My First 1000 miles - What I've Learned

In response to "Annoyances, #8": have you found the dimmer switch to the left of the steering wheel? I had the same thought...gee, how am I going to see anything in the summer when I wear sunglasses all the time? Then I found the dimmer....turn all the way up during the day - presto, no problems seeing anything. Turn down 1 click at night to keep the windshield reflection manageable.

 

Bob, what kind of lumbar support did you get, I've got bad disks in my back and know from riding in my parent's Prius that on long trips the seats do bother my back. (And yet, I still bought the car....)

I've not found many of those support cushions that really work and was wondering what sort of solution you'd found.

Thanks!

 

I think that's a very fair list. I don't have much probs with the fuel gauge but then again since I live in AZ I believe the weather makes ours less of a pain. The water bottle observation is funny because I said the same thing to myself after I bought mine. The backup camera was flawless for me. This was due to the fact that I have other vehicles with them and since the Prius is by far the clearest rear camera I've used it was actually one of the most exciting initial features I liked... though very quickly that excitement diminished after I heard the reverse beep and it ruined all the fun.

 

No Bob you aint old. not yet anyway! You just have crummy sunglasses! You deserve a better pair!

The hump in the center under the dash is a good place for a bag. Just put some velcro on the hump and velcro a cheap potato chip bag clip to it to hold your trash bag! ( you know, they sell those multi-color clips in a pkg in the chips aisle)

 

Hi Bob:
I totally agree with your observations. I've added to my list of essential items like spare tire and jack, a pair of jumper cables. One more thing that is very important to point out. There appears to be a VERY serious blind spot on both sides of the car. No matter how I tweak the mirrors, it would be easy to miss seeing a car that is in the left or right lane adjacent to the car. I bought two cheap, small stick-on-exterior mirrors and I feel much safer driving in all kinds of traffic. I'll be making a 1600 mile trip from FL to WI in two weeks. Good way to break in the car.

 

I probably use my camera different than most. I extensively use my side mirrors in vehicles. When I'm backing up I'm looking at my driver and passenger mirrors the entire time. As I go from one to the other I'll glance at the rear camera watching my bumper. I really only use the camera I suppose to judge how far back I am. Because of this, I really only have to glance at the bumper (on the screen) and whatever I'm backing up to.... When I start running out of daylight between the image of the Prius bumper and whatever I'm backing up to I know it's probably about time to hit the brakes. Using this method I've pulled within a couple of inches of parking garages, my other car in the driveway, other cars while parallel parking, etc probably a hundred times in the 6 months I've had it.

Mike

 

That's a pretty good list, there are a few items I gree with, some that I don't.

For one thing, I think the Prius seats are fine. It takes some time getting used to the, especially coming from another car, but in a few miles they are good. I have been driving my Prius 4 to 6 hours a day for the last four days and I find the seats very comfortable. The rear spoiler doesn't bother me at all; one of the first cars I ever had was a Volkswagen Scirocco, which also had a spoiler across the rear window like the Prius, and that's fine with me.

I find that the little tray in the console is the perfect place for trash, I fill it up as I drive and empty it when I refuel the car. Not big enough for cups and larger stuff, those I just get rid off when I stop somewhere.

I agree that the backup beeper is an annoyance, and I have also disabled mine. The backup camera would be excellent if it were located on the centerline of the car; as it is, located a bit to the left of centerline, makes it confusing to use it to backup. 12v receptacle in the rear would be great too! And I totally agree with your comment about the 41 mph limit on the electric motor.

 

Bob,

Thanks for the input. I'll look at Brookstone, but you're right, $50 is a little steep, but then again I should know better. When my back acts up, I'd pay millions to be out the pain.

If I find something that I think works, I'll post it, please do the same. I doubt that we're the only two Prius owners with this particular problem, though for a while I did think I was the only one this. Heck, I remember the first time was in my parent's for 4 hours and thought it was just me being a wuss.

A rolled up hand towel (OK more folded) worked as a temporary thing, but I'd like some that didn't look so rigged.

 

I have a lumbar support like this one for my bad back. I find it's pretty comfortable and durable, and I can drive for a couple hours at a time without pain. It's also pretty inexpensive, so no great loss to try it out if you don't like it. Adjustable? Sure, you can slide it up and down the seat

 

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i use the pull out drawer in the bottom front of the console as a trash can...it has a decent amount of space for gum wrappers, used tissues etc.....best of all it closes out of sight when not being used...if you happen to spill some sort of liquid it is easily cleaned and it will contain the liquid from getting on the carpet...

 

Can someone please post how to disable that annoying backup beep please!!, It also irritates the heck out of me and I want it to stop!!!!!

I don't mind the seats, I think they are very comfortable. I like higher up feeling and being more firm. I was worried about coming down from an SUV and did not want that feeling like I was sinking into the car and my butt would be scraping the street. So the seats are wonderful for me, that is one of the things that sold me the car, and the back seats going down..

I have already gotten used to the divided back window and have found it no longer bothers me, just was kind of weird on the test drive until I got used to it.