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Anyway to increase the braking force of the Prius C

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by deckbuild, Oct 3, 2015.

  1. deckbuild

    deckbuild Junior Member

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    As per title, anyway to adjust it?
     
  2. se-riously

    se-riously Active Member

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    What do you mean by "braking force"? If you can activate anti-lock brakes, then you can't exert any more "force". If you mean you want better brake feel, then the solutions involve different brake pads, braided brake lines, etc. I personally think none of that is worth it on a Prius on the street, because all of that comes into play only after you've crossed the regen braking threshold.
     
  3. SwhitePC

    SwhitePC Active Member

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    do a project to replace the rear drums with disc brakes? =P

    you can't be pushing your prii that hard to require that much braking force? other than that you're probably better off just replacing the tires
     
  4. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    People are running Prii with stock brakes in autocross and not complaining, what exactly is the issue? Not enough brake force or pedal is hard to press? Brake fade in repeated use? If it is the force needed I think you can look into aftermarket brake pedal
     
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Which direction? :)
     
  6. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    Yes. Press harder on the pedal.
     
  7. Lucifer

    Lucifer Senior Member

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    More air in your tires will give more overall response, including braking.
    But if you have a soft pedal, see a dealer.
     
  8. deckbuild

    deckbuild Junior Member

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    Yep, the brake pedal is rather soft now, am thinking how to address this issue, don't intend to change any physical components of the brakes.
     
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    have you checked the fluid level?
     
  10. Toppcat

    Toppcat Member

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    If all others fails! I know one thing that will work for sure! Start working out! Leg press! After a while you be able to smash that brake pedal through the floor pan!


    merged


    Jk. If you have a soft pedal. there could be air trapped in the brake fluid system. Suggest having it look at by experience ABS toyota mechanic.
     
  11. ftl

    ftl Explicator

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    It's been done! Almost, anyway - a Prius c driver here mashed the brake pedal so hard in an emergency stop that it had to be replaced:
    Stuck My Foot In It - REALLY Hard | PriusChat
     
  12. iplug

    iplug Senior Member

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    It's a bit much, but this might work:
    [​IMG]
     
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  13. DKTVAV

    DKTVAV Active Member

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    In case, it's still not enough there's this:

    campwallpaper6.jpg


    J/K.

    I think you need to go to a reliable repair shop. Braking is the most important thing in driving.
     
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  14. Mr Incredible

    Mr Incredible Chance favors the prepared mind.

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    Yeah, that was me. Someone pulled out in front of me and it was an emergency stop situation. I mashed the brake so hard that it bent the bracket that holds it to the car. The brake lights wouldn't go off is how I discovered it. Fixed under warranty.

    For a stock car, and without expensive modifications, I would recommend you simply put on stickier tires. They're pretty good as-is, but some circumstances warrant three feet less stopping distance!

    Also, stop driving in such a fashion as would require better brakes. Look ahead and anticipate other drivers' actions. I've been driving motorcycles for decades and have taken two MSF courses. You learn how to see what's coming and what other drivers will do before they even do. Sometimes it still isn't enough, but it helps the other 99 percent of the time.
     
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  15. dbcassidy

    dbcassidy Toyota Hybrid Nation, 8 Million Strong

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    Unless your're towing or hauling weight in the C, disc brakes don't buy you much more in braking. Besides most of the braking occurs in the front.

    DBCassidy
     
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  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Always a good ploy, good for mpg too. :)
     
  17. LDB

    LDB Member

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    As suggested, get the brake system checked by an experienced and reputable mechanic. If the system is all within specs with good fluid then check your tires. Are they worn or over/under inflated severely and/or unevenly? Then consider changing tires for something with a better contact patch and better handling/braking performance. Finally, carefully inspect the BC, the braking controller / brain cells to be sure they are keeping the go too fast follow too close lever, the foot, from causing the car to go too fast and/or follow too closely and thereby require harder braking.
     
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  18. Silver bullit

    Silver bullit Right Lane Cruiser

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    How about Fred Flintstone's method?