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What every newb should know

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by richard schumacher, Jun 8, 2008.

  1. Bluebelle

    Bluebelle New Member

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    Quick question from a newbie owner of a 2010 Prius ~ one week tomorrow. I travel down a residential stretch of road to get to my home and the posted speed limit is 25 MPH. There are a few stop signs along the way, which isn't my concern, but what is the best way to travel across the 4 speed bumps that are along the way. Brake while going over, drive over them slowly. Of course, I understand all this takes into consideration who is behind me, but what is the recommended action. Thanks in advance!!
     
  2. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    You mean, for best MPGs? At that speed and distance nothing will make any noticeable difference. Do whatever is easiest and most comfortable for you.

    Short path fuel economy zen:
    - Slower is better than faster
    - Gliding (no arrows on the "energy" display) is better than coasting
    - Coasting is better than braking
    - Braking is better than stopping
    - Stopping is better than running into something
    - In city driving don't use "B". "B" is used to avoid burning up the brakes when coming down a mountain, not when coming up to a stop light.
     
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  3. Bluebelle

    Bluebelle New Member

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    Thanks, Richard...I'm glad to know the difference is not significant since I'm always taking this trek!! I also enjoyed the "stopping is better than running into something" comment! :)
     
  4. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    I would approach them slow enough so that you don't need to brake if traffic allows. Speed bumps are murder on front end alignment. I'd take them as slow as possible especially since it sounds like you're crossing them at least twice a day. Messed up alignment can prematurely wear out tires and cost you mpg performance.

    PS, welcome to the board.
     
  5. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    What kind of speed bump? It makes a difference. some are not too tall but very wide, while others are tall and thin. We have one neighborhood of the 6' wide ones that are only maybe 14" tall, so I take them at about 20mph in stealth. Those tall skinny ones though will wipe out your air dam if you hit 'em straight on.
     
  6. Bluebelle

    Bluebelle New Member

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    Our neighborhood has speed lumps. They are low and have breaks in them so that city busses and emergency equipment can travel over them safely. Each lane has 2 lumps with a breaks in-between, so you can drive over the lumps evenly, or drive your left wheel flat through the break, and just raise on the right side. A lot of people prefer to drive with their left wheel through the center line between the two lines as the break is wider there, and just the right tire lifts. I'm not sure if my description makes sense reading it back!!** For alignment purposes, would it be better to go over both evenly, or is it okay to go with the left tire road level and the right tire over the bump? In any case, I will be going slowly. Thanks!!

    **I just found the official description of our speed lumps: As an alternative to speed humps, speed lumps have been approved by the Fire Department for use on most emergency response routes and by Sacramento Regional Transit for use on bus routes. Speed lumps are asphalt mounds, parabolic in shape, covering 12 feet of street with a height between 3 ¼ and 3 ¾ inches. The center mound or lump, has a width of 5 ½ feet to accommodate the wheelbase of fire trucks and buses. The lumps adjacent to the center lump vary in width to accommodate the street width.
     
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  7. bootsykowan

    bootsykowan Junior Member

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  8. steve39

    steve39 New Member

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    If you have cruse control, use it. In the the 2010, do not use it with ECO.

    When driving below 40 MPH, once you have reached the speed you want, take you foot off the gas and then gently put it back on. (It is also very easy to follow the impact of this in the 2010.)

    If you have the patience, driving at about 55 MPH on the highway is optimal.
     
  9. willchismo

    willchismo Junior Member

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    Hello all! Recent 2007 Prius owner (just less than a week) and totally digging it. I have learned so much from you guys and gals during my research for my Prius over the past month or so. But I have learned even more in the past week. You folks are awesome!
     
  10. Bonny

    Bonny New Member

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    Coming from driving an old '90 Lexus to 2010 Prius, I got a lot of learning.

    Living in the mountain with up and down hill and winding roads, I trying to take advantage of "B" shifting but I often caught myself forgot to switch off to "D" and doing 70 mph on highway after I heard the hardworking sound from engine. Is this frequent situation going to hurt my engine? I might need to give up the "B"

    I also experience steady beeping sound when car speed slow down with braking system. The sounds seems coming somewhere from the driver side, as it is harder to detect it sitting at the passenger side.

    My brake grabbing in reverse, the only way to stop it is by turn the power off and on again...

    I am only getting 41mpg to 43 the last few months of our new ownership on 2010 III

    As new Prius driver I don't know if it is a warning of some sort to take in to dealer.

    Can anyone help me out to easy my worries.
     
  11. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    When you forget to shift out of "B" the only thing that will suffer is fuel economy (which may explain your 41 to 43 MPG). It will not harm the car in any way.

    Remember that "B" is only to reduce or eliminate the need to "ride the brake" (that is, continuous application for more than 1/2 a minute or so) on a long downhill. If you don't have to ride the brake on the downhills while in "D", then you don't need to shift into "B".

    The brakes can be grabby especially when wet or in damp weather. The usual cure is to learn to use a more sensitive touch on the brake pedal. Powering the car OFF and ON again should have no effect on the brakes; if it does then there may be a fault. Ask a dealer to check them out.
     
  12. Leisnash

    Leisnash New Member

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    Have you noticed that the 10 pips are not valued equally? After filling up I often go for a day before my fuel bips drop to nine. Then as the guage drops, each bip represents less fuel.
     
  13. Silent Propulsion

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    Sorry Charlie, not all cities are built on pancakes. My town is on a huge incline with lots of washes. Letting off the gas to engauge electric only while traveling uphill doen't maintain a constant speed. :)
     
  14. vtimm

    vtimm New Member

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    Hello, All!!

    Just wanted to say hello! I traded my 2007 Rav4 Sport for a certified 2007 Prius (I think it has package #4) this past Saturday and I love it! I will be busy combing through the pages of this forum to learn as much as I can. :p
     
  15. snead_c

    snead_c Jam Ma's Car

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    This is a great place to learn. Be sure to check out the search function. :welcome:
     
  16. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    Ditto, and note the search function will not return results for words of 3 letters or less.
     
  17. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

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    Google Search - PriusChat.com is your friend.
    It doesn't have the 3 letters limitation.

    Ken@Japan
     
  18. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    A most excellent point. Thank you!
     
  19. pekemo

    pekemo New Member

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    A small note to those folks who fill up when the tank reaches halfway: Bear in mind that the gas weighs about 6.2 pounds per gallon, so you're hauling around an extra 36 pounds when you top off. A small thing to be sure, but it can't help but negatively affect your gas mileage.
     
  20. drbernz

    drbernz New Member

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    I'm an original '04 owner who is thankful for the info re pips and bladder control.