New Prius Owner - Need Advice

Hi! Welcome!

1. Clazzio
2. Not showing on their website for 2012/13. Might email them to be certain.
3. No, not really, plus there are other concerns..
4. Inflate tires to 38-40 psi. Consider grill blocking.

All are discussed here. A quick search will net you further details on each...

 

Front PSI 40 Rear PSI 38 for better control.

 

Tire type, tire pressures and driving habits are the only real things that will make a difference in your mpg. Don't get caught up with bolt-ons. Aside from that...know that temperature, humidity and barometric pressure have more effect on the Prius than other cars, but you still get the best mpg in the US...not counting EVs and Plug-ins...where the cost per mile math becomes more subjective and commute dependent. By the way I use 42 front...40 rear.

 

For armrest covers check out LeatherZ: Gen III Toyota Prius

 

Tires 42 front 4O rear ... Yes grill blocking a must in winter
Congratulates on your new ride

 

As to seat and arm rest covers, I would do a leather upgrade...not softex. Do not know where you are, but Toyota Gulf States Region still has them I believe. Did my front/back seats, rear side panels, door panels and center arm rests with seat heaters for $1,500 through a local installer.

 

I would stick with the factory tires unless you are looking for winter traction or better performance. You aren't going to find alternatives that get significantly better mileage, and certainly nothing that will recoup the cost of buying and mounting a new set of tires.

In general, a higher treadwear value equates to longer tread life, but there is no standard, so the numbers cannot be compared across brands other than in very general terms.

 

Bought new tires at 43,000 miles to stop rumbling noise. It worked. Dealer recommended rotating every 5000 miles. I am crossing and moving the rear tires to the front. The front tires moved to same side rear.

 

3. No a big waste of money and maybe extra wear and tear on the motor.
4. I think Toyota has done everything they can, you can grill block but need to be carefull. Over inflating the tires will help but will cause the car to handle different, and cause more wear and tear on the car with a harsher ride.

 

Michelin LRR tires are excellent. There is a thread on this forum that is a very indepth comparison on different LRR tires for the Prius.

Low Rolling Resistance replacement tires: Current List | PriusChat

Mike

Mobile on my SGH-i717

 

2. Toyota Prius 2010-2011 Center Console Cover

 

Grill block: 50% of the lower from ambient temps 60F to 40F, and 100% below that. Personally I leave the upper grill open all the time, but if it's really cold consider blocking 50% of the upper. Never block the upper 100%.

Block heater: have it, use it year round. 2 hours will get things as warm as it's going to get. Maybe a little longer if super cold. Be ready for a price shock if the dealership puts it in...

Tires: yes, raise them. I do 40~45 psi with our 15" snow tires, 38~40 psi with our low profile 17".

Generally:

Obey the speed limits. As long as there's no one on your tail, you're under no obligation to tear up to the limit, especially if there's a slow down or intersection looming.

Consolidate trips.

Use the HSI display and a light touch, to nudge the car into electric mode when possible, as long as it's not eating to far into the battery capacity, say 1/2 charge as a limit. Pretty much any time the engine's warmed, as long as you keep the HSI bar to the left of centre, you will stay electric-only.

Look ahead, coast to lights. The less you can use your brakes the better.