Comments by "flagmichael" (@flagmichael) on "Never do THIS to your Toyota Hybrid New edition!" video.

  1. We bought a 2002 Prius and never bought any other model. The reliability is so far beyond that of any other car we have had in 45 years I have no idea what would be in second place. The 2002 now belongs to our son. I replaced the inverter pump at 198K miles (the first actual repair it needed) and now, at 212K miles, it needs a hybrid battery. (The first gen is much less reliable than later generations.) When we get our house refi completed I will get a rebuild kit for it but in the meantime it limps along in town just fine. How much does the hybrid battery cost to replace? It depends on the model, year, and source. The kit for the 2002 is $1938, somewhat more than later ones, from a source ChrisFix recommends. That amounts to $102 per year, or $0.28 per day. The later generations should do a lot better for battery life.
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  2. We make the 300 mile (each way) trip to see the grandkids an average of almost once a month. We get in the Prius, fill the tank, and go. Every time, around the halfway point, I marvel at how comfortable, convenient, and affordable it is to glide down the freeway at 75 mph, averaging about 50 mpg, with no worry about breaking down.
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  3. Being a techie I bought a first generation Prius (2002). Even though it was a lot "buggier" than current models it was still the best car I owned in my life. Now we have a 2014 Prius and it is heaven. In our 19 years of Prius ownership none of them have ever stranded us.
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  4. ...and be sure to watch his video about replacing the hybrid battery air filter at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skSoXGcNpS4 It just occurred to me you may mean the 12 volt aux battery, though. That is in the back on the passenger side, underneath the "floor."
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  5. We have had nothing but Prius since 2002. Now my son has my wife's old 2002, and at 212K miles it needs a hybrid battery. The rebuild kit (ChrisFix has a video) is $1938 from a reputable source. That amounts to $102 a year or $0.28 per day. The first gen also had a number of problems including an unreliable inverter coolant pump; I spent $150 on that. Toyota says "For Toyota hybrid vehicles beginning with model year 2020, the hybrid (HV) battery is covered for 10 years from original date of first use or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first." https://www.toyota.com/owners/resources/warranty-owners-manuals/sienna/2020
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  6. Our 2014 Prius appears to use regen braking as long as the cruise control is engaged, then does the "B" mode thing when the hybrid battery is full. That is not exactly common, but getting from Flagstaff to Phoenix we drop about 2000 feet coming off the Colorado Plateau so it isn't rare, either. In our 2002 Prius B mode and cruise control can be used together; CC does not limit speed. In our 2014 cruise control disengages if B is selected but limits speed.
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  7. That seems to be what the PCV valve does! Seriously, though - where would the excess oil be drained to?
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  8. I would think it would be rare - how many ways are there to leave the fuel cap open, anyway - and is certainly not going to happen to anybody twice!
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