Getting the Most Out of the Toyota Prius: Driving Tips

113 messages, Last post on Sep 23, 2009 at 7:16 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Hybrid Cars, Hatchback

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#94 of 113 B Drive - and New '08 by tomm Jun 11, 2008 (5:03 pm)
Barb - just don't use the B drive - no need and it uses too much gas/engine. Got my '08 3 weeks ago - on a whim - after I saw the golf cart, shoes, hats and clubs fit beautifully, I traded in my luxurious Audi A8 - havn't missed it yet. Averaged 48 MPG since new (a few hundred miles on it when I bought it). I do miss the tilt function on the driver's seat - I feel a bit too pitched forward - but getting used to position. Good luck to all those lucky enough to have one - heard they are now selling over sticker - and you can't get one! Tom near Boston Replies to this message: semenzato (Jun 11, 2008 6:20 pm) laughen59 (Jun 13, 2008 2:40 pm)
#95 of 113 Re: B Drive - and New '08 [tomm] by semenzato Jun 11, 2008 (6:20 pm)
Replying to: tomm (Jun 11, 2008 5:03 pm) Tomm---are you sure the B drive uses more gas? I don't believe so. It just uses engine friction to help slow down the car when going downhill, but I don't think any gas goes into the engine in those circumstances. It's true that you can forget it in B when you no longer need it, which isn't good, but between that and overheating the brakes (or at the very least overusing them) I think driving in B longer than you should is the lesser evil. After all, directly saving gasoline is not the only goal. Think of how much gasoline goes into building those brake pads (and in the cars of workers that produce them and install them etc.). Congratulations for switching from an A8 to a Prius. It's hard to believe that you won't miss the A8---but people around you will like you better for your effort.
#96 of 113 Re: B drive & cruise cntl Driving up and down hills [eprupis] by peakoil Jun 12, 2008 (10:06 am)
Replying to: eprupis (Jun 10, 2008 12:48 pm) Replies to this message: peakoil (Jun 12, 2008 10:15 am)
#97 of 113 Re: B drive & cruise cntl Driving up and down hills [peakoil] by peakoil Jun 12, 2008 (10:15 am)
Replying to: peakoil (Jun 12, 2008 10:06 am) (I accidently sent a blank message before I wuz dun. Sorry) A couple of weeks ago I entered the freeway and tried to engage my cruise control, but it wouldn't go on. After fiddling around a bit, I thought of the B drive-maybe I accidently had it in B, something I almost never do. I pulled the shifter to the left and down, and, sure enough, I had been in B and now I wuz in drive and I set the cruise. So I think you don't have to wait until you start up again b4 you can use your cruise.
#98 of 113 Re: B Drive - and New '08 [tomm] by laughen59 Jun 13, 2008 (2:40 pm)
Replying to: tomm (Jun 11, 2008 5:03 pm) Thank you for your reply Tomm. Barb
#99 of 113 Re: Grade of Gasoline [stevegold] by fseaver Jun 24, 2008 (9:47 am)
Replying to: stevegold (Jun 21, 2007 5:58 am) Its in the manual for 2008 REGULAR
#100 of 113 Re: Mountain Driving [laurasmith] by haulback Jul 03, 2008 (8:32 am)
Replying to: laurasmith (May 10, 2008 12:35 pm) Laura, I live in Boise, Idaho and travel ~50 miles (round trip) commuting between town (2750 ft) and our home at 3500 ft. There are multiple hills and downhills in my commute and I would say my average speed is around 43 mph (top speed 60, low speed 5). We have had the Prius for 2 years and approaching 36000 miles. Oneway commute is 35 minutes. Winter driving is ~48 mpg and Summer is ~ 52 mpg. Bottom line: We love our Prius! It is not a waste of money. It's fun to drive, comfortable, well designed, and roomy. Be advised in Winter snow driving, use a good tire as in the Michelin Ice-X or Bridgestone Blizzak. Learn to "feather" the gas pedal as the Prius, once it breaks traction and spins, will momentarily shut the engine off (self protects the electric motor). If you start to spin, let up immediately on the gas and ease it on (counter intuitive, I know). This only occurs on our very steep drive (20%+ grade on ice). Overall, the car is an excellent snow vehicle on plowed roads. Best of luck.
#101 of 113 PRIUS DRIVING TIPS by vinnyny Oct 12, 2008 (10:10 pm)
Whatever you do, please keep that thing out of the left lane. You're really not saving the world from its oil dependency when you block traffic. Also, pulling off some of those Obama Biden stickers might reduce drag enough to save a gallon of gas every 100 years. Sorry for intruding in your forum, but I just drove 1000 miles and spent most of it stuck behind slow-moving Toyotas in the left lane... Replies to this message: oldcoach (Oct 13, 2008 3:46 am) vinnyny (Oct 13, 2008 3:45 pm) oldcoach (Oct 15, 2008 1:37 pm)
#102 of 113 Re: PRIUS DRIVING TIPS [vinnyny] by oldcoach Oct 13, 2008 (3:46 am)
Replying to: vinnyny (Oct 12, 2008 10:10 pm) Are you for real, Toyota's run as fast as any cars. Check out NASCAR. Replies to this message: vinnyny (Oct 13, 2008 3:45 pm) oldcoach (Oct 15, 2008 1:37 pm)
#103 of 113 Re: PRIUS DRIVING TIPS [oldcoach] by vinnyny Oct 13, 2008 (3:45 pm)
Replying to: oldcoach (Oct 13, 2008 3:46 am) Prius is running in NASCAR now? Damn, the world might be ending... Replies to this message: oldcoach (Oct 15, 2008 1:37 pm)