Adrian_L

Initially I wanted Sterling Grey--it looked great in the brochure. But the dealer was having a sale and had a black one with the options we wanted (SEL with Nav and liftgate) A passed by a grey one yesterday. It looked.........well..........ordinary. Glad I got black!! And hey, a quick wash every weekend ain't so bad.

Meguiar's is excellent stuff. The seat covers did originate from a cow, but keep in mind this is treated leather--unlike a purse or jacket. It is sprayed with a kind of urethane clear coat to protect it from the coffee you're spilling on it. I really doubt that it "breathes" at all. The Prius's leather is pleather--i.e. synthetic.

They're far too hot. Like in my now-departed Audi, "1" should be a gentle heat that you can have on all the time. I am scared to even try 3 or higher on my C-max. If anyone knows how to turn 'em down, we'd love to hear about it. A resistor in the main 12v line? Has anyone asked the dealer about this?

My seat heaters are way too hot, also. I find "1" uncomfortable after awhile. If any techie types have put a resistor in the heater wire, I'd love to hear about it

As a side note, the current Canadian government ratings are 4.2 l/100km city and 4.9 highway. That's for both 2013 and 2014 models. 56 and 48 mpg, respectively. 56!!!! I'm not too worried as I'm getting 50 mpg regularly and the car has 200 miles on the odometer.

After two weeks, I'm rapidly learning there are two modes in city driving when you are accelerating from a stop: one where there are cars directy behind you--you have to engage the gas motor or people tailgate you or angrily pass with a "are you on drugs?" look as they go by. Or if there are no cars behind me I accelerate as gently as possible to avoid engaging the gas. Fortunately most of the inner city speed limits are 50 kmh (30 mph) in my neck of the woods. Getting 50 mpg regularly with only 150 miles on the odometer. I'm highly skeptical of pulse/glide techniques but willing to try them as I get more familiar with the car. Adrian Counselling Langara College

Interior: I'd strongly recommend NOT using Armor All. It contains alchohol that dries out vinyl and it can crack eventually. Meguiar makes a good vinyl cleaner/conditioner that you can use on leather too. (Leather car seats are sprayed with a urethane finish so for all intents and purposes they are vinyl). Exterior: Warm water and detergent and a natural sponge. Adrian Vancouver

You sure about that? I know the VOLT has a pressurized gas tank and automatically burns gas if it is getting stale. I have not read similar claims about the Energi. Adrian Vancouver