new owner has some questions

Hi Lutece7, I can only answer two of your questions.

1. Doesn't seem acceptable to me, but I can't answer the technical why or why not.

2. On the 2010 (GenIII) there is no valet key provided and no option to acquire one.

3. I don't know. The standard security system is a disable feature that prevents someone who does not have the SKS fob from starting the car.

4. My rear hatch door opens when I press the open side of the switch under the lip of the door. When I press (really, I push up gently on the switch), it unlocks all doors. I do have to push up on the switch for two or three seconds before I hear the latches unlock. Try pushing and holding rather than a quick push & release on the switch. --TK

 

First of all Congrats on the New Car! There is always an adjustment period so just read the manuals to become more familiar with the features as you go. I spent a day just familiarizing myself with how to's and getting comfortable with the operation of features.

To answer your first question:

My new 2010 Is my second Prius. I have never had an issue with the engine burning 1.1 QT of oil as mentioned in the manual. I also think there are referring to the NEW ENGINE, since it states "a new engine will burn more oil". I believe they were referring to in the break in, you could use that much. I always watch my oil but I wouldn't be terribly concerned just a guideline.

2nd Question:

I do not believe there is a valet Key. If you have a Smart Fob then I don't believe so. I also have the model V and have the Fob and there is no valet key as we may remember them. The spare key as you mentioned is if you can not get into your vehicle for any reason or should the fob battery become low. However, you can still start the Prius if your Fob battery is low, by placing it up to the start button after you have entered the vehicle with your key inside the Fob.

3rd Question:

Unless it lists on your sticker or option group that you had the included Security System, you most likely do not have it. I do not have it and it can be added as a Toyota system which is clean and neat, not having no other keys or units. However I do know that the engine Immobilizer system is quite good. It will not let someone start the vehicle without having the Manufacturers Fob in the vehicle or within the 2 foot range. The system is basically rendered useless without it. So the only thing you lose is if someone try to break in and the alarm blaring if they entered your vehicle...most of the time if you hear them citizens may or may not respond to assist...if it's something more of need for your neighborhood or work locations, then it may be a wise investment to add it as a deterrent.

4th Question:

You should be able to open your hatch. I am not familiar enough with the II model, but either you should be able to approach within 2 feet of the vehicle and push your finger on the "rectangular" rubber button to open the hatch. Be sure not to use the small rubber button indent as that is used to Lock the hatch and all doors. I tried this myself a few times to get it right...
As for the hatch just popping open like some trunks do, that does not happen. (I like that actually since once when I had a GM Product and hit the open trunk button, the wind grabbed the trunk lid and cost me $200.00 to repair the damage to the hinge/lid..)

Best of luck with your new car. Any questions, please post and someone will be glad to help. This site has been helpful to say the least to a lot of Newbies and technology questions galore!

Happy Driving...

 

1. Someone other than me will have to answer this question.

2. TKY is correct, there is no valet key, nothing to lock since it is a hatchback and there is no lock on the glove compartment.

3. There is an alarm that will sound if someone other than you tries to open the door (I know, I've done it thinking I had the fob in my purse), but I am not sure of its length, etc. I give very little credence to these alarms anyway since everyone tends to ignore them anyway. Also, unless you leave a fob in the car, or the thief brings a flatbed truck, your car cannot be stolen.

4. You have a II; the II and III only have the 1-door SKS, so as factory programmed, you can only open the driver's side door. However, you can program the car so that when you ouch the driver's side door, all of the doors will open. I did this and it is very helpful. You just have to press the lock and unlock buttons together for a few seconds until you hear a few beeps from the car. Refer to the manual for the specifics.

Enjoy your car! I expect I will see you on the road someday, neighbor!

 

1. The 600 miles are a fairly "standard disclaimer" used by all manufacturers--you'll see little or no oil use between changes.

3. The alarm is an option installed by the port or dealer.

 

1) In ALL new car engines, oil burn has been virtually eliminated...NOT TO WORRY!
2) 2010's are NO longer equipped with Valet keys.
3) 2010's are NOT equipped with an alarm system activated. I say "activated" because they have one, it just has to be purchased. It's the VIP 3200 PLUS, and there's NO hardware involved, it's just a matter of connecting some wiring, doing some programming and using the existing Key Fob to activate and disable it, this MUST all be done by your dealer.
4) The Model II is equipped with a 1 Door SKS system, it can however, be programmed to open all doors and hatch when the drivers door is touched.

David (aka Blind Guy)

 

Deleted... <<answered by other people >>

 

That kind of oil burning just doesn't happen. I just finished a 3500 mile tour of several western state ... with a lot of 80+ MPH driving ... and when I had my 2010 serviced ... it hadn't used any oil at all ... typical for just about any car made in the past 10 or 20 years.

Valet key ... the Prius doesn't have one. The only way the Prius will operate is with the fob.

Can't comment on the alarm ... mine is package V and came with all the alarm stuff.

I suspect you are trying to push open the door too quickly. I learned that the hard way on my 2008. All you have to do is to LIGHTLY touch the door open sensor on the tailgate ... and wait a couple of seconds. The locks will pop and the tailgate will lift. If you put too much lift pressure on the sensor ... you will just jam the thing and it won't work until you lighten up.

 

This is the right answer for this question. The other people answering differently have a different package level that comes with SKS for the back hatch and passenger door. The II level doesn't have this. You'll need to hit unlock on your fob or program as stated above so that grasping the driver's door handle unlocks all three doors.

 

We were told at the New Owner's Meeting that if you signed up for MyToyta on-line, as a new subscriber, they would send you a credit card type key for your new prius, that you could keep in your wallet or purse. I signed up a month ago but no key yet. I didn't even see anything on the website about a free key.

I imagine the key would be like the one inside the fob, but if that is it, I would think it would be kind of thick to be a credit card type------so, now that I think about it, I think it was mis-information being handed out.

 

1. i don't have my prius yet. thank your lucky stars you don't have a VW
2. i don't have my prius yet. park it yourself, it's cheaper
3. i don't have my prius yet. gap insurance
4. i don't have my prius yet. use a hammer