Prius is lower on the driver's side

[newpath]

Hi,

I've had my Prius a couple of months and noticed yesterday that the driver's side is lower by 1/4 inch - both front and back. I determined that by measuring the bottom trim to the floor on a flat surface. I took the car into the dealer and they confirmed the difference, but they're not sure if this is an issue.

Anyone else have this difference?

Thanks,
- a newbie owner

[IsrAmeriPrius]

How much do you weigh?



(Just kidding)

[Allannde]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(newpath @ Mar 12 2007, 07:37 PM) [snapback]404566[/snapback]</div>

Hi,

I've had my Prius a couple of months and noticed yesterday that the driver's side is lower by 1/4 inch - both front and back. I determined that by measuring the bottom trim to the floor on a flat surface. I took the car into the dealer and they confirmed the difference, but they're not sure if this is an issue.

Anyone else have this difference?

Thanks,
- a newbie owner
[/b]

That has come up before. Apparently Toyota concluded that this was a good idea since most roads are crowned on what would be the left side of the car and a level car is better than one which is tipped. Frankly it has never been an issue for me.

What are the implications of the fact that many cars have just the driver as an occupant? That, alone, would cause the car to be tipped a little, wouldn't it?

Edit: IsrAmeriPrius types faster!

[Beryl Octet]

Probably within specs. If it bothers you, consider that the crown of the road is typically 2 to 4 percent, so you aren't really level anyway. In fact, having the driver's side lower on the springs would offset the crown a bit.

[newpath]

Thanks everyone, for your insight - this is a great website!

Anyway, I feel better knowing this is part of Toyota's design. I only weigh 150, BTW. One thing I did learn is that Toyota service is exceptional. I went back into the garage and worked through the measuring/comparing, etc. with the technician for about an hour - extremely patient person. He actually brought in another new Prius and also put it on the alignment rack to compare (that one was off by 1/8 inch).

Thanks again, all.

[Tempus]

It's built in Stagger for your oval racing needs

[onree]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Allannde @ Mar 12 2007, 11:48 PM) [snapback]404624[/snapback]</div>

That has come up before. Apparently Toyota concluded that this was a good idea since most roads are crowned on what would be the left side of the car and a level car is better than one which is tipped. Frankly it has never been an issue for me.

What are the implications of the fact that many cars have just the driver as an occupant? That, alone, would cause the car to be tipped a little, wouldn't it?

Edit: IsrAmeriPrius types faster!
[/b]

I'm just curious about this explanation -- does this mean that on a multi-lane highway, anyone driving in the left lane would actually be MORE tipped?

[ceric]

Personally, I don't think this is "by design". Note that the hybrid system under the hood is asymmetrical (left-right) compared with traditional ICE. The weight balancing (left-right) was probably overlooked by Toyota to fit into the narrow engine bay. 1/4-1/2 inch lower on one side does not bother me at all. No other vehicle I owned had this difference, though. Don't tell me this actually helps handling. That would be interesting...

[fshagan]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ceric @ Mar 13 2007, 09:22 AM) [snapback]404899[/snapback]</div>

Personally, I don't think this is "by design". Note that the hybrid system under the hood is asymmetrical (left-right) compared with traditional ICE. The weight balancing (left-right) was probably overlooked by Toyota to fit into the narrow engine bay. 1/4-1/2 inch lower on one side does not bother me at all. No other vehicle I owned had this difference, though. Don't tell me this actually helps handling. That would be interesting...
[/b]

Its the future NASCAR design ... built to go fast, and turn left.

[newpath]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ceric @ Mar 13 2007, 12:22 PM) [snapback]404899[/snapback]</div>

Personally, I don't think this is "by design". Note that the hybrid system under the hood is asymmetrical (left-right) compared with traditional ICE. The weight balancing (left-right) was probably overlooked by Toyota to fit into the narrow engine bay. 1/4-1/2 inch lower on one side does not bother me at all. No other vehicle I owned had this difference, though. Don't tell me this actually helps handling. That would be interesting...
[/b]

The only reason I do think it is by design is that when we put the car up on the alignment rack we could measure the distance from the bottom of the rear shock to a reference point on the alignment rack - 1/4" lower on the drivers side. Measuring in that manner eliminates load variables.

Whether by design or not, just knowing my car is not the only one with a difference is enough for me.