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ar_wahanThe cat in my default icon, Fancy, didn't come in this morning when my husband got up to go to work. Because I slept in so long, I didn't realize this. Just came home with samurai to find husband in kitchen, sorting mail. He asked if I'd seen Fancy today.
I hope she's simply off on a hunting expedition. I sort of recall that in springs past, she's done this.
I just called the Toyota dealership with a question. The manual isn't clear on why one wants to use the "engine braking" gear (B) on the Prius... something about hills and the brakes recharging the battery. But I was still confused. Found out that the "B" gear (which should only be used going downhill) is like putting the car into a lower gear. Doing this slows the car a bit on the hill, recharges the electric battery, and also saves gas, because the battery (even as it is recharging) is also doing more of the work than usual in powering the car vs. the gas engine. (Contrary to what most people think, she said, in the Prius, it is not a case of the car running on either the battery or gas, but variations of both running at once. Except -- I think -- at stop signs, because when the car is completely stopped, the gas engine stops, too. First few times it happened, I thought I'd stalled.)
Anyway, this is really nice news (about saving even more gas -- and for me, it's about the environment more than about money), because guess where we live? On the top of a f-king big hill! Everywhere we go is downhill from here!
Another bit of car talk: After I picked up the Prius last Thursday, I picked up my samurai at the high school to take her to her flute lesson. We had some time to kill, and we both were hungry. (I hadn't had lunch.) We went to a pizza place. We sat so we could look out at our shiny new car. When I paid the bill, I explained to the owner that I'd had the hybrid car for just four hours.
"A hyrbid?" he replied. "Thank you from us." I thought that was sweet.
I hope she's simply off on a hunting expedition. I sort of recall that in springs past, she's done this.
I just called the Toyota dealership with a question. The manual isn't clear on why one wants to use the "engine braking" gear (B) on the Prius... something about hills and the brakes recharging the battery. But I was still confused. Found out that the "B" gear (which should only be used going downhill) is like putting the car into a lower gear. Doing this slows the car a bit on the hill, recharges the electric battery, and also saves gas, because the battery (even as it is recharging) is also doing more of the work than usual in powering the car vs. the gas engine. (Contrary to what most people think, she said, in the Prius, it is not a case of the car running on either the battery or gas, but variations of both running at once. Except -- I think -- at stop signs, because when the car is completely stopped, the gas engine stops, too. First few times it happened, I thought I'd stalled.)
Anyway, this is really nice news (about saving even more gas -- and for me, it's about the environment more than about money), because guess where we live? On the top of a f-king big hill! Everywhere we go is downhill from here!
Another bit of car talk: After I picked up the Prius last Thursday, I picked up my samurai at the high school to take her to her flute lesson. We had some time to kill, and we both were hungry. (I hadn't had lunch.) We went to a pizza place. We sat so we could look out at our shiny new car. When I paid the bill, I explained to the owner that I'd had the hybrid car for just four hours.
"A hyrbid?" he replied. "Thank you from us." I thought that was sweet.
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no subject
Date: 2006-04-19 11:33 pm (UTC)Have you noticed how much get up and go you have? Your nice little car has GUTS. Put the pedal to the metal and she goes. I've never met a hill she doesn't like. *loves on the Prius*
*lights a candle for Fancy* I hope she is out catching mice.
no subject
Date: 2006-04-20 12:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-04-20 12:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-04-20 12:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-04-20 01:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-04-19 11:55 pm (UTC)When I dream about what I would do when I win the lottery, buying a hybrid car is on the list. It's also on my list of things to do when I have a brilliant job making 2-3 times what I make now. As it stands, my budget runs more to $500 20yr old cars. Back in Arizona, I lived for a couple years getting around on my bicycle. But for some reason, that's just not such an appealing option in Minnesota weather. Though maybe as I acclimate, I'll be able to stretch biking season out to 7 or 8 months.
no subject
Date: 2006-04-20 12:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-04-20 01:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-04-20 09:32 pm (UTC)I really do hope your cat comes back. You don't want to lose the fuzzy family members.
T.
no subject
Date: 2006-04-21 02:20 am (UTC)