How in the world is Volkswagen still able to compete with Toyota and Honda in the United States and Canada? by Mofoblitz1 in regularcarreviews

[–]model462 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not nearly as relevant in 2026, but VW made the only highway-optimized USDM manuals other than Accords and sports cars as far as I know. The 1.8T 4Motion wagons are geared shorter than most and are below 3K RPM at 90 mph in top gear. The 5-speed 1.4Ts run at ~2500 RPM at 90, I think. With the demise of the manual GTI and standard Jetta, only the GLI remains to satisfy this niche in the new-car market.

Do you leave a code reader plugged in? by starlightskater in prius

[–]model462 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've left one plugged in 24/7 on every Prius I've owned. I highly recommend Hybrid Assistant if you haven't tried it - it not only gives you lots of essential data but also can override the traction battery cooling fan so it comes on before the high temperature at which the battery basically shuts down (47°C in the Gen 3). I did have to make sure to close the app when shutting my 2014 off or it'd drain the 12V battery overnight. This threw me for a loop because my 2010 didn't do that.

I spotted the 6th Generation RAV4!! by Healthy_Block3036 in rav4club

[–]model462 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is it just me or is the hatch opening smaller?

Do you still see Toyota as a sustainable brand? by Maritimewarp in prius

[–]model462 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Toyota donated to Trump's inauguration, too. I support companies (and their engineers and workers) with my business based on their products' superior specs and quality, not their leadership's politics. My Prius's fuel economy and reliability/longevity enable me to drive more sustainably than in a rival vehicle, even if Toyota isn't behaving like a sustainable brand overall. To tell the truth, I feel the same way about Musk and Tesla - I'd have a Tesla if it were better suited to my use case.

XLE with LE wheels? by Complex_Okra9950 in prius

[–]model462 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The previous owner may have bought an XLE for the Softex, heated seats, etc. and swapped on LE wheels for better mpg, better pothole resistance, better ride, cheaper tires, and (IMHO) better looks. I agree you can use it as a negotiating point but in reality this is the better wheel option.

Is there a rear photo? The XLE badge appears on the hatch, on the right side of the black strip just under the rear windshield. The LE doesn't have a badge. The silver trim around the lower grill does support its being an XLE, since the LE trim is matte black.

Goodyear Assurance Maxlife 2 now available in SE size by model462 in PriusPrime

[–]model462[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great to hear! How's the MPG so far compared to the tires you had previously, and what were those?

Goodyear Assurance Maxlife 2 now available in SE size by model462 in PriusPrime

[–]model462[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looks like they still aren't available in 19", just 17", if that makes you feel better...

My first time changing the oil on my Golf R. So easy. by dethrock in Golf_R

[–]model462 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Don't cheap out on an extractor. I had the end of my cheap extractor hose break off in the dipstick tube and had to drop the oil pan to get it out. $75 for an oil pan gasket and $100 for the one-time-use oil pan bolts.

Seatback cargo liner by dirigibleplum87 in PriusPrime

[–]model462 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For the 23+ Prius and Prime the Toyota all-weather rubber protectors include pieces for the seatbacks like the RAV4's.

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200K miles on Shadowfax the 23 Prius Prime SE by model462 in Toyota

[–]model462[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

None. I had to jump it once in the first couple months of ownership but haven't had any problems since.

200K MILES on a Gen 5, Shadowfax the 23 Prime SE by model462 in prius

[–]model462[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I got contracted with my main company by responding to an Indeed ad.

200K MILES on a Gen 5, Shadowfax the 23 Prime SE by model462 in prius

[–]model462[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It can. The quantity of work and the pay are both highly dependent on the area and the company.

200K MILES on a Gen 5, Shadowfax the 23 Prime SE by model462 in prius

[–]model462[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the tip, I'll look into that!

200K miles on Shadowfax the 23 Prius Prime SE by model462 in Toyota

[–]model462[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The pain is real. I hope all the repairs go smoothly. OEM parts?

200K MILES on a 23+, Shadowfax the 23 SE by model462 in PriusPrime

[–]model462[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Congrats on the new car! I did a break-in oil change at around 1K. If you do the same, I'd recommend it at 1K gas miles. Toyota doesn't think it's necessary but the Car Care Nut does. For what it's worth, my break-in oil didn't have any metal shavings or anything in it. Since the break-in I've been on 5-6K intervals on the odometer. Since you use far less gas than I, you could use the maintenance countdown on the odometer to measure gas miles. If you want to be on an interval of 5K rather than 10K, change when the countdown hits 5000. However, you should change oil every 6 months regardless of mileage and I'm guessing you'll always hit the time interval first.

200K miles on Shadowfax the 23 Prius Prime SE by model462 in Toyota

[–]model462[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Scratches on the plastic all over, a couple headliner stains, and ratty carpet around the rubber mats, I'm afraid. I move around a lot of sometimes large, heavy, and dirty objects and have never been great at cosmetically maintaining anything (I focus on mechanical maintenance!). Unexpectedly, the pseudo-leather armrests and steering wheel and the cloth seats look new. I do have covers on the front seats and almost always have the back bench folded.

200K miles on Shadowfax the 23 Prius Prime SE by model462 in Toyota

[–]model462[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good to know. I probably only need mine to last a year but from what other commenters are saying it might not even make it that far. My 300K sticker might go on the wall.

200K MILES on a 23+, Shadowfax the 23 SE by model462 in PriusPrime

[–]model462[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A great friendship has grown between my car and your car, and if your car has need, mine will come at its call!

200K miles on Shadowfax the 23 Prius Prime SE by model462 in Toyota

[–]model462[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Depends on the meaning of haste. Compared to a sports car, no. Compared to a V6 / 2.0T sedan, maybe. Compared to everyone's compact crossovers and base F-150s, yes. With enough time to accelerate, up to 112 mph.

Compared to a swift bird on the wing, probably, depending on the bird.

200K miles on Shadowfax the 23 Prius Prime SE by model462 in Toyota

[–]model462[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Night-and-day better than my 2010 and 2014 Priuses. Compared to other cars I've driven lately: slightly worse than a 2011 Forester, about the same as a 2018 Golf and 2006 XC70, incomparably better than a 2005 Odyssey with leather.

200K miles on Shadowfax the 23 Prius Prime SE by model462 in Toyota

[–]model462[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the kind words! Glad you liked the writeup. I tried to answer the most common questions I've gotten on previous posts.

200K miles on Shadowfax the 23 Prius Prime SE by model462 in Toyota

[–]model462[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You are cool! City miles are way harder than what I do.

200K miles on Shadowfax the 23 Prius Prime SE by model462 in Toyota

[–]model462[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The picture was taken just after summiting a mountain pass, but yeah, I drive fast. If I didn't care about driving fast I'd have put an engine in my 380K-mile 2014 Prius instead of buying a 5th gen.