1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

I picked it up today!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by jpeachman, Feb 25, 2006.

  1. jpeachman

    jpeachman Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2005
    53
    0
    0
    Location:
    Pittsburg, CA
    My three-month wait paid off today when I picked up my 2006 Barcelona Red #3 Prius. And I have to say, I've never been so happy with a new car in my life :) !

    The car had 3 miles and 17.3 MPG showing when I left the dealership. By the time I got home, it was showing 64 miles and 50.6 MPG. Oh, yeah, this car totally fits the driving style I've cultivated for years anyway. Heck, I even ran the air conditioner, and as the dealer refused to bump up the tire pressure and I decided to just do it when I got home, I was only running 35/33. I'm not that fond of driving in general, but today was definitely fun.

    I did, however, have one slightly disconcerting experience. I was tooling along at about 70 on the freeway when suddenly the car began beeping. It was at least 5 or 6 slow beeps, maybe more, then it started beeping rapidly. I was looking frantically everywhere for some sort of indicator light that might give a clue as to what was going on, when it just stopped. I never did spot anything, and it didn't do it again. Anybody have any idea what it might have been? I think (but won't swear, as frankly it had me a bit rattled for a moment) that I had just cancelled cruise control before the beeping began, if that suggests anything to anyone. Thanks for your thoughts on this!

    Joe
     
    #1 jpeachman, Feb 25, 2006
  2. DaveG

    DaveG Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2004
    806
    6
    0
    Location:
    Vancouver, BC
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Usually beeping inside that's slow, then fast is a seatbelt warning - aside from not having a seatbelt on (bad), it could also be triggered if there was something heavy enough on the passenger seat to trigger the weight sensor into thinking a person was sitting there.

    Dave
     
    #2 DaveG, Feb 25, 2006
  3. harrv

    harrv Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2005
    106
    1
    0
    Congrats on your new car!
     
    #3 harrv, Feb 25, 2006
  4. Rick Grahn

    Rick Grahn New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2004
    285
    3
    0
    Location:
    Illinois
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    As the previous poster indicated, it sounds like something may have shifted (or you set something - briefcase, etc.) on the passenger's seat and the weight sensor was triggered.

    Empty the seat and try driving again.
     
    #4 Rick Grahn, Feb 25, 2006
  5. djasonw

    djasonw Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2004
    950
    116
    0
    Location:
    Coconut Creek, FL
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A

    I don't recall the passeger seat beeping at all in my 2004. When underway it sounds even stranger. Maybe you took the curve too fast and the VSC kicked in.
     
    #5 djasonw, Feb 25, 2006
  6. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2005
    29,110
    8,589
    201
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Sounds to me like something was on the passenger seat and made the car think someone was sitting there w/o the seatbelt on. It's happened to me once in my 06' as well and in my previous Acura too.
     
    #6 Paradox, Feb 25, 2006
  7. jpeachman

    jpeachman Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2005
    53
    0
    0
    Location:
    Pittsburg, CA
    Well, I was definitely wearing my seatbelt, but I did have a briefcase on the passenger seat. So, you're probably right--I knew about the possible problem I might have with the warning from reading PC already. It's just that I was probably 10 miles into my trip home when it happened, totally out of the blue. Startled the heck out of me. Thanks!

    Joe
     
    #7 jpeachman, Feb 25, 2006
  8. jpeachman

    jpeachman Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2005
    53
    0
    0
    Location:
    Pittsburg, CA
    Thanks! It's getting treated to a 3M clear bra right now! :D

    Joe
     
    #8 jpeachman, Feb 25, 2006
  9. jpeachman

    jpeachman Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2005
    53
    0
    0
    Location:
    Pittsburg, CA
    Well, it seemed strange to me, too! I was on a straight stretch of freeway, and, unfortunately, my #3 doesn't have VSC. I'd have bought a #4 to get it, but they aren't offered in this area. I was reluctant to go all the way to a #6 to get it (they don't sell #5s here either) since I didn't care about most of the other extra things you get with a #6, and it's quite a bit more money. I appreciate your thoughts, though.

    Joe
     
    #9 jpeachman, Feb 25, 2006
  10. jpeachman

    jpeachman Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2005
    53
    0
    0
    Location:
    Pittsburg, CA
    Since it's a long-standing habit to keep my briefcase there (no, I don't use it when driving, but sometimes I'm in traffic with long waits, and occasionally I do fish something out). I think I'll try the warning disable trick. If I have a passenger, we don't move until everyone's buckled up anyway!

    Joe
     
    #10 jpeachman, Feb 25, 2006
  11. jpeachman

    jpeachman Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2005
    53
    0
    0
    Location:
    Pittsburg, CA
    It's actually a relief to think that's probably what it was. Thanks for sharing your experience!

    Joe
     
    #11 jpeachman, Feb 25, 2006
  12. bobr1

    bobr1 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2005
    306
    2
    0
    Location:
    Portland, Oregon, USA
    If it happens again, look across to the right-hand side of the dash... if it is the seatbelt warning, you will see a bright red flashing passenger seatbelt icon. It will flash in sync with the beep.

    If you don't see it, the problem may be with something else.

    Or did the dealer leave a really loud digital watch in the glove compartment? :)

    - Bob R.
     
    #12 bobr1, Feb 25, 2006
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)