Is the steering on the Prius bad or is it just me?

[lolabelle]

Oh, and P.S.: I keep seeing people on this forum with packages going up to #9 but according to the Toyota website, it only goes up to #6 -- what are these other packages I can't find?

[BethlehemPrius]

Beeping is easily turned off once you buy it, there is a series of steps spelled out on this site of how to do it.

The steering on my 07 standard model is fine, in fact it is incredibly smooth and easy. Some say too much of a loss of road feel even.

I would test drive a new one, am sure it was something damaged in the rental.

Happy shopping, my only issue is the seats, kinda uncomfortable on long trips but otherwise great car!

[mrohde]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lolabelle @ Jul 7 2007, 08:20 PM) [snapback]474823[/snapback]</div>

Oh, and P.S.: I keep seeing people on this forum with packages going up to #9 but according to the Toyota website, it only goes up to #6 -- what are these other packages I can't find?
[/b]

The steering will most likely be the same. Understand that the Prius uses a steer by wire system. Meaning that there is no power steering pump and steering linkage as in most cars. The rotation of the steering wheel sends a signal to an electric motor.

There is a mod here in these forums for disabling the reverse beeper. Welcome to the Prius world!

[lolabelle]

Hi Mrhode, thanks for writing back!

Could you explain a little more what you mean about "wire system" steering. I am not a "car person" per se and am completely confused. Would this wire system explain why I felt that the steering wheel kind of "locked" or hit something whenever I steered all the way to the left or right when parallel parking??

[hschuck]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mrohde @ Jul 7 2007, 05:26 PM) [snapback]474828[/snapback]</div>

The steering will most likely be the same. Understand that the Prius uses a steer by wire system. Meaning that there is no power steering pump and steering linkage as in most cars. The rotation of the steering wheel sends a signal to an electric motor.
[/b]

Not really steering by wire. Mechanical linkage all the way thru. Power steering is provided electrically not the usual hydraulic system. Agree that you should take a test drive to form a better opinion.

[Michgal007]

There is only up to package #6 in the 2007 model, but there were more packages in previous years (2006 had #9).

[JimboK]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mrohde @ Jul 7 2007, 08:26 PM) [snapback]474828[/snapback]</div>

Understand that the Prius uses a steer by wire system.[/b]

Are you sure? The shift is by-wire, but isn't the steering mechanical with an electric assist? The steering shaft recall work I last year was to a part of the mechanical linkage, parts that wouldn't seem necessary if it was a by-wire system.

[chuck_k]

Understand that the Prius uses a steer by wire system.[/b]

No, it doesn't.

True, the shifter, gas pedal, and brake pedal are all merely electronic controls that tell the computer what you want. Those are done by wire. But the steering is definitely a mechanical linkage.

It is power assist, but the assist is electrical, not hydraulic like with most cars. This only makes sense, since you want the assist to be there whether the engine is running or not--and the hydraulic assist is driven by the engine, so on a Prius a hydraulic assist would be there only part of the time and that wouldn't make sense at all.

[Tideland Prius]

The steering is NOT by-wire. it's mechanically connected. It's the power assist that's electric (you can hear the electric motor if you turn off the radio/A/C and yank the wheel to full lock).

The steering wheel feel depends on what you've driven before. Someone driving a BMW will say the Prius' steering is too light. Someone driving an Avalon will say the steering is too stiff.

[cwerdna]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lolabelle @ Jul 7 2007, 05:20 PM) [snapback]474823[/snapback]</div>

Ah yes. That's when I realized how stiff the steering was (not like my current, smooth, ultra sensitive VW Jetta) and how obnoxious the reverse beeping is.
[/b]

The steering is not stiff to me at all. It just lacks road feel and doesn't have a whole lot of feedback.

If you want heavy steering, try my 04 350Z. That requires quite a bit of effort. If you want try something that requires a massive amount of effort at a standstill, try an 1980 Chevy Chevette or a Chevy/Geo Metro. Neither have power steering.