I've noticed several interesting things in my one day of Prius ownership. This may be old hat to some of you since my old car ('90 Honda Civic) had power nothing. I don't know if any of this is unique to the Prius or if most/all cars do this now.<br><br>1. The power windows do continue to work for a short while after turning off the engine. (Another poster thought they didn't.) This is really convenient since I'm not used to thinking about the windows until after I've turned off the car.<br><br>2. The tape player ejects the tape if you turn off the car while its playing. It does not eject if you turn off the power button on the radio. Nor does it then eject if you turn off the car.<br><br>3. There don't seem to be specific off buttons/controls for either the CD or the tape. As far as I can tell, you turn them off by ejecting, turning off the radio power button, or switching to a different audio source (push the FM button while the CD is playing for example). I guess the message is: if you don't want any music, turn off the amp and quit wasting electricity.<br><br>4. When you turn the key in the door, an electric motor locks or unlocks it. Which leads me to wonder, if you foolishly let your 12V battery drain, will you be unable to get into your Prius?<br><br>5. This is the first speedometer I've seen that tells your speed in reverse. They overlooked putting a 'minus' sign in front of it though.<br><br>So I guess I finally made it to the automobile 21st century. How neat to be able to get all that newfangled stuff without sacrificing MPG.<br><br>Robert Snyder

Robert,<br><br>1. Nice point about the speedometer working in reverse. I'd just noticed that the other day (after 3 weeks of driving). <br><br>2. Now that I'm used to the speedometer, etc., up in the center of the dash, just below the window, I'm finding that I'm not at all happy with the "old" way (i.e., behind the steering wheel, as when I drive my wife's Honda Odyssey). How fast things change.<br><br>3. I've called the dealer and they have a 6 disc CD changer waiting for me. Now, having become accustomed to changing discs on the 1 CD unit, I can't decide whether I really need to spend this $550.<br><br>Best,<br>GCKorn

I enjoyed your post, because all this stuff is new to me too. Windows that you don't have to crank -- what a concept! A hint, though --if you drive near water, always carry a sharp object like a punch for smashing a window. If you end up in the drink, you won't be able to get the doors open otherwise.<br><br>&gt;&gt;Which leads me to wonder, if you foolishly let your 12V battery drain, will you be unable to get into your Prius?&lt;&lt;<br><br>If the trunk lock is motorized as well, you won't even be able to get a boost!<br><br>&gt;&gt;This is the first speedometer I've seen that tells your speed in reverse. They overlooked putting a 'minus' sign in front of it though.&lt;&lt;<br><br>This could be the start of another lively debate. Can there be such a thing as negative speed?

Hi GCKorn,<br>Yep, I had already acclimatized to the center dash speedometer back in July when I had my 3-day rental. Been suffering ever since and glad to have it back. But even more glad to have the engine shut off at traffic lights again!!!<br><br>My wife's car has a single CD player, so I'm a little bit used to changing them myself (don't get to drive her car much). Still, it can occasionally be a choice between waiting a bit for the next disk or creating a safety hazard. Since I already have the single CD, I didn't want to pay an additional $550 just to add 6 disk capacity. If I decide to put more money into audio, I'll probably look into replacement speakers first.<br><br>Robert

&gt;&gt;This could be the start of another lively debate. Can there be such a thing as negative speed?&lt;&lt; <br><br>Ouch, I stand humbled before you, oh master. Guess that's why it's not called a velocityometer.<br><br>Anyway, the key definitely mechanically opens the trunk, so as long as you're not stuck with just the valet key, you should be able to get a boost.<br><br>Robert Snyder

1. Nice point about the speedometer working in reverse. I'd just noticed that the other day (after 3 weeks of driving). <br><br>I don't want to be behind you guys when you drive in reverse..... :)

"5. This is the first speedometer I've seen that tells your speed in reverse. They overlooked putting a 'minus' sign in front of it though."<br><br>Yeah, and in Japan, the speedo is upside down cause they are on the other side of the planet. :)