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Learning to Drive

I drove a Ford Focus all winter in Florida, drove it down there from Vermont and left it there so I can fly back and forth from now on and have a vehicle to use down there.

I sold Mike's full size Chevy van and our Ford Taurus X.  A little Ford Focus is a much more practical car for me in size and economy of gas consumption.

Now that I am home in Vermont, I am back to driving my Toyota Prius, also a practical size and economical on the fuel.

The thing is I am having to learn to drive the Prius all over again.

So in some ways the car is helpful.  If I miss a step in the start up sequence a correction flashes on the screen.  If I leave my bag with the key in it too long after shutting down--beeps and another helpful reminder that the key is detected inside the car.  Beeps and CAPS and !!!! and orange warning triangles...nice that it is helpful but I wish it wasn't so snarky about it.  Stop yelling at me!

 The windshield wipers are on when the lever is up on the Prius, down on the Focus.  Cruise control on right versus left, radios controls on left versus right, and on and on.  They are both automatic transmissions, but the way the gear lever works is different on the Prius.

The learning curve should even out quickly though.

And then there are the studded snow tires which I could not get an appointment to change out until May 20. Although it is 33 degrees here this morning...

BTW, the Prius hybrid is giving a minor challenge to Subaru as the official car of Vermont.

Comments

  1. GwenMay 13, 2015 at 11:07 AM

    We get so used to our auto-pilot habits in life, don't we? Hopefully in a few more days you will be Prius-thinking instead of Focus-thinking. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMay 13, 2015 at 1:48 PM

    Funny that you wrote this post about the Prius, as I have scheduled a similar post for Thursday. I intend to buy a Prius next year.

    ReplyDelete
  3. TomMay 13, 2015 at 6:26 PM

    Well, it makes perfect sense that Subaru is now "out" as the cool car in VT. We just bought one.

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownMay 13, 2015 at 8:05 PM

    33 degrees? Maybe you should wait on getting those tires changed!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Linda ReederMay 13, 2015 at 10:50 PM

    We don't realize how automatically we do things until the way we do things changes.

    ReplyDelete
  6. KayMay 14, 2015 at 3:50 AM

    We own a Prius so I know what you're talking about. I was also told that if you leave the lights on when you leave the car, it will not automatically turn off. It will merely drain the battery. Something to worry about.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OlgaMay 14, 2015 at 7:22 AM

      That is true. Also the car is so quiet I always double check to make sure that it is actually turned off.

      Delete
  7. SextantMay 14, 2015 at 10:20 AM

    I used to suffer control-itis when I was on longer business trips. Just about the time I was comfortable with how to turn on the headlights or windshield wipers on the rental car, the trip would be over and I would clawing away at empty space on my own car.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Arkansas PattiMay 14, 2015 at 11:23 AM

    Goodness, the Prius sounds like a rocket ship. I almost bought one-- kind of wish I had now.
    I go through what you are when ever I drive a rental.

    ReplyDelete
  9. BarbaraMay 14, 2015 at 5:46 PM

    Ha Ha. I drive a small car. My boss drove a large car built for a 6' guy. I often had to drive him different places in his car and I always felt like I was driving a tank. But like you say, it can be the difference between two small cars. My friend bought a new Ford Focus and she said she was going to take classes to learn all the bells and whistles. We love our cars but sometimes they don't love us back.

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownMay 15, 2015 at 1:19 AM

    "Confessions of a Grandma" has been included in our Sites To See #440. Be assured that we hope this helps to point many new visitors in your direction.

    http://asthecrackerheadcrumbles.blogspot.com/2015/05/sites-to-see-440.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OlgaMay 15, 2015 at 9:15 AM

      Why, thank you very much! Nice to be included among those interesting looking sites.

      Delete
  11. LindaMay 15, 2015 at 7:08 PM

    I think it is great to drive, but I am 58 years young and have never driven a car in my life. :) I grew up with parents who didn't have a car, so I have taken the bus all my life...but thankfully I live in one of the best cities in the world that is known for its great and reliable public transportation...Montreal, Canada. You have a lovely blog.

    ReplyDelete
  12. SakuMay 15, 2015 at 7:19 PM

    Oh I'm so glad I'm not the only one who hasn't yet changed over their winter tires. I need to make a call, hopefully I'll get in soon.

    Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Jenn JilksMay 18, 2015 at 9:18 PM

    You are quite funny!

    ReplyDelete

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