Inspect very carfully before purchasing!

[Toy08]

My new 2008 Prius leans to the left (car empty). The drivers side is visibly 3/8-1/2" lower then the passenger side. See attached picture. I took the car to my local Toyota dealer for warranty repair. They said that they could see that that car leans, but Toyota says that 1/2" is expectable. When I called Toyota customer satisfaction, they said they were not going to do anything, and that was their final word. I have also noticed several other 08 Prius's leaning to the driver’s side during my travels. Has anyone else noticed this?

EDIT: See post #41

"Inspect very carefully before purchasing!"

[sorka]

Originally Posted by Toy08

My 2008 Prius leans to the left (car empty). The drivers side is visibly 3/8-1/2" lower then the passenger side. See attached Document for picture. I took the car to my local Toyota dealer for warranty repair. They said that they could see that that car leans, but Toyota says that 1/2" is expectable. When I called Toyota customer satisfaction, they said they were not going to do anything, and that was their final word. I have also noticed several other 08 Prius's leaning to the driver’s side during my travels. Has anyone else noticed this?

Not acceptable on any car, but especially the Prius as any asymetric geomtry issues will most certainly lower MPGs.

[KK6PD]

Originally Posted by Toy08

My 2008 Prius leans to the left (car empty). The drivers side is visibly 3/8-1/2" lower then the passenger side. See attached Document for picture. I took the car to my local Toyota dealer for warranty repair. They said that they could see that that car leans, but Toyota says that 1/2" is expectable. When I called Toyota customer satisfaction, they said they were not going to do anything, and that was their final word. I have also noticed several other 08 Prius's leaning to the driver’s side during my travels. Has anyone else noticed this?

You know when I first read this post I had to laugh, then your picture finished downloading and I went, Yep it looks down on the left side. I will assume you shot photo with camera true to the driveway.

As I was writing the above I happened to look out at the backside of my Prius, in my front yard and sure as hell, its looking down on the left,

Pause,

I'm back, tape measure in hand and YEP I am 1/2 inch down on the left side! My tires are equal pressure left to right, It drives true, no drift left or right, but yeah she's a droopin! There is 1/2 inch more clearance in the passenger side tire wells, and from the skirts to the driveway its off by 1/2 left to right, but the same 1/2 front to back!
Could be weight distribution of Hybrid unit and ICE up front ...the battery spans the width of the car, and it seems centered, I don't know, put my wife in the passenger seat to even it out!!!
Gotta look at the suspension build, maybe a simple shim fix will take care of it. Maybe its already got an adjustment..

GREAT POST!!!

Anybody else reading this thread, go find a tape measure and check your Prius and see if it sits even!!

This could be a really interesting thread!!

73 de Pat KK6PD

[Toy08]

Yes, the picture was taken as level as possible. I have attached more pictures showing the measurements I took on the drivers & passengers side of the car. You can clearly see the difference. Although you can't see the other end of the tape measure, rest assured that it is all the way down to the very level cement driveway. I have seem allot more Prius's with the same issue. Now even my wife points them out to me. I don’t know why allot more people haven’t complained already.

What year is your Prius?

[McDonald]

Wow, I will measure mine tomorrow!

[Patrick Wong]

Yes, I noticed this on my 2001 as well. My 2004 is not noticeably off. My guess is that this happens because the coil springs are not matched very well...

[Huntceet]

Wow! Now think about this. Sit in the driver seat and have sombody measure the difference. I bet it's going to be even more off. Toyota better think about installing an automatic leveling system. We can't be driving around with our cars all cockeyed like this.

Rod

[KK6PD]

Originally Posted by Toy08

Yes, the picture was taken as level as possible. .

What year is your Prius?

I thought so, mine is a 2008.Seems like a few more folks in with a leaning Prius!!!

Lets hear from more of you Prii owners!!

73 de Pat KK6PD

[penbed]

Come on now,I notice most of these "left leaning" post are from California.
Of course they lean left!
Seriously,when I go out to measure mine where exactly do I measure?
Seems we need a standard spot to get a true read.
Oh,at this point this has my vote for post of the month .

[McDonald]

Why isn't the button to nominate for post of the month there?

Nevermind, found the answer.

Originally Posted by Danny

There are some bugs in the Topic of the Month system, so I have disabled it for now. I'll let everyone know when it's back up and running.

Bugs? Oh yeah, he meant bribery!