Toyota Prius
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Q: How to promote a product, for instance the 2006 Toyota Prius?
How would i go about promoting the new 2006 toyota prius
A: i would say that you have to reach the younger kids that are rite out of college…remind then and let them know how ur product is cheaper for them so they can go to college…do everything they want and save money..cuz believe it or not..most of the people buying carz rite now…are high school kids…
Q: 2008 Toyota Prius, the screen and the radio are not working. Any suggestions?
I purchased a 2008 toyota Prius very cheap. Its a rebuilt salvage and I had to replace the front bumper and fix the screen inside. It has navigation pkg #6, everything inside works except for the screen and the radio…? I took it to toyota and they checked the fuses only and said ” we have no idea.” Anyone have any suggestions with Prius experience? Josh
A: You may want to try asking on the technical forums on:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Prius_Technical_Stuff/
http://www.priuschat.com/
http://www.priusonline.com
for more ideas on how to finish rebuilding your salvage Prius. (since it is a salvage most dealers will not honor any warranties.)
Could you better define how the screen/radio are not working, or how the navigation and climate control system are working (if your “screen” isn’t working)? Can you operate any of the radio/navigation/climate control features through the steering wheel controls or the voice recognition system? Or do you mean that just the touchscreen functions of the display are not working, but you can still view items there? What sort of salvage vehicle is this – accident, lightning strike, flood?
If you have other Prius experience questions, you should ask other owners, at both the above sites, and also:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/toyota-prius/
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Prius-2G/
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/2008-Prius/
good luck!
Q: Can I put the battery form a 2010 Toyota Prius into a 2007 Toyota Prius?
ok i have bought a 2007 Toyota Prius but dont seem to get much out of the battery so I wounderd if I buy a new 2010 model battery will it work ok in the 2007 model ? i do know there were some slight improvements in the 2010 model battery but will this harm my 2007 ?
A: As long as the hybrid system is not giving you the Triangle Of Death the battery is okay. The hybrid system uses it as it sees fit, not the way we might expect. As long as the hybrid warning triangle is not on all batteries will produce identical performance.
I have never heard of a second generation traction battery failing. They are quite a bit improved over the first generation, which still lasts around 200k miles on the average, and should never give you trouble.
Q: Can I change my 2002 toyota prius stock stereo system?
I went to mothers window tint in austin and i was trying to get another stereo for my 2002 toyota prius and they told me that “theres nothing we can do for you”. i dont know too much about what they meant i just wanna know if it is possible to change my stereo or not. im looking to change the stereo and speakers and maybe get an amp.
A: Of course you can change the speakers — but changing the stock radio/cassette player is impossible. (Unless you’re willing to completely re-do the dashboard, and give-up the touchscreen capability of the stock unit.)
With some effort, it is possible to interface an aftermarket unit to the Prius, but it’s definitely not trivial. One enthusiast that has done so, and marketed his results, is listed in the “source” section below. He’s been out-of-stock on his products for awhile, and it could be that he isn’t planning on producing more — after all, how much demand is there for add-on audio equipment for the Prius, model years 2001-2003 only?
Q: Does the Toyota Prius navigation system speak street names?
Does the Toyota Prius navigation system speak street names?
A: Hi,
no, the voice does not speak the actual street names in standard guidance.
But it does speak basic guidance and directions such as “a half mile ahead, turn right”, “temperature set to 72 degrees” when you speak the temp you want, and repeating the point of interest search items you’ve spoken to it, such as “ATM” or “Italian food”.
Q: What cars have the touch control shift lever besides the 2008 Toyota Prius (picture included)?
http://www.toyota.com/prius/interior.html
I really love having the gears in front of me next to the wheel. I just wonder if other cars offer the same thing.
It’s the 4th picture from the left.
A: I’m pretty sure the new odyssey has it.
Q: I heard that toyota sells completely electric Prius’s in the states, is it really true?
cause my science teacher was telling us how his friend in the states has a completely electric toyota prius. i knew that technology exists to make practical electric cars, but are they already in mass production?
A: No it’s not true. Some companies do make modifications where you can turn your Prius into a plug-in hybrid, but even then it’s not 100% electric, and Toyota hasn’t made a plug-in version yet. See here:
http://greenhome.huddler.com/products/hymotion-l5-battery-pack
The first affordable highway speed EV is about to come out in the US in June ‘08 – the Green Vehicles Traic.
http://greenhome.huddler.com/products/green-vehicles-triac
It will be able to go 80 mph, 100 miles per charge, and cost $20k.
Q: How do you drive a TOYOTA PRIUS? (10 points for STEP By Step Instructions)?
I don’t personally own one, but my cousin does and he said the salesman took a month to learn how to drive one. It takes a while for a person to learn. So I was wondering for 10 points, can anyone give me details step by step instructions on how to drive a Toyota Prius.
Thank you
A: http://priuschat.com/forums/attachments/prius-main-forum/422d1142949905-2006-prius-valet-cards-valet_card.pdf or http://www.eaa-phev.org/wiki/Image:Prius-valet-card-small.jpg
The above is the Valet card that (should) come with the current NHW20 generation Toyota Prius. 3 simple steps to start the car, 3 simple steps to shift, 3 simple steps to park.
If you have never driven a car before, then yes, I could see how it would take a month to learn how to drive one.
If you have driven a traditional automatic car before, there is nothing really all that strange to learn. Keyfob goes in the slot, press brake and Power button to turn on. Move shift joystick into D or R, drive as normal. Press P to Park, then Power off.
If you have an older NHW11 Prius, it is just like a traditional automatic car. The shift lever is on the steering column, nothing all that wierd there. Traditional key, too.
However, if you want to drive for maximum fuel efficiency, it may take a while for you to change your existing bad driving habits (such as speeding or jackrabbit starts/stops)… Read up on some hypermiling techniques (which can be applied to any car) to start practicing.
If you need more information, I’d suggest the user-generated Prius User Guide (more condensed and an easier read than the Owner’s Manual): http://john1701a.com/prius/prius-userguide.htm
Q: How does a toyota prius charge itself?
Hi i m thinking of buying a toyota prius but i m not sure how they are good for the eviromnet does anyone know thanks
A: the Prius has two motors; one electric and one gasoline powered. the gas motor is used when you’re at decent speeds or need more power to climb a hill. when it’s running, it charges the electric motor the same way it charges the car battery, by using the alternator to produce current which is sent to the electric motor.
they’re NOT good for the environment. do you know how much uranium is used to make your average hybrid? yes, you’re saving gas, but now we’re tapping into another resource altogether.
Q: what are the negative things about Toyota Prius ?
i’m buying one soon but i heard couple of things about toyota prius like the battery is pretty expensive … is it true like if something happen to the battery it migt cost me alot ?
A: wow all this talk from them yet no one actually has one,i have a 04 and never had battery issues,yes the battery is expensive but they DO LAST 15 YEARS,mind you give or take a few years,but in the long run you ll still save on gas,i love how many trash Toyotas yet they keep wining all these awards and yes the priuse is the most green car out there at the moment,dont belive me see jd power website,so never mind all these haters they talk and trash yet they never had one to see for them self,remember dont belive everything you read on line,if you did then aliens have arrived, 9.11 was american conspiracy,,se what im doing,showing you that the web lies alot.ask someone who has one,that simple,,wait you did,me
Q: Should I buy Lexus hybrid 250HS or Toyota Prius IV?
I know about the price difference between these two but would like to hear more from the owners of either of these cars. I don’t really care about the gas/mileage but also don’t want to spend way too much on maintenance and repair. Also is it true that Toyota Prius is hard to drive and Lexus is smooth drive. If you were given an option to choose between the two, which one would you pick?
A: I can tell you that my two Prius have been low on maintenance costs and that low maintenance has been the typical experience of those in the Yahoo Prius groups that I follow. There is just not much maintenance required:
An oil and filter change every 5000 miles plus a tire rotation (this has changed to every 10,000 miles in the 2010 model). 3.5 quarts of oil plus a filter.
An engine and cabin air filter change every 15,000 miles.
A drain and fill of the transaxle every 40,000 miles (4 quarts).
Coolant change at 100,000 miles and then every 50,000 miles.
Spark plug and brake fluid change every 100,000 miles.
The FUD about the battery is just that: FUD. Chances are good that you will never need to replace the large traction battery during the time you own it. The next owner probably won’t have to replace it either, and when the third or fourth owner does replace it, it’s less than $2000 for a new one–and the price has been going down every year. And of course, just like a transmission, you can get rebuilt ones for even less. Honestly, the FUD put out about the battery is just made up because the detractors will grasp at any straw to say something negative.
I have both a 2001 and a 2004 and they are both on the original batteries. I’ve kept a logbook on the 2004 and in 115,000 miles fuel, dealer maintenance, and tires have cost a whole 12 cent per mile. Insurance is pretty cheap too–about $250 for six months for collision and comprehensive.
I don’t know what you mean by “hard to drive”. The Prius seems no more difficult than any other car. I’ve not driven the Lexus, but I can’t imagine how it could be easier to drive.
The difference between the two is that one is a sedan and the other is a hatchback. Depending upon what you do the hatchback might be more practical because of the increased cargo area.
The other difference is that the Lexus seats are more adjustable. There is likely more sound-proofing as well. They should be for a base price that’s $37,420 compared to $28,070 (I’ve used the highest end base price for both cars).
So there you have it. The Lexus is quieter and has more adjustable seats. The Prius has better mpg, more cargo area and a lower price. The choice is really up to you because only you know what’s important in a car.
And both cars do have other benefits. The safety features such as vehicle stability control, radar pre-collision, etc. are not found in cars in the Prius’ price range. In addition, the Prius is fun to drive. After 115,000 miles I still look forward to the morning commute.
Q: What grade Toyota Prius should I get?
So I have convinced myself that I’m going to get a Toyota Prius. I have a friend that has one and he absolutely loves it. But, I had a question from those who may own a 2010 version. What grade Prius should I get (meaning the Prius II, III, IV or V)? I don’t need the options that are on the IV and V, so really I’m looking between the Prius II and III, but I don’t know which one gives you more for your dollar?
A: Considering the ongoing rash of defects, recalls and safety issues with so many Toyota vehicles including the Prius, perhaps you should hold off on until the dust settles, and you can be sure it is a wise and safe investment. In the meantime, check out comparable models of other manufacturers.
Q: what are the microenvironmental factors that affected toyota prius when it was introduced in USA?
i want other poeple to help me find out thre microenvironmental factors that affected the introduction of toyota prius in the year 2000.
A: Hi,
not a problem,but what factors are you looking for, exactly?
The cost of production of the Prius?
The length of time a Prius is expected to remain on the road compared to a typical vehicle?
The cost of repairs and maintenance compared to a typical vehicle?
I’m not certain what information you need, but here is my usual breakdown for each 100,000 miles of operation for a Prius, information on the nickel metal hydride hybrid battery, and other general info.
BTW, it’s a shame about any poor responses to your question. I usually take a look at the best answer percentage of any person posting and keep that, and any nasty comments they put up, in mind when I read their responses.
Moving on…
I’llstart by breaking down the cost of operation for a Prius. Please compare that to what is honestly spent on any other vehicle.
The cost of operation of a Prius is about .08 cents per mile for each 100,000 miles of operation. I don’t add in insurance, bank interest, or the cost of the vehicle itself, because all of those can vary based on each owner’s situation. Add them to the .08 cents per mile amount.
A Prius will maintain 51-53 average if driven properly, meaning easing off the accelerator when coming to a stop and accelerating like there is a egg under the accelerator and trying to roll the egg out, not crush it. In other words, driving defensively and learning to get the most out of the hybrid drivetrain.
As far as the cost to operate a Prius over 100,000 miles:
- There is no steering belt or steering pump, the system is electronic and uses electric motors. There is no belt to wear and no pump to lose fluid out of (ever hear a car squeal when it goes around a corner? that’s the belt or pump going bad) No cost there.
And before anyone says anything, check with a knowledgable electrician on how long an electric motor will last considering it has essentially one moving part. Compare that to the wear and tear of an internal combustion engine or standard mechanical pump.
- There is no accelerator cable or cable linkage, once again, it is electronic. So there is no loss of acceleration over time from cable stretch and wear like on a standard vehicle. No cost there.
- The brake pads should never need to be replaced, they are hardly used due to the regenerative braking system. Look up pictures on the net of Prius with no appreciable wear on the brake pads. One great example is an owner who thought to take pictures of his Prius’ brake pads at 8,000 miles and then again at 105,000 miles. The pads were measured with calipers and there was no appreciable wear after 97,000 miles. No cost there.
- You never touch the nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery or the hybrid system, it is self regulating. No cost there.
- The gas engine is not tuned up for 100,000 miles. At even 15,000 miles per year, that’s about seven years. And then…
- four spark plugs run $12.00 each, four is $48.00 (the wires aren’t replaced and there are no distributors because each cylinder has a direct injection module and they are not replaced)
- coolant is $15.50 a gallon and you need two gallons, or $31.00 (if you live in an extremely hot or cold climate, you might need to change the coolant 2X in 100,000 miles so figure $62.00 there)
- air filters are $18.00 for the engine and $25.00 for the cabin and are replaced every 15,000 miles. So over 100,000 miles, we’ll go high and say 7 sets of air filters at $301.00.
- inspect the wiring, change the oil (might as well, since you’re there) lube, inspect and flush the brake lines, flush the coolant if necessary. It runs about $225.00, which includes parts.
- the sealed, continuously variable transmission fluid is not changed until 90,000 miles, about $140.00
- The OEM (Original Equipment from the Manufacturer) Goodyear Integrity’s are about $113.00 each, installed. The originals are low-rolling resistance, specialty tires, just like a truck or sports car. They will last about 35,000 or so. Three sets of OEM tires- over 105,000 miles- will run $339.00 installed.
- Oil and filter changes every 3000 miles and tire rotations every 6000 miles, just like any other vehicle. Oil changes are about $26.00 and tire rotations are about $18.00, or about $884.00 for oil changes and $306.00 for rotations over 100,000 miles
So, over 100,000 miles, for regular service, a Prius should run about $2231.00, rounded to $2300.00, or about .023 cents per mile.
All of my service and parts amounts come from a local Toyota dealership, and do not figure in any kind of promotions, coupons, or discounts. I called on 6/12/07.
We’ll go high and say gas in a Prius will run about $6,000 over 100,000 miles, or about .06 cents per mile (100,000 miles / 50 mpg (I get 51.7 mpg currently as an average, city and highway, auto temp w/air and stereo on) = 2000 gallons of gas X $3.00 a gallon = $6,000).
So a Prius will run about $8000, or .08 cents per mile, to operate over 100,000 miles.
I used 100,000 miles because it is a easy, round number, and most people don’t keep their vehicles more than 6 or 7 years. The Prius will last much, much longer than 100,000, and it will perform better at that amount than most vehicles on the road with 100,000 or 150,000 miles.
Any vehicle you are considering should be put to this kind of scrutiny. A vehicle is a major investment and it will cost you money to run properly. Please print this info out and use it to compare any vehicles by calling your local dealership and asking the parts and service departments what is involved in maintenance over 100,000 miles.
As far as the energy and materials for the NiMH batteries go:
Our federal government has tested NiMH batteries from the Prius and discovered they still maintain 90% of their capacity after 100,000 miles. They do not lose 10% capacity/storage/efficiency per year, as others have stated. Look up the testing at the DOE website.
Toyota has never had a customer pay to replace a nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery in any of their hybrids ever. That is for Prius, Camry Hybrids or Highlander Hybrids. The Prius have been in the US since 2000, eight years, and in Japan for the last ten years.
There have been NiMH batteries replaced because of accidents or owner damage or neglect (wiring in a big stereo, for example), but no one has ever had to pay otherwise.
BTW, the price for a new NiMH battery for either generation of the Prius is $2985.13, not the $5-10,000.00 that people like to throw around the internet. Call your local Toyota dealer and ask for the parts department.
And the current record is over 360,000 miles on a Prius using the original NiMH battery and hybrid system. Many Prius are used as taxis and also by the State of New York and Colorado as state municipal vehicles racking up 100,000-200,000 miles without issue on a regular basis. Those are not typos, anything else you may have seen is an urban myth.
Speaking for Toyota, there is an 800 number on each nickel metal hydride battery (the one that provides the energy to move the Prius, Camry, or Highlander Hybrids) and that number allows a person to turn in that battery for a $200.00 bounty.
The entire battery, just like almost every bit of those vehicles, is completely recyclable.
The alkaline batteries that people use and throw out are a different type of battery than what is in vehicles like the Prius. The Hybrid Synergy Drive unit that Toyota developed is designed to keep the NiMH battery in a mid-peak charge range, trying not to top-charge it or, of course, completely discharge it.
That enables a NiMH to last fairly indefinitely. Obviously, there will be some breakdown eventually, but one of the great things about the Prius system, for example, is the NiMH battery is composed of 36 individual cells. If one cell goes bad, it can be replaced and the remainder stay. That is what’s happened when Toyota has torture tested the Prius in Alaska and Death Valley.
Working with Toyota, I know about their commitments to recycling and the environment (Toyota’s web site lists environmental reports dating back many years).
As far as the supposed “environmental impact” of the nickel metal hydride batteries in the Prius, Camry Hybrid and Highlander Hybrid…
The plant in Sudbury where Toyota buys approximately 1.5% of the plant’s annual nickel output can be seen using this Google maps address:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&la…
Sudbury, Ontario is called the mining capital of the world for good reason.
The Sudbury plant has been in continuous operation since the rock was blasted to make way for the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1883.
That means that nickel has been mined there for the last 124 years. The Prius has been on the road since 1998. What about all the environmental damage done for the 116 years before the Prius ever came along?
There used to be a great deal of pollution at the Sudbury plant, just like there was at a lot of factory facilities. However, new pollution controls are in place and Sudbury residents themselves will talk about how things are improving dramatically in the area around the plant. Young trees are growing there, even now.
Another thing noted about the area around the plant is the Apollo astronauts trained there. It has been said that the area around the plant was as lifeless a wasteland as the moon. Actually, the astronauts trained there because the rock formations were similar to those on the moon. This area of Ontario was hit by a meteorite which created a basin and caused much of the look of the area. The moonscape feeling is also from the slag heaps from smelter output. Anyone who has ever seen any factory facility knows there is always a large amount of material left over from the original raw materials, be that a nickel plant, a steel smelter, or a dog food producer.
Also the environmental damage is not all due to the nickel plant – there is other industry, and a lot of the trees disappeared due to extensive logging.
Here’s a breakdown:
The Sudbury nickel plant produces around 60,000 tons of nickel per year. If Toyota buys 1000 tons/year, that’s around 6% of the total output.
I personally present Prius NiMH batteries to local safety responders and fire department personnel. The entire pack weighs 117.47 pounds, which is the components as well as the actual nickel itself. The nickel weighs about 50 pounds. So that’s 50lb per Prius, with 2000 pounds per ton, that’s 40 Prius per ton of nickel.
Considering the plant puts out 120,000,000 pounds of nickel each year, each Prius uses about 0.000024 of the annual production of the Sudbury plant.
And that’s about it. No surprises and the maintenance is pretty simple. Please let me know if my math is off anywhere, and I’ll be glad to make corrections.
Q: Toyota Prius owners… How much cargo room do you have in the hatch?
The local Toyota dealer can not keep a Prius in stock to test drive. I want to know if I could fit a lot of stuff in the back. Do the rear seats fold forward? I would be hauling a small Public Address system and a few guitars.
A: Try more than one dealer, preferrably one with a TRAC program. Also try some of the rental car outlets, they may have one.
You could also post your location – there may be some friendly Prius owners nearby that may give you a test drive.
With the back seat folded, you should have no problems. I’ve heard of a 8′ windboard carried inside a Prius with the front passenger and rear seats down. I’ve carried a 7′ closet pole home in my 2004 with just the back seats down (pole in between the two front seats). I’ve also heard of a cello in a hardback case carried, too.
You may want to ask other actual owners what they’ve carried, and if anyone can suggest a dealer near you with a TRAC or demo Prius available (or if they’d let you try out their own car).
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/toyota-prius/
http://www.priusonline.com/
http://www.priuschat.com/
Q: Can a Toyota Prius last a road trip?
I have a 2005 Toyota Prius with 47,000 miles and want to drive from Texas to California then back. Does anyone know if a hybrid can handle that?
A: Easily. Any hybrid can.
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