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Prius Owners w/50K - What We Think Now

256 messages,  Last post on Mar 02, 2013 at 8:01 AM

You are in the Toyota Prius Forum.

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

Messages Page 26 of 27

#243 of 256 Re: Let's not get sidetracked... [pf_flyer] by dolaver

Aug 17, 2012 (3:50 pm)

Replying to: pf_flyer (Sep 28, 2007 10:32 am)
I've read some of these comments, just to let you know I have a 2002 Prius with 256,385 miles on it. My main battery is still going strong. I have had to replace the power steering ($2,000) and the main Hybrid computer in the transmission ($5000 +). My catalytic converter needs replacing, but ($1,800) seems steep, for my car that has so many miles. I've investigated replacing it with an after market or junk yard catalytic converter, but I am understanding that that is not legal in California. Anyone have suggestions?

#244 of 256 Re: maintenance light stays on [weldfixer] by stevegold

Aug 20, 2012 (6:33 pm)

Replying to: weldfixer (Sep 27, 2007 2:22 am)
Put the ODO in total miles mode, turn off, hold the ODO button in while turning on. The light will reset to off.
The Maint req light comes on a little before every 5,000 miles. I use Mobil 1 and change the oil and the oil filter every spring and fall. (About every 5,000 miles) I am about to switch to the extended use Mobil 1 (12,500 mi interval) and plan to change the oil once a year. I have a 2004 with 80,000 miles. I have my first paid service issue last week. A rear coil spring that I broke on a speed bump and a leaking water pump. I did not change the brake pads or rotors as recommended because the pads had 8/12mm left and the rotors were rusted around the outside perimeter which I found out was normal.

#245 of 256 2002 Prius with 118K still going strong by pegpurdue

Sep 21, 2012 (12:25 pm)

Hopefully I won't jinx it. I love my Prius ... I live on a dirt road in Vermont and in the winter when the plow hasn't run by, it doesn't like plowing its own way. But that is the only limitation I have found. I am getting about 47/48 mpg and I have had to replace tires a few times and had to replace the small battery (not the hybrid system one). Other than that for the eight years that I have owned it, it has served me very well and is the best value for my car dollar that I have ever had, especially with gas around $4/gallon at the moment. I can't say enough good things about it. I intend on running it for many more miles. I think that if I had to replace the battery I would seriously consider doing it regardless of the miles because it is an awesome, economical car with strong testimony to its longevity. With gas prices are they are, it is easy to make up the cost of the repair.

#246 of 256 Re: 2002 Prius with 118K still going strong [pegpurdue] by bobw3

Sep 21, 2012 (5:29 pm)

Replying to: pegpurdue (Sep 21, 2012 12:25 pm)
Do you notice big drops in MPG in the winter?

#247 of 256 Re: 2002 Prius with 118K still going strong [bobw3] by railroadjames

Sep 21, 2012 (8:13 pm)

Replying to: bobw3 (Sep 21, 2012 5:29 pm)
Winters effect the mpg's because....the hybrid system demands that the gas engine run extended time from cold start due to cold temps of winter. This makes for available heat from the heater. When summer comes the mpg's then rise because the engine does not need extended running time thus more mpg's. I have 156K miles and have seen the fluxuation from summer to winter for 9 yrs due to seasonal changes. Gas blends are part of the reason too.

#248 of 256 Re: 2002 Prius with 118K still going strong [railroadjames] by dym

Sep 27, 2012 (11:02 am)

Replying to: railroadjames (Sep 21, 2012 8:13 pm)
I had been getting 51.3 mpg winter 2011 and summer 2011 and for some reason it fell in that Fall to 48.5 and Summer 2012 it rose to 49.3. Mine is a 2009 bought in 2008 and at one point early on it got 54.5 mpg average over my to work and long distance travel. When it dropped I asked the dealer rep and he said my new milage was more typical of what they see in cars in for regular service. I confess to willingness to get off the gas as soon as I see a red or yellow light unlike the other Charlotte NC drivers who shoot yellows and reds in acceleration. Had my share of "cut-offs" as a result but then they are not getting 40 mpg much less 49. Love my Prius and expressed it so much that my son in law who is a GM discount eligible buyer just bought a Prius V.
His heavy foot may cost more MPG than my light one.

#249 of 256 Re: 2002 Prius with 118K still going strong [dym] by railroadjames

Sep 27, 2012 (11:38 am)

Replying to: dym (Sep 27, 2012 11:02 am)
I started this site over 8 yrs ago and have had many surprises as the info of good news (mostly) came rolling in. I'm at 155 K miles and the thing that has amazed me the most is the durability of the Prius. This also means reliability. Both batteries (Hybrid & Utility) are going strong at 9 yrs. The other amazing item...the brakes seem to last forever. Other than oil changes, wiper blades, filters, head lt bulbs and tires I have found the car exceeds all my expectations. I simply believe and trust this hybrid car.

#250 of 256 One Major Failure in 63000 Miles by skycaptain

Oct 14, 2012 (8:23 am)

I bought a 2010 Prius 3 in 2010 and now have abut 63000 miles on it. I love this car. I have had no mechanical problems except one that made itself known just past the 36 month warranty period.
 I noticed that my solar driven cooling fan wasn't working this summer. I thought the fan had maybe died but then I looked at the solar panel and saw that green copper corrosion caused by long term moisture infiltration had shorted out the solar panel and it was unable to produce electricity anymore.
 I had the Dealer look at the panel and by looking at the panel from a ladder he ascertained that the moisture infiltration had reached all the way across the panel to the rear as evidenced by the green corrosion of the wiring in the panel.
 Now this just didn't happen overnight, but most likely, moisture had been infiltrating the panel for several years. There was no moisture visible in the pane, just the evidence of long term corrosion throughout the panel.
 What I am saying is this. These panels were manufactured by an outside vendor for Toyota. If made properly, a solar panel should be hermetically sealed. Most solar panels normally have a useful life of 15 years. This panel was defective the day it was made and it just took 3 years for the corrosion to infiltrate deep enough to disable enough of the solar cells to render it inoperative.
 The reason I tell you this is the solar option is an expensive option.($2000 replacement cost) If you are still in your warranty period I would suggest having the panel inspected for corrosion before you experience a failure. Once you know what to look for you can examine it yourself. Much like a hermetically sealed double pane house window there will be some clouding of the glass panel where the moisture has infiltrated.
 In my case the infiltration appears to have been going on for years before total failure. Since it is tinted and part of the roof design you won't notice the subtle changes in the color unless you inspect the panel closely.
  
 In conclusion, these panels should be waterproof and sealed during manufacture. If any moisture infiltrates by means other than from damage it is a design and/or manufacturing error.

#251 of 256 Re: Prius odor issues - responses appreciated [getitinwriting] by pragmatist1

Jan 03, 2013 (7:41 pm)

Replying to: getitinwriting (Sep 22, 2009 11:33 am)
I am now having this same problem with my 2010 Prius at 57000 miles. Did you ever find out what was the cause of the problem?

#252 of 256 Re: Prius odor issues - responses appreciated [pragmatist1] by railroadjames

Jan 04, 2013 (7:38 pm)

Replying to: pragmatist1 (Jan 03, 2013 7:41 pm)
A lot of possibles but I'd try replacing your onboard air filter. Mine was so bad that I've replaced mine 3 times (and should have more often). At least check out that filter for crap and junk in it.

Messages Page 26 of 27

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