Extreme Cold Temperatures and The Prius

Trees Full of Bald Eagles at Reads Landing on the Upper Mississippi River

For the past week the temperature here in west-central Wisconsin has stayed way below zero (between -5 and -25) outdoors and in the negative single digits inside my unheated garage.  That's made me nervous about my Prius.   This has been its first exposure to extreme cold.

I hopped in the Prius today and was relieved when it started - no problem.  The car's outside temperature sensor read -10ºF, so I let the engine "warm up" outside the garage in the sun, while I filled my bird feeders.   When I drove off, the temperature sensor warmed up to -2º F.  The Prius "felt" normal and the heater worked just fine.  

After driving down to Alma, Wisconsin to check on the Bald Eagles on the ice, I headed across the Mississippi River to Reads Landing in Minnesota.  Easily a hundred Bald Eagles fishing and loafing in the trees.  Hundreds of Common Mergansers and Common Goldeneyes, and a surprise handful of swans.

The snow was piled so high on the road along the river and my Prius sits so low.  I had to get out of the car to watch birds.  Brrr.  While the eagle numbers are similar, the viewing experience is way more comfortable at Wings Over Alma Nature and Art Center.

And the Prius... after driving 60+ miles today, the only "problem" I noticed with the hybrid is that the side windows seem to fog up easily.  A couple of minutes with the heater fan cranked up seems to take care of that.    The MPG dropped from my normal 50+ to mid 40s, but that's to be expected in the cold.

My hybrid in extreme cold:  so far, so good.

How Do You Like Your 2010 Prius Now?

I've been spending a lot of time in my Prius lately.

And since the much-publicized "fix," I have no complaints about the brakes, or the ride.  And it's all that I hoped for as a stealth vehicle for watching wildlife.

It's a great mobile "bird blind."  With the exception of raptors and wild turkeys, most animals just don't seem to recognize my black car as any kind of a threat.

  Red Fox

13 Lined Ground Squirrel

Groundhog

Vesper Sparrow

A great vehicle for creeping up on roadside wildlife!

The Prius Recall Notice

It arrived in the mail today:

Inside:

click on the image to read the fine print

I've taken my Prius in for the computer software update.

Now I'm planning a road trip.

Out-of-Control Prius

I was sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic, moving as a snail's pace on the Dan Ryan Expressway Sunday, and all I could think of was:  what if my 2010 Prius decides to go rogue?

I calmed myself by thinking about all the vehicles controlled by computers - the airplanes, trains and cars.   With the notable exception of the Lexus and a few Toyota brands - it's never happened, right?

I took my Prius in for the "recall" fix a week ago.  They "re-programmed" the computer.  It's "fixed."  The only thing to fear - is other drivers. 

When I got home 8 hours later, my husband greeted me with:  Look what came in the mail from Toyota.

He passed the envelope and I opened it, expecting the official recall notice Toyota said they'd be sending - back in January.

Wrong...

It was a new Warranty and Maintenance Guide and Maintenance Log for the 2010 Prius, along with a letter explaining new oil change interval changes:  10,000 miles/1 year (due to the new SAE 0W-20 synthetic oil certification).

I still need to bring my Prius in to the shop every 5,000 miles so they can check the installation of the driver's floor mat, rotate the tires, inspect/adjust fluid levels and visually inspect the brakes.  

I'm still waiting for the official letter from Toyota regarding the Prius recall.  I guess they figure since it's been in the news, we don't need official communications.  Okay.

Then just when I thought I'd go through a day when Toyota is not the top news story - what's the breaking story on the evening news Monday night?

Say it isn't true, Katie Couric... "on the day when Toyota was making a high profile defense of its cars... one of them was speeding out of control."

Yah sure, wouldn't ya know - it's a Prius... and it was out of control going 90 mph somewhere near San Diego.

2010 Toyota Prius - The 20 Minute Brake Fix

Yesterday was the day.  I took my 2010 Prius to Markquart Toyota for the brake fix.

I also had an oil change, tire rotation and overall check-up.  (why not?)

There were about a half dozen customers in the waiting area.  A small group had corralled a sales consultant.  They were quizzing her about the trade-in value of the car they recently purchased.

I didn't want to hear it.  So I got up and walked around the showroom.  It was full of new vehicles, as was the lot.  I counted a dozen shiny new Priuses - quite a contrast from six months ago when I went out on a test drive.

My sales consultant was in her office.  I hesitated, then went over to say hello.    We talked about the recalls.

I am not unhappy with the Prius or the dealer.  I explained my disappointment with Mr. Toyoda and the staff at the corporate HQ.

Then she said something that made me pause - prior to the recall announcements, statistically, which manufacturer has had the best safety rating and how many Toyota cars are on the road today?

The Blue Book Value of My Prius - My Loss

I continue to drive my 2010 Prius, albeit cautiously.  And wouldn't ya know, yesterday, for the first time, I experienced the momentary "acceleration" when the braking systems switch.  I was watching for birds and photographing hoar frost on my favorite rural road when it happened. 

Toyota says they have a simple computer "fix" for the brake problem.  But now, according to a report on MSNBC, Toyota and I have another problem:  my investment has dropped in value - and there's talk about Toyota owners (and stockholders) filing a class action suit. 

Okay, I'll be the first to agree that Toyota corporate big-wigs weren't thinking about their customers when they didn't respond to the "complaints" quickly.  But I don't see how class actions like this can "fix" the situation.  

When I look back at my first blog, written on the day I bought my first new car in a decade, I'm amazed ... who'd-a-thunk I'd be feeling buyer's regret 5 months later?  

Now I cringe every time I see the word "Toyota" in the news.

And I'm still waiting for a personal communication, a recall letter... or email... from Mr. Toyoda's company.

The Prius Recall

Today's headlines:

"Last week Toyota admitted they had corrected problems with the antilock brake system in the new Prius models sold since late last month (January 2010).

But the company said it was still deciding what steps to take to fix the problem in Prius cars sold in Japan and overseas before late January."

 

Today Toyota took a step.

The Japanese manufacturer announced through the news media that Toyota will contact Prius owners next week.  Dealers will be ready to make a 40-minute fix - a new computer program that will make the new 3rd Generation Prius safe.

I was disappointed on so many levels.

I expected to hear the news directly from Toyota.  I know they have my email address because they me sent the following message on Sun, Feb 7, 2010 at 10:12 PM:

          For more than 50 years, Toyota has produced safe, reliable, quality vehicles and provided
            first-rate service.  Because your safety and confidence in Toyota is of the utmost 
            importance to us, we want to ensure that we are providing you with the latest recall 
            information. To get further details, please visit toyota.com.

           Additionally, Jim Lentz, President and COO of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., will be 
           interviewed live on Digg Dialogg on Monday, February 8, at 2 p.m. PST to answer the top 
           questions as voted on by the Digg community. Watch the interview here.

          Your safety is important to us, and we will continue to do everything we can to keep you 
          informed.

According to news reports, Akio Toyoda, the Toyota Motor president has said:  "Let me assure everyone that we will redouble our commitment to quality as the lifeline of our company."

Toyota has a long way to go to convince me "my safety and confidence in their company was of utmost importance."   Afterall, someone at Toyota decided to fix the inventory on their assembly line before they offered to fix the dangerously flawed vehicle I bought from them.

I'm not waiting to get the recall notice.  I just made an appointment to get my Prius in for the fix next Wednesday - Feb 17th.

But I gotta wonder:  Who's the American PR consultant advising Toyota?

Prius Recall?

I saw an Toyota ad this morning on MSNBC - a contrite "we want you to know we care about safety and we care about our customers" commitment ad.

Hmm...

Curious, I checked Google News and found this headline:   TOYOTA PLANNING RECALL OF PRIUS.

"The brake problem is thought to affect about 270,000 Priuses that were sold in the US and Japan starting last May. Toyota blames a software glitch and says it has already fixed vehicles sold this year."

"The person familiar with Toyota's plans said the company would likely "take action early this week to fix the Priuses."

Do I have mixed feelings?  If this report is true:  yes.

1.  Not happy  -  Toyota recognized the brake problem months ago.  They had a fix.   They applied the fix to vehicles on the assembly line first.  It appears they waited until pressed - to offer the same fix for the car I bought in August 2009.

2.  Relieved - Toyota may announce a recall and fix the brakes on my Prius.

Last week I wondered about the challenges of maintaining today's complex computer-controlled automobiles.

This week I'm wondering about the integrity of a car manufacturer I once admired.

2010 Toyota Prius Brakes

I caught a video clip of Toyota USA President Jim Lentz as he left his "Today Show" interview Monday.  As he was leaving, he was ambushed by journalists armed with microphones and cameras.  He was hesitant - with good reason.  What could he add to what he ever-so-cautiously said to Matt Lauer?

The story is personal for me.  I invested in a new 2010 3rd Generation Toyota Prius 5 months ago.   I remember attending the dealer's "new" car-owner "class" last fall.  That night, one of the new Prius owners said something about the brakes "grabbing" - I think it was when the car was in "reverse."  ("Ding, ding, ding." I can hear the backup warning system).

At the time, I chalked it up to the new and different feel of driving a Prius.  The 2010 model uses regenerative braking as part of its hybrid system.  The brakes react a little differently from traditional car brakes.  It didn't bother me at the time because I pay attention to speed and I'm not heavy on the brakes.  (My Honda CRV has nearly 200,000 miles on it - with the original brakes).

This morning's news was a little more disconcerting.

There have been reports involving braking on bumpy or frozen surfaces.  Instead of stopping, some drivers say their cars lurched forward.  As you can see from the photo above, I drive on bumpy, dusty and recently, frozen surfaces - all the time.  I have not had any problems - yet.

But it made me wonder about how car computers deal with bumps and dust.

Then I thought:  Maybe it's time for a visit to the carwash.

Satellite Radio

My 2010 Prius came equipped with an integrated satellite radio and a 3-month free trial subscription to XM radio.  

I have to admit, I got hooked on listening to Pops and the BBC on our trip out west.   I dreaded the day I'd have to make a subscription decision.

That day came this week.

When the notice from XM that "your satellite radio trial is about to expire" arrived a few weeks ago, I was tempted to sign on the dotted line.   If I commuted to work, maybe.  But I just don't sit in my car enough to justify a $12.95 monthly fee.  

I'm okay with the Prius JBL 8-speaker sound system.  I get good AM-FM reception.   It holds 6 CDs and I can play my iPod (BirdJam) through the the speakers.

If I change my mind, I can always re-activate.

New Prius Owner "Class"

A couple of weeks ago, I got this card in the mail.  Markquart, my Toyota dealer, invited me to their "new owner's celebration."   They promised refreshments, tips on how to care for my new Prius - and a coupon for a free oil change.

I signed up.

My vehicle also had a message for me ...

So, I made an appointment to do the 5,000 mile oil maintenance service for the same day.

How'd it go?  Well...  here's what Service Manager, Jeff Webber had to say:

Prius Battery life:  Despite all the talk about Prius batteries, this dealership has not replaced a big battery yet.

Tires:  The original Bridgestone tires will probably last 30-35,000 miles, depending on tire care and driving.  (Toyota does not recommend nitrogen).  The tire pressure sensor is on the wheel, so be careful when you get new tires.  Pressure sensors can break (and they're expensive).  Use the tire pressure rating on the door panel, not on the tire itself.  Check the tire pressure "cold," and while you're at it, check the wear indicator (in the middle of the tread).

Oil:  Ya gotta use the synthetic oil @$8/qt. every 5,000 miles.  Tire rotation is $5/tire.

Gasoline:  Use 87 octane only.  But you can use a higher octane once in a blue moon to "clean the jets."

Filters:  Change the oil filter every 5,000 miles and check the cabin air and engine air filters.

Warning lights:  There are a lot of them.  If any of them stay on... the system indicated by the light is not working properly (but it will not shut down while you're actually driving).   The dreaded "check engine" light indicates a problem in the fuel system - something as simple as a loose gas cap, or as complicated - and expensive - as a mouse nest in the air system, a dirty air filter or major fuel system issue. (When the check engine light lit up in my Honda CRV, I ended up having to pay for a $2,000 valve job - 2 times).  The master warning light means there's a problem with the hybrid system.  That's a very big deal.

The paint:  Tree sap and bird droppings will EAT YOUR PAINT.  Clean them asap!  Clean your wheels often too.  Even if your car is black (like mine), dings will show up "white."  Polishing your car will help fix them - I'm not sure how.  But I did buy some heavy duty car cleaner after my trip out west left scratches on the underside of the fenders (due to a combination of the low clearance,
road construction and pot holes - hear the scraping?)

underside of the front bumper on my 2010 Prius

which I will clean and polish as soon as possible

Floor mat:  If you don't keep the driver side floor mat "clipped in" properly, it could be fatal!  (It can slide up and jam your accelerator).

Jump Starting:  Yes, you can jump start a Prius.   I don't quite understand how to do it (I rely on AAA), but I did hear this:  when you disconnect the jumper cables, be sure to take the black negative off first.

When in doubt... 

READ the owner's manual

Surrogates - the Movie

Tom and I decided to take in a movie on Saturday.  I needed a Bruce Willis "fix" and a excuse to spend the day in Eau Claire.  Our agenda started with a drive up-river on Rustic Road 107, an hour or so with Willis in his new flick "Surrogates," grocery shopping and then another ride on our favorite Rustic Road.

After Friday's drenching rain, we expected a strong fallout of migratory songbirds.  We were not disappointed.

There were warblers everywhere - redstarts, palm warblers and yellow-rumps.  Phoebes lined up on telephone wires with sharp-tailed sparrows, bluebirds and chipping sparrows.   No shorebirds and ducks.  Lots of Cedar Waxwings gorging themselves on wild grapes.

I heard a Pileated Woodpecker calling off in the distance.  How would he respond to the BirdJam version of his song, broadcast through the Prius' JBL radio speakers?   I queued the file and played it once.  The woodpecker flew out of the woods and perched on the trunk a tree right next to my car window!

But the biggest bird surprise turned out to be the first sighting this season (for us) of White-throated Sparrows (singing their familiar Old Sam Peabody Peabody Peabody song) and Dark-eyed Juncos.  Autumn has arrived.

As the morning warmed up, mosquitoes started to plague us.   We gave up on the birding and headed to the Carmike Theater at the mall.

I didn't know what to expect from "Surrogates," other than Bruce Willis in another "save the world" role.  Not a great film, but a very interesting and timely premise:  humans who never leave the comfort of their homes, live happy and "safe" lives vicariously through robot surrogates.  

Spoiler alert:  In the end, Willis destroys the idea that humans can be happy without ever going outdoors.

Humor alert:  the car chase.  Picture Bruce Willis chasing the bad guys in the vehicle of the future - a 2010 Prius!  Hear the tires screeching?

The First 30 days

We've had the car for a month now.  We've driven up hill and down dale.  Fast and slow.  On interstates and dirt roads.   In urban and rural traffic.

Here's our preliminary review:

1.   Mileage:  Getting 51 mpg does not require much thought or effort.   When I watch those computer displays and don't rest my foot on the accelerator pedal, we get 60-65 mpg.   When we're birding (ie, driving very slowly), getting more than 75mgp is not unusual.  GREAT!

2.  Battery:  Forget the EV (all electric) mode.  Don't touch that button.  The ability to go a half mile using only the battery really doesn't amount to much.  Don't get me wrong:  getting 60 mpg is great.  But the battery-gas engine synergy works best when you drive from point A to point B.  Driving slowly (ie., while bird watching) and stopping alot gets great mileage, but it also drains the battery .  Every time we spend a couple of hours on Rustic Road #107, the gas engine has to kick on - when we least expect it - automatically.  It's noisy and jarring.  I have to turn the car off to stop it.   

2.  Acceleration:  I haven't had a problem with on-ramps and the passing lane.   The few times I've put the pedal to the metal, the Prius has not let me down.  It automatically kicks into the "power" mode.   GREAT!

3.  Interior Design (back of the car):  There's plenty of room in the trunk and back passenger seats.  The seats fold down, so there's room to carry stuff.  There's a "secret" compartment under the rubber mats in the rear cargo area and a removable cargo cover.  One caveat:   Be careful not to block the battery vents when you pile stuff in the back seats.  I love the rubber (not plastic) floor mats.

4.  Interior color & Seats (front):   Our car came with a "misty gray" interior.  If we had a choice, I would have picked the darker colors (bisque or dark gray).  The whitish interior is quick to show dirt, fingerprints and shoe scuffs.  The front seats are very comfortable.  We haven't had a reason to turn the seat heater on yet.  

5.  Center console:  Beyond providing two cup holders in the center console and "bottle" holders in the front doors, storage in the front is limited.  I want a place for my maps, coins for the tolls (they fly out of the little pocket by the window levers) and a tour book?  It's an awkward twist for me to access the console storage compartment between the seats.   And what can you stow in the skinny "space" under the shift module?   

6.  Shift Lever:  It's not complicated - but I grew up with the "H" gear shift configuration - where reverse is bottom right.  The back-up beeper helps me remember that "reverse" is left and up.

7.  Back-up Beeper:  The Prius "starts" in the electric mode.  It's so quiet people (and wildlife) don't hear you.  So I understand the safety rationale for the car to "beep" when you back-up in a crowded shopping center parking lot.  But when you're watching wildlife, it's like "Beep Beep the roadrunner" (as in the Wylie Coyote cartoons) screaming "outta my way."

8.  Cleaning:  After our trip out west, the car was covered with dead insects.  It was summer, no big surprise.  I figured there'd be some bug carcasses on the radiator too.  So I popped the hood and checked it out.  The radiator was covered.  Problem was, I couldn't access the radiator to remove the exoskeletons.  That wouldn't have bothered me, but ever since I had to replace the radiator in my Honda CRV, I pay close attention to radiator hygiene.   I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, but I do.

9.  The Blind Spot:   I don't get the same kind of "view" through the back window as I get with my CRV.   Removing the back head rests helps.  And I am careful to take a second look before I back out of a parking space.

10.  Windshield Wipers:  The front wipers and squirter work fine.  I don't "get" what the engineers were thinking with the rear wiper.

and one more thing:

11.  Ground Clearance:   There is very little ground clearance - as in 6-inches or less.  So be very careful when you encounter road construction, uneven road surfaces and potholes.  The sickening sound of the scrape...

Over-all rating so far:  Great! with just a few caveats.

Driving Without My FOB

The Prius has two keys.

Key #1:  The "regular" metal key, hidden inside the fob.  Should the little battery inside the key fob die, you can pull out this "old fashioned" key and manually unlock the door.  

Key #2:  The fob.  The fob's job is to open the door and allow you to start the engine.  You don't need to do anything but carry it with you.  You can push the buttons, but that's not necessary (unless of course, there's an emergency and you need the get the alarm to make noise).  The fob lets you lock the doors by simply running your hand over the sensor on the door handle.  Magic.

Unlike the "old" fobs with which I'm familiar, you don't need to take this one out of your pocket (or pocketbook).   The keyless remote system locks (and unlocks) the door, and allows you to start the engine, as long as it's nearby (in your pocket or pocketbook).  

But there is a downside to this kind of magic.

Before I left the lot with my new car, Toyota sales consultant, Rebecca Singer, warned me:  Don't lose your fob, and don't drive off without your fob.

Fobs communicate with your vehicle's computer, she said.  If you lose your key fob and your spare (Toyota gives you 2), you can't just call a locksmith.  You'll need a tow to the nearest Toyota dealer.   At it could cost you - way more than the price of a tow.  

But what she said next seemed so far-fetched that it went through my right ear and out my left ear (she was sitting next to me in the front seat of the Prius as she gave my final tutorial). 

"Let's say, you're driving and you go to Menards.  Tom is with you, but he doesn't want to look at hardware.  He wants an espresso (with jazz).  The car engine is still running.  You get out.  He gets in and drives off to Panera Bread (a considerable distance away).  He pulls into the Panera lot, parks the car and pushes the ignition button to turn the car 'off.'  Only then he realizes -  he doesn't have his fob.  He cannot re-start the car.   You'd have to get over there with your fob."  Major inconvenience.

That could NEVER happen to me, I said.  I ALWAYS wear my keys on a lanyard around my neck, so I don't lose them.  I have similar neckwear for Tom.  We're not likely to get into the car without our lanyards.

Well... this afternoon I have to admit I was so wrong about that.

Tom and I got into the Prius, and I drove it to the library - without my fob. 

I was distracted with last minute plans for a trip out to Yellowstone National Park.  We're leaving Friday.  I needed to return some library books, and check out what they have on the wildlife of Montana, Wyoming and North Dakota.

I was feeling the "da da dom dom .. harmony ... between man, nature and machine" -  watching the dashboard displays, setting the cruise control and listening to classical music on satellite radio.   I was in a groove, getting 65 miles per gallon on the 10 mile drive.

I didn't give a thought to the whereabouts of my FOB, until I was in the library parking lot.  

I put the car in "park" and pushed the ignition button to turn the car "off."  As I was getting out of the car, it hit me.   I didn't have my key-fob lanyard around my neck.  I leaned into the car and looked at Tom.  He wasn't wearing the lanyard I gave him for his fob.   Yikes!

But how did the car start without my fob?

"Tom," I said in a panicked voice.  "Where is your key fob?"

He confessed he didn't like the idea of a lanyard.   His fob was in his pocket.  I was totally clueless that it was his fob that allowed me access to the Prius engine.

"Keyless Ignition Lesson" learned. 

======================

Three creatures who share my neighborhood -  Eptesicus fuscus (big brown bat),  Lasiurus cinereus (hoary bat),  Lasiurus borealis (red bat)

Wisconsin Rustic Road #107

We've had our "3rd generation" Prius for a week now, and it gets more comfortable each day - both the handling and the sitting (the seats are heavenly).

Every time I get into the car, the Prius "Harmony" ad jingle starts playing in my head. You know the one - Da da dom dom... Harmony... between Man, Nature and Machine.

I'm feeling the harmony. Tom, not so much. He's still reluctant to get behind the wheel.

I am, however, increasingly more undaunted by the technology (the power button, "smart key" system and the shift lever). The "multi information displays" on the dashboard screen have become more like "fun." I'm learning to use them to drive more conservatively - and I've been rewarded with up to 65 mpg.

It only took a few seconds to program the button on the rear view mirror to automatically open my garage door. Just like the manual said it would.

I also figured out how to connect my iPod Nano to the car radio so I can play my bird calls through the radio speakers.

It was much simpler than I thought it would be. I bought a cable at Radio Shack. I plugged one end into the iPod, the other into the armrest console. I clicked the "AUX" button on the radio. And voila! I was able to dial-up the song of the Lark Sparrow (using BirdJam).

Did the Lark Sparrow do a "double-take" when he heard his song coming from the dashboard of my car?

I've taken most of my "practice drives" this week on Wisconsin's newest Rustic Road - #107 - in Dunn County. One of the best birding roads in the badger state, it parallels the Lower Chippewa River as it cuts through the riparian woodlands, prairie remnants and farm fields between Meridean and Durand.

This week RR-107 was full of the sounds of fledglings begging for bugs. We heard and watched Cedar Waxwings, Eastern Bluebirds, Chipping Sparrows and Blue Jays, but found only one Lark Sparrow. The power lines were full of swallow fledglings (barn, cliff and tree) lined up waiting to be fed by their tireless parents. American Redstarts and Red-eyed Vireos are still around, but the Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Dickcissels have disappeared.

Tom, who once bought an Isuzu Trooper primarily because it had a flat windshield (which minimizes optical distortion when watching birds), gave the Prius windows a "thumbs up." There's just a little distortion at the corners where the glass is ever-so-slightly curved. The little triangular side windows to the left and right of the dashboard work well as viewing portals.

With the exception of the annoying "ding-ding-ding" alert noise when the car is in reverse, the Prius - so far - has been a great mobile wildlife photo "blind." There's no engine noise, just the sound of the tires on gravel. And no vibrations when the car comes to a full stop.

We tested the Prius "stealth factor" by successfully creeping up on a fox squirrel, dozens of red-eared sliders (turtles) sunning themselves on logs partially immersed one of the roadside ponds and the giant swallowtail butterflies working the thistles and bergamot.

Giant Swallowtail - Papilio cresphontes  

Cash for Clunkers

I'd been thinking about buying a hybrid for some time. But both my husband (Tom) and I have been relatively happy with our cars. We had no real need to buy a new one.

For me, automotive happiness = no accidents, no breakdowns and only routine repairs.

Recently however, I experienced the unexpected with my 2000 Honda CRV: a couple of pricey valve jobs, a "clogged" radiator and leaky oil pan gasket.

I had hybrids on my mind and I was seeing them everywhere.

But I was not ready to trade in my CRV.

Tom's 1996 GMC Jimmy was still clunkin' along, getting 18 mpg at 170,000+ miles on the odometer (with a cracked windshield, a new battery, new tires and a new alternator).

It was the promise of the new federal "Cash for Clunkers" program that pulled us into the showroom at Markquart Toyota in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on June 20th. We were in the parking lot, heading towards the showroom when Rebecca Singer opened the door and asked if she could help us.

We went inside, sat down and discussed the "Clunkers" program, the Prius and the packages. The Clunkers program was still just a proposal in June. The dealership had a handful of "3rd Generation" Priuses scheduled to arrive in July. And we found a mid-price package that appealed to us.

When the "Clunkers" program gets out of Congress, I told Rebecca, we'll buy one of your July-delivery Priuses. But we won't put any money down until we know we qualify for the $4,500 rebate.

When the new hybrids arrived, Rebecca took Tom and I on a test drive in the only Prius left unsold.

The "technology" was a little daunting at first with all the computer displays, but the car handled well - and we while we were driving it, we stopped to watch Chipping Sparrows, American Goldfinches and two 8-point bucks (in velvet).

The Prius we tested didn't have the navigation package I wanted, but the heated seats and lumbar support appealed to Tom. If we wanted to put in an order, Rebecca said there could be a very long wait. Or we could buy this one.

Okay, I said. We'll take it, but only if we qualify for the rebate.

Then the "Clunkers" Bill passed, but no one at the dealership seemed to know for sure how the process would work. Rebecca promised to call as soon as they knew.

She called two days later. Bring a check for the down payment, the clunker's title, registration and proof it's been insured for the past 2 years. We did all the paperwork on July 30th and went home to wait for the call telling us that our "clunkers" application had been accepted. That night, TV newscasters reported the program would be out of money July 31st.

The situation changed the next day - with the news that Congress was adding more funding to the "clunkers" program.

We waited another two weeks before I contacted Rebecca. She said "you have to buy the car today." So on Thursday afternoon, August 13th, we did it. We turned the GMC Jimmy over to Marquart Toyota, wrote the check and drove away with the Prius.

Tom had a case of buyers trepidation - he was not convinced we made the right decision. I was pretty sure about it - but could I remember how to "read" the digital displays.

So, we took the slow route home - the scenic route along the lower Chippewa River via Meridean. We took our time (48 miles in 3 hours), stopping along the way to watch birds and getting to know what this amazing vehicle can do. (55 mpg).

By the time we pulled into our driveway, I was convinced. What a great car!