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2007-09-04T15:19:56Z

Bwilson4web: How to clean Prius Throttle Plate

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'''Use the following MAKE TEMPLATE as the foundation for your Wikicars' [[List of Manufacturers|Automobile Make]] page:'''

Those with older Prius need to read-up, especially if you're out of warranty. After 3-4 years, 'stuff' can accumulate around the throttle plate causing it to stick and the engine fail to start. The car reports an error but often, you can start the car by trying again. After three restarts, the error code clears. Unfortunately, the standard Toyota answer involves replacing ECU, fuel pump and fuel tank. This is OK if under warranty but if not, $1,800+.

A sticky throttle plate can occur any time and I drove for about five months with one. There have been a few reports in the summer but my experience has been cold, wet weather seemed to bring it on. Fortunately, the local Toyota service technician turned me on to this trick of cleaning the throttle plate when I tried to get them to replace the ECU under warranty.

==HOW TO CLEAN THROTTLE PLATE==
To clean the throttle plate, Toyota sells a kit that includes throttle, fuel injector and vacuum hose cleaners that are safe for the catalytic converter, engine and fuel system. I picked up the cleaning brushes at a local auto-parts store:
[[Image:http://hiwaay.net/~bzwilson/prius/pri_throttle_010.jpg]]

The Toyota part number is 00054-00100 should cost $15-20:
[[Image:http://hiwaay.net/~bzwilson/prius/pri_throttle_020.jpg]]

If the throttle plate is sticking, you can test it by twisting the powerful return spring located just behind the oil dip-stick and under the air cleaner housing. If you can not move it, then throttle plate is sticking and cleaning it will cure the problem:
[[Image:http://hiwaay.net/~bzwilson/prius/pri_throttle_030.jpg]]

It is a strong spring but here I'm holding it with my finger. It rotates with the top going to the rear of the car and the bottom, where the stop tab I'm holding is located, rotating towards the front of the car:
[[Image:http://hiwaay.net/~bzwilson/prius/pri_throttle_040.jpg]]

Three clips hold the air cleaner cover. Replacing the air filter once a year is a cheap way to keep performance up and minimize dust and dirt:
[[Image:http://hiwaay.net/~bzwilson/prius/pri_throttle_050.jpg]]

Without the filter, it is easy to see the brass throttle plate. The air flow sensors are at the top and it is a good idea to avoid spraying it with cleaner. It is the throttle plate area that needs attention:
[[Image:http://hiwaay.net/~bzwilson/prius/pri_throttle_060.jpg]]

Just put the tube on the cleaner can and spray away:
[[Image:http://hiwaay.net/~bzwilson/prius/pri_throttle_080.jpg]]

If the throttle plate area is not sticking, it is easy to open with the hand. The first time, it was so sticky that I could not open it. So I sprayed the area and had a small pool of cleaner. I then started the engine and the powerful throttle motor opened it up. Thereafter, I turned off the engine and properly cleaned the area.
[[Image:http://hiwaay.net/~bzwilson/prius/pri_throttle_070.jpg]]

Once the throttle plate moves freely, use a combination of the long handled, narrow brush and spraying to clean the area:
[[Image:http://hiwaay.net/~bzwilson/prius/pri_throttle_090.jpg]]

My practice is to use at least half the can in the initial cleaning, drive around and use the rest. However, it is just as good to carry a little in the can until the next year. Your choice.

Be sure to pour the injector cleaner in the tank. As for the vacuum hose cleaner, I understand a special tool is needed but I don't have one nor any ideas of where to get one.

Top Reasons to Buy a Hybrid Car

2006-08-06T21:59:19Z

Bwilson4web: Added some ride descriptions and brief on hydrogen.

The best reasons to buy a [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid]]:

[[image:global_warming.png|thumb| While controversial, some scientists believe that fossil fuel consumption is causing global warming.]]
'''1. Pollute Less.''' [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid cars]] produce up to 90% fewer emissions depending upon the type of hybrid: Belt Assisted, Integrated Motor Assist or Hybrid Synergy Drive. The ratio of the motor power to the engine power indicates the degree of hybrid integration in a vehicle.

'''2. Reduce Oil Dependency.''' [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid cars]] generally achieve 15% to 30% higher fuel efficiency. By mastering the driving techniques, MPG in excess of 100 MPG have been achieved and in some vehicles, over 50 MPG in regular, daily use.

'''3. Support Future [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] Development.''' Every [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid]] car sale expands the market, encouraging further investments by automakers in developing [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid]] technology and building manufacturing capacity. These investments lower future prices of [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid cars]], creating a virtuous circle. In fact, the premium configurations, dealer markups and high demand has led every car maker to realize they have to have a hybrid, no matter how weak or strong, in their inventory.

'''4. Save Money.''' Resale value is incredible! Insurance is 10% cheaper. Gas is 10-50% less. Maintenance is solid as these cars are very well made. The IRS has adopted large tax credits for purchase of new [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid vehicles]]. The credits have a current maximum of $3,150. Note these are credits-- dollar for dollar tax savings-- not merely deductions. The credits vary by model (See [[Hybrid Tax Credits]]). The law that created the credits limits its availability to 60,000 vehicles from each automaker; meaning credits for popular models will be gone before the tax breaks scheduled Dec. 31, 2010, expiration date.

'''5. Why Not?''' [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid cars]] are just as comfortable and reliable as "regular" cars. Their electric motors are quiet and free from vibration for a smoother, quieter ride.

'''6. Use The Carpool Lane.''' In states such as California, Arizona and Virginia, some [[Hybrid Cars|hybrids]] qualify for single-occupant use in carpool lanes. (This is controversial since it can "clog up" those lanes.)

'''7. Efficiency.''' Better gas mileage, much faster and stronger braking, better torque up short hills.

'''8. Waiting for Hydrogen.''' There are unsolved technical problems that make hydrogen fuel powered vehicles unlikly, regardless of the water by-product. There is an old proverb that "Perfect is the enemy of good enough."

See also [[Reasons Not to Buy a Hybrid Car (yet)]].

Reasons Not to Buy a Hybrid Car (yet)

2006-08-06T20:20:31Z

Bwilson4web: Added the exceptions and specific models. Also pointed out lack of trunk safety placards.

At the risk of heresy, here are good reasons to wait on buying a [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid]] vehicle:

'''1. [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrids]] cost more upfront'''; Sticker price along with taxes including sales and license fees tend to be 10-30% higher, usually about $3,000 or more. However, it is $1,500 between equivalent equipped Camry and Camry hybrids. Whether you make this difference up depends; on 1) when you sell it 2) resale value 3) your income tax situation 4) how much you drive 5) your insurance company 6) the state you live in 7) how you finance your vehicle 8) where you take it for service 9) what type of warranties you bought 10) where you park and how you commute. A study of typical consumer showed that most did not calculate these economic variables, and bought hybrid for image related reasons. ''Omninerd'' has developed an incredibly detailed look at the economics of [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid]] ownership. [http://www.omninerd.com/2005/11/11/articles/41]

'''2. [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrid]] vehicle choices are limited''', but expanding dramatically every year; waiting may be better. Larger and less expensive [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid cars]], trucks, and SUVs will become available.

'''3. [[Hybrid Cars|Hybrids]] on the market today rely on [[gasoline]]''' and E15, for which there is no synthetic substitute (unlike diesel engines, which can run on bio-diesel).

4. Car battery disposal, when the car eventually is retired. There is no known methods on the disposal of these rich sources of nickle and could potentially create dangerous environmental impact but less than a NiCD battery and toxic lead. The 12V batteries in all cars are highly recyclable since the infrastructure is very well in place, unlike the newer batteries used in hybrids. Sad to say, not enough batteries have failed to require a disposal infrastructure and the salvage batteries are selling on Ebay for plug-in projects.

5. Extra weight and usually lack of performance in terms of acceleration and speed except at low speeds where the electric motor torque gives excellent accelleration. Heavy cars require more energy to move, and greatly affect safety and handling. The Camry hybrid is about 300lbs more than the Camry XLE counterpart but Toyota reports the hybrid has a net power of 187 hp verus the XLE 158 hp. The addition of an electrical engine in the front of the car and a battery pack in the rear right behind passenger seat increases the polar momentum of the car compared to the XLE, which in turn make the car unstable in corners on rally race tracks. Cornering instability is especially noticable in adverse weather conditions. Yet the even heavier XLE-V6 with a larger, heavier engine in the front does not have a placard limiting trunk loads to avoid the reported cornering instability.

6. Real world mileage is lower than the EPA estimates when not driving EPA profiles.

7. A controversial study by an auto industry-friendly analyst claims that it takes more energy to manufacture a hybrid than a regular car. The reportedly rigorous study claims the energy consumed by a Hummer is less than a Prius over their entire lives (due to higher design and manufacturing energy costs for the Prius and a shorter projected life span). The study, of course, has been attacked by environmentalists and those who read the Dept. of Energy fleet report, INL/CON-05-00964, where the first generation hybrids went over 160,000 miles with no appreciable loss of performance. But this study raises interesting questions to consider such as how all SUVs got unusually high lifetime mileage. Here is a link to a summary of the study's findings.[http://www.reason.org/commentaries/dalmia_20060719.shtml] However, the original study is available from CNW Marketing at: [http://www.nvo.com/cnwmr/nss-folder/automotiveenergy/]

See also '''[[Top Reasons to Buy a Hybrid Car]]'''.