What happens if you push the "park" button while the prius is in drive and in motion?

rubberpill2002 · 02-03-2009, 09:33 PM

I am just curious if this will do anything or if the park button and shifter are disabled while driving.

jbumps wvu mntrs · 02-03-2009, 09:56 PM

I have no idea why, but I've always wanted to know that answer to that question too. Pointless to know... yes. Something that there would ever be the need to do... no. Inquiring minds have to know.

TheForce · 02-03-2009, 10:09 PM

Nothing happens if your above 7mph. Below 7mph and you risk damage as the parking will engage.

**TonyPSchaefer** · 02-03-2009, 10:55 PM

What Force is saying is that the Prius is entirely software driven. The software is programmed to disregard any input from the [PARK] button at speeds above 7mph since this is clearly an accident. However, as he has pointed out, if you are moving slower than 7mph, the locking cowl will engage and your Prius will come to a screeching halt.

Then your mechanic's ears will perk up and he will wait for you to roll in.

I know what you're thinking: how do they know this? In 2004, we didn't know the answer and there were a few brave souls who tested it. Seriously. I'm sure the threads are still archived somewhere around here, probably tucked in a corner with water damage.

dogfriend · 02-03-2009, 11:00 PM

Just for fun, press and hold the "Power" button for 3 seconds when you are moving down the road.

qbee42 · 02-03-2009, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogfriend

Just for fun, press and hold the "Power" button for 3 seconds when you are moving down the road.

It powers down. It's like holding the power button on a modern computer. We have tried that as well. Also shifting into reverse while in motion.

Tom

dogfriend · 02-03-2009, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qbee42

It powers down. It's like holding the power button on a modern computer. We have tried that as well. Also shifting into reverse while in motion.

Tom

Yes, but it doesn't power down completely - it goes into ACC mode. It is the only way to get the car into N and ACC as far as I can tell.

qbee42 · 02-03-2009, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogfriend

Yes, but it doesn't power down completely - it goes into ACC mode. It is the only way to get the car into N and ACC as far as I can tell.

Good point. Powering down completely would be bad. Can you imagine the tires screeching on the pavement.

Tom

dogfriend · 02-03-2009, 11:46 PM

Or something really expensive to fix snapping off inside the transaxle.

HTMLSpinnr · 02-04-2009, 12:17 AM

At 7mph, the momentum is low enough where the risk of damage is low. I've hit park by accident at 3-4mph (thought I was stopped) and lurched to a stop. No damage. It seems to engage at only a couple of places on whichever cog it's engaging, so there's bound to be some slight rotation at times before the prowl engages.

Pressing park at higher speeds would probably only result in dropping to neutral.

02-03-2009, 09:33 PM	#1
rubberpill2002 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wilmington, DE Posts: 10 My Car: 2009 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	What happens if you push the "park" button while the prius is in drive and in motion? I am just curious if this will do anything or if the park button and shifter are disabled while driving.

02-03-2009, 09:56 PM	#2
jbumps wvu mntrs PC Superfan Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Morgantown, West Virginia Posts: 41 My Car: 2010 Prius On Order Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 5 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Friends: 0	Re: What happens if you push the "park" button while the prius is in drive and in motion? I have no idea why, but I've always wanted to know that answer to that question too. Pointless to know... yes. Something that there would ever be the need to do... no. Inquiring minds have to know.

02-03-2009, 10:09 PM	#3
TheForce I Plug-In My Prius Join Date: May 2005 Location: Wheelersburg, Ohio Posts: 2,727 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 1 Thanked 156 Times in 115 Posts Friends: 22	Re: What happens if you push the "park" button while the prius is in drive and in motion? Nothing happens if your above 7mph. Below 7mph and you risk damage as the parking will engage.

02-03-2009, 10:55 PM	#4
TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 10,498 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 39 Thanked 165 Times in 106 Posts Friends: 23	Re: What happens if you push the "park" button while the prius is in drive and in motion? What Force is saying is that the Prius is entirely software driven. The software is programmed to disregard any input from the [PARK] button at speeds above 7mph since this is clearly an accident. However, as he has pointed out, if you are moving slower than 7mph, the locking cowl will engage and your Prius will come to a screeching halt. Then your mechanic's ears will perk up and he will wait for you to roll in. I know what you're thinking: how do they know this? In 2004, we didn't know the answer and there were a few brave souls who tested it. Seriously. I'm sure the threads are still archived somewhere around here, probably tucked in a corner with water damage. __________________ Proud father of Priapus: the '04 Tideland BC9 with an OEM EV button and sense of self-righteousness Current Mileage Chicago Prius Group Website Chicago Hybrid Group on FaceBook Find me on faceBook

02-03-2009, 11:00 PM	#5
dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Carmichael, CA Posts: 4,956 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 279 Thanked 175 Times in 147 Posts Friends: 11	Re: What happens if you push the "park" button while the prius is in drive and in motion? Just for fun, press and hold the "Power" button for 3 seconds when you are moving down the road.

02-03-2009, 11:46 PM	#9
dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Carmichael, CA Posts: 4,956 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 279 Thanked 175 Times in 147 Posts Friends: 11	Re: What happens if you push the "park" button while the prius is in drive and in motion? Or something really expensive to fix snapping off inside the transaxle.

02-04-2009, 12:17 AM	#10
HTMLSpinnr Gen III Forums Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Surprise, AZ (Phoenix) Posts: 4,072 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 215 Thanked 437 Times in 196 Posts Friends: 18	Re: What happens if you push the "park" button while the prius is in drive and in motion? At 7mph, the momentum is low enough where the risk of damage is low. I've hit park by accident at 3-4mph (thought I was stopped) and lurched to a stop. No damage. It seems to engage at only a couple of places on whichever cog it's engaging, so there's bound to be some slight rotation at times before the prowl engages. Pressing park at higher speeds would probably only result in dropping to neutral.

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