Toyota Prius: Problems & Solutions - READ ONLY

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

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#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)
#668 of 711 Re: Prius in the Snow [stevedebi] by kdhspyder Sep 11, 2006 (4:00 pm)
Replying to: stevedebi (Sep 11, 2006 9:14 am) Toyota engineer/trainer last Nov just before the revamped '06 came out. Replies to this message: stevedebi (Sep 12, 2006 8:29 am) terry92270 (Sep 12, 2006 10:05 am) Mr_Shiftright (Sep 12, 2006 12:10 pm) and 4 more... stevedebi (Sep 12, 2006 12:24 pm) and 1 more...
#669 of 711 Re: Prius in the Snow [northernnyer] by pathstar1 Sep 11, 2006 (6:19 pm)
Replying to: northernnyer (Sep 11, 2006 3:43 pm) I think we could argue about the advantages of drive location until we were all blue in the face. It seems to me with over 40 years driving in "the great white north", that the best setup is a 50/50 weight bias. However, the biggest factor is the driver, and second the tires. I've driven a vehicle with "summer tires" in snow, and was able to keep it on the road when no-one else could. I used my "secrets" gleaned from experience (also used by many other drivers, and some are teachable - I know because certain bus drivers taught me ). I wouldn't do this however, by choice. I do drive front or rear wheel drive vehicles with -proper- snow capable tires in any conditions, but only if I have to. There are too many "loose nuts" on the road to take unnecessary chances. Currently I like Nokian WR tires. They are left on year round, wear very well, and perform adequately in snow and ice. Not yet on a Prius, as I will not have mine for a few months, but when I get it count on the fact I will properly equip it with Nokians. Replies to this message: northernnyer (Sep 13, 2006 4:59 am)