So, I just bought my first Prius, a 2011 Prius Five from a Toyota/Honda/blahbity blah dealer. I love it, but there's a few quirks I do not know if they're normal (I have an email out to the dealer because if they lied to me I'm gonna be super pissed). The radio is the super base model (no screen etc), which I knew going in (I am curious if it's possible to upgrade that to a screen one though, like the nicer models with GPS integrated etc?). BUT it was also advertised as having bluetooth/hands-free, and for the life of me I can't get it to connect. I've tried 2 different phones and NO luck. I used a video on YouTube about a 2010 Prius and bluetooth as a basis on how to link up (for whatever reason the person who owned the car before me did not give the dealership an Owner's manual, so they're trying to procure one for me) my phone. Second, the passenger-side airbag light stays "Off". I've had numerous people sit in the seat to see if it triggers (in case I'm too small to trigger it, I'm only 5'5) and it won't. I'm wondering if when they were cleaning the car, they nicked the sensor or something? Serves me right for not test driving it AND running over to the passenger side to test? But you'd think a safety feature like that would have been tested LOL But I do not know if that's a quirk with this model, or what - just that it needs to get fixed because I'm not entirely comfy having passengers w/o a bloody airbag. Disclaimer: I am NOT a car person - I buy them, they work, I take them in for maintenance (I was able to change my own oil in my old car and was proud of myself since most of the women I know can't even change their own tires (guess who they called for THAT), etc. This hybrid is a whole new beastie. A sexy beastie, but a new beastie nonetheless.
Look underneath the passenger seat. There might be a clear plastic hose dangling free from a small black box with some wires. See if the hose connects somehow to a sensor. Sometimes when they're cleaning all of the cigarette butts and empty beer cans out of a used car before they sell it, they will knock the hose off of the little sensor. Oh..... I'm sorry. You said be gentle. No beer cans and cigarettes, Just cute little dust bunnies.
Haha! I suspect the previous owners had a dog, as there was a faint odor of dog in the car (I made them steam clean that sucker 3 times before I'd even consider buying it just to be sure, AND made them knock the price down) I'll check for that hose when my roomie gets back from class tonight. I do have an appt on Friday to take the car back to check on the sensor/bluetooth and see if they found a manual, so if I find the hose and fi it, go me!
If the airbag says "off", there is something wrong with it. If there's no passenger on it, it should not say "on or off", should just light up "airbag". Has this car been in an accident? did you run a carfax on it?I would think the 2011 model five should have navigation or not just a regular radio
It lights up either airbag on or airbag off (I'd link a pic but I can't do that yet haha) Yes, I did a carfax and no accidents.. that's why I'm wondering if they just smacked something while cleaning it
The airbag cable under the passenger seat is yellow. If it's able to light up airbag "on", it should be functional. Airbag "off" only lights up if there's not enough weight on the seat (like a child).
Hmm... I may not have the right version of car, then... lemme look... I thought they said it was a five (not a v), but after I typed in the VIN on Toyota's site, it's just saying Prius, so... I am probably wrong? But no, no navigation just the base radio thing. I figured that was something I could alter after I bought it - and put exactly what system I want in it, etc. I'll go edit my profile thingy to remove the 5?
Exactly - only it's not lighting up even when a 200 lb guy sat in it, and I KNOW he's big enough to trigger it hahaha I'll investigate wires tonight (whee!)
does your door open automatically if you go to the passenger side? like it does on the driver's side?
Oh hells, that's a good question.... I haven't sat in the passenger seat yet LOL Is there any place I can put in the VIN and find out which exact model it is?
you don't have to sit in the seat to find out. Most likely you have a Prius 2. That model does not have a backup camera and the passeger door and hatch does not have a SKS sensor to open the door.
I just read somewhere "Some Toyota models feature a Passenger Airbag Cutoff Switch that can manually be set in the "on" or "off" position by turning the ignition key in the cutoff switch located in the center console" so I guess I should look for that when the car gets back, too....
Many dealers will advertise a Model V (five) to make it more appealing and more expensive. It may not necessarily mean that's the model of the car.
Which may have been what happened to me, and boy will I be pissed... Honestly I am not pissed about the radio being a base model, like I said, I already figured I could change that (something to ask over in the Audio forums) and make it whatever I want. I will be pissed if I was further lied to...
