[anekho]

Always nice to return to your car after six or so weeks out and have her start immediately!



The Prius was parked like normal in our garage, and completely idle for the whole period.

One word of advice though, for anyone who plans on leaving their car parked for a longish period - don't engage the handbrake!

[seafalkon]

Originally Posted by anekho

One word of advice though, for anyone who plans on leaving their car parked for a longish period - don't engage the handbrake!

Can you please explain on engaging the hand brake part.
Thanks.

[johannskaria]

Originally Posted by anekho

Always nice to return to your car after six or so weeks out and have her start immediately!

The Prius was parked like normal in our garage, and completely idle for the whole period.

One word of advice though, for anyone who plans on leaving their car parked for a longish period - don't engage the handbrake!

Always was fascinated by the car till Tesla rolled in!
I know it is two different segments and cars altogether but still!
Now it feel as though Prius is little outdated, but just the exterior!

Ya please do elaborate the handbrake point!

[anekho]

Originally Posted by seafalkon

Can you please explain on engaging the hand brake part.
Thanks.

Originally Posted by johannskaria

Ya please do elaborate the handbrake point!

If you leave the handbrake on for an extended period of time, a thin layer of rust can form. The brakes become 'sticky' and even after you've successfully released the handbrake lever, the brakes themselves are still engaged!

To release them you have to attempt to move the car with the brakes fighting against. The car pitches rather hard and then there's a *loud* noise (the layer of rust being broken) and the car rolls free.

To make sure you get most of the rust off it is advisable to then bring the car up to speed (50 or 60 km/h) and then brake. Hard. Doing this a few times usually gets most of the rust off, and you're back to normal!

Moral of the story: unless you absolutely can not avoid it, don't use the handbrake for extended periods!

[Mpower]

Here something for all the doubting Thomases to chew on

http://www.worldcarfans.com/11312186...taxi-in-vienna

I'm sure its gone through a few batteries but still a remarkable achievement.

[amalji]

Originally Posted by Mpower

Here something for all the doubting Thomases to chew on

http://www.worldcarfans.com/11312186...taxi-in-vienna

I'm sure its gone through a few batteries but still a remarkable achievement.

There is no brand that beats Toyota in terms of reliability and long term durability of components. During my last visit to Saudi Arabia, the taxi ( a Camry ) which dropped me in the airport had done 7,00,000 kms on the odo. The last service bill for the vehicle was equivalent to INR 7,000 odd approximately.

In India, I've seen lots of 4-5 lakh run Innovas, and even for the Etios, there is a 2,30,000 run Etios Diesel in Kochi. All it went through is regular planned replacements. The only unplanned replacement was the fuel filter replacement - that too at 1,60,000 kms. The fuel filter is theoretically meant to last the life time of the vehicle. But, had to be replaced at 1,60,000 kms. That, when other brands get it replaced every 20,000 odd kms!

[anekho]

Marching on. Hybrid Brigade - 158260 kms!

The Prius has been marching on. The last quarter of this year has been quite eventful car-wise so here’s an update.

I’ve been driving the Prius a lot lately. November especially, saw many long hours spent on highways and forest roads, traversing the country.



The driving has been largely painless but my original complaints - highway handling and the not-so-comfortable front seats still hold. Extendable under thigh support: you are (very) sorely missed! A large portion of the driving was at 130-135 km/h, some notches above the optimal cruising speed for the Prius. The shape of the car is aerodynamic and so despite being somewhat chubby she cuts through air keenly. Crosswinds are seldom unsettling. The suspension setup while not ultra stiff isn’t soft either. She’s broad. What you’re left with is an odd situation. The car feels stable but the disconnected, very vague steering setup brings with it uncertainty.

Although we’ve been very lucky with winter this year (only one day of snow!), the winter wheels came on in November. No complaints! Simultaneously, the Prius was sent in for a routine ‘large’ service at 155XXX kms. The only difference this time was being informed that both front brake calipers needed to be changed. As a result this service was the most expensive so far, at ~8500 SEK (~82,000 INR). Braking now feels sharper.

Come December and it was time for the annual Vehicle Inspection - Besiktning. The process is simple. Book a time, pay in advance and show up at the test center. A person meets you, asks you to sit in the back and drives the car through a series of tests. All main parameters are checked and you’re done in ten minutes. If something isn’t right, depending on the severity, you’re 1) told to have it fixed for next year, 2) told to have it fixed within a certain period or 3) told your car has a körförbud - you’re forbidden from driving until your car is fixed.

The Prius passed besiktning but received one (it’s first) notification. Rust has begun eating into the exhaust system and one of the exhaust pipes has a small corrosion hole (thanks largely to the salted winter roads). So that needs fixing before next December.

Today, this happened.



Not sure how but after returning to the parked car at the airport, the whole white outer mirror casing was missing. And it was nowhere to be found. Currently looking for an OEM Toyota piece online so this is sorted ASAP.

I like to think it’s a battle scar. Or maybe she’s shedding some holiday pounds!

Happy New Year!

[Lobogris]

Originally Posted by sandeepmohan

Is this a typo error? 3km is useless. At this rate, it sounds like the petrol engine will be fired up 99% of the time.

After 3kms or when more power is required, the petrol engine fires up. It charges the hybrid battery and the battery is also charged while you are coasting or braking. Whenever you lift your foot off the accelerator, the petrol engine turns off and the cars runs on electric. Hence the battery gets recharged all the time and you get to use the electric option quite a bit.