That happened to me in Missouri, once, on a regular car, with one of those stupid bellows style vapor collectors at the gas pump. The automatic shutoff failed, and instead of me hearing the gas gurgling in the filler neck so I would know when to shut it off, the gas filled the bellows, and started squirting out the sides. When I removed the nozzle, the bellows emptied all over my shoes and the ground.
Actual (not mythical) Prius Annoyances
- Thread starter ekpolk
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Originally Posted By: XS650
That 100+MPG number is pure marketing [censored]. If the car is running of another external power source part of the time, then it's dishonest to credit those miles to MPG.
They could just as will restrict their selves to short trips (or add batteries), run off only the batteries and claim infinite MPG.
The reason they don't do that is that it would be a big enough [censored] that too many people would catch on.
They try to clear up this 'anomaly' (but not very well):
From Cal-Cars' website FAQ:
"Isn't it misleading to talk about 100MPG and 500MPG cars?
We try to be careful to emphasize in the fine print that PHEVs can get over 100 miles/gallon of gasoline, PLUS electric costs of about 1-2 cents/mile. You get to 500MPG, when 80% of the liquid fuel used is biofuel or ethanol, which quintuples the 100MPG gasoline number, so it's then gasoline PLUS electric PLUS ethanol."
That 100+MPG number is pure marketing [censored]. If the car is running of another external power source part of the time, then it's dishonest to credit those miles to MPG.
They could just as will restrict their selves to short trips (or add batteries), run off only the batteries and claim infinite MPG.
The reason they don't do that is that it would be a big enough [censored] that too many people would catch on.
They try to clear up this 'anomaly' (but not very well):
From Cal-Cars' website FAQ:
"Isn't it misleading to talk about 100MPG and 500MPG cars?
We try to be careful to emphasize in the fine print that PHEVs can get over 100 miles/gallon of gasoline, PLUS electric costs of about 1-2 cents/mile. You get to 500MPG, when 80% of the liquid fuel used is biofuel or ethanol, which quintuples the 100MPG gasoline number, so it's then gasoline PLUS electric PLUS ethanol."
Originally Posted By: XS650
...
That 100+MPG number is pure marketing [censored]. If the car is running of another external power source part of the time, then it's dishonest to credit those miles to MPG.
They could just as will restrict their selves to short trips (or add batteries), run off only the batteries and claim infinite MPG.
The reason they don't do that is that it would be a big enough [censored] that too many people would catch on.
Yes and no. You're on to the concept of how mpgs can be manipulated when you start adding energy to the system from a source other than gasoline (as distinct from pure regeneration). The achievable benefit for any one owner/driver depends upon their usage pattern. For someone like me, who drives a lot, it would be hard to see any benefit from a plug-in, unless I had a hugely increased battery capacity. On the other hand, for someone who does only around town short tripping, they might truly be able to realize some of these astronomical plug-in mpgs.
...
That 100+MPG number is pure marketing [censored]. If the car is running of another external power source part of the time, then it's dishonest to credit those miles to MPG.
They could just as will restrict their selves to short trips (or add batteries), run off only the batteries and claim infinite MPG.
The reason they don't do that is that it would be a big enough [censored] that too many people would catch on.
Yes and no. You're on to the concept of how mpgs can be manipulated when you start adding energy to the system from a source other than gasoline (as distinct from pure regeneration). The achievable benefit for any one owner/driver depends upon their usage pattern. For someone like me, who drives a lot, it would be hard to see any benefit from a plug-in, unless I had a hugely increased battery capacity. On the other hand, for someone who does only around town short tripping, they might truly be able to realize some of these astronomical plug-in mpgs.
Those "problems" posted by the OP don't really sound like problems to me. Toyota makes the best cars.
Now I want to hear this from actual Prius owners. What is your typical hand-calculated MPG? I know the factory sticker says you get 50 city/60 hwy but frankly I feel like that's way exaggerated. I mean, people wouldn't buy a Prius if they didn't get superb fuel mileage right? A couple of my friends who have a Prius told me they realistically get 42-45 mpg. That's actually not too far off from a straight-gas powered Honda Civic that gets 35 mpg. I've noticed for most gas-vehicles, the factory mpg claim is not too far off from the actual. My Honda Accord for example, said it gets 20 city/28 hwy but I get 29 on the hwy and once I got 30. Contrary to past belief, they have changed the fuel economy claims to give an average of a more realistic claim, not just one that was done on a flat test track with no wind, etc.
Also, when you consider the efficiency of a coal-fired power plant, power transmission, energy storage in a battery, energy retrieval from a battery, and energy conversion to mechanical work then you end up with an efficiency of 20% or so. Same as a gasoline engine these days. Plugging in may not pollute your neighborhood, but you're polluting someone else's neighborhood in the country.
Now I want to hear this from actual Prius owners. What is your typical hand-calculated MPG? I know the factory sticker says you get 50 city/60 hwy but frankly I feel like that's way exaggerated. I mean, people wouldn't buy a Prius if they didn't get superb fuel mileage right? A couple of my friends who have a Prius told me they realistically get 42-45 mpg. That's actually not too far off from a straight-gas powered Honda Civic that gets 35 mpg. I've noticed for most gas-vehicles, the factory mpg claim is not too far off from the actual. My Honda Accord for example, said it gets 20 city/28 hwy but I get 29 on the hwy and once I got 30. Contrary to past belief, they have changed the fuel economy claims to give an average of a more realistic claim, not just one that was done on a flat test track with no wind, etc.
Also, when you consider the efficiency of a coal-fired power plant, power transmission, energy storage in a battery, energy retrieval from a battery, and energy conversion to mechanical work then you end up with an efficiency of 20% or so. Same as a gasoline engine these days. Plugging in may not pollute your neighborhood, but you're polluting someone else's neighborhood in the country.
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wcb:
The "OP" is an actual Prius owner. I've had mine for almost a year and a half.
I think you missed the real point of my post (or maybe I wasn't clear enough in the first place). What's amazed me during my ownership is all the fanciful or remote "problems" that so many "experts" think this car suffers. These comments, in my view, tend to obscure the few actual negatives about the car, five of which I listed above. Not saying these are huge problems, but problems they are. Drive one, and see how you feel the first time you pull up to an intersection, and start to turn, only to see a Suburban emerge like magic from behind the right A-Pillar, ready to crush you.
Once you're aware of where things are, you adjust, but still, there are lager than normal blind spots.
And to answer your question for "actual Prius owners", I usually average in the very high 40s (about half-way through the tank, my car showed 48.0 when I parked it about two hours ago). If I feel like working at it, I can break 50, but usually, I'm in a hurry and can't play. As the weather cools, I'll drop about 3-4 mpg, but can get much of that back by wedging pipe insulation into about 3/4 of the cooling openings, reducing the flood of cold air in the engine room.
The "OP" is an actual Prius owner. I've had mine for almost a year and a half.
I think you missed the real point of my post (or maybe I wasn't clear enough in the first place). What's amazed me during my ownership is all the fanciful or remote "problems" that so many "experts" think this car suffers. These comments, in my view, tend to obscure the few actual negatives about the car, five of which I listed above. Not saying these are huge problems, but problems they are. Drive one, and see how you feel the first time you pull up to an intersection, and start to turn, only to see a Suburban emerge like magic from behind the right A-Pillar, ready to crush you.
And to answer your question for "actual Prius owners", I usually average in the very high 40s (about half-way through the tank, my car showed 48.0 when I parked it about two hours ago). If I feel like working at it, I can break 50, but usually, I'm in a hurry and can't play. As the weather cools, I'll drop about 3-4 mpg, but can get much of that back by wedging pipe insulation into about 3/4 of the cooling openings, reducing the flood of cold air in the engine room.
Although I'm not a Prius owner, I have a very real annoyance that I'm surprised I've never seen mentioned anywhere before. I find the taillights VERY hard to see during bright mid-day sunlight. Obviously when its cloudy or very early/late in the day, its no problem, but during the noontime sun the Prius can slam on the brakes and I have trouble seeing it.
Renting one for over 500 miles I got about 45 MPG in mixed city/highway driving with the AC blasting the whole time. However I had the same problem filling the tank and the resulting mess. I'll also say this, if someone reported the same issue with a GM vehicle, this board would be filled with "proof" how GM builds poor product. It is NOT a minor issue.
The Prius I rented was a LOT quicker than I thought it would be. No issues merging into heavy traffic at full speed.
The Prius I rented was a LOT quicker than I thought it would be. No issues merging into heavy traffic at full speed.
I don't own a Prius but did have one as a rental car for about a week and a half. Put 600+ miles on it. Here are some of my thoughts:
Take away all the debate/controversy about the purpose of the car, the batteries, the true mileage, etc, and it's a pretty innocuous transportation device. You get in, drive around, it's fine. Back seat legroom is quite good, the hatchback makes for good cargo capacity.
I got ~45 mpg according to the computer, probably 75% highway. I've found the computer in my Saab 9-5 to be extremely accurate so I tend to believe that this is correct enough.
I also hated the gas filling! It would get stuck or something at times.
The acceleration is tepid. The way the engine takes a second or so to get going from a stop means you don't want to be trying to shoot the gap from a stop across traffic
That said, it goes fast enough and highway acceleration was adequate.
I took one look at the tiny tires and decided I wouldn't even try to push it in the corners. Not much driving excitement to be found.
I really dislike the touch screen display for the radio and climate. These things simply are never as good as a well laid out set of buttons and knobs. The little cartoon that shows what the engine, motor, and batteries are doing is distracting. It definitely adds to the gee-whiz factor though. If you think about it, without that graphic you might think it's just another car
My verdict? If you like it, knock yourself out. There's nothing wrong with liking this car's particular features or quirks. Lots of people get optional V6s or factory nav systems and no one debates the ROI on those
jeff
Take away all the debate/controversy about the purpose of the car, the batteries, the true mileage, etc, and it's a pretty innocuous transportation device. You get in, drive around, it's fine. Back seat legroom is quite good, the hatchback makes for good cargo capacity.
I got ~45 mpg according to the computer, probably 75% highway. I've found the computer in my Saab 9-5 to be extremely accurate so I tend to believe that this is correct enough.
I also hated the gas filling! It would get stuck or something at times.
The acceleration is tepid. The way the engine takes a second or so to get going from a stop means you don't want to be trying to shoot the gap from a stop across traffic
I took one look at the tiny tires and decided I wouldn't even try to push it in the corners. Not much driving excitement to be found.
I really dislike the touch screen display for the radio and climate. These things simply are never as good as a well laid out set of buttons and knobs. The little cartoon that shows what the engine, motor, and batteries are doing is distracting. It definitely adds to the gee-whiz factor though. If you think about it, without that graphic you might think it's just another car
My verdict? If you like it, knock yourself out. There's nothing wrong with liking this car's particular features or quirks. Lots of people get optional V6s or factory nav systems and no one debates the ROI on those
jeff
Originally Posted By: wcbcruzer
You can never trust what the computer shows for fuel mileage. That's why I asked for hand-calculated values. I do a quick calculation of my fuel economy every time I fill up my tank.
I used to think that, but the one in this car has proven to be accurate enough that I only spot check the fills manually any more. When I was cross-checking, I found that the computer overstated mpgs roughly 2/3 of the time, and understated it for the remainder. And it was usually within an mpg or two. I did get an occasional off result from the manual calculation, but that's invariably and predictably after a refilling issue.
At least in this installation, the computer is pretty trustworthy.
You can never trust what the computer shows for fuel mileage. That's why I asked for hand-calculated values. I do a quick calculation of my fuel economy every time I fill up my tank.
I used to think that, but the one in this car has proven to be accurate enough that I only spot check the fills manually any more. When I was cross-checking, I found that the computer overstated mpgs roughly 2/3 of the time, and understated it for the remainder. And it was usually within an mpg or two. I did get an occasional off result from the manual calculation, but that's invariably and predictably after a refilling issue.
At least in this installation, the computer is pretty trustworthy.
Originally Posted By: greenjp
I don't own a Prius but did have one as a rental car for about a week and a half. Put 600+ miles on it. Here are some of my thoughts:
Take away all the debate/controversy about the purpose of the car, the batteries, the true mileage, etc, and it's a pretty innocuous transportation device. You get in, drive around, it's fine. Back seat legroom is quite good, the hatchback makes for good cargo capacity.
Ahhhhh, nice to hear some sensible, balanced observations about the car.
Originally Posted By: greenjp
I got ~45 mpg according to the computer, probably 75% highway. I've found the computer in my Saab 9-5 to be extremely accurate so I tend to believe that this is correct enough.
See my last post, above. The computer in this car works well.
Originally Posted By: greenjp
I also hated the gas filling! It would get stuck or something at times.
Yup, that's the bladder working its evil tricks. Was it cold when this happened?
Originally Posted By: greenjp
The acceleration is tepid. The way the engine takes a second or so to get going from a stop means you don't want to be trying to shoot the gap from a stop across traffic
That said, it goes fast enough and highway acceleration was adequate.
Did you watch how the performance changes with battery charge state? One thing that's supposed to be a small advantage with this car is that the motor-generators are able to apply all of their wrenching torque in an eye-blink, with no delay for running up the rpms. The MGs make ALL of their 295 ft-lbs torque right from 0 rpm up.
Originally Posted By: greenjp
I took one look at the tiny tires and decided I wouldn't even try to push it in the corners. Not much driving excitement to be found.
This is the Prius body shape illusion at work. The stock tires are actually 15-inchers, not big by today's standards, but not tiny either (stock is 185 width, the touring model gets 195/60-16s. The 15 inch wheels I had on my dearly departed Camry looked much bigger than these do.
Another improvement I made: I replaced the stock tires with Michelin MXV4+ tires, and they (and their nice stiff sidewalls) make a world of difference in the car's handling. It's still no sports car, but with the MXs, it's almost crisp handling whereas with the stock GY Integs, it's a bit sloppy.
Originally Posted By: greenjp
I really dislike the touch screen display for the radio and climate. These things simply are never as good as a well laid out set of buttons and knobs. The little cartoon that shows what the engine, motor, and batteries are doing is distracting. It definitely adds to the gee-whiz factor though. If you think about it, without that graphic you might think it's just another car
Once you learn the car and get comfortable with it, you realize you can do almost all climate and radio functions right on the wheel, without ever looking at the MFD. Tricks like changing CDs by holding down the > or < buttons take a while to learn. In fact, if the MFD ever goes dark, you can operate both systems just fine, but you will loose the fluff functions, like the maintenance calendar (a gee-whiz, but really cool feature to have), phone settings, and so forth.
Originally Posted By: greenjp
My verdict? If you like it, knock yourself out. There's nothing wrong with liking this car's particular features or quirks. Lots of people get optional V6s or factory nav systems and no one debates the ROI on those
jeff
My verdict: thanks for taking the time to give us the perspective of one who has driven the car and is neither a Kool-Aid drinker nor a hater. Doesn't sound like we'll be selling you one soon, but hey, this is America, and that's OK.
I don't own a Prius but did have one as a rental car for about a week and a half. Put 600+ miles on it. Here are some of my thoughts:
Take away all the debate/controversy about the purpose of the car, the batteries, the true mileage, etc, and it's a pretty innocuous transportation device. You get in, drive around, it's fine. Back seat legroom is quite good, the hatchback makes for good cargo capacity.
Ahhhhh, nice to hear some sensible, balanced observations about the car.
Originally Posted By: greenjp
I got ~45 mpg according to the computer, probably 75% highway. I've found the computer in my Saab 9-5 to be extremely accurate so I tend to believe that this is correct enough.
See my last post, above. The computer in this car works well.
Originally Posted By: greenjp
I also hated the gas filling! It would get stuck or something at times.
Yup, that's the bladder working its evil tricks. Was it cold when this happened?
Originally Posted By: greenjp
The acceleration is tepid. The way the engine takes a second or so to get going from a stop means you don't want to be trying to shoot the gap from a stop across traffic
Did you watch how the performance changes with battery charge state? One thing that's supposed to be a small advantage with this car is that the motor-generators are able to apply all of their wrenching torque in an eye-blink, with no delay for running up the rpms. The MGs make ALL of their 295 ft-lbs torque right from 0 rpm up.
Originally Posted By: greenjp
I took one look at the tiny tires and decided I wouldn't even try to push it in the corners. Not much driving excitement to be found.
This is the Prius body shape illusion at work. The stock tires are actually 15-inchers, not big by today's standards, but not tiny either (stock is 185 width, the touring model gets 195/60-16s. The 15 inch wheels I had on my dearly departed Camry looked much bigger than these do.
Another improvement I made: I replaced the stock tires with Michelin MXV4+ tires, and they (and their nice stiff sidewalls) make a world of difference in the car's handling. It's still no sports car, but with the MXs, it's almost crisp handling whereas with the stock GY Integs, it's a bit sloppy.
Originally Posted By: greenjp
I really dislike the touch screen display for the radio and climate. These things simply are never as good as a well laid out set of buttons and knobs. The little cartoon that shows what the engine, motor, and batteries are doing is distracting. It definitely adds to the gee-whiz factor though. If you think about it, without that graphic you might think it's just another car
Once you learn the car and get comfortable with it, you realize you can do almost all climate and radio functions right on the wheel, without ever looking at the MFD. Tricks like changing CDs by holding down the > or < buttons take a while to learn. In fact, if the MFD ever goes dark, you can operate both systems just fine, but you will loose the fluff functions, like the maintenance calendar (a gee-whiz, but really cool feature to have), phone settings, and so forth.
Originally Posted By: greenjp
My verdict? If you like it, knock yourself out. There's nothing wrong with liking this car's particular features or quirks. Lots of people get optional V6s or factory nav systems and no one debates the ROI on those
jeff
My verdict: thanks for taking the time to give us the perspective of one who has driven the car and is neither a Kool-Aid drinker nor a hater. Doesn't sound like we'll be selling you one soon, but hey, this is America, and that's OK.
Originally Posted By: GMBoy
I just read that the next generation Prius is going to be a plug-in hybrid. That's a nice inmprovement, but do you think it's really needed ekpolk?
Under current technology, a plug-in car loses it's green-ness. Around here, that would make it a coal powered car. In any case, if you plugged it in overnight, say after 11:00 pm and before 7:00 am (in off-peak hours) you are charging it when electricity is cheap (if your electricity supplier is capable of distinguishing between cheap hours and peak hours on your bill). Our electric metering system is moving towards being able to meter in this way in order to encourage consumers to be more strategic about when they consume electricity.
Getting back to a plug in hybrid, I can see the usefulness of an algorythym where you tell the car that you intend to drive to work and back (and that's it in the day). It knows your work is 10 miles from home and strategically plans to make use of the gas engine as little as possible so that the battery pack will be nearly empty at the end of 20 miles. This way, when you pull it into the garage at the end of the work day and plug it in, you have used the least amount of gas possible, favoring an electric recharge. Now if plans change and you need to go a few extra miles after work, then the gas engine can kick in a little.
I don't know a lot about it, but it would seem that you'd have to tell the car what to anticipate for your driving habits or the car would have to learn it in order to make these plug-in hybrids more effective.
I just read that the next generation Prius is going to be a plug-in hybrid. That's a nice inmprovement, but do you think it's really needed ekpolk?
Under current technology, a plug-in car loses it's green-ness. Around here, that would make it a coal powered car. In any case, if you plugged it in overnight, say after 11:00 pm and before 7:00 am (in off-peak hours) you are charging it when electricity is cheap (if your electricity supplier is capable of distinguishing between cheap hours and peak hours on your bill). Our electric metering system is moving towards being able to meter in this way in order to encourage consumers to be more strategic about when they consume electricity.
Getting back to a plug in hybrid, I can see the usefulness of an algorythym where you tell the car that you intend to drive to work and back (and that's it in the day). It knows your work is 10 miles from home and strategically plans to make use of the gas engine as little as possible so that the battery pack will be nearly empty at the end of 20 miles. This way, when you pull it into the garage at the end of the work day and plug it in, you have used the least amount of gas possible, favoring an electric recharge. Now if plans change and you need to go a few extra miles after work, then the gas engine can kick in a little.
I don't know a lot about it, but it would seem that you'd have to tell the car what to anticipate for your driving habits or the car would have to learn it in order to make these plug-in hybrids more effective.
Originally Posted By: ekpolk
3) The A-Pillars (between windshield and front windows) obstruct vision significantly. New owners coming from other cars must learn, quickly, that the A-pillars are "leaned" way forward, and WILL obstruct vision in the front quarters (especially on the right side). This is a particular issue turning at "T" intersections. You MUST change your looking habits to be safe.
I've got the exact same complaint about the A-Pillars on the 2006+ Civic (which I drive, not a hybrid). I've spent considerable amount of time in a Gen II Prius as well (as both a driver and a passenger.. mother in law has a 2004 model) and I'm pretty sure the Civic is even worse in this regard being that its windshield is more steeply raked than that of the Prius, and I think (but am not positive) that the pillars are thicker in the Civic too. The first couple of times you don't see an oncoming car until the last minute can be pretty jarring, before you get used to this and learn to compensate for it.
Another complaint I have about both cars is that the high belt line and steeply sloped hood makes it difficult to ascertain your distance from obstacles in front (e.g. when parking), since your closest frame of reference is essentially the bottom of the windshield. I had an easier time in my 280zx with a hood around 5 feet long. Again I think the Civic is a little worse than the Prius in this regard.
In general I've found the Prius to be a very nice car to drive. ekpolk, I tend to agree with your reasoning in this and other threads that aside from the minor quirks related to the HSD system it's just an all around normal-feeling good midsize car. The combination of the extra torque from the MGs, the quiet engine at high speeds due to the CVT characteristics of the transmission, and good sound insulation make it very easy to go faster than you intended when you're not keeping a good eye on the speedometer, in my experience
The only other real complaint I can think of is that the brakes feel excessively grabby IMO, but once you're used to it I think that turns into a good thing. All I know is the first time I get in to drive it after a few months away from it, my first couple of low speed stops are a little jarring.
3) The A-Pillars (between windshield and front windows) obstruct vision significantly. New owners coming from other cars must learn, quickly, that the A-pillars are "leaned" way forward, and WILL obstruct vision in the front quarters (especially on the right side). This is a particular issue turning at "T" intersections. You MUST change your looking habits to be safe.
I've got the exact same complaint about the A-Pillars on the 2006+ Civic (which I drive, not a hybrid). I've spent considerable amount of time in a Gen II Prius as well (as both a driver and a passenger.. mother in law has a 2004 model) and I'm pretty sure the Civic is even worse in this regard being that its windshield is more steeply raked than that of the Prius, and I think (but am not positive) that the pillars are thicker in the Civic too. The first couple of times you don't see an oncoming car until the last minute can be pretty jarring, before you get used to this and learn to compensate for it.
Another complaint I have about both cars is that the high belt line and steeply sloped hood makes it difficult to ascertain your distance from obstacles in front (e.g. when parking), since your closest frame of reference is essentially the bottom of the windshield. I had an easier time in my 280zx with a hood around 5 feet long. Again I think the Civic is a little worse than the Prius in this regard.
In general I've found the Prius to be a very nice car to drive. ekpolk, I tend to agree with your reasoning in this and other threads that aside from the minor quirks related to the HSD system it's just an all around normal-feeling good midsize car. The combination of the extra torque from the MGs, the quiet engine at high speeds due to the CVT characteristics of the transmission, and good sound insulation make it very easy to go faster than you intended when you're not keeping a good eye on the speedometer, in my experience
The only other real complaint I can think of is that the brakes feel excessively grabby IMO, but once you're used to it I think that turns into a good thing. All I know is the first time I get in to drive it after a few months away from it, my first couple of low speed stops are a little jarring.
Originally Posted By: Jim 5
Around here, that would make it a coal powered car.
Depending on where and when you plug a hybrid car in in the Manassas,VA area, it could be coal, nuclear, natural gas, or even diesel powered. The latter two fuels are used by "peaker" plants.
The use of a load management switch could allow the hybrid to be disconnected during peak load times.
Around here, that would make it a coal powered car.
Depending on where and when you plug a hybrid car in in the Manassas,VA area, it could be coal, nuclear, natural gas, or even diesel powered. The latter two fuels are used by "peaker" plants.
The use of a load management switch could allow the hybrid to be disconnected during peak load times.
Originally Posted By: Tosh
XS650 said:
Working in a climate change facility, I'm appalled that plug in could be considered in a vehicle that's supposed to protect the environment.
I am for plug ins to reduce urban emissions...which if you are trying to do, you'd eliminate natural gas appliances, cooking, heating, oil furnaces etc. etc.
But offsetting petroleum because coal fired electricity is cheaper than petrol is a dodgy three card trick
I am for plug ins to reduce urban emissions...which if you are trying to do, you'd eliminate natural gas appliances, cooking, heating, oil furnaces etc. etc.
But offsetting petroleum because coal fired electricity is cheaper than petrol is a dodgy three card trick
The aim in Ontario is to have no coal plants in Ontario by 2010. There are very few right now because most of our power comes from nuclear and hydro. With this system I wouldn't feel guilty plugging in my car.
I'm intrigued, not necessarily annoyed, that they have LED brake lights but incandescent amber blinkers. LED blinkers are still a little odd out in traffic... fedex trucks have 'em and I notice.
Wonder if they did a cost/benefit analysis about which lights were on more often, using precious power.
I do like LED lighting in general and the faster response time is great for brakes.
As far as the gas bladder, it would be cool if some station sold "prewarmed" fuel that softened the bladder as it went in.
Wonder if they did a cost/benefit analysis about which lights were on more often, using precious power.
I do like LED lighting in general and the faster response time is great for brakes.
As far as the gas bladder, it would be cool if some station sold "prewarmed" fuel that softened the bladder as it went in.
Originally Posted By: c502cid
Still wondering when a Prius owner is not going to consider gas gushing out on them and the ground a little "quirk" and start demanding Toyota fix an absolutle safety hazard.
Well, there's a little more to it. If you read the manual (as everyone should but most don't...), you'll see a very clear notice that you must not attempt to top this car, for precisely this reason. So it's a yes and no thing. If you fuel the car the way you're supposed to, you'll never have a problem. If you try to pack in as much gas as possible (which you really shouldn't do with any car), you'll potentially have a bigger problem on you hands (and maybe clothes) than you would in a "normal" car (projectile gas vomiting vs gentle spilling).
Ultimately, however, I really don't disagree with you. Given the number of idiots in our society (and there are even a few who own the Prius...), Toyota should perhaps do more to idiot-proof the car and its fuel tank. And, of course, this not something that onwers do on a repeat basis -- one way or the other
this is a mistake that you'll only make once. . .
Still wondering when a Prius owner is not going to consider gas gushing out on them and the ground a little "quirk" and start demanding Toyota fix an absolutle safety hazard.
Well, there's a little more to it. If you read the manual (as everyone should but most don't...), you'll see a very clear notice that you must not attempt to top this car, for precisely this reason. So it's a yes and no thing. If you fuel the car the way you're supposed to, you'll never have a problem. If you try to pack in as much gas as possible (which you really shouldn't do with any car), you'll potentially have a bigger problem on you hands (and maybe clothes) than you would in a "normal" car (projectile gas vomiting vs gentle spilling).
Ultimately, however, I really don't disagree with you. Given the number of idiots in our society (and there are even a few who own the Prius...), Toyota should perhaps do more to idiot-proof the car and its fuel tank. And, of course, this not something that onwers do on a repeat basis -- one way or the other
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