Light Braking: Cruise still on and no taillights

[bigdaddy]

With the commute now moving into darkness a little more these days, I just noticed that when I *lightly* step on brakes the taillights do not come on. However, I do feel the car braking slightly.

I've also noticed that when using cruise control, the same amount of braking does not disengage cc, so I am actually in a situation where I am fighting the cc just a little.

Both circumstances occur when I see a traffic signal in the distance and feel the need to slow down just a tad to time my approach.

Anyone else experience this? Is there an adjustment I need to the brakes? Warranteed?

[galaxee]

it does take a bit of pressure to set off the brake lights. it happened in my last car too- you step down very gently and no brake lights. but at a certain point in the range of travel of the pedal, they kick on. it's probably linked to pedal position.

[seasalsa]

How can you tell when the brake lights come on while you are driving?

[aka007ii]

Originally posted by seasalsa@Oct 24 2005, 03:32 PM
How can you tell when the brake lights come on while you are driving?

[snapback]145014[/snapback]

Reflection from tailgaters?

[engunneer]

When it's the right darkness out, you can see the reflection off of both back windows in the rear-view. You can also go into test mode and watch the indicator on the screen.

[bigdaddy]

Originally posted by seasalsa@Oct 24 2005, 06:32 PM
How can you tell when the brake lights come on while you are driving?

[snapback]145014[/snapback]

I can (not) see it in my rear-view mirror while looking at the window (the middle-light). Once I noticed, and then while stopped at a traffic light with slight uphill incline to hold the car in place, I played around with depressing the brake and looking at reflection in the car behind me. None of the the lights come on until a certain point.

I am concerned about not being able to 'tap' the breaks to get it out of cruise control mode. I am used to doing that, and after tapping the brakes in my prius, the car keeps going.

Engineer Gunn, how do I get to this test mode?

[seasalsa]

Originally posted by engunneer@Oct 24 2005, 03:54 PM
You can also go into test mode and watch the indicator on the screen.

[snapback]145022[/snapback]

Do you really suggest this alternative? Or do you know an easy way to get the diagnostic screen? Do you really think someone is going to do the following while driving?

"How to use your screen ( 2005)to get to the differnt screens like the the diagnostics screen that tells you that the car is running ok in each mode.


One way is to hold the INFO button and turn the lights on and off 3 times. The second method is:

1) Press INFO
2) Press DISPLAY
3) Touch the upper left corner of the area NOT covered by the display function
4) Touch the lower left corner of the area NOT covered by the display function
5) Repeat 3 & 4 two more times (a total of 6 pushes).

You have to power off to get this screen to leave. Pressing the upper left corner of the MFD then the lower left corner of this screen a total of 6 presses (up, down, up, down, up, down), followed by touching the lower right corner brings up more displays. "


I think NOT!!

[tochatihu]

In response to bigdaddy's original question, I would think it very appropriate to have brake lights on and cruise control defeated with only very light brake pedal pressure.

There is a depth adjustment for the brake light switch - it ought to be quite easy to reset this, even though I am generalizing from my experience with 2001 Prius. I see no reason why Toyota would not adjust that for free.

I remember reading that a certain group of 2004 Prius had a brake light switch problem, and hope that further details on that would get posted here.

[DaveinOlyWA]

brake lights i would think are controlled by a switch attached to brake pedal. it can be adjusted. (at least it is in most cars)

as for me, since i rarely use the brakes, i dont worry about the brake lights. in fact, when sitting at a light i shift to park so i dont have to burn energy keeping the lights on.

now dont know if i actually improve my mileage by any measurable amount ( no doubt it helps, but is it measurable??) but it makes me feel better and there is too much in this world to feel bad about, so i embrace the little things in my Prius' life

[engunneer]

Originally posted by seasalsa@Oct 24 2005, 06:38 PM
Do you really suggest this alternative? Or do you know an easy way to get the diagnostic screen? Do you really think someone is going to do the following while driving?

"How to use your screen ( 2005)to get to the differnt screens like the the diagnostics screen that tells you that the car is running ok in each mode.
One way is to hold the INFO button and turn the lights on and off 3 times. The second method is:

1) Press INFO
2) Press DISPLAY
3) Touch the upper left corner of the area NOT covered by the display function
4) Touch the lower left corner of the area NOT covered by the display function
5) Repeat 3 & 4 two more times (a total of 6 pushes).

You have to power off to get this screen to leave. Pressing the upper left corner of the MFD then the lower left corner of this screen a total of 6 presses (up, down, up, down, up, down), followed by touching the lower right corner brings up more displays. "
I think NOT!!

[snapback]145092[/snapback]

I suggest it more as a way of learning about how it works (hence "Prius Hacker")

I wouldn't suggest doing it while driving (though I can do it without looking). The light method is easy to do at a red light (Strange looks from other drivers not withstanding). I also do the NAV override mode while driving, so my wife can use the NAV. It's pretty easy once you know where to hit.

Also, you don't have to power off the car to leave the mode. You have to hold one of the buttons for a few seconds, then the MFD will reboot. (I thin the INFO button on the MFD, but maybe one of the others)