Toyota Prius Accessories and Information
L. David Roper
http//arts.bev.net/roperldavid

I bought my 2005 Prius in May 2005. I have installed the following accessories on it:

Hood for display:
http://stores.ebay.com/Prius-Hoods

Leather cover for center armrest:
http://stores.ebay.com/Prius-Hoods
Shark fin antenna:
http://priuschat.com/shop/product_info.php/products_id/30

Bumper protector:
Weathertech cargo mat:
http://www.weathertech.com/store/prodsearch.asp?item_group_id=1
Heatshield sun screens (front and rear):
http://www.canvasworks.com/ahs1.html


These can also be purchased at http://priuschat.com/shop/index.php/cPath/1 .

When a Prius is left standing for a long time (>30 days), do the following:

  • If it has the Smart Key option, turn off the Smart Key by pressing the button under the steering wheel.
  • If it is going to sit for a very long time a battery trickle charger can be attached to the battery. An example is the Battery Minder shown below.
  • If it is going to sit for a long time outside (e.g., in an airport parking lot), a solar battery charger that connects to a power outlet can keep the battery charged. An example of the VW solar charger is shown below. To make this possible, a modification must be made that makes the power outlet live when the hybrid system is turned off.


Battery Minder: http://www.vdcelectronics.com/batterykeeper.htm


VW Solar battery charger. There are many kinds available; search on the Internet.

A VW solar battery charger that plugs into the OBD is also available.
Then the modification does not need to be made to a power outlet.

Prius hybrid decals:
http://priuschat.com/shop/index.php/cPath/2
CAN-View for 2003-5 Prius:
http://www.hybridinterfaces.ca

See http://www.roperld.com/science/prius/HybridVehicles.htm for more information about installing and using CAN-View.

The following links are for information I have found useful in understanding, driving and maintaining my Prius:

Emergency response guide for the Prius:
http://techinfo.toyota.com/public/main/2ndprius.pdf

Prius technical information:
http://www.cleangreencar.co.nz/page/prius-technical-info

Understanding the Prius:
http://www.ecrostech.com/prius/original/PriusFrames.htm
Prius Green Report:
http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/k_forum/tenji/pdf/pgr_e.pdf
Bladder gas tank demo:
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f322/fixmyset/refueling.swf
Prius misconceptions:
http://john1701a.com/prius/prius-misconceptions.htm
Five stages of Prius hybrid operation:
http://priuschat.com/forums/kb.php?k=14&mode=article
Prius chat web pages:
http://www.priuschat.com
Yahoo.com Pruis chat groups: http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=prius&submit=Search

Hybrid vehicles web pages:
http://www.hybridcenter.org
http://www.roperld.com/Science/Prius/HybridVehicles.htm

The Prius Warranty is:
Basic: 36 months/36,000 miles (all components other than normal wear and maintenance items)
Hybrid-Related Components: 8 years/100,000 miles (HV battery, battery control module, hybrid control module, inverter with converter)
Powertrain: 60 months/60,000 miles (engine, transmission/transaxle, front-wheel drive, seatbelts and air bags)
Rust-Through: 60 months/unlimited miles (corrosion perforation of sheet metal)

Toyota has an extended warrranty called Platinum Extra Care that essentially extends all of the above items to 6 years/100,000 miles. It can be purchased at any time up to 36 months/36,000 miles after buying the car and can be transferred once. You can shop around for the lowest price at different Toyota dealers, in addition at the one where you purchased the car. Look at http://www.priuschat.com .

For other articles by L. David Roper about hybrid vehicles, see: http://www.roperld.com/science/prius/HybridVehicles.htm .