2010 Prius Driving Impressions DISCUSSION Thread

[Paradox]

Originally Posted by William B. Kayen

Did anyone make note of the brand of tires on the 15 inch wheel models?

And does anyone have quick access to what the 3 tire choices are that may arrive with the 17" rims? Really interesting in which has the lowest rolling resistance of the 3 for the 17's... Were they Michelins, Goodyears and BF Goodrich's? If so what models? Thanks in advance.

[Tideland Prius]

Bridgestone Ecopia EP20 was one of them. Yokohama Avids were another. I don't remember the specific model number for the Avids.

The 17s had Michelin Pilot HX MVM4 (found on the Acura TSX) or Bridgestone Turanza EL400 (found on the 09 Corolla w/ 16" alloys). In fact those going with the 17" alloys can probably sub in a Corolla wheel for winter tyres (either the 205/55R16 or the base CE model's 195/65R15 which is the same as the Prius)

[William B. Kayen]

Were those tires on preproduction models or on regular production models?

[Paradox]

Originally Posted by Tideland Prius

The 17s had Michelin Pilot HX MVM4 (found on the Acura TSX) or Bridgestone Turanza EL400 (found on the 09 Corolla w/ 16" alloys). In fact those going with the 17" alloys can probably sub in a Corolla wheel for winter tyres (either the 205/55R16 or the base CE model's 195/65R15 which is the same as the Prius)

I'm going to go and look up the Bridgestones right now then... I had Michelin MXM4's on my old 03' Acura TL Type S and I must say I really did not like them. They rode ok, nothing special, but wow they wore the tread down F A S T. I replaced them with Falkens, for half the price mind you, and they rode twice as good, were not as loud and didn't wear down as fast. And heck, even if they had they were half the freaking price! lol I wish Falken tires would get picked up more often, especially since I 'think' they are made in Japan...

[Tideland Prius]

Originally Posted by Paradox

I'm going to go and look up the Bridgestones right now then... I had Michelin MXM4's on my old 03' Acura TL Type S and I must say I really did not like them. They rode ok, nothing special, but wow they wore the tread down F A S T. I replaced them with Falkens, for half the price mind you, and they rode twice as good, were not as loud and didn't wear down as fast. And heck, even if they had they were half the freaking price! lol I wish Falken tires would get picked up more often, especially since I 'think' they are made in Japan...

Yep. My friend's TSX tyres wore down fast. I told him to get WRs.

Originally Posted by William B. Kayen

Were those tires on preproduction models or on regular production models?

Both. There are 3 tyre brands/models that Toyota can choose from. I'm going to move the discussion to the other thread as this thread is only for reviews.

[bwilson4web]

Observation: it is awkward to try and separate the discussion of a driving review from the posting thread of the reviewer. One can subscribe to a thread and read all of the comments and that would be normal for someone posting a review. But what happens if the reply is posted in another thread? What clues the reviewer that there was a comment? But this is not something to stay awake at night muttering about. <GRINS>

Trying to follow the guidelines:

Originally Posted by Dan.

. . .

Since the start and end of the MPG route were at the highest elevation, most of the run was over 100 MPG, reading 99.9 for CONS on the display. Unfortunately the last 3 miles of the course required the steep climb back to the finish line, and physics set in. The final numbers yielded:

. . .
The two didn't really separate until the last three miles on the assent back to the finish line. The final numbers for the 2009 Prius were:

. . .

This actually makes a lot of sense. The ultimate mileage limit is drag both aerodynamic and rolling. In this case, the final three miles climbing is when the cooled exhaust gas of the 2010 would come into play and improve engine efficiency. A good review but I think we really won't know the 2010 systems until we get time to instrument and run more extensive system tests.

If anyone gets a chance to ask the Chief Engineer another question:

1. When EGR is in operation, do the O2 sensors still trim the mixture or is some sort of 'open loop' control law followed?
2. In the earlier NHW20s, is mixture enrichment totally 'open loop' and if so, what triggers it (or the range?)

If mixture enrichment occurs because the O2 sensors have detected excessive heat, then bleeding in cooled exhaust gas at higher power settings might delay this triggering event and allow the current and earlier Prius to improve their high-power, fuel efficiency. But if it is 'open loop', it would be similar to a pilot pushing in the mixture when going to full-throttle. At this point, other control laws are in effect and adding exhaust gas to the intake would simple result in in a richer mixture.

This also suggests a 'rich mixture' alert or alarm would be very useful for those doing cross country travel, especially in hilly areas. Knowing the engine has just gone into enriched mode would allow backing off just enough accelerator to get back into more efficient power bands. So instead of using a rule of thumb like, "55 mph to climb a hill" a driver could just "back-off from the red light."

Thanks,
Bob Wilson

[orenf]

Great write-up. Question - Do you know whether the Gen 3 can glide at higher speeds than the Gen 2?

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by William B. Kayen

Were those tires on preproduction models or on regular production models?

Preproduction; I asked about this at PCD and was told that tires used on production models may vary.

[William B. Kayen]

Originally Posted by Patrick Wong

Preproduction; I asked about this at PCD and was told that tires used on production models may vary.

Thanks for the info.

[nameless dude]

I'm just interested to see how this Prius compares to a Corolla in terms of performance and driveability. Thanks.