

  1. dmckinstry

    dmckinstry New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(snowdog650 @ Apr 4 2007, 07:52 AM) [snapback]417570[/snapback]</div>
    With a train whistle aimed out the back (or a good speaker system simulating one), you might not even have to use 5 or 6.

    Dave M.
     
  2. Gadgetdad

    Gadgetdad New Member

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    I just had oil changed at dealer! How about designing the engine to take exactly 4 quarts so poorly trained dealer service people don't overfill!

    Also, instruct service managers that there is such a thing as an engine block heater and not to recomend drilling out a freeze plug to install one :eek:

    Better yet, make the engine block heater standard on the more expencive packages for Prius.
     
  3. kdmorse

    kdmorse Member

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    My personal must haves:

    1) A larger gas tank. I don't care if it's a bladder or a tank, just as long as it holds more gas. A 20gal bladder would be fine by me, even if it only held 18gal conveniently.

    2) Intelligent Cruise Control. Having seen it in action on a brand new Infinity - I am now annoyed to no end every time I have to fiddle with it manually because no none else on the planet drives a consistent speed.

    If the next major redesign doesn't have these, I may seriously consider jumping ship...

    -Ken
     
  4. Earthling

    Earthling New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cubbyg @ Mar 31 2007, 06:36 PM) [snapback]415647[/snapback]</div>
    That seat should include being able to adjust the angle of the seat, and also have a wider range of motion front to back, so that a person could add an aftermarket seat backrest and still have room for taller drivers like me, 6'4" with 36" inseam legs! The seat needs at least 2" more motion to the rear, and 4" would be better.

    I have conveyed this information directly to Toyota.

    Harry
     
  5. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(allargon @ Apr 3 2007, 10:25 PM) [snapback]417445[/snapback]</div>
    I seriously doubt the stereo has that much draw. However when you crank, you have to understand that wattage out is less than wattage in, so having some draw when cranking is expected.

    What kills the battery in traffic for me is any sort of A/C usage. The stereo pales in comparison to the compressor.

    My wishes:
    • HD Radio would be a nice standard at least on the premium system. Presently, there's no good way to add it.
    • Replace the glass fog lamps with composite or plastic lenses that are more stone resistent - I had to put metal mesh over mine which now makes them almost impossible to clean. While at it, increase usable light output. LED or HID would be nice.
    • LED's for all existing incandescent lighting - interior and exterior
    • Improve the bladder design to eliminate trapping of vapors - presently I can fill near the top, and watch the vapors bubble out. I'd rather they be properly purged in the first place to prevent limited capacity (and range)
    • Flex fuel capable
     
  6. jgills240

    jgills240 Member

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    a smarter door-ajar indicator. my outback would show which door wasn't completely shut, not just that there was a door not completely shut. then you don't have to have all the people who just got in the car open their doors and shut them again, just to realize that it's the rear hatch... simple yet elegant.
     
  7. Orf

    Orf New Member

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    1) A cruise control that can be set as at present or set so that the set speed is not exceeded (handy if cruising at the speed limit to prevent exceeding the speed limit).
    2) In cars not already fitted with voice commands, a learning capabillity for voice command recognition similar to inputting the phone names. All that would be required is to display the commands and allow the driver to speak each command for storing. This would work regardless of the language spoken.
    3) When viewing the navigation map, the display can be toggled between displaying the street you are on or the next cross street.
    4) More control over some of the electronic settings so that the car can be tailored to the drivers' requirements.
    5) Remove the internal reverse beep and replace it with an external reverse beep.
    6) Fit a forward looking camera to aid in parking.
     
  8. ScottY

    ScottY New Member

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    A quick note for people who wish to have changes made to future generation Prius. After the meeting with Toyota reps early this month, we were told that Toyota do visit online forums like this (second paragraph under SIDE BARS). But they take what's posted with a “grain of salt”, since anybody can post things online. The recommended method is to have your concerns written up at the dealership along with your name and VIN number. Or fill out forms like this one, http://toyota.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/toyota...._accessibility=

    Apparently, Toyota won't care too much if they can't confirm that you actually own the car. Hope this helps. :)
     
  9. Orf

    Orf New Member

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    Thank you for the info ScottY, I will pursue that method of passing on suggestions to Toyota.
    I have one further suggestion. When the rear camera is being viewed, either show lines on the MFD representing the extended sides of car or relate these lines to the front wheels to show where the car will go if it is backed up using the current steering wheel position.
    This suggestion is made because with the wide angle lense the camera shows obstacles that are clear of the car's path but do not necessarily appear so.
     
  10. figmentor

    figmentor New Member

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    How about a decent radio?

    such as Mitsubishi has?
     
  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    If you have the IPA parking option, the boxes are shown on the screen as a representative of where the car will end up.