Hi evrybody! I just got a Prius last week- my first new car. I swore I'd keep my old rides running until we stopped making cars that run on gas, but my daily driver's engine died and I'm finding it hard to get the energy to put another engine in with gas prices what they are. So the Prius seemed the best choice for my needs, while offsetting some of those blue clouds I've spewed out over the years. I like the Prius a lot and hopes it runs until cars are powered by air or something. As long as I'm introducing myself, I do have a few questions to throw out there: I'm a musician, so I'll be throwing gear in the back with the seats down a lot, so I was hoping for a recommendation on a sturdy cargo mat that covers the folded down seats as well. Ideas? Bumper cover that covers best? Also, my dog will be riding in the front sometimes (because of the stuff in the back--see previous question), so I want to know how to turn the airbag off. I already turned off the seatbelt alarm (pretty cool--I felt like I was entering a cheat code on a video game), so I know there's gotta be a way. Lastly, with the dog in the ride, what would be my best choice on seat covers? I've already seen some of the threads, but am uncertain what would work best for a 90lb muddy dog. I love this car and want it to last like my other 30+ year old vehicles, but being a dog trainer by day, and musician by night, I know I need to take some steps as soon as possible to save my car from myself. Thanks!
:welcome: Looks like you have Photoshop. Not sure about some of the questions but others will chime in. I seem to remember something in the owners manual about the passenger side airbag being disabled.
depending on how much your dog weighs, I think it automatically turns off the airbag for the passenger based on the weight sitting in the seat. I've noticed the Air Bag off light appears over there on occasion when I throw a back pack full of books on the seat (about 25 - 30 pounds). I think it detects it as a child in the seat.
Yeah, photochop is the only way that organ's gonna fit. I figured if I did it rough enough, nobody would think I was trying to pass the photo off as real. I have some Wet Okole covers in another ride and they've held up pretty good--one claw hole from when I had to stop short. Wasn't sure if there was a better choice with dog wear and tear in mind. Thanks for the replies. The dog's over 80lbs, so the sensor needs to be overridden, tricked out, pulled out, or something...maybe I'm overreacting to all the horror stories I hear about dogs getting killed in a low mph collision because the airbag blasted them.
I know from experience that a 15 lb dog can ride on the front seat without triggering the airbag sensor or the seat belt sensor, but a 24 lb dog will trigger the seat belt sensor (which you figured out how to turn off) without arming the airbag. However, I'm afraid that a 90 lb dog will be seen as a adult (non-dog) passenger and the airbag will be armed. I don't know of a way to defeat it because it relies on a passenger weight sensor to determine whether it should be armed or not.
Do you really think if the airbag was disconnected that the dog would survive being projected againts the windschield ??? Volvo calculated somme years ago that a 40 lbs child weights 4 Tons when hitting the windshield if the car is stopped by a wall at only 25mph....
I'm more concerned about accidental deployment at a low speed situation. You'll have to forgive me, this is my first car that's newer than 1975 and I generally distrust safety features that have warning labels saying that they can kill you.
Welcome to PriusChat, ktoepp! I keep my dog in the back, so I can't help you there. For a rear bumper guard, you might consider the one sold in the PriusChat Shop (also helps keep the site running). I think the Matrix bumper cover may be a bit wider if you need that. The appliqué covers are light duty only.
For the dog: What about a plywood shelf that sits on the front seat, with maybe another piece of plywood dropping down to the floor, attached by piano hinge? This would take the weight off the center off the front seat (maybe) where the sensors are located to activate the air bag. It would also provide FIDO a larger area to sit on. You could carpet it if a more comfortable surface is preferred.
I like your way of thinking, Doc, or should I say Bones? The same idea had occurred to me (minus the piano hinge). I did notice in the owner's manual that it warns that the airbag might not go off if the seat is in full recline touching the backseat, which also gives him more room. If I pull it all the way forward, take the headrest off, and lean the top back it evens out with the backseat pretty good or tucks beneath the rear headrest if the back is down. I think I'll try that for now. Nice shuttlecraft, by the way. I cheked out your link.
