Brakes grabbing

Jumpman · 10-26-2005, 05:42 PM

Well, after looking at buying a Corolla for a few weeks, we test drove a Prius and absolutely fell in love with it! Long story sort, we told the salesman that we really preferred a Prius to the Corolla in nearly every aspect but didn't want to wait 8 weeks for one. He said that he had just gotten one and that the people that had their name on it backed out. So, two days later we drove off the lot with it!! NO REGRETS!!

Just have one question for those of you "in the know". When coming to a stop, many times the brakes feel like they are grabbing or stuttering. If I let off the brake a bit and really milk it to a stop it is smoother.

Thanks!

**Tideland Prius** · 10-26-2005, 05:51 PM

Yeah, it's a bit hard to modulate that final feet with the brakes as the it comes off regen mode and activate the hydraulic brakes. You'll learn to soften the impact over time I suppose. Also, depending how you drive, your brakes won't ever have the time to heat up or "clean" the disc/drums so the stops might be jerky.

DaveinOlyWA · 10-26-2005, 09:45 PM

actually Jonathan you may have hit on something that i noticed for the first time today. i was sitting in line at Jack in the Box and when rolling forward and never getting up to speed, when i hit the brakes i could hear them grinding.

began to realize that my actual use of the hydraulic brakes are so infrequent (a lot of anticipation) that the pads make not be making contact all that often. since its all hydraulic below 8 mph, i hadnt noticed it much before (having the stereo on a lot may be part of it too) couple that with being in a very high humidity area makes me think that im not grinding my rust off as much as i should be.

aka007ii · 10-26-2005, 09:55 PM

I have also noticed that stuttering feeling just as you let off the break slowly at the end of the stop. I can get used to it.

rick57 · 10-26-2005, 10:10 PM

As you are finding out, the Prius brakes are much different then the typical hydraulic brakes on your everyday vehicles. It just takes a while to get used to it,

.

**efusco** · 10-26-2005, 10:24 PM

Ok, I'm going to approach this answer a little differently.

The braking system of the Prius is probably the most advanced on the market. It has sensors that detect the rate at which you're depressing the brake as well as how hard you're pressing it.

If you exceed the computer's 'limit' for either of those regenerative braking is disabled and you go straight to friction braking. When that happens there is a clear 'grab'...this is intended to help you stop in an emergency, but is a little aggressive and can occur with fairly quick braking...esp. if you tend to 'jab' at the brake pedal rather than slowly press.

Also, this makes me suspicious that you've been a 'bad boy' and are voilating some of the basic tenents of Prius hypermileage. That is, following too close and not anticipating stops. I think, with time, you'll get used to the amount of brake force that will trigger the 'grab', just as you'll figure out how fast you can accelerate before the TRAC kicks in with your Integrity tires.

**Tideland Prius** · 10-26-2005, 10:30 PM

Well I've been told the 'grab' is less noticeable on the new ones compared to the Classic right?

Also, yeah my rotors aren't exactly the shiniest rotors in the world. I tried scrubbing it with the brush when I clean the wheels but that doesn't seem to help.

**efusco** · 10-27-2005, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tideland Prius@Oct 26 2005, 08:30 PM
Well I've been told the 'grab' is less noticeable on the new ones compared to the Classic right?
Also, yeah my rotors aren't exactly the shiniest rotors in the world. I tried scrubbing it with the brush when I clean the wheels but that doesn't seem to help.

[snapback]146074[/snapback]

As I understand it that isn't so much of the type of 'grab' I'm imagining the OP is trying to describe. I thought the classic was more of an uneven braking with a noticable transition from regen to friction...much more so than on the '04.

Frank Hudon · 10-27-2005, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tideland Prius@Oct 26 2005, 06:30 PM
Well I've been told the 'grab' is less noticeable on the new ones compared to the Classic right?
Also, yeah my rotors aren't exactly the shiniest rotors in the world. I tried scrubbing it with the brush when I clean the wheels but that doesn't seem to help.

[snapback]146074[/snapback]

I actually find the "grab" point in the 2k4 more noticable that in the Classic. Both do it but the G2 seems more abrupt. I've had panic stops in both and that was the sensation I got. Also on the G2 when you get slow and go on to friction brakes I find that when MG1 drops out it's more noticable as MG1 is more powerful on the G2. My thoughts for what their worth.

djfrugal · 10-27-2005, 01:31 AM

I have the same problem. A grabbing stutter (almost like an anitlock release grab pattern - but when i am slowing down slowly) that seems like it is coming from the left front side. It doesn't seem to safe. Sometimes it is very pronounced. I am going to take it in soon to see if I can get it fixed.

Let me know if you guys feel the same thing.

10-26-2005, 09:45 PM	#3
DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Puget Sound, WA Posts: 12,378 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 24 Thanked 121 Times in 103 Posts Friends: 10	actually Jonathan you may have hit on something that i noticed for the first time today. i was sitting in line at Jack in the Box and when rolling forward and never getting up to speed, when i hit the brakes i could hear them grinding. began to realize that my actual use of the hydraulic brakes are so infrequent (a lot of anticipation) that the pads make not be making contact all that often. since its all hydraulic below 8 mph, i hadnt noticed it much before (having the stereo on a lot may be part of it too) couple that with being in a very high humidity area makes me think that im not grinding my rust off as much as i should be. __________________ My Blue 2010 : Last tank 541.9 @ 49.48 pump (56.7 MFD) 5.54 CPM, 21 MPH, Lifetime:5442.2 miles 56.5 MPG pump. (62.22 MFD) 4.72 CPM. Summer MPG 57.4 Winter: 49.5 My 2006 SPM: Last tank 376.6 miles @38.21 pump (40.8 MFD) 7.17 cpm winter mpg 49.64 summer mpg 53.41 lifetime: 42,563.5 miles 51.5 mpg pump (52.7 mpg MFD) 5.51 cpm My 2007 Zenn total "fuel cost" $166.58 on "about" 9599.7 miles. 1.74 cents per mile (granted i plug in for free at work!!) My Plate: DUALPWR (Dual Power)

10-26-2005, 10:24 PM	#6
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 17,231 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 49 Thanked 249 Times in 148 Posts Friends: 37	Ok, I'm going to approach this answer a little differently. The braking system of the Prius is probably the most advanced on the market. It has sensors that detect the rate at which you're depressing the brake as well as how hard you're pressing it. If you exceed the computer's 'limit' for either of those regenerative braking is disabled and you go straight to friction braking. When that happens there is a clear 'grab'...this is intended to help you stop in an emergency, but is a little aggressive and can occur with fairly quick braking...esp. if you tend to 'jab' at the brake pedal rather than slowly press. Also, this makes me suspicious that you've been a 'bad boy' and are voilating some of the basic tenents of Prius hypermileage. That is, following too close and not anticipating stops. I think, with time, you'll get used to the amount of brake force that will trigger the 'grab', just as you'll figure out how fast you can accelerate before the TRAC kicks in with your Integrity tires. __________________ Evan E. Fusco, MD "It's a damn poor mind that can only think of one way to spell a word." -Andrew Jackson

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10-26-2005, 05:42 PM	#1
Jumpman Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 4 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Well, after looking at buying a Corolla for a few weeks, we test drove a Prius and absolutely fell in love with it! Long story sort, we told the salesman that we really preferred a Prius to the Corolla in nearly every aspect but didn't want to wait 8 weeks for one. He said that he had just gotten one and that the people that had their name on it backed out. So, two days later we drove off the lot with it!! NO REGRETS!! Just have one question for those of you "in the know". When coming to a stop, many times the brakes feel like they are grabbing or stuttering. If I let off the brake a bit and really milk it to a stop it is smoother. Thanks!

10-26-2005, 05:51 PM	#2
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,616 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 228 Thanked 344 Times in 243 Posts Friends: 23	Yeah, it's a bit hard to modulate that final feet with the brakes as the it comes off regen mode and activate the hydraulic brakes. You'll learn to soften the impact over time I suppose. Also, depending how you drive, your brakes won't ever have the time to heat up or "clean" the disc/drums so the stops might be jerky.

10-26-2005, 09:55 PM	#4
aka007ii Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Santa Clarita, CA Posts: 482 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I have also noticed that stuttering feeling just as you let off the break slowly at the end of the stop. I can get used to it.

10-26-2005, 10:10 PM	#5
rick57 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Circleville, Ohio Posts: 565 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	As you are finding out, the Prius brakes are much different then the typical hydraulic brakes on your everyday vehicles. It just takes a while to get used to it, .

10-26-2005, 10:30 PM	#7
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,616 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 228 Thanked 344 Times in 243 Posts Friends: 23	Well I've been told the 'grab' is less noticeable on the new ones compared to the Classic right? Also, yeah my rotors aren't exactly the shiniest rotors in the world. I tried scrubbing it with the brush when I clean the wheels but that doesn't seem to help.

10-27-2005, 01:31 AM	#10
djfrugal Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Glendora, CA Posts: 26 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I have the same problem. A grabbing stutter (almost like an anitlock release grab pattern - but when i am slowing down slowly) that seems like it is coming from the left front side. It doesn't seem to safe. Sometimes it is very pronounced. I am going to take it in soon to see if I can get it fixed. Let me know if you guys feel the same thing.