The Learning Curve

Me in my new car! Selfie taken by and the property of FourWalls.
@FourWalls (85570)
United States
March 14, 2026 10:40pm CST
When I bought my new car I gave my “old” (2020) one to my niece. She was driving a 2009, so she’s really having to study all of the technology upgrades. Little did I know that switching to a hybrid involves a learning curve as well. The amount of upgraded technology is one thing, but the “finesse” of driving a hybrid is quite another. I’m happy to say that the car is getting over 37 MPG, and I look great for getting a hybrid right before the gas price skyrocketed. I’m certainly enjoying the lessons! Photo is a selfie of me in the Ark the day I bought it.
20 people like this
17 responses
Juliaacv
@Juliaacv (55818)
• Canada
15 Mar
Great photo! When we replaced my car a few years ago, it was a major upgrade with a huge learning curve also. My SUV has so many electronics, things that I would never ever use, but I was just getting into the learning curve when I decided to use my husband's old SUV, which I drove until a few months ago. Now, that learning curve has to restart, but I do believe we will replace it next year, so I am not fully committed to learning every aspect. The replacement will have more and different electronics. Live and learn.
4 people like this
Four Walls
@FourWalls (85570)
• United States
15 Mar
And meanwhile, I can still remember how to program a radio station in a 1967 Plymouth Valiant.
2 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (499788)
• Italy
15 Mar
I am glad that we only drive very short distance and only use our car once a week now. The price of gas is getting crazy here. Hybrid cars cost so much more than a gas cars. Not worths the cost for us.
2 people like this
Four Walls
@FourWalls (85570)
• United States
15 Mar
The “funny” thing is that they hadn’t been selling well when I bought mine. Two months later, I don’t know if they have one on the lot. Gas prices will do that to hybrids.
2 people like this
Four Walls
@FourWalls (85570)
• United States
15 Mar
@LadyDuck — my car only has 3,000 on it because I had covid right after I bought it, then we had the snowstorm and I couldn’t get it out of my garage.
1 person likes this
Anna
@LadyDuck (499788)
• Italy
15 Mar
@FourWalls - We filled up 3 times last year and drove less than 3,000 Miles. This year is will be less, because we are not moving, last year we went from our house to this apartment many times to bring things here.
1 person likes this
changjiangzhibin89
@changjiangzhibin89 (17212)
• China
15 Mar
Hope it won't take too much time for both your niece and you to get your cars run in !
1 person likes this
changjiangzhibin89
@changjiangzhibin89 (17212)
• China
16 Mar
@FourWalls Nothing beats better mileage from your car,as the gas prices shoot up.
1 person likes this
Four Walls
@FourWalls (85570)
• United States
15 Mar
I did stop by a dealership that had a “technology expert” and talked to him about a couple of things. The main thing I learned is that the car’s primary objective is efficiency, NOT how I set the AC or heat.
1 person likes this
rebelann1949
@rebelann (117004)
• El Paso, Texas
15 Mar
If they'd make one with standard shift I might actually think about it but I refuse to drive an automatic. Good shot kiddo.
1 person likes this
rebelann1949
@rebelann (117004)
• El Paso, Texas
15 Mar
That's a bummer. Well, at least you can drive an automatic, as for me, forgit about it, I ain't in the moon to learn new drivin tricks.
1 person likes this
Four Walls
@FourWalls (85570)
• United States
15 Mar
I started driving a stick in 1981. I had to give it up in 2008 because of my back pain when holding the clutch in.
1 person likes this
Lenore Plassman
@sallypup (68865)
• Centralia, Washington
16 Mar
That's a great photo of you. My little 2004 Toyota is still moving fine so I am not replacing it. It gets about what yours does. I don't even have a smartphone. A new smart car would probably zoom me into a ditch.
1 person likes this
Four Walls
@FourWalls (85570)
• United States
16 Mar
That’s the great thing about Hondas and Toyotas: you generally get rid of them because you want to, not because you HAVE to.
1 person likes this
Lenore Plassman
@sallypup (68865)
• Centralia, Washington
16 Mar
@FourWalls Agreed. I'm in a part of the world that I mostly drive 5 miles or less from my house.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (378799)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Mar
That's great that you're getting such good mileage from it. We filled up immediately before the price rise. Hopefully we're good for at least a little while.
1 person likes this
Four Walls
@FourWalls (85570)
• United States
15 Mar
I hope so, too. I’m still in traveling mode, so I have to go with efficiency. It was either a hybrid or try to find my old 1981 Chevette (that once gave me 52 MPH while in western Texas, where it’s nice and flat).
1 person likes this
Four Walls
@FourWalls (85570)
• United States
16 Mar
@JudyEv — I know, especially hundreds of miles of flat, straight highway!
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (378799)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Mar
@FourWalls We are well aware that driving just that little bit slower also gives greater fuel economy but it's so hard to do.
1 person likes this
ShannyBananny
@shaggin (74977)
• United States
16 Mar
I was not happy to see how much gas prices have gone up. 37 miles to the gallon is wonderful!
1 person likes this
Four Walls
@FourWalls (85570)
• United States
16 Mar
It’s great for an SUV!
1 person likes this
snowy
@snowy22315 (206727)
• United States
16 Mar
Yeah, getting any new car has a learning curve to it really. It took me awhile to feel comfortable with mine.
1 person likes this
Four Walls
@FourWalls (85570)
• United States
16 Mar
And the more new technology the harder it is!
DE
@DaddyEvil (173011)
• United States
15 Mar
The only thing better would have been if you bought gas right before the prices started skyrocketing.
1 person likes this
Four Walls
@FourWalls (85570)
• United States
15 Mar
I got 20c off a gallon yesterday, so I paid under $3 a gallon.
1 person likes this
DE
@DaddyEvil (173011)
• United States
15 Mar
@FourWalls Very nice! We're at $2.69 a gallon at Murphy's today. I should take my car and finish filling the tank.
1 person likes this
Eva James
@wolfgirl569 (133679)
• Marion, Ohio
15 Mar
Great picture. I would have a huge learning curve as my truck is a 2001
1 person likes this
Four Walls
@FourWalls (85570)
• United States
15 Mar
Yes, pretty soon we’re going to need college courses in how to operate our new vehicles!
1 person likes this
Eva James
@wolfgirl569 (133679)
• Marion, Ohio
15 Mar
@FourWalls That is very true
1 person likes this
RasmaSandra
@RasmaSandra (96780)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
15 Mar
Love the photo and enjoy your car,
1 person likes this
Four Walls
@FourWalls (85570)
• United States
16 Mar
I am definitely enjoying it!
1 person likes this
Loretta
@noni1959 (12947)
• United States
15 Mar
Love seeing your face with your name. My son has a F150 powerboost and it has so many gizmos. He even runs a generator on it. Amazing what technology is out there now.
1 person likes this
Four Walls
@FourWalls (85570)
• United States
15 Mar
Aw, thanks. The Toyota Sienna has a 110V plug in the back so you can hook up your coffee pot! Yes, it is amazing what they have. It’s like a computer with tires!
1 person likes this
Loretta
@noni1959 (12947)
• United States
16 Mar
@FourWalls It sounds like a wonderful vehicle. I love my old truck but maybe in a couple years, I may get something else.
1 person likes this
LindaOH
@LindaOHio (219991)
• United States
15 Mar
Love the selfie. Yes, driving a hybrid will be a whole new experience. Lots to learn. I don't envy you. lol
1 person likes this
Four Walls
@FourWalls (85570)
• United States
16 Mar
It’s not all that bad.
1 person likes this
Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (57719)
•
15 Mar
I hope you take many, many wonderful trips and enjoy your Ark.
1 person likes this
Four Walls
@FourWalls (85570)
• United States
15 Mar
Can’t wait to visit you again…if Billy Baroo’s will have us.
1 person likes this
Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (57719)
•
16 Mar
@FourWalls I love visiting with you! Billy's can roll out the red carpet!
1 person likes this
Amber
@AmbiePam (118403)
• United States
15 Mar
I’m glad you made such a good decision when it was all said and done.
1 person likes this
Four Walls
@FourWalls (85570)
• United States
15 Mar
The funniest thing is that I had no intention of buying a car when I went to get my oil changed that day. But I ended up with a new car and my niece ended up with a new-to-her car (which she took to Point Pleasant, WV the other day with her daughter to visit the Mothman Museum).
OceanTiara
@RebeccasFarm (91301)
• United States
15 Mar
This is so cool Four Walls!!
1 person likes this
Four Walls
@FourWalls (85570)
• United States
15 Mar
Thanks. It rides like a dream.
Shiva
@Shiva49 (28177)
• Singapore
15 Mar
Lots of electronics at play in modern cars and technology upgrades are not easy on some. Some got obsessed after the series Knight Rider with the artificially intelligent car, KITT
1 person likes this
Four Walls
@FourWalls (85570)
• United States
16 Mar
My car doesn’t have William Daniels’ voice in it. (I watched that show because I had a crush on Edward Mulhare when I was little…I quickly decided he wasn’t that handsome. )
1 person likes this