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Going into Reverse by itself...

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Dan05979, May 27, 2015.

  1. Dan05979

    Dan05979 Member

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    This has happened 4 times already....I go from N to D and the Transmission goes into Reverse by itself????!!! Anyone experience this?
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Why do you go into Neutral?
     
  3. Dan05979

    Dan05979 Member

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    Sometimes at a light, or in traffic I shift it into N on a level grade so i don't have to keep my foot on the brake.
     
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    oh I do the same, but I press the park button.

    I'm not sure why your car would go into reverse, has your car ever been in an accident?
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    check your 12 volt health.
     
  6. Dan05979

    Dan05979 Member

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    How do I do that?
    No accidents. I'll keep my eye on it, maybe it's me shifting from N to D too fast?
     
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Do you do this shift frequently? Just guessing you've worn something out. Sitting at a stop in Neutral, no foot on the brake, doesn't seem the best idea, no offense.
     
  8. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    Doesn't the ICE stay on neutral? I thought it does. I shift to P at long lights or drive thrus.
     
  9. DoubleDAZ

    DoubleDAZ Senior Member

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    I know of no reason to use Neutral instead of Park at lights, long or short, if the goal is simply to be able to take your foot off the brake. In fact, Park is actually safer because if someone should hit you from behind, Park will minimize the distance your car will move forward. If you use Neutral and someone hits you, it's a free-for-all and you'll be pushed into the car in front of you or, worse yet, into the intersection.
     
  10. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Well, if you are in Park and someone hits you hard enough to move the car very far the Park locking mechanism could be destroyed.

    I don't recommend using Neutral except for special circumstances (pushing the vehicle in a shop for example, or at some car washes). When in Neutral the battery can't charge.
    I use the foot brake with the car in "D". Once the brake pedal is pressed hard enough to trip the switch (brake lights) the car will shut off "simulated automatic creep". This will result in the most efficient mode to sit at a light.
    If this is too tiring for you I guess I can't help. ;)
     
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    put a digital volt meter on the jump point under the hood.
     
  12. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Don't use neutral except as noted for special circumstances. If it "really is shifting into reverse" as you say, I would start by looking at the electronic shifter first.
     
  13. bingee3

    bingee3 Active Member

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    Neutral is great at an automatic car wash ,,,, but at a red light ?? Makes no sence to put in .N.
    Or Park , keep it in D use the foot brake ,,
     
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  14. Dan05979

    Dan05979 Member

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    I used to be a trucker with an 18 speed stick, N was my "park" at a light with the trailer brake applied so I can rest my foot. I also got spoiled with my 5 series as it has "auto brake hold" which I think is one of the best features on that car.
     
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  15. Maarten28

    Maarten28 Active Member

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    A reason to use N at traffic lights and not park is that you don't have to press the brake pedal to shift into D so it's quicker. A reason not to sit in D at traffic lights is so not to bother the guy behind you with your super bright brake lights. Ok, I know in America it is the norm to have an automatic gearbox so everyone does it, but IMHO it is annoying.
     
  16. Dan05979

    Dan05979 Member

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    Exactly, just a driving habit I have.
     
  17. DoubleDAZ

    DoubleDAZ Senior Member

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    Different strokes, but habits can be changed. :)
     
  18. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    With your foot-off-brake and neutral method, you must have to watch carefully to be certain the car isn't rolling, as well as shifting into N, then back to D. I don't understand how that routine is any easier than resting your foot on the brake for the duration of a red light. You don't have to press hard.
     
  19. macman408

    macman408 Electron Guidance Counselor

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    While I agree with what's said so far about just using your brakes as they were intended...

    ...back to your actual issue - when you pull the shifter down to the D position, are you letting it spring back naturally, or do you hold on to the shifter while it returns to the center position? Especially if you let it snap back as one might when shifting in a hurry as the light turns green, it's possible that the momentum from moving upwards from D carries it through the N region and into R, then back into N and over to the central position. The end result would be the car thinking you had shifted to D very briefly, then to R. If you are more deliberate with your handling of the shift knob, it might help.
     
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  20. Dan05979

    Dan05979 Member

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    i think I was letting it spring back and it probably it would accidentally go into reverse.