Handling during a sudden stop

PriusRos · 06-26-2006, 05:32 PM

I've had my Prius for about 10 days now and have been really happy with it except I was a little put off by the handling.

The other day, I had to brake fairly suddenly -- it wasn't that sudden because I never follow anybody closely, but I was probably going around 55 mph and realized that traffic ahead of me had slowed down a lot. I don't remember the road being wet or anything. When I braked, I felt the car swerve and I had to grab the wheel hard to regain control.

Is this a common problem with the Prius? I don't have VSC. My previous car was a 1996 Infiniti and I felt it handled much better. Is there something I should be doing differently (apart from not braking so hard)?

mkaliski · 06-26-2006, 05:49 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusRos @ Jun 26 2006, 05:32 PM) [snapback]276997[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I've had my Prius for about 10 days now and have been really happy with it except I was a little put off by the handling.

The other day, I had to brake fairly suddenly -- it wasn't that sudden because I never follow anybody closely, but I was probably going around 55 mph and realized that traffic ahead of me had slowed down a lot. I don't remember the road being wet or anything. When I braked, I felt the car swerve and I had to grab the wheel hard to regain control.

Is this a common problem with the Prius? I don't have VSC. My previous car was a 1996 Infiniti and I felt it handled much better. Is there something I should be doing differently (apart from not braking so hard)?
[/b]

ScottY · 06-26-2006, 05:50 PM

I am not sure if this is your case. When my front right tire was low on pressure, the car turns right when I brake. After I make both front tire the same pressure, it never happen again.

mkaliski · 06-26-2006, 05:52 PM

I have a 2005 Prius with VSC and also had to stop quickly on the freeway. The rear of the vehicle suddenly swerved almost in to the other lane. It appeared as if the brakes locked. Conditions were dry and temperature was warm. I assumed that ABS should have prevented this but I guess not. No real answers to the handling issue.

CrazyRussian · 06-26-2006, 06:02 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mkaliski @ Jun 26 2006, 02:52 PM) [snapback]277003[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I have a 2005 Prius with VSC and also had to stop quickly on the freeway. The rear of the vehicle suddenly swerved almost in to the other lane. It appeared as if the brakes locked. Conditions were dry and temperature was warm. I assumed that ABS should have prevented this but I guess not. No real answers to the handling issue.
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What was others' experience??? Mkaliski, what was the tire pressure at the time? This is kind of bothersome taking in account that the car has VSC and ABS....

brandon · 06-26-2006, 08:07 PM

No problems here. The various safety features did their job (2005 Prius w/ VSC). Most memorable experience was when the traffic came to a sudden stop on the downhill of a highway. No swerving as you describe, although I could "feel" the car making some adjustments I was not, but then again, that's what those stability features are designed to do.

I should add that some (perhaps most) drivers instinctively jerk the wheel when something suddenly happens in front of them, which consequently can cause a swerve and/or loss of control. Are you sure this is not the case in your situation?

PriusRos · 06-26-2006, 08:58 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brandon @ Jun 26 2006, 08:07 PM) [snapback]277079[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I should add that some (perhaps most) drivers instinctively jerk the wheel when something suddenly happens in front of them, which consequently can cause a swerve and/or loss of control. Are you sure this is not the case in your situation?
[/b]

No, I am pretty sure I don't do that. As I said, I did not experience this swerve with my previous car. The other thing was, I wasn't swerving to avoid something -- just trying to stop quickly because the traffic in front of me had slowed down.

ceric · 06-26-2006, 09:01 PM

If the tire pressure is normal, I would check the brake pads next. Even though, nowaday, pads are simply "floating" on rotors, sometimes, left/right sides simply grab the rotors differently. When braking hard, the vehicle may pull to one side.

In addition, Prius is a front-heavy (59/41% front/rear) vehicle (like most front drive) with tall stand (higher than most sedans/coupes). When braking hard, the rear end would be lifted due to weight shifting forward. The rear tires would lost traction a little. Therefore, it may be more likely to fish-tail. Just my assessment.

mssmith95 · 06-26-2006, 09:04 PM

No problem here either. Just had to make a sudden stop the other day...everything went fine. I agree, a lot of driver's instinctivly jerk the wheel trying to avoid what is in front of them. It happens so fast that it is not a conscious reaction, so one would not remember doing it. Most of us are also used to pumping the brakes which is a hard habit to break with the new ABS systems.

However, sounds like you did not crash, so I guess things worked as planned as far as that.

PriusRos · 06-26-2006, 09:19 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mssmith95 @ Jun 26 2006, 09:04 PM) [snapback]277103[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

No problem here either. Just had to make a sudden stop the other day...everything went fine. I agree, a lot of driver's instinctivly jerk the wheel trying to avoid what is in front of them. It happens so fast that it is not a conscious reaction, so one would not remember doing it. Most of us are also used to pumping the brakes which is a hard habit to break with the new ABS systems.

However, sounds like you did not crash, so I guess things worked as planned as far as that.
[/b]

I had ABS in my last car so I'm used to braking with ABS. And yes, you're right. I didn't crash of course. But the jerk to the side did bother me.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ceric @ Jun 26 2006, 09:01 PM) [snapback]277098[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

If the tire pressure is normal, I would check the brake pads next. Even though, nowaday, pads are simply "floating" on rotors, sometimes, left/right sides simply grab the rotors differently. When braking hard, the vehicle may pull to one side.

In addition, Prius is a front-heavy (59/41% front/rear) vehicle (like most front drive) with tall stand (higher than most sedans/coupes). When braking hard, the rear end would be lifted due to weight shifting forward. The rear tires would lost traction a little. Therefore, it may be more likely to fish-tail. Just my assessment.
[/b]

Car is brand new and has only been driven 500 miles. I would expect the tires and brake pads to be up to spec.

Thanks for the input and suggestions, everyone. I'm a little disturbed that a couple of others seem to have experienced something similar, so it could be the car and not just me. I just hope that I can get used to the handling.

06-26-2006, 05:32 PM	#1
PriusRos Not-THAT-Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Rockville, MD Posts: 535 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I've had my Prius for about 10 days now and have been really happy with it except I was a little put off by the handling. The other day, I had to brake fairly suddenly -- it wasn't that sudden because I never follow anybody closely, but I was probably going around 55 mph and realized that traffic ahead of me had slowed down a lot. I don't remember the road being wet or anything. When I braked, I felt the car swerve and I had to grab the wheel hard to regain control. Is this a common problem with the Prius? I don't have VSC. My previous car was a 1996 Infiniti and I felt it handled much better. Is there something I should be doing differently (apart from not braking so hard)? __________________ 2006 Classic Silver Metallic with Grey fabric interior Took delivery 6/14/2006 Additions: Carpeted floor mats and chrome license plate frame

06-26-2006, 08:07 PM	#6
brandon Proud member of the "Lunatic Fringe" Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Manhattan, KS Posts: 769 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	No problems here. The various safety features did their job (2005 Prius w/ VSC). Most memorable experience was when the traffic came to a sudden stop on the downhill of a highway. No swerving as you describe, although I could "feel" the car making some adjustments I was not, but then again, that's what those stability features are designed to do. I should add that some (perhaps most) drivers instinctively jerk the wheel when something suddenly happens in front of them, which consequently can cause a swerve and/or loss of control. Are you sure this is not the case in your situation? __________________ Brandon 2005 Driftwood Pearl Prius, BC (Package #6), Delivered 10/21/2004

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06-26-2006, 05:50 PM	#3
ScottY Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,245 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I am not sure if this is your case. When my front right tire was low on pressure, the car turns right when I brake. After I make both front tire the same pressure, it never happen again.

06-26-2006, 05:52 PM	#4
mkaliski Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 24 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I have a 2005 Prius with VSC and also had to stop quickly on the freeway. The rear of the vehicle suddenly swerved almost in to the other lane. It appeared as if the brakes locked. Conditions were dry and temperature was warm. I assumed that ABS should have prevented this but I guess not. No real answers to the handling issue.

06-26-2006, 09:01 PM	#8
ceric Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 806 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	If the tire pressure is normal, I would check the brake pads next. Even though, nowaday, pads are simply "floating" on rotors, sometimes, left/right sides simply grab the rotors differently. When braking hard, the vehicle may pull to one side. In addition, Prius is a front-heavy (59/41% front/rear) vehicle (like most front drive) with tall stand (higher than most sedans/coupes). When braking hard, the rear end would be lifted due to weight shifting forward. The rear tires would lost traction a little. Therefore, it may be more likely to fish-tail. Just my assessment.

06-26-2006, 09:04 PM	#9
mssmith95 "I think my Dad's gone CRAZY!" Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 533 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	No problem here either. Just had to make a sudden stop the other day...everything went fine. I agree, a lot of driver's instinctivly jerk the wheel trying to avoid what is in front of them. It happens so fast that it is not a conscious reaction, so one would not remember doing it. Most of us are also used to pumping the brakes which is a hard habit to break with the new ABS systems. However, sounds like you did not crash, so I guess things worked as planned as far as that.