New Yaris Icon Hybrid So Far

[dcweather]

Well we have had the car for a couple of months now although not so many miles or longer journeys.

Main observations are:-

1. Very comfortable and mostly quiet.

2. Better than expected MPG - about 48 mpg for short journeys, barely warming up, often at night and in frosty conditions with a lot of electrical stuff on. I look forward to improving on this as car runs in and weather improves and I know I will.

3. Surprised how often EV kicks in and holds for reasonable periods at 40 mph in flat or downhill conditions.

Things I'm not so sure about and may take get some getting used to:-

1.Seems to be really bad forward blindspot to low front caused by a combination of over long dashboard (what is the point of that?) and very wide front pillars. I commented to my wife that she was running wide on left hand turns ( never a good idea!) and then noticed I was doing same. I think this may also be due to some under steer?

2. Brake peddle has a very spongy/springy feel. Is this normal? Or do they take time to bed in? If it was and old car in years gone by I would think the brakes needed bleeding.

3. Compared to the solid feel of the doors the boot lid seems very light and tinny.

4. Doesn't appear to have a temperature gauge to tell you when engine has warmed up?

Overall very pleased and I look forward to using it, especially on short runs, in favour of my SKoda Octavia.

Dave

[Rob. S]

Dave - I've had mine for 2 months also.........

1] Blind spot... Can't say that I've really noticed this [but my previous car -Picasso- had thick pillars, so maybe I'm used to it]. Not had any understeer issues.

2] Brake pedal...... The springy feel may be due to the re-gen action perhaps? They feel solid enough to me when they have to be used in anger. Yes they do need bedding in -as with any car having new pads.

3] Boot lid... Oh yes, does feel tinny when closing it. I've traced this [on mine] to the fact that the number plate vibrates against the bodywork when you close the boot. I'm going to remove the plate & put some double sided pads at the ends of the plate.

4] No temp gauge... Common now on many cars I believe.

I miss having a digital speedo [Picasso again]; and there doesn't appear to be a lamp to show that headlights [dipped beam] are on... Or maybe there is one, but mine isn't working?

So far most of my trips have been around 5 miles [Ave speed less than 20mph] giving me about 54 mpg.

[vanilla.coffee]

I have also had mine for coming up to 2 months.

Brakes I quickly got used to once you master the re-gen braking bit of the brake pedal travel. I now leave a far longer gap in front and slow for junctions sooner than I used to. I'm guessing I am hardly using my pads as when the occasion arises when I do need the pads to apply, they are quite noisy now as there is surface rust on the discs from lack of use and I have done over 3000 miles already.

I'm getting the tinny boot lid (also traced to noisy no. plate fixings) so I have packed out the corners of the no. plate with a bit of blutack for now which has silenced it.

Not noticed the blindspot either.

I'm now getting around 65mpg and today managed 423 miles to a tankful of petrol. (Very much looking forward to the warmer weather to see how much more I can improve on my current figures)

I am using an app called 'Dash Command' on my iPhone with an OBD dongle plugged in to the diagnostic port. I am monitoring engine coolant temp that way along with cat temps and motor current. Fascinating to see when and how much the motor re-gens.

Overall, a wonderful car to drive. Extremely quiet at low speeds and smooth and refined to drive.

Glad you're both enjoying yours. I'm thrilled to bits with mine.

[Catlover]

As Rob sai, common today not to have a temperature gauge, its probably a cost saving excercise. However you should have an indicator of some sort. My 59 plate Yaris 1.4D, when I start up from colda thermometer symbol shows and is green. When the engine gets up to temperature the light disappears. handbook says when the temperature gets too hot then this warning sign (themometer) shows red - not seen that at all.

Re thick pillars, probably for strength, if you happen to have an accident and roll over you will be grateful for this feature no doubt.

[eyemdee]

.... and there doesn't appear to be a lamp to show that headlights [dipped beam] are on... Or maybe there is one, but mine isn't working?

Should be immediately to the right of the right-turn indicator - above the fuel gauge. Could it be hiding behind the steering wheel rim?

[Lustral]

What dongle do you use for the ODB-II to communicate with your iPhone ? Im interested in getting one , but I know you need to get a specific one that works with the iPhones iOS

Thanks

[Rob. S]

Ian. Yes I have this lamp - this is for the sidelights [tail light indicator light, as it's called in the handbook]. I would have thought that there would be one for dipped beam [every other car I've owned has had one], but having checked the handbook, it appears not to be the case.

[vanilla.coffee]

I got mine off eBay.

ELM327

You'll need the wifi version for iOS

Sent from my iPhone using Toyota OC

[eyemdee]

Ian. Yes I have this lamp - this is for the sidelights [tail light indicator light, as it's called in the handbook]. I would have thought that there would be one for dipped beam [every other car I've owned has had one], but having checked the handbook, it appears not to be the case.

I have learnt something now! Mine has the auto headlights and I just use this indicator lamp to check when they are on. I never thought of it for side/tail lights as I never use them without the headlights. My last car, a Fiesta, must have been the same as that only had one indicator for lights on which also came on with the auto headlights.

I can't remember ever having a car with separate indicators for side/tail and dipped beam headlights.

[Lustral]

I got mine off eBay.

ELM327

You'll need the wifi version for iOS

Sent from my iPhone using Toyota OC

Brought one from Amazon , delivered today , going to have a play with it tonight with my old mans Auris Hybrid (does anyone know where the OBD-II Port is ?) , it was only £4 and i got the dash command app from the Apple Store as well.

[MikeSh]

(does anyone know where the OBD-II Port is ?)

Probably at the bottom edge of the dash near the steering column.

The 'rules' require it to be within reach of the driver and that is a popular location.

[CPN]

It's at the extreme right hand edge of the lower dash (front of top of footwell) facing downward. Run your hand along and you will feel it. The longer edge of the "D" connector is towards you and the key is the other side (away from you).

[Lustral]

yeah got it , its the same place as my Yaris. Its alright that it gives you some extra information. Nice feature is the 0-60 and 1/4 mile gauges.