Featured Threads Archive

I was doing some maintenance on our other car today and decided to recharge the NOCO battery booster.

I see that it had dropped to about half charge over the past year since last charge.

When it's done topping up I'll do the one from the Prius. I just figured I'd share the reminder in case anyone else has one back in the trunk somewhere.

(I realize this is not actual hybrid news, but I couldn't think of another forum on here that wasn't specific to a particular model of the Prius- apologies for the odd fit)

Reporting myself to the moderator, there was a Washington DC announcement about "new fuel standards" that directly impacts why we were ever able to buy a Prius:


At age 75, I well remember the past that led to having efficient, safe, affordable to operate cars. My memories include:

• descending into the Denver bowl of noxious, red air
• eyes burning worse than Marine tear gas hut driving in Reverside CA
• cars that stank whose exhaust was a suicide method
• cars without seat belts and coming upon accidents

I call it "generational amnesia" and that was what happened in that press conference. Well like my Dad used to say, "Only two things will make a man unhappy: Not getting what he asked for or Getting exactly what he asked for."

BTW, I caught this when I got home. I was doing some cold weather, 31-36 F (-0.5 to 2.2 C), long distance testing of my Tesla, raw data:

• 18 hours elapsed time
• 714 miles :: 714/18 = 40 mph...

I really like their approach:

• EV for drive train
• Diesel powered generator for day long operation

Similar to my BMW i3-REx, it is a powerful if somewhat short range EV with a built-in, diesel powered generator for day long operation. Best of both worlds.

Bob Wilson

Impressive Chinese car the Canadians will get:

• Lucid features
• Model Y price

More car than I would want, still nice to see luxury at an affordable price. Better cars at better prices.

Bob Wilson

https://www.autoblog.com/news/next-gen-toyotas-will-now-last-for-almost-a-decade

Saw this on Reddit thought it was interesting to share here. Not sure if the poster is a PC member. They took the engine, inverter, and drivetrain out of a JDM 2nd gen Prius and put it into a boat.

Just casually installing Gen2 drivetrain to my boat

There have been dangerous driving conditions in LA with heavy rain since Thursday, and it is very annoying with some people still speeding.

Here is a typical Tesla driver hydroplaning on the 405 freeway yesterday:

Tesla driver loses control amid heavy rain on 405 Fwy in the Sepulveda Pass—ABC7 Los Angeles

When Tesla becomes more and more mainstream, issues with bad Tesla drivers are becoming more common. They have already taken the lead in the worst-drivers list, and they will not even have a competition soon when used Teslas become cheaper and more widespread.

Tesla drivers are the worst, study shows

Everyone wants a Toyota. No one wants other cars. With the new, groundbreaking high-tech software-defined 2026 RAV4, it will get even worse.

Toyota “can barely cover the demand” for its cars—Kelley Blue Book

Bought at an auction.

Temperatures are dropping!

This weekend is a good time to check your tire pressure and top it up.

With lower temps you may be a few pounds low- maybe not enough to trip the TPMS (if any) but you can still lose fuel economy before that tire light comes on.

Toyota is resigning the Corolla with a very modern sporty look and HEV, PHEV, and BEV powertrains, to arrive circa late 2027. It looks like Toyota is going all out in the modern-car race with sporty looks, software-defined vehicles, self-driving, EV powertrains, solid-state batteries, etc.

A Waymo car ran over a beloved neighborhood cat, who was sitting in front of it by the curb and then went under it just before it suddenly started with a jerk maneuver to change to the next lane. It is sad.

I see what is wrong here:

• Bystanders seeing the cat sitting in front of the car but not alerting the cat or the car
• Waymo not programmed for cat or animal safety
• Waymo accelerating and maneuvering way too fast, faster than a typical human driver would do—while this is safe in AI-predictable situations, it is not what a skilled driver do and dangerous in unexpected situations
• Better warning sounds
• Safety upgrade involving animals needed

Waymo confirms its car killed KitKat, Mission bodega cat

https://www.autoblog.com/news/toyota-says-youve-been-misled-most-hybrids-arent-really-hybrids

Here's a peek at what Toyota/Lexus will be showing at the Japan Mobility Show starting on October 30th. Toyota looks to push their Century line and Lexus looks to push, well, interesting stuff.

Japan Mobility Show 2025 | Corporate | Global Newsroom | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website


Century lineup including some past models.

I'm only going to show things relating to their ground vehicles. Not to be shown is their Joby, Catamaran, House, or Hub.


Sport concept

Micro Concept

LS Coupe Concept

Their LS Concept. Yes it has 6 wheels. I would be hesitant to call it a minivan, more like a van. As a DIYer, no to that!

Google tells me:

Tundra Twin Turbo V6 Hybrid AWD

Inverter


Electric Motor


Inverter Cooler


Nimh Battery


Front view of stripped down model

2026 Toyota RAV4 vs. Honda CR-V Hybrid: Settling the Great Compact SUV Debate—Again

New Land Cruiser "FJ" Makes World Premiere | Toyota | Global Newsroom | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website

Toyota Global released details of the Land Cruiser FJ today. Land Cruiser FJ will be built on the IMV (Innovative International Multi-purpose Vehicle) platform, same platform that the Hilux uses. Here are some key features:

Exterior Design:

• Follows a silhouette that emphasizes a square cabin, taking into consideration the habitability and cargo capacity that successive generations of Land Cruisers have prioritized
• Expresses a lean, strong sense of mass and fun through a rectangular body with a dice motif and chamfered edges
• The front and rear express a powerful sense of stability through a composition of powerful bumpers and flared fenders on a taut, simple body
• Both front and rear corner bumpers are removable, segmented types, allowing...

2026 Toyota Camry Features & Benefits | Toyota Canada

No idea how long it'll stay up before they fix it but it says "plug-in hybrid Camry" lol.