Toyota Prius: Problems & Solutions - READ ONLY

711 messages, Last post on Oct 27, 2006 at 3:23 AM

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#658 of 711 Re: Prius in the Snow [stevedebi] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Sep 08, 2006 (1:34 pm)
Replying to: stevedebi (Sep 08, 2006 12:42 pm) no, no, I think we all understand that Prius owners have long had to deal with the TC acting up on slick inclines, ice, etc. and rendering the vehicle somewhat immobile. There seems to be no real solution other than to try the non-Prius aspects of a cure---that is, driver technique and better tires. I have heard (but have no idea if it works) that if you just keep the pedal floored eventually the Prius computers will allow you to creep through the slippery part or up the hill. But your problem is REAL, no doubt about that....question is, what can one do? Better tires, maybe "charging" a hill, maybe reversing the car before going forward again, etc.
#659 of 711 Re: Prius in the Snow [stevedebi] by kdhspyder Sep 08, 2006 (1:43 pm)
Replying to: stevedebi (Sep 08, 2006 12:42 pm) Is everyone ignoring the reports that have been posted in this forum, detailing how the Prius can render itself immobile in snow situations, due to the fact that the traction control cannot be disabled? For the 2006 models and later this changed. Replies to this message: user777 (Sep 10, 2006 4:31 am) kdhspyder (Sep 10, 2006 5:30 am) stevedebi (Sep 11, 2006 9:14 am) and 10 more...
#660 of 711 Noise from front of car by tico_cat1 Sep 08, 2006 (4:45 pm)
I just purchased a brand new 2006 Prius 2 days ago. As soon as I brought it home, I noticed a whirring noise that would last about 5 seconds coming from the front of the car. It only seems to happen when I am at low speeds-- sometimes when braking, sometimes not. I think it is the same sound as when I put my foot on the brake before powering the car on. When I called the service department at Toyota the person had never heard of such an issue. Is anyone familiar with this sort of problem? Replies to this message: kdhspyder (Sep 09, 2006 4:48 am) pathstar1 (Sep 09, 2006 7:19 am)
#661 of 711 Re: Noise from front of car [tico_cat1] by kdhspyder Sep 09, 2006 (4:48 am)
Replying to: tico_cat1 (Sep 08, 2006 4:45 pm) If it's when you are braking to a stop it's the friction brakes being applied. If it's that then it's perfectly normal as part of the regen braking. It just sounds different.
#662 of 711 Re: Noise from front of car [tico_cat1] by pathstar1 Sep 09, 2006 (7:19 am)
Replying to: tico_cat1 (Sep 08, 2006 4:45 pm) Be aware also that the car had to be designed so it would operate properly without the ICE (internal combustion engine) operating. To get most things the gas engine provides on other cars they had to put in electic units, such as the A/C, some coolant pumps, etc. There may be an electric vacuum pump for the brakes.
#663 of 711 Re: Prius in the Snow [kdhspyder] by user777 Sep 10, 2006 (4:31 am)
Replying to: kdhspyder (Sep 08, 2006 1:43 pm) kdhspyder, you wrote: For the 2006 models and later this changed. would you know what they changed? assuming it was software only, perhaps a programming change is available for the earlier models? i'm thinking however, that the modules associated with these functions also changed and a reprogramming isn't all that would be required to upgrade the older units. Replies to this message: kdhspyder (Sep 10, 2006 5:30 am) stevedebi (Sep 11, 2006 9:14 am) kdhspyder (Sep 11, 2006 4:00 pm) and 9 more...
#664 of 711 Re: Prius in the Snow [user777] by kdhspyder Sep 10, 2006 (5:30 am)
Replying to: user777 (Sep 10, 2006 4:31 am) In the situation where the Trac Ctrl brakes the wheels to keep them from overspinning, which in prior models caused the vehicle not to move now the computer allows some spinning to allow the vehicle to move forward slowly as it's supposed to do. Whereas in the past on a slippery climb the Trac would keep the vehicle from spinning out of control but also wouldn't allow any forward movement. Now the spinning is kept to a minimum but forward motion is allowed. I can't speak for the older models since I don't know if it's just software or might also be mechanical. Replies to this message: stevedebi (Sep 11, 2006 9:14 am) kdhspyder (Sep 11, 2006 4:00 pm) stevedebi (Sep 12, 2006 8:29 am) and 8 more...
#665 of 711 Re: Prius in the Snow [dmathews3] by midnightcowboy Sep 11, 2006 (6:14 am)
Replying to: dmathews3 (Sep 08, 2006 12:29 pm) LOL bought a new 79 Toronado, because snow and ice was so bad where I lived and almost all cars at the time were still RWD. MidCow
#666 of 711 Re: Prius in the Snow [kdhspyder] by stevedebi Sep 11, 2006 (9:14 am)
Replying to: kdhspyder (Sep 10, 2006 5:30 am) "Whereas in the past on a slippery climb the Trac would keep the vehicle from spinning out of control but also wouldn't allow any forward movement. Now the spinning is kept to a minimum but forward motion is allowed." What is the source of your info? Replies to this message: kdhspyder (Sep 11, 2006 4:00 pm) stevedebi (Sep 12, 2006 8:29 am) terry92270 (Sep 12, 2006 10:05 am) and 7 more...
#667 of 711 Re: Prius in the Snow [midnightcowboy] by northernnyer Sep 11, 2006 (3:43 pm)
Replying to: midnightcowboy (Sep 07, 2006 9:50 am) I beg to differ on your statement about RWD in snow. I've logged almost three quarters of a million miles in the last 28 of driving in Northern NY. Some RWD vehicles are excellent in the snow. Some do require studded snow tires. I should remind you that rear-engine RWD's are better in snow than FWD. FWD is fine for not getting stuck but can leave you in the ditch quite quickly if caught unaware at speed. Physics dictates that have the drive force and the steering force applied to the same wheels is not the optimum setup for handling. It may be optimum setup for fuel economy. Replies to this message: pathstar1 (Sep 11, 2006 6:19 pm) northernnyer (Sep 13, 2006 4:59 am) midnightcowboy (Sep 12, 2006 7:18 am)