Is it really necessary to use the park button?

The park button is not necessary when turning off the car. The power button takes care of everything.

 

Nup. Power off and park brake then get out. No need to turn the lights off either.

 

The only time I use the park button is when stopping somewhere for a few minutes.

If I know I will only be gone from the car for the next five or so minutes, will leave the car on - that way the car doesn't have to go through another warm-up cycle. This is better for gas mileage, especially if you have several short stops to make over a short distance.

 

Not on all priuses, if I don't turn the lights off, they stay on, and the 12V battery drains...

 

We use ours, after all that's what it's there for!

 

now a dumb question... Is there anyway I can "power up" the radio etc w/o actually "starting" the car?

e.g. able to listen to the radio/CD w/o full system on (A/C, healights etc)

 

I still use the "park" button, just to get in the habit of using it....

 

Just press the Power button without putting your foot on the brake.

 

just push power button without stepping on the brakes...
once, you get some of the equipment on,
twice you get everything except AC (but fans on) and Hybrid system

 

Don't put your foot on the brake pedal and press the power buttom twice. That puts it in what I call "full accessory." You can listen to the radio, roll the windows up & down etc. Happy driving!

 

*Note carefully* that this can drain the 12V battery a lot faster than in other cars, because the Prius 12V battery is a lot smaller than most. Unless you're parked someplace where the engine must not be allowed to run you can turn the car ON to avoid the problem.

 

As far as listening to the radio with the car off, just press the power button with your foot off the brake.

 

Great... Thanks..

I am still trying to get use to w/o using my keys, power button, Park button and the R/D/N/B shift knob..

 

I use the park button when I get out of my car to check the mail box... most other times I just hit the Power Button though.

I love not having to ever take my keys out of my pocket!

 

Now another dumb question, how do I switch from "full power" mode (i.e. drivable) mode back to just "radio" mode, w/o first power off my car then hit power again w/o stepping on the break?

 

You can't without passing thru off.

 

Oh... thx anyways...