Swapping A Corolla T3 For A Prius (57) Spirit

[agfs]

Having owned an Avensis, then a Corolla T3, I found a Prius Spirit (Nov 2007) for sale at my local Toyota Centre so I swapped my Corolla for the Prius that has nearly 30K on the clock. Firstly though, I was taken for a test drive by the saleslady then had a go myself. Luckily I have driven automatics in the US so was used to controlling the creep but it took a little while for me to stop touching the brake pedal with my clumsier left foot. Before I bought the car I borrowed the users handbook, read it through twice and had some 25 questions about the way things worked as a result. My questions were most adequately answered so I bought it, having previously estimated that the car would have just two inches clearance, lengthwise, in my garage where I had installed a wheel stop.

It was only yesterday that I discovered a way to keep the engine/electric motor running for less than a minute, when getting out to open the garage door without shutting everything down and then re-starting, by engaging N and the left hand foot brake. What I do like about the car is the way it drives once you get used to the longer wheelbase, also the digital mph display just below eye-level but the comparatively small fonts and icons used for other displays under the windscreen are a bit small for someone who needs glasses to read them. The signs on the buttons on the steering wheel are pretty much difficult for me to read unless I’m wearing glasses so I have stuck white labels on them and marked them to make them more distinguishable. I’m not commenting on MPG as I have done less than 100 miles so far.

Oh yes…..The point I wanted to make about swapping another Toyota model for a Prius is that you might be well advise to do it through a Toyota Centre because someone will know exactly how things work.

My Toyota Dealer offers

Free MOT for Life

Up to 20% off all future accessories purchased

Discounted prices for Labour costs for service and repair

Free courtesy car while yours is being serviced

Free collection, delivery service and free mini valet

on every MOT or service, plus other benefits.

[benw123]

It was only yesterday that I discovered a way to keep the engine/electric motor running for less than a minute, when getting out to open the garage door without shutting everything down and then re-starting, by engaging N and the left hand foot brake.

There's a much simpler method than this. Bring the car to a stop and press the "P" button to engage park. As long as the hybrid Battery has some charge, the engine will stop. Get out, open the garage and when back in the car, put your foot on the brake and select "D" from the gearlever to move forward again.

[timberwolf]

Hi, I am puzzled by what you meant when you said,

It was only yesterday that I discovered a way to keep the engine/electric motor running for less than a minute, when getting out to open the garage door without shutting everything down and then re-starting, by engaging N and the left hand foot brake.

Putting the car into Park would be safer as it also engages the parking pawl. You can leave the car running in Park and with the foot operated Parking brake applied. It also has the advantage that the Prius can charge the HV Battery if it needs to, in Neutral it is not possible to charge the HV Battery - I think that is the only mode with the car in Ready where it can not charge the HV Battery.

Edit: Ah, benw123's post got in first :)

[agfs]

Many thanks to both of you for that suggestion. I have just tried it and it works.

[posing]

When I come to a stop at traffic lights, etc, I just press the Park button and dont even bother with the foot brake. Even at inclines, the Park button stops the car rolling down. Whether this is normal or not I don't know. If the incline is steep then I apply foot brake too just in case.

When parking in garage, I find reversing will usually cut off the engine otherwise you might have to press the EV button to stop the engine restarting when parking going forwards.

Moreover, reversing into a parking spot saves more fuel because it is quicker and easier to leave the spot whereas reversing out from cold can use up a bit of fuel (unless your eleccy is already topped up).

[timberwolf]

When I come to a stop at traffic lights, etc, I just press the Park button and dont even bother with the foot brake. Even at inclines, the Park button stops the car rolling down. Whether this is normal or not I don't know. If the incline is steep then I apply foot brake too just in case.

The Park button applies the Parking pawl and that is electrically operated. My only concern would be if someone rears end you what damage (if any) could occur that would prevent the Parking pawl from disengaging. I know in theory that you are not supposed to be in gear and have the hand brake applied when stopped, at least that's what I recall when I learnt to drive a manual car. With automatics, I've always just kept my foot on the brake at traffic lights, the Prius in particular won't creep because there is a "switch" on the brake pedal to cut the power, which you can confirm by viewing the MFD to see if there is any power going to the wheels. From a safety point of view, I'm guessing my foot could slip. Or from a comfort pov, I suppose my leg could get tired, but the lights that I'm held at don't usually stay red for long enough.

When parking in garage, I find reversing will usually cut off the engine otherwise you might have to press the EV button to stop the engine restarting when parking going forwards.

Moreover, reversing into a parking spot saves more fuel because it is quicker and easier to leave the spot whereas reversing out from cold can use up a bit of fuel (unless your eleccy is already topped up).

Reversing always uses the electric motor. Energy from the Battery isn't exactly free (unless you have a plugin) - the energy in the Battery got there burning fuel. I initially thought how cool it would be to leave my house in stealth mode, but during day there is the potential for the neighbour's kids to be playing so I don't bother with EV mode as I think a running engine gives a bit more warning.

[Chris Dance]

I also keep my foot on the brake pedal at traffic lights. If I am stopped in a long traffic jam I use the park button.