Recent content by BerkeleyGirl

I let go of my 2014 in 2021. It had a warranty covered major repair needed, and was in the shop for over six months awaiting parts - in the middle of the pandemic - with no guarantee of when they would finally show up. I ended up buying another car (a TOYOTA plug-in hybrid), and eventually sold...

Another poor experience in Walnut Creek. Is it just because I'm female that the dealer gives me the run around? I brought my EV in early December for routine service and just assumed that they would locate and fix the failed heater. My mistake. Then I brought it back in late December to...

I used Park SFO at the end of July 2015, using indoor valet parking for a 3 day trip. I was not pleased with them at all. I asked for indoor valet parking and to have my EV charged, then I handed over the keys and received my claim check. The guy seemed much more concerned with telling me...

I tried to get my 5K (6 month) service at Walnut Creek last Friday. It didn't go well. When I called Monday, they wouldn't give me an actual appointment, nor commit to a completion time. The gal on the phone said to call beforehand and see what the wait was like. I did call, and was told to...

Does anyone have a recommendation (or useful anecdote) to share regarding use of solar battery tenders to keep my RAV4 EV 12-volt battery alive during a longish period of no use? I may have to park my EV for around a month, outside and away from home. It should still have a good charge on the...

I have other stuff going on later in the day, but think I can make the early parade.

I knew this group would know. Thanks for the help. I fiddled around under the EV menu and figured it out. Toggles back and forth each time you hit the weird battery-arrow icon and save it. So next time I won't have to wipe all my programming to get the car to charge immediately.

I was putting my car through its paces last week, entertaining an out-of-town guest and seeing lots of Bay Area sights. I was thrilled to find Level 2 parking right up front at Muir Woods (all the regular parking was full), but I never did get my car to charge while plugged in. I had the same...

I am in a similar energy use/needs situation to yours, except that I got the car first and will get the solar system second. With the added draw for charging an EV, my electric bill would have gone from under $400/yr to almost $2100/yr (though switching to PG&E's EV rate schedule should dampen...

Thanks for all the advice. I carefully recovered all the pieces (and it was in pieces), patted them dry, re-assembled the device, and let it sit overnight in a container of dry rice to remove any additional moisture. It worked fine the next day and is still going strong. I didn't even have to...

I, um, laundered my new key fob last night. Just not used to having such a small piece of gadgetry in my pocket. Now it is in pieces and very clean. I still have the spare and am only one person driving the car. Is it REALLY $400 to get another spare? Yikes.

I think he was talking about leasing, not buying, so he wouldn't be eligible to claim the $7500 credit.

You may be right about that. I assumed it was extended through 2014.

The electric vehicle works out better by my calculations. Which is why I got one. Previous comments mentioned the $2500 CA state refund, which you get whether you buy or lease as long as you keep the vehicle at least 3 years. Otherwise, I don't think you forget anything big. However, I think...

I am such an idiot when it comes to anything like this for cars. Are plug kits and a pump such generic items that I don't need additional info to find them with ease at the local hardware store?