WIND!

[adamsbj]

It has been very windy in the New Mexico recently - today it was a steady 30 mph with gusts to 45. My girlfriend commutes 70 miles one way to Santa Fe from ABQ everyday to work at the capital. She has been complaining how bad the new Prius is in the wind, almost uncontrollable over the interstate in the high winds. We have thought about putting cinder blocks or something in the truck to weigh it down to see if that would help...haven't tried anything yet. Has anyone else experienced this? Any comments?!?!

It is almost enough to want ot trade it in on a heavier car (Jetta Diesel perhaps)?!?!?!?

Besides that it is great. We have only had it for about two weeks (already has 1,500 miles on it) and bought it for the gas mileage. She has averaged 46.6 MPG during the commute thus far - not as high as expected but still enough for three round trips.

[Bill Merchant]

Hi ABQ, welcome to PriusChat. There's lots of discussion on Prius handling in windy conditions, and potential cures, if you use the Search feature. Improvements to handling can be found through correct tire inflation (many here use 42 front/40 rear), alignment (you get a free one if you ask for it, get a .02-.05 toe in), and an accessory called the BT Tech Plate, which is available through the PriusChat Accessory Shop.

Many members feel, including me, that the OEM Goodyear Assurance Integrity tires are crap. In NM, if you don't have to contend with rain or snow, they may be acceptable, but they aren't very grippy. Again, a search will turn up many tire threads. Many Prius seem to come from the dealer the same way they came off the boat, out of alignment from shipping. If the tires meet your needs and you get an alignment and still have problems, many members, including me, think the BT Tech plate vastly improves handling. Again there are many threads, but very few of the naysayers have actually driven a Prius with a plate installed.

Your milage is not bad for starting out. The car has about a 6000 mile break in period, after which milage usually improves, but this may be due to a driver break in period as you learn to drive this new car. Lots of good reading here. Check out New owner? Want MPG help? Read this first., great info from one of our own.

Congratulations on a great car!

[Syclone]

<div align="center">Get the BT Plate!</div>

[Prius Pete]

I adjusted the chin spoilers as described by Jayman in post 68 of this thread:

Highway handling thread

Before that, I found the handling squirrelly at high speeds, particularly into a headwind. Changing to better tires (Goodyear TripleTreds) also helped in my case. Now it's fine.

[jiepsie]

Although the European 06 handles better in windy conditions than the 05 (our 06 is like a Touring edition I think), it could be better. I have new wheels now, with a different offset. Makes a world of difference, the car feels much more sure footed now. I'm not sure about the BT stiffening plate, I'd like to see tests that confirm it's not a "placebo" effect.

[Bill Merchant]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lowlander @ Apr 7 2007, 01:44 AM) [snapback]419300[/snapback]</div>

Although the European 06 handles better in windy conditions than the 05 (our 06 is like a Touring edition I think), it could be better. I have new wheels now, with a different offset. Makes a world of difference, the car feels much more sure footed now. I'm not sure about the BT stiffening plate, I'd like to see tests that confirm it's not a "placebo" effect.[/b]

Let's not go down that rat hole on this thread too.

[jiepsie]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Apr 7 2007, 11:07 AM) [snapback]419304[/snapback]</div>

Let's not go down that rat hole on this thread too.
[/b]

Oops. Guess it's a windy, winding road

[jamarimutt]

I suspect that the placebo effect applies to the plate, tires, and certainly to synthetic oil.

[jiepsie]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jamarimutt @ Apr 7 2007, 12:57 PM) [snapback]419321[/snapback]</div>

I suspect that the placebo effect applies to the plate, tires, and certainly to synthetic oil.
[/b]

Get out of the rat hole before Bill sees you there!

[adam1991]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Apr 7 2007, 01:16 AM) [snapback]419221[/snapback]</div>

Hi ABQ, welcome to PriusChat. There's lots of discussion on Prius handling in windy conditions, and potential cures, if you use the Search feature. Improvements to handling can be found through correct tire inflation (many here use 42 front/40 rear),
[/b]

That's not the correct tire inflation. The correct tire inflation is 35 front, 33 rear for an 07.