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I bought a 2009 Prius with 230,000 Miles.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Simbaboy, Jan 4, 2017.

  1. Simbaboy

    Simbaboy Active Member

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    The tires were 40psi all the way around when we left Michigan and have not checked. But will definitely check prior to heading back to State side (Glacier then Utah then back home).

    Will look under the car and make sure nothing is hanging loose. But it felt and sounded like the car 'under belly'.

    Simba
     
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Be careful. A Prius' "towing" (load) capacity is met with passengers alone. The roof top carrier could be the biggest problem combined with any luggage in the back. The Prius brakes are not designed for high loads, partially because of the regenerative braking. With extra weight the regen will fill the battery faster than normal, negating regen and working the brakes hard.
    .
    gen2 w trailer.jpg
     
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Yeah just ticking off the list:

    Four adults
    Semi-skookum trailer
    Dirt Bike!
    Full size roof carrier, with undisclosed weight
    Hatch area?
     
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  4. Simbaboy

    Simbaboy Active Member

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    We are really watching our speeds--not going over 65 MPH and most of the time driving at 60 MPH.
    Also, watching the distance between us and the car ahead.
    In fact, the slower speeds has been therapeutic and we are really enjoying ourselves.
    Simba
     
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  5. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    It wouldn't surprise me if the speed bump issue was load related. Or maybe suspension age related. Or maybe a combination. Sounds like you got yourself a great car, @Simbaboy!
     
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  6. William Redoubt

    William Redoubt Senior Member

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    I love that little trailer. I have the 8-foot model, but may be giving it up for the little one, but mounting the bike cross wise on the back with a hitch carrier.

    I put Firestone air bags on the rear of my 2016. They are tough to put in (do it on a hot day, after the bags have soaked up some heat from the sun). They slip into the coils. Really helps keep the butt of the car up where it belongs.
     
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  7. William Redoubt

    William Redoubt Senior Member

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    "Large adults"?? Like robust in-laws?
     
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  8. Simbaboy

    Simbaboy Active Member

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    Hopefully, I won't get into trouble but large Wife and 'bigger' girls.
    Simba
     
  9. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    "Robust." Great euphemism. LOL!
     
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  10. Simbaboy

    Simbaboy Active Member

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    Champ doing very well. Filled up with ethanol free gas in Canada and with my driving getting about 34 MPG.

    Glacier NP:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    How do you manage that: filling up with the highest octane (that's often ethanol free), or some independent station?
     
  12. Simbaboy

    Simbaboy Active Member

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    Exactly--the highest octane fuel will often say 'Ethanol free' and that is what I get.
    Shell Gas Stations are a good bet.
    Simba
     
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  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    I filled up with Chevron Supreme Plus once (sticker on it's pump says ethanol-free), didn't see much difference, say better mpg.

    [​IMG]

    Maybe it was 3 steps forward and one back: the ethanol-delete being the plus, the higher octane (harder to ignite?) being the negative?

    One time up the coast in a small town we filled up with Chevron Regular, and that tank got the BEST mpg I'd ever seen, and it seemed effortless/easy to achieve. I suspect it was ethanol-free Regular: I've read sometimes out-of-the-way stations will be ethanol free; there's a mandated requirement to supply a certain percent of ethanol-laced gas, and that mandate tends to get met in the metropolitan centres, whereas small towns may have technical difficulties getting ethanol, so they're skipped.
     
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  14. Simbaboy

    Simbaboy Active Member

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    I have been trailering for about 12 years. I have used various vehicles, trailer sizes and varying loads.

    This current set up for this vacation trip has been the easiest ('knock on wood'). The Prius, roof rack and carrier, smallest available trailer and a small dual sport bike have made this drive and experience easy. Loading and offloading the bike and attaching the trailer and detaching off the hitch has been a one person effort. EASY. The backup camera with a wide angle view is incredible in this car.

    Though the Prius is the smallest car the family has travelled in they have been fairly comfortable with the leg room and drive comfort. Road and engine noise is the least ever experienced, best MPG ever, great AC and we can drive 200 Miles and still have 1/2 tank (when I like to refill) left. But I did notice the car is using some oil--about 1/2 Quart every 2K Miles.

    I wish Toyota had not discontinued the V and I hope something similar comes back.

    Simba

    [​IMG]
     
    #114 Simbaboy, Jul 26, 2018
    Last edited: Jul 26, 2018
  15. Simbaboy

    Simbaboy Active Member

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    Today, we drove from Idaho to St. George, Utah.

    There were many hill climbs and very few descents.

    The traction battery certainly got a work out--it was 100 deg ambient temperature, AC running full blast and many times saw the traction battery at a 'single' purple bar. Twice the cruise control which I had set at 65 MPH (speed limit is 80 MPH) cut off while climbing a hill--both times the traction battery only had 1 bar left (purple). Twice I decided to shut off the AC and rolled the windows down as I did not want to overtax the car.

    But soon the battery went up to 3 blue bars and we were good. I set the AC at 70 deg and fan at Mid. We were very comfortable and the car never complained.

    Simba
     
  16. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Whew!! Good place for a PiP or a Prime. :D
     
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  17. Simbaboy

    Simbaboy Active Member

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    I am thinking of getting a V or a Prime in the future. Also, can get a really good deal on a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV as my Brother is a salesman at a Mitsubishi Dealership.

    For now my really used Prius is serving me well.

    Simba
     
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  18. Simbaboy

    Simbaboy Active Member

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    UPDATE:

    The car is approaching 300,000 Miles and it's still on the original ICE and original hybrid battery.

    I had the car lifted 1.5" last year and changed out the springs/struts. The car's suspension felt great the first few days of driving but now its just okay. It must have been bad before the replacement or maybe just placebo. I have not had the front alignment done since the lift kit was installed but will get it done when the car gets new front tires.

    I have had long distance drives between Michigan to Florida and back home twice in the last few months and no issues. I just have to add 1 quart of oil per journey.

    I really like the Prius (also own two Siennas Minivan) and dreaming about a trip to the Arctic Circle in the Prius but Wife says no way - -she wants us to take the Sienna Minivan Camper.

    Dislikes about the Prius:
    1. its a 2009 and front headlights have become horrible with oxidation glaze. It could also be this aging eyes thing and mild cataracts forming. This is a problem in all the cars I drive so probably not Prius issue. I will try using a headlight restoration kit but cheap youtube fixes have not done anything.
    2. Maybe related to #1 above but wipers not 'fast' enough in a heavy rain.
    3. mild oil consumption when driving long distance with a heavy load.
    4. I have a mechanic who I trust. But he is very difficult to deal with as he will not return phone calls for ever. But then all of a sudden he will call and tell me he is ready to work on my car. I don't trust other mechanics and dealerships. I could do some work myself (tune ups, fluid changes, belts, etc) but don't want to.
    5. I had to have the AC compressor replaced by said mechanic. I got a cheap non-oem ebay unit that has been working fine for about a year.

    I am glad I found this forum before I bought this Prius and got the confidence to actually buy the car.
     
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  19. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

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    3000 grit 3M Trizact sandpaper
    1200 grit 3M flexible sanding sponge
    Meguiars Ultimate Compound
    Polishing pad for drill
    Or hand polishing pad

    You will have enough to do all your vehicles. Same sandpaper as in 3M headlight polish kit. Meguiar Ultimate Compound. Use wax or a spray clear coat for added protection.
     

    Attached Files:

    #119 alftoy, Jan 4, 2023
    Last edited: Jan 4, 2023
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  20. Danny13pruisc3

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    I'm not sure how I missed this thread but I have enjoyed reading it. One thing you need to be aware of is catalytic converter theft, especially since you're driving all over the world lol. You probably have an original on there and it's worth $800 to $1500 depending on what the current precious metals market is doing. If you have the original it should be marked EA6 on it. If you have that, I highly recommend you remove it and replace it with a brand new aftermarket one that can be had for about $60 on amazon. THen either save it until the market goes up or sell it now if you prefer. What you dont' want to happen is, you're on a road trip and you go to start the car and it's horribly loud because someone stole it.. and then you have to pay a high price and get your trip delayed to get it fixed. If you have the aftermarket one , it's less likely to be stolen. Paint it orange with engine paint.. so the theif will see that it's not the original and not want it.

    I see you have the locking wheel chock for the bike. Pro tip: take the excess strap from the right front wheel tie down and wrap it around the front brake lever and tie it. It will serve as a parking brake. The locking wheel chock is great as it is tho, but that' a good habit for when you're towing without it. I see hitch prices have come down. Thats good.

    The other suggestion I have is to buy a lithium jump starter pack. If ever the 12V should be dead, you're back on the road in an insttant. If you need to give someone a jump, you can do that too, without any risk to your own car. they usually have usb ports and can serve as phone chargers when the car is off or someone in the back needs to charge.. and often have a flashlight which sometimes comes in handy. Very good thing to have in general and especially on road trips.

    You may also want to buy a coil pack to have a spare in your car. When a cp goes bad in these cars it sounds horrible.
    Oh yea and if you decide to swap out your catalytic converter go ahead and buy a 90 degree elbow extension for the O2 sensor. those cheap cats sometimes need that so the sensor doesn't have a fit with the new cat. I sold my cat for $1500 back when the market was up. I just got an 08 with the EA6 cat adn i'm pretty happy, i'm about to pull it off and store it until it's worth $1500 again. I'm actually planning on changing it out today.

    and of course you probably already have tools in the car but if you dn't i suggest something that is briefcase styled to take up less room, and has needle nose pliers (to pull fuses or deal with wires). Harbor freight seems to have the best price on such a kit. Oh and sicne you have a spare set of wheels, take a full size spare on your road trips. Mount it to the trailer somewhere maybe.

    That roof top carrier shoudl be taking a hit on your MPG, you may want to switch to a 4x8 trailer instead.

    oh and the air bags as suggested.. definitely get that. You can customize your ride height and firmness. highly recommended it.
    I have't put them ina prius yet but loved the airlift models under $100 in my durangos.
     
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