My 2nd Prius - 2008 - a Lemon

This covers from May 2008 (when I received the car), to July 28th, 2009, when I left the car at the dealership in disgust, and waited a few more days for the 2010 to arrive.

Dropped off car at dealership for a week during September, 2008, and November-December 2008, and Spring 2009.

List of issues.

Rattling stereo unless hold it with my hand when on freeway around 70 mph

Tire light keeps coming on when weather cold and wet even though pressure okay.

VSC on hill. freezes up trying to climb the hill, even a little when even just a little slick, but only intermittently, not consistently predictable. Scary!

Burning smell when VSC engages but not coming from the tires.

Mileage terribly impacted by weather (did not do this anywhere near as much with 1st Prius. Worst the 2006 was arond 38-42 in the Winter (formula fuel) with studded tires).

These miles were without the studs ever put on. 2006 Prius usually averaged 48-52 in "normal" seasons/weather.

2008 Prius MPG to temp scale

With 92 octane avg
with temps in 25+ range.

with 89 octane avg -2-4 mpg
0 difference from 89 octane for temps below 25 octane (same mpg between 92 and 89).

note this was WITHOUT STUDS


previous prius avg nonwinter: 48-52

prev prius avg winter: 38-42 (with studs)


windows fog between 67-72 in autoclimate. unless on highway and in fresh air mode. fogging comes from vents.
only gies away otherwise if i crank up thdefog mode. see pics for mild example outside temp 36 on overcas intermittent drizzle day.
note seems to happen if car parked outside oovernight and precipiatation on it. does not happen if kept in garage for several days and kept dry.

regulalery checked tire inflation.  ranhes ttied included:   
psi


noted slight improvement 1-3 mpg with higher inflation closer to limit listed on tire sidewall. but the averages listed INCLUDE that improvement. times when tire(s) low were worse mpg than listed.
worst i ever had was  22 mpg!

April 5th, 2009 Sunday. left rear tire slow leak now.

left rear needs reinflation every 2-4 days (probably nail or screw in tire)

now it is friday april 24.

since weather warmed up last week. have not had to refill tires at all thus week.


on freeway accelerating heavily from 60-75 (and other times) car surges slightly.


may 5.
freeway cheney to sp. 70 mph.
outside temp 57
climate set to
65
external air. ac off. auto.

smell chemically smell. ?coolant?


friday may 8th lr tire down to 15 psi. during previous nighytemp dropped to 34 f.


june 28 2009.
going through carwash. pulled out and found roof trim right rear popped off dangling by window. clipped back into place.

mpg around town 37.1 With AC.


AC compressor very noisy when it engages. buzzing sound.


7-5-09
passenger cigarreette adapter died.



7-13
 rainy day 60 degress.
abs functioned incorrectlywhen slowing at intersectiobs it kept engaging abs. had to hi brakes harder to be able to stop else woulld have rear ended others or ended up in intersection.



july 29 2009.
mile marker 119 see photo.
i82w
car dead.
waiting for gad since 4:30 pm. at 4:00 pm 22 miles south of kennewwick. car gave beep that needed gas. no stations available then seemed plenty of time to get to kennewick.
 at 17 miles from kennewick engine quit. drove to 15 miles from when neede to stop before battry too low.
turned off car. called isurance.
 noise from wibdows down. turned in to roll up. engibe started. let charge battery and drove arpund  30 mph. had to stop periodically. wheb ebgine atopped. turn off wait five minuted. turn on engine start back up. hit hill drove at 10 mph. made it to mile marker 119 this is 6.2 miles from kennewick intersection turn. when no longer get engine to kick in on steep hill. ironic next to blue green taurus.
called for gas. waited until 6
gassed up and..... no start
car mileage: 22694
tank mileage 410.9
comp: 39.2
that means. warning at 22 miles from kennewick. quasi quit at 17 miles from Kennewick.
completely quit at 6.2 miles from Kennewick.
warning was only 5 miles before initial quit. and only 18 miles before full quit (mostly electric).
 

Pulling fuses didn't help.

Finally pulled negative battery cable (in back). waiting 1 minute. Then reattached.

Car started right up. Even stranger, the battery now showed well into the blue (almost green) as far as almost fully charged) was showing still single bar prior to battery cable reset).

Drove to Kennewick and gassed up.

Left at dealership July 29th, never want to see it again.