Prius blog (Donn Lee)

Called DMV 800 number to check if VIN was in their database yet. It wasn't. Called Cory at Geweke to confirm they processed the paperwork on their side. He said yes. They don't submit to DMV electronically; sent via snail mail.

PriusChat -> tax credit (2006) vs tax rebate (2005)??: "If you buy a MY2005 Prius in 2005 there's a one time tax deduction of $2,000 for 2005 tax year.

Note that a tax deduction will reduce your taxable gross income whereas a tax credit (ie the one being discussed for 2006) can be subtracted from what you owe in taxes. That is, a dollar for dollar reduction in your owed taxes.

So, if in 2005 you take the $2000 and you're in the 30% tax bracket you save $600 in owed taxes. In 2006 when you take the $3,100 tax credit you save $3,100 in owed taxes. Tht's a $2,500 difference which buys approx 1,000 gallons of regular gasoline. At 60 mpg that translates to 60,000 miles for free (well almost free).

The 2006 tax credit (if it indeeds becomes effective) is a very good deal."

PriusChat -> I don't understand the passive alarm: "there are two 'passive' features.

1. Passive re-lock. If you unlock the car without opening a door in 30 seconds or so, the car will re-lock the doors automatically. I believe this is active on all packages, but someone can correct me.

2. Passive alarm (off by default). If you have the alarm feature, there's a dealership-programmable option for a passive mode (it's in active mode from the factory). In passive mode, the alarm will arm 0, 14, or 30 seconds after the last door is closed -- regardless of whether they've been locked. The time is set by the dealer's scan tool as one of those 3 options (or OFF).

The OP's situation sounds confusing. It should be that simple.
1. Close all doors but do not lock (fob, SKS, or otherwise).
2. If you have SKS, remove the fob from within 30 ft.
3. Wait 45 seconds (to be sure).
4. Open an unlocked door and hear the alarm activate.

I know this works because I had them enable the passive option and then opened my car door at the gas station after refueling. Having the SKS nearby, for me, doesn't deactivate the alarm if the alarm was set passively (with doors unlocked). "

PriusChat -> I don't understand the passive alarm: "Most factory equipped cars have their alarm active. It turns on though when the doors are locked. Same with the Prius. Since we all USUALLY always lock our doors, the alarm is activated along with the lock."

PriusChat -> Alarm: "All packages have the alarm, but some have it disabled. A 2005 package 6 has the alarm active. All packages have the panic button.
Passive alarm versus Active alarm:
Simply means if the alarm activates only when the doors are locked, or activates 30 seconds after power off and doors closed, regardless if they are locked.
If you have a package with an alarm, it comes in Active activation mode. You can have the dealer change it to passive, or you can do a dance and change it yourself.
I DO NOT recommend passive mode, since if you are getting things out of your car in batches, closing the door each time, the alarm will go off a determined number of seconds after the door is opened unless you power up the car.
But to each his own.

To test the alarm:
As stated, leave the window down or stay in the car.
Power down, and lock the car. The immobilizer symbol should be steady now.
30 seconds later, the immobilizer will blink again, alarm is armed.
Do not elecrtrically unlock the car. Open the car door from the inside using the handle. Alarm should go off, or will go off momentarily."

How to eliminate Reverse Beep & Seatbelt Beep :: Toyota Prius Forums :: PriusChat.com: "1. Power on the car to IG-ON or READY. IG-ON will do for this purpose.
2. Using the Trip/ODO button, set the Trip/ODO display to ODO (not Trip A or Trip B)
3. Power off the car.
4. Now power the car to READY (brake on). This is required so that step 6 works correctly.
5. Within 6 seconds of powering on, press and hold the Trip/ODO button for 10 seconds or more.
6. WHILE STILL HOLDING ODO *after* the 10 seconds, shift the 'gear' selector from P to R, then back to P. Now release the Trip/ODO button.
7. If the last step was successful, 'b on' or 'b off' should be displayed in the location where the Trip Odometer or Odometer is normally displayed. 'b on' is beep on, and 'b off' is beep off.
8. Press Trip/ODO to toggle the mode.
9. Now power the car off to exit the toggle mode.
10. Power the car on to READY and confirm the reverse beep status by shifting to R. The beep should not be audible if 'b off' was selected, and should be audible if 'b on' was selected..

Note: The Repair manual page states that if the the 12v battery is disconnected, the beep will reset to the default of on, and this procedure will need to be performed again. The repair manual also isn't clear that Trip/ODO should remain depressed while shifting.

Additional Note: The driver and passenger seatbelt reminder chime can be disabled or enabled (respectively, defaults appear to be driver on and passenger off) using similar steps. Instead of shifting from P to R to P in step 6, simply buckle then unbuckle the appropriate seatbelt while continuing to depress the Trip/ODO button."

Mailed REG-1000 ("Application for Clean Air Vehicle Stickers") via Fedex. Along with $8 check, mailed REG-256 ("Statement of Facts"), copies of purchase docs (lease agreement), and copy of temp registration. Oh, and the all-important proof of Fastrak hybrid account paper.

Package was received by DMV on 8/24:

Tracking number: 790129748025
Reference: DMV082305
Ship (P/U) date: Aug 23, 2005
Delivery date: Aug 24, 2005 09:06 AM
Sign for by: M.SPANGLER
Service type: FedEx Standard Overnight

Frequently Asked Questions: "Q.How is Scotchgard Paint Protection Film removed?
A.If desired, film can be removed at any time by picking up a corner of the film and pulling the film off the vehicle surface at a 90-degree angle. If the film has been present a long time, or if the film and vehicle are cold, a heat gun or hair dryer may be used to soften the adhesive, allowing easier removal. If any adhesive remains on the vehicle after removal of the film, it can be removed by using 3M� General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner (3M Part #08984), according to the package directions."

Drove to Fastrak customer service office at 475 Embarcadero, SF with new vehicle temporary registration slip in-hand (and Fastrak Hybrid application).

Got transponder and more importantly, a sheet of paper to send to the DMV with form REG-1000.

Prepared my REG-1000 and REG-256 (explaining why form is missing the license number) and $8 check.

PriusChat -> Who's mailed it? Clean Air Vehicle Sticker applications: "I learned about the 'Q' here on Prius Chat. The designation was changed last year/early this year because they realized that not all hybrids would be easy to identify. Yes, your vin should help, but I took my window sticker in to the DMV when I went to fight my battle and showed them.

After a confab between the person that I was talking with at the counter and her superior it was decided that an inspection would be necessary to verify that I did not have the only non-hybrid Prius in the world.

You might need to cruise to another larger DMV station where they have someone on duty just for inspections. You could also see if you could get an appointment for this so that you don't wind up wasting gobs more of your time.

I did not need a 'title' on my car to have the change made as it is a coding on the registration that needs to be changed and I don't have the title to my car (the Credit Union we borrowed from does). Unless you paid in full for your vehicle, I am assuming that you have a lienholder as well and that you don't have a title to your car either.

Sounds to me like your DMV reps were not interested, willing or informed enough to help you. After the inspection on my car it took them all of 2 minutes to print out a duplicate corrected registration for me and I was on my merry way.

The change in coding came about because the registration certificate only says Toyota not Prius and, as such, it could be a lot of different non-hybrid cars.

Bottom line, either go back to your local DMV or go to a larger, better equipped office, bring your current registration and your Prius, plus any other supporting documentation you have for your specific car (the window sticker is great because it is specific to the car that it was placed in and identifies the vehicle by VIN as well as make and model) and be prepared to stay put until they fix it and then you should be able to mail in your application for the HOV sticker.

Here in Southern California (Claremont in Los Angeles County) they will take the application and payment in our local DMV in person but still only issue a receipt for the payment and tell you that the sticker will be mailed out. "

PriusChat -> Who's mailed it? Clean Air Vehicle Sticker applications: "Just a reminder for anyone who has not checked their registration to make sure that their car is properly coded. You should see a 'Q' under the MP heading not a 'G'. If you don't have a 'Q', I would advise you to hand deliver your application to the DMV and to get your registration corrected at the same time."

If you really want to maximize mileage (sounds like you do), look for
any post by Dave Bassage that discusses the pulse and glide technique
and increase your tire pressure to 40F/38B, 42F/40B, or 44F/42B (be
sure to check the tire sidewall for maximum inflation). You have to
maintain the 2 PSI difference between the front and back tires for
weight distribution reasons.

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/toyota-prius/message/87122

Bought 2005 Prius from T.J. at Geweke Toyota in Lodi, CA.
Lease thru Toyota Motor Corp. The leasing guy was Kojack, DMV paperwork guy was Cory. Sales mgr was Russ.
Paid MSRP (typical)
Package #6 ("BC", Navigation system)
Silver (our first choice color)
000019 miles

The car arrived at Geweke via truck on 8/19. It was checked-in on 8/20 and was still in detailing when I called. Put a $1000 deposit on my credit card. After Angela/Adam's baby shower we drove to Lodi and bought the car.