I just purchased a used 2006 Prius from a private owner. It was a great deal , only 75k miles for $7,500. First thing I noticed is that it needed new tires. I'm not looking to drive this thing in the snow. I'm just looking for cheap tires that will last. What do you guys buy? My 12v battery needs to be replaced. I had some warning lights go off a few times, checked the battery and saw that it was around 11.8 volts. I turned off the Smart Key Entry and that seems to help keep the warning lights from coming on. AutoZone has an Optima Battery for $209 + core exchange - Battery | 2006 Toyota Prius 4 Cylinders B 1.5L Gas/Elec DOHC | AutoZone.com Do I need some special adapter for this battery? One last thing. This car only came with 1 key fob. Seeing the price of a new Key Fob is crazy! Can I get a used one online and reprogram it for my car? Thanks
A used fob can only be programmed by a locksmith or the dealer (dealers probably won't do it). A "new" key fob (about $160) can be programmed using the "chicken dance" method detailed on this forum. That's about the cheapest way to go. No mods are needed for the Optima Battery.
Congrats on the new Prius and welcome to the site The Optima can be purchased at Advance Auto Parts online with a promo code that will usually save you $50 and picked up at your local store. I paid $149 for mine this past October at AAP. If you dont have Advance Auto near you, at least google for Autozone promo codes or something... $209 is too much. As for tires, YMMV but the Ecopia is highly recommended around here. I personally have summer tires on the OEM alloy rims sitting in the garage right now, and Michelin X-Ice snow tires on steel rims on the car right now. The Prius is ok in the snow but snow tires make it 'great' in the snow.
I bought mine from eLearnaid for $175 total. Optima DS46B24R Optima battery direct fit replacement for Prius 2004 + & Plug-in Prius with Instructions
Everything seems to have been answered, so I will only add that whatever tire you do buy, should be LRR (Low Rolling Resistance). If you did not have a high efficiency vehicle before, you probably have never even heard of them. So you can't just go down to Moe's Tire shop and get 4 of the cheapest they have that fit on the wheel. Well you can, but then you will be disappointed with the miles per gallon. LRR tires are a really good investment.
+1,000,000,000 A lot of threads on the site from Prius owners who did just that and are mad the car is getting 38mpg instead of 52mpg. I'd go for the Ecopias, JMHO.
