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Low milage Prius C, is taking a road trip risky?

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by KenjiBeast, Jun 23, 2014.

  1. KenjiBeast

    KenjiBeast New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Bellevue, WA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    This is a car with less than 500 miles on the odometer. I plan to drive from Seattle to Colorado. I've heard that doing such a thing during the break-in period is inadvisable, but if anything goes awry, my warranty should cover it, right?
     
  2. vernon birdman

    vernon birdman Active Member

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    Location:
    Vernon BC Canada
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    Absolutely covered. Go for it and have a great trip. Just follow the recommendations in the manual
     
  3. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    If you take I5 to Portland, then I84, you have no steep hills until after Pendleton. There is a rest area at the top, just to reassure yourself all is well
     
  4. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
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    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
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    The breakin period for my Liftback was only 1000 km, or 600 miles. Does your Owners Manual call out anything different? Look in the Index.

    If you are close to 500 miles, then take a scenic route across the Cascades, Hiway 2 or 12. By the time you get to Wenatchee or Yakima, it is done.

    After that, I suggest staying on scenic routes, but for entirely different reasons.

    If a scenic route doesn't fit your schedule, then just be sure to obey speed limits until past 600 miles. The climb and descent across I-90 will easily put quite variable speeds on the engine, even if you keep the car at constant speed.
     
  5. Mr Incredible

    Mr Incredible Chance favors the prepared mind.

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Neb
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    Your new car will be broken in before you get three hours down the road. No worries.

    The only consideration I recall from the break-in instructions was to not drone along at a single rpm for the first 500 miles. It is practically impossible to do that anyway. I have a scan-gauge and was watching my rpms while cruising along on level ground...the rpms were all over the place. Every gust of wind, passing truck or car, and slight incline affected engine speed.

    If you don't act like you're in the Cannonball Run everything should be fine. Warranty issues that may crop up while under way would be taken care of by any Toyota dealer along the route. Keep your phone charged, get some AAA coverage, and have a ball.

    I recommend the more advanced AAA coverage...RV coverage. It doesn't cost all that much, and you get more tow miles before the big charges start racking up. This could much more than take care of itself if you have one tow over 20 miles. I've used AAA several times. Fairly quick and certainly easy. Have your location, direction of travel, and geo-coordinates ready when you call. Find a place away from the traffic noises, have a pencil and paper handy, and then have patience.
     
    minkus likes this.
  6. mahout

    mahout Active Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Go to it and still follow recommended break in. Unless you do something outside legal limits or modify your Prius C warranty should cover you.