Land shark site for systemic problems?

bwilson4web · 04-04-2008, 03:37 PM

Hi,

I'm not sure if there is any 'right' forum for this but I recently came across a web site by "Consumer Affairs," a bunch of lawyers looking for someone to sue. They published a web report of all the Prius complaints titled "Should You Buy a Second-Hand Prius?"

Now I take all of these complaints with a big grain of salt but it does represent a group of owners who think they had a problem caused by the car itself. I plan to go through the complaints and see if there are any statistical trends but one thing is fairly consistent . . . complaints about handling on snow and ice.

I live in North Alabama and drive the earlier NHW11 so I don't have any direct experience. My question is there some aspects of snow and ICE handling that needs to be shared with new owners?

I maintain a Prius FAQ over at GreenHybrid and want to keep it current so any suggestions here about snow and ice handling would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Bob Wilson

jayman · 04-04-2008, 08:07 PM

Hi Bob

I think I've done more than my fair share of pissing and moaning about my Prius driving in winter - on "all season" tires. Equipped with very aggressive studded snow tires, it's great until it actually bogs down

Once my Prius bogs down in deeper snow, it's impossible to "rock" it out. Not to say another car wouldn't have issues in snow that deep, but in the past I have always been able to gently "rock" out a stuck car.

I recently test drove a 2008 Prius, and its behavior on snow/ice was very different than my 2004. Not sure if it will "rock" if stuck, I figured the dealership wouldn't appreciate me trying to bury their new car headfirst into a snowbank

But on snow/ice, the Trac behavior was completely different than my 2004. With my 2004, once the Trac engages it will cut power, wait 2-3 secs, then try to apply limited power. I have *never* had wheelspin in my Prius, can't even chirp a tire

With the 2008, it appeared to regulate torque at least 2-3 times a second. In a lot of wintery situations, combined with snow tires, the 2008 I test drove would be an ideal winter car

Comparing either Prius to my FJ, there is also a difference in Trac behavior. The FJ will apply the brake to the spinning rear wheel, then regulate engine output. It does this very quickly, the brakes are pulsed 10-15 times a second

It's clear to me that Toyota learned a lot from the Prius, in terms of hardware and software. My FJ is an obvious example of this. If it were possible to cheaply upgrade my Prius Trac, I would.

More than likely, the cost of new processors and software it would be easier and cheaper to just sell it and get a new Prius. I have thought of privately selling my Prius

I did check out that link, seems to be lawyers looking for an agenda

jay

04-04-2008, 03:37 PM	#1
bwilson4web 03 and 10 Prius Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Huntsville AL with 2003 Prius Posts: 5,085 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: #1 Thanks: 341 Thanked 738 Times in 429 Posts Friends: 23	Land shark site for systemic problems? Hi, I'm not sure if there is any 'right' forum for this but I recently came across a web site by "Consumer Affairs," a bunch of lawyers looking for someone to sue. They published a web report of all the Prius complaints titled "Should You Buy a Second-Hand Prius?" Now I take all of these complaints with a big grain of salt but it does represent a group of owners who think they had a problem caused by the car itself. I plan to go through the complaints and see if there are any statistical trends but one thing is fairly consistent . . . complaints about handling on snow and ice. I live in North Alabama and drive the earlier NHW11 so I don't have any direct experience. My question is there some aspects of snow and ICE handling that needs to be shared with new owners? I maintain a Prius FAQ over at GreenHybrid and want to keep it current so any suggestions here about snow and ice handling would be appreciated. Thanks, Bob Wilson

04-04-2008, 08:07 PM	#2
jayman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Winnipeg Manitoba Posts: 12,175 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: B Thanks: 84 Thanked 272 Times in 238 Posts Friends: 14	Re: Land shark site for systemic problems? Hi Bob I think I've done more than my fair share of pissing and moaning about my Prius driving in winter - on "all season" tires. Equipped with very aggressive studded snow tires, it's great until it actually bogs down Once my Prius bogs down in deeper snow, it's impossible to "rock" it out. Not to say another car wouldn't have issues in snow that deep, but in the past I have always been able to gently "rock" out a stuck car. I recently test drove a 2008 Prius, and its behavior on snow/ice was very different than my 2004. Not sure if it will "rock" if stuck, I figured the dealership wouldn't appreciate me trying to bury their new car headfirst into a snowbank But on snow/ice, the Trac behavior was completely different than my 2004. With my 2004, once the Trac engages it will cut power, wait 2-3 secs, then try to apply limited power. I have never had wheelspin in my Prius, can't even chirp a tire With the 2008, it appeared to regulate torque at least 2-3 times a second. In a lot of wintery situations, combined with snow tires, the 2008 I test drove would be an ideal winter car Comparing either Prius to my FJ, there is also a difference in Trac behavior. The FJ will apply the brake to the spinning rear wheel, then regulate engine output. It does this very quickly, the brakes are pulsed 10-15 times a second It's clear to me that Toyota learned a lot from the Prius, in terms of hardware and software. My FJ is an obvious example of this. If it were possible to cheaply upgrade my Prius Trac, I would. More than likely, the cost of new processors and software it would be easier and cheaper to just sell it and get a new Prius. I have thought of privately selling my Prius I did check out that link, seems to be lawyers looking for an agenda jay __________________ 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser 5AT "C", Sun Fusion