On my Prius there's a row of chromed something-or-others separating the parking light from the high beam. They look like five locked and loaded photon torpedoes - but they don't light (and they don't shoot) - at least on the 2010 base model. Other than looking nice - do they serve any useful purpose? :help:
Decorative, they serve no purpose. http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...ontal-row-5-small-lights-above-high-beam.html
Release the red safety switch under the steering column and the missiles fire, one from each side, when you press the center steering wheel "mode" and "recirc" buttons simultaneously. (You must be in drive.) They disable the electronics of whatever vehicle they strike (except old Mercedes diesels) and the vehicle will coast to a stop. (Exploding warheads, while more effective and rewarding, are banned for road use under the Geneva Convention.) The effective range is about 100 yds. Use them with care as they can only be reloaded at your Toyota dealer and they cost the expected high dealer price. However, your PriusChat membership entitles you to one FREE reload of all 10 missiles. Good luck and good shooting.
I received a PM from another member reminding me that Toyota issued a TSB to upgrade the range and accuracy of this feature. Since the TSB replaces the entire unit, including a full set of fresh missles (the old ones don't fit the new launchers), you might as well fire off all your old rounds before taking your car in for the TSB. A few other notes: - This feature is dropped in the 2012 model. Something about kinder, gentler, yadayada. - When buying a used car, it is impossible to visually identify whether all missiles have been fired or if the car has the old or new missles. Missile status is only available in a hidden screen on Techstream. Also, some pacifist owners have had the dealer disable the feature. Slip your Toyota tech $20 to use Techstream to make sure your system is armed and enable the optional feature to fire only one missile at a time. - Rumor has it that 2013 may include a rear-facing, non-projectile, magnetic field disrupter to address the tailgating problem. The system won't work on old diesels and rear-engined vehicles. Excessive use will kill your mileage due to the load of recharging your drive battery. BTW, no pills are needed to warp my imagination.
