
Simple Fishing Rod Rooftop Basket Travel Mod
How I transformed the Yakima TopGrip OG accessory to carry fishing rods on road trip.
Read MoreBy 5teve-0 | May 15, 2019 | Category Travel and the Great Outdoors
How I transformed the Yakima TopGrip OG accessory to carry fishing rods on road trip.
Read MoreBy 5teve-0 | August 2, 2018 | Category DIY Maintenance Guides
Learn how to change your own motor oil on your 3rd gen Prius. It’s quick and easy and will save you an average of $70-$100 from dealership or the local drive through oil change station.
Read MoreBy 5teve-0 | July 5, 2018 | Category DIY Maintenance Guides, DIY Maintenance Guides
The tires on your Prius or Prius c and pretty much any passenger class vehicle should be rotated every 5,000 to 10,000 miles to promote even tire thread wear. Do it yourself in 30~45 minutes with basic tools and put that $25~$50 back in your pocket.
Read MoreBy 5teve-0 | March 20, 2018 | Category 2012 ZVW30 Toyota Prius Four
As the 2012 Prius was approaching its 120k mile milestone, I noticed a dip in fuel efficiency among other issues (cold start rattle, struggling acceleration, rough ride). In its glory days, I was getting and average of mid 50’s MPG on a full tank. On rare driving circumstances, I was able to bump that number […]
Read MoreBy 5teve-0 | February 10, 2018 | Category 2012 ZVW30 Toyota Prius Four
I had a pair of authentic UKDM Prius G’s taillights with integrated rear fog lamp supplied by LS Japan and ordered through Tenso around late 2013’ish (or 2014? I cannot remember), but never gotten around to install it and ended up selling them to raise funds for our wedding in 2015. I’ve been building, organizing […]
Read MoreBy 5teve-0 | February 9, 2018 | Category 2012 ZVW30 Toyota Prius Four, DIY Maintenance Guides
The hybrid battery cooling fan impeller needs to be cleaned from time to time, and a trip to the dealership can cost you $400. Do it yourself for $0.
Read MoreBy 5teve-0 | December 18, 2017 | Category 2012 ZVW30 Toyota Prius Four
So I just took my 2012 Prius Four into the local dealer to perform the routine major service (done every 30,000 miles) as it was approaching 120,000 miles and I received a recommended laundry list of pricey maintenance work. Spark plugs replacement was suppose to be on this list, but I replaced them myself and […]
Read MoreBy 5teve-0 | December 17, 2017 | Category 2012 ZVW30 Toyota Prius Four, DIY Maintenance Guides
Spark Plugs Replacement on a 3rd Gen Prius My 2012 Prius Four has reached 120,000 miles and symptoms of rough idle, cold start rattle, decreasing fuel efficiency and sporadic loss in power (especially during acceleration), has become almost a once-a-week routine. I figured it is time to replace the spark plugs. I am having major […]
Read MoreBy 5teve-0 | January 4, 2017 | Category Road Trips
Many parents we’ve conversed with said that once our newborn enters the world, our favorite pastimes and routines will all go out the window. Instead, sleepless nights and nonstop exhaustion will take their place. While I do not 100% dispute that statement at all, I don’t agree with it completely either. Sure, our daily routines will […]
Read MoreBy Christopher Maselli | May 31, 2016 | Category 2012 ZVW30 Toyota Prius Four
So my door actuator just failed on my third generation Prius and I found Steve’s excellent post on how to remove the door panel (here) and used it to get me half way there. Here’s a “Part Two” for anyone wanting to go to the next step and fix their actuator themselves. First of all, […]
Read MoreBy 5teve-0 | December 7, 2014 | Category Automobiles
It has been a while since I had to install snow tire chains on a car, but driving up to Vancouver, B.C. in late December, and doing multiple side stops along the way, I figured I grab a pair for those “just-in-case” moments (even though Vancouver is known for mild but wet winters). This article […]
Read MoreBy 5teve-0 | October 9, 2013 | Category 2012 ZVW30 Toyota Prius Four
I finally had time to order all the JDM Toyota Prius Elegant Style exterior chrome plated garnish upgrades, minus the lower rear bumper garnish since I have the Prius PLUS rear skirt installed. I originally asked my buddy back in July while on his way to Japan to pick me up a complete set of authentic JDM […]
Read MoreBy 5teve-0 | September 28, 2013 | Category 2012 ZVW30 Toyota Prius Four
This is one of the very first mod I wanted to perform on the Prius when I took her home. I’m not a huge fan of all chrome headlights. Unfortunately because I commuted a lot during weekdays and go on road trips on weekends, this project took backstage. Fortunately, I’ve acquired a set of used OEM […]
Read MoreBy 5teve-0 | September 24, 2013 | Category Automobiles
It turns out that the USDM Scion iQ shares the same mirror covers as the JDM Toyota ZVW30 Prius (and Prius ν). Which means that if 3rd generation ZVW30 Prius or Prius ν owners want integrated turn signals on their side mirrors but don’t care for power folding function or 3-in-1 combo LED light features, they […]
Read MoreBy 5teve-0 | July 11, 2013 | Category Automobiles
NOTE: Due to ever-evolving technology and services, pay attention to individual services’ terms, fee schedules and guidelines as they may have changed since the writing of this article. The advent of the internet and social media has continued to make the global market place flatter and more accessible to anyone with an internet connection. Gone […]
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