This thread is a list of what new owners MUST know to drive: - Safely - No costly mistakes - Basic operations - how to do common Day 1 actions without major hassle. We are creating: A concise check-list to get new owners up and running on Day One, I.e. won't have to read 30-page newbie thread on day one. That's just not realistic SO: A cogent list of what every new Prius owner *MUST* know to be safe, and/or not break anything. Rules of the thread: No repeats. Simple, one-sentence imperatives, please. A one or two-sentence explanation. Add a link if you can. So your point is compelling. No discussion. We don't want to get bogged down. IF something's truly wrong or unclear, it's fine to give a one- or two-sentence response, and point to a link. PS Do not copy large paragraphs from other threads. This thread is only: Bullet point + Short compelling explanation + Supporting link. Thank you ! 1. DO NOT block the air vent that's in the back seat. It's between the right-rear-passenger's right hip and the right-rear-door. Higher up on older models. It feeds air to the hybrid battery to cool it. Vent on passenger side rear seat... What is it? | PriusChat If you have pets in the car / shedding of any quantity - look up threads on cleaning out the vent or have a professional do that for you. You don't want the vent / fan in side clogged up. 2. When the last little rectangular light on the gas gauge starts to flash it means "buy gas right now, damn it", or risk damage that can cost thousands of dollars. Per post #1 in: What every newb should know | PriusChat I personally fill at half tank, or one bar+ above the lowest, to avoid urgency. # of miles available for lowest bar may be 40 miles, but depends on many factors and will vary each time. Also, you may not know how long you've been driving in that last bar !
The manual for the 2017 Prius says there is approximately 1.7 gallons in the tank when the Low Fuel light illuminates. I have not (yet?) let mine get that low.
Before you Buy, read the Customization chapter of the owners manual and have the salesman arrange to get all your changes done before the sale, after the sale the Service Department will try to charge you, as they are a profit center for the dealership. For a 2017 Prius liftback, this is the link, you want page 748 http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om-s/OM47B54U/pdf/OM47B54U.pdf
Thank you! And that depends on model year, could be less: How Far Can Your Toyota Drive with the Fuel Light On? On to #4 !
I'm getting deja vu: What SHOULD every Newb know ? | PriusChat And per my following post in that thread: the fan is ventilating the hybrid battery, not the 12 volt.
If you report your (mislocated) post mods could move it. Location is not that critical, and reposting the question is frustrating to those who responded in the older thread. And the déjà vu sufferers, lol.
While the Owner's Manual suggests that a Gen3 Liftback has about 1.6 gallon remaining, user experience suggests more like 2.1 gallons. [Other body styles and generations are different, especially so on rubber-bladdered Gen2s.] For more detail about Gen3 behavior when running out of fuel, read just the very first post of this [very long] thread: [WARNING] Running out of gas (Gen III)
Avoid cold-starting and running the car for just a few seconds. Better to let it run at least to engine shut down. Failing to do this may lead to significant engine shake at next cold-start. The reason for this as yet undetermined??
The Prius sits pretty low to the ground. It's aerodynamic, to save gas milage. DON'T pull completely over a concrete wheel stop. If you do, backing out can rip up the front plastic under guard. It's a $100 part. . Bottom front cover removal | PriusChat Mine is already scratched and a bit cracked. (bought it used). I got training from a friend on how to back into parking spaces. I use all mirrors and the back up camera, and never scrape anything, now. The back up camera is terrific for this. Also, the rear bumper is higher than the front. It's also safer pulling out. If that's hard to do, pull in nose in like normal, but very slowly for the last little bit.
Yeah. I just heard that dreaded noise on Monday as I exited a parking lot onto the road. I have not looked underneath yet. From the front, I did not see any damage.
Oh yes ! I've also scraped pullng into driveway - both street and driveway are fairly steep- as well as where a recessed drainage manhole cover, where the road dipped quite a bit between two businesses' parking lots. Stay aware ! On to the next tip! Don't worry about replacing the batteries! Just use the following schedule: The HV battery seems to last about 300,000 miles and costs about $2,000 for parts and labor. Remanufactured Hybrid Vehicle Battery Packs The 12 volt battery seems to last about 5 years, and costs under $200 to replace.Optima DS46B24R Optima battery direct fit replacement for Prius 2004 + with Instructions But many replace it after 4 years. There's a big thread on this. The key fob battery seems to last about 5 years and costs about $2 to replace. Energizer-Eveready 04096 - 3 Volt Lithium Button Cell Watch Battery (ECR1632BP (CR1632)) - Amazon.com Don't worry about maintaining the batteries, nor about driving every day! Just use the following guidelines: For the 12 volt battery, drive every 3 weeks or you need a trickle charger. For the HV Battery every 3 months is Toyota's conservative recommendation. More information, and tricks to extend the 12v, here: Hybrid battery life, must use, and other myths | PriusChat
Do not forget there are 2 different traction batteries in the 2017 Prius, depending on model & country. The US Prius Two is different than the rest of the US models.
If you need to move very suddenly and quickly, such as for emergency handling, to very quickly go around something, or to pull on to a busy street from a side street, use PWR mode. Instantaneous power!
Dissent: if you need sudden and quick, don't waste time fussing with a mode button, just punch the go pedal. There is no change to maximum power in "PWR" mode. "Pedal floored" means the same thing in all modes. "Pedal released" means the same thing in all modes. The modes only change the shape of the curve in between. -Chap
Well..agreed! Kinda. I'd say : If you need *quick, press PWR button. You really do get almost instantaneous power, and you also get sustained power and acceleration. It's truly inspiring, and GREAT for taking a left turn onto a busy four lane road coming from a side street when there is no traffic light. It's also good when you need 3-5 mph instant boost to make a move while driving on a busy road. I've read that PWR front loads the pedal with 100 (volts?..) of instant power from the electric battery. In any case, It DEFINITELY has quick and almost instant response. As for *sudden, I agree. If you need to do something unexpectedly, that's no time to fuss with buttons. Best to train yourself on how to press foot fully to the floor. It will kick in. (not as quickly.) But there's nothing like PWR mode. I'm in it most of the time. At the most, it may cost $130 a year vs other pedal modes. Many people say it doesn't actually affect mpg. I think it does, but the cost is almost nominal.