New driver and new user to the forums!

ScanGauge II, WheelSkins, WeatherShield deflectors for the windows, …er, um… …that's it (…but I'm sure there are others) - Welcome to PriusChat - Wil

Edit: a pair of these might be useful ($3.99 from AutoZone (pk of 2) 2x Cars Blind Spot Mirror Rearview 2 Side Wide Angle Round Convex | Alex NLD

 

welcome and congrats! i've always owned base odes with no mods. safe driving and all the best!

 

The city driving the Prius does best in is 30-45MPH with minimal stops. It does a little worse when you get into stop and go style driving. However, a non-hybrid would take a much bigger hit than the Prius does. I bet similar non-hybrids would be doing good to get 30-35MPG on your 7AM drive.

If you want some MPG tips, this video is a good start. It's filmed in a Gen3 Prius, so while the instrumentation is different, the concepts are the same. Seems like you're already getting pretty good mileage, but this might help you get a bit more.

 

First of all, I think what modification or additions you want to add is very subjective and should be in most cases "fun" and something you want.

For me I hated the feel of the steering wheel so a Wheelskins cover was nearly an emergency needed addition.
Once I invest into a vehicle, protecting it becomes important to me, so I invested into weather tech floor liners and a cargo floor insert.

I like the cargo insert although it was very spendy, and I think there are many cheaper options.
I would NOT buy the weathertech floor liners again, personal opinion, they have been disappointing to me, although the DO protect as advertised. Again I just think there are BETTER and cheaper options.

I also use blind spot mirrors. And I'm happy to find a 16 year old that isn't automatically repulsed by the idea of adding them. Usually the young seem to associate them with being a Grandpa.
But a warning. I placed a blind spot mirror on my drivers side mirror, and then didn't like it. BUT VERY FOOLISHLY tried to remove it without first using an adhesive remover (Goo Gone works well ) and I ended up cracking the whole Drivers side mirror. My mistake.
But in short, my $2.99 blind spot mirror, turned into a $100+ total mirror replacement.

If you add the mirrors, and they are great IMO...just don't make the same mistake I made. If for whatever reason you decide to want to remove them, go slow, and use an adhesive remover.

 

Welcome to the forum! Hope you enjoy your C!

 

I've never used a blind spot mirror: ALWAYS turn my head.

Upgrade to DDM HID headlights for cheap, reliable and much brighter to drive at night.

 

Welcome to PC and congrats on your first car purchase! I remember my first car a 99 Jimmy lol. I bought my 12 Prius c when I was 18. AS far as the MPG going to school is concerned if it's colder in the AM the engine is working harder. Also when it's stop and go traffic try not to hit the gas too much or the engine will cut in and turn off again when you brake. The prius will totally change how you drive.

 

The two actions are not mutually exclusive.

 

Our 2015 C came with some new winter mats on top of the carpeted summer mats (not sure what the difference with liners might be) and we're not going to use them since we bought some Weathertechs. If the 2015s are compatible with your car and if the shipping costs are reasonable, I'm willing to ship you the mats if you pay for the cost of shipping.

We're in Montreal, Canada. If I send them to you as a "gift", there shouldn't be any taxes or customs to pay.
Let me know,
Daniel

 

Congratulations on your choice of car (and color) and welcome to PriusChat! May you have many happy motoring miles.

You may not need a full coverage floor mat like these, but two years later I'm still happy with this choice:
Review: 3D Maxpider Floor Mats - Verdict - WIN | PriusChat
I bought fronts only ('cause I'm frugal). Approx. 86 bucks for front pair from a large rain forest retailer.

The accessory I use most is an OBD tool like the Scan Gauge recommended earlier.
I bought the cheaper UltraGauge and have it set to display RPM, instantaneous MPG, outside temp, coolant temp, etc.
Makes it easier to see in real time what helps and hurts your MPG.

 

Yes they are. Official Toyota mats, black, rubberized. I think they say "Prius" or "Prius C" on them but I haven't taken them out of the bag. Ok, I'll check for cheapest uninsured ground transportation using Canada Post/USPS. I could send them COD so it costs nothing to me and you only pay if/when you get them. We're both covered. Sounds good?
I'll be back with a quote. You're in Georgia, right?

Hey, my pleasure, I was likely going to throw them out (recycle them) so I'm glad I can help a fellow Prius enthusiast!

Hmm, still pretty expensive. CdnPost/USPS Expedited parcel (4-5 days) would cost $33.57cdn so about $25us. I'm not sure what kind of surcharge is involved when shipping COD (if any) but this gives you an idea.

 

What I purchased are sold as "Digital Fit Liners".
They are made to fit The Prius perfectly. The material they are made out of is kind of a hard, vinyl/plastic like material.

Mat's are often made out of materials closer to rubber.

To be honest? I'm not too happy overall with mine. The plastic material scuffs, and doesn't hide dirt very well at all. Which means they look dirty a lot of the time.- I got the light gray color. This may of been better had I purchased the black color.

I think "if" I was to do it again, I'd go with Husky Mats.

Whatever you decide I REALLY recommend a custom fit. You don't want any danger of a mat slipping or getting stuck under an accelerator pedal or brake. So custom fit, I think is very important.

Toyota OEM would be a perfectly fine choice.

 

Blind spot mirrors are an excellent recommendation, helps a lot when you have to navigate tight corners. Make sure you buy the rotatable type with a diameter of 5CM, smaller once are useless. Also I would suggest the following:

* LED interior lights (cabin, map, boot) and the number plate lights. Unlike the dull yellow stock lights they use less power and are brighter.
Specs for the lights are map (x2), boot (x1) and number plate (x2) use W5W. Cabin light is festoon type get the adjustable kind. All of it is available on ebay, search for - "T10 1W LED Ceramic Shell White HID Interior" and "18 LED COB Chip T10 Festoon".

* As previously recommended window deflectors and also door edge guard (depending on driving environment).

* Window tinting for rear passenger windows and rear windshield.

* Reverse camera or reverse sensors.

* A type pressure monitoring system (TPMS) like TYREDOG. The model that comes with the external sensors can be installed on your own. Its a bit expensive ($100+) so you might save it for a later date.

On the MPG you do drive in ECO mode right? Check out the youtube videos about Prius driving tips.

Congratulations on your purchase!

 

Welcome, Matt.

 

Alright, sounds good. I'll keep them for you. Let me know when you're ready.