2010 Prius Steering

I just test drove a 2010 Prius package 2. I currently drive a 06 package 3. The steering wheel turns lock to lock seem greater than my 06. This is most noticable on sharp turns and u turns. That combined with what feels like a more disconnected from the road feeling makes my 06 feel much better at cornering. The oval steering wheel does not help matters. I don't want to rain on everyone's prius parade, but I'm not impressed. Anyone else have similar feeling?

I picked up my III today and I think the steering is fine. I just sold my BMW 328i so I know what good steering is. I certainly haven't had a chance to put it through its paces, but I believe that the car is very responsive. I was not expecting a whole lot but so far I am pleasantly surprised. The driver's seat leaves something to be desired, but I think the steering is just fine.

Yes it's quite noticable and it's my only real complaint about the car. The other stuff is minor and will be fixed by the dealer.
I hope they put the 2.5 ratio steering in all the cars. It's weird to have so many turn to lock. It's like a bus.
I would pay to have the better steering installed at the dealer.

Does anyone know if in fact the steering ratio has changed between gen 2 and gen 3?

GEN 3 is supposed to have the new brushless motors in the V only. The others are supposed to get it around September along with the USB. I will be testing a V and maybe a III tomorrow. The lock to lock drops and has better programming.

I'm going to have my dealer retrofit a new steering rack and the brusless motor to my Prius when it becomes available. It will cost more but it's just too much sawing of the wheel. My wife doesn't like it so it will get changed.
I just hope they will be able to do it.

Anyone that has a gen 2 and a gen 3 (less than pkg 5) could you compare lock to lock between vehicles? It seems greater on the gen 3, but maybe it was just the effect of the oval shaped steering wheel. I felt like I was driving a bus. I will also try another test drive after recording the lock to lock turns on my 06.

I have to agree with this statement: I picked up my III today and I think the steering is fine.

On my test drive I was actually pleased with the steering and even the feel. I have no complaints as it compares favorably to other cars I have driven. And the turn radius compared to my current car is go-cart like. I look forward to the steering and better turn radius and especially look forward to being able to do u-turns without making it a "Y" turn and easily parking in tighter spots. I don't forsee steering to be anyting I'll complain about. I don't know - maybe I'm easy to please, or maybe I just like the toyota steering set-up/feel. It isn't a porsche 911, but I also don't want to be jostled around and have numb hands after a two hour drive in a Prius, even if this is acceptable in a sports car. That is not what the Prius is about.

My comparison is not between the Prius III and other non-Prius cars, it's between the Prius II and the Prius III (pks 2-4). The Prius II can do a u turn without making it a Y turn as can the Prius III. My concern is the amount of steering wheel turns that it takes a Prius III to accomplish this.

What exactly is a Y-turn? Is that a 3 point turn? I looked it up but the descriptions don't make sense and I can't get a visual. Is the Y-turn the main problem? Turning, in general, is not really the problem, correct?

Based on limited responses, seems like new Prius owners are not really bothered by this as much as someone who has spent a lot of time behind the wheel.

Yes, a Y turn is a 3-point turn.

Thank you. Now I can see where this would be more a gripe for exprienced Prius drivers, vs. new drivers.

So Rick,

Your individual tests are confirming what I felt on my test drive, more turn of the steering wheel on the gen III prius to take a right or left turn than the gen II. However the steering ratio is greater on the gen III????? This doesn't make sense.

Sorry I meant to say the ratio is lower on the gen III (17.6-1) vs the gen II (19.1-1). So the steering wheel should have to be turned less on a right or left turn.

Re: 2010 Prius Steering and wheel lock

Hi!

i have a question. when i drive my prius and make sharp turns or any sort of UTURN, the wheels lock up and there is a grinding noise as if the wheels are rubbing and there is a beeping noise. I took my prius back to the dealer for warranty repairs and the problem persists. is this a normal thing? Does anyone know of this happening?

any feedback or ideas would GREATLY be appreciated!



-J

^^ Are you taking those turns pretty fast? I've only heard the beeping when I took a U turn pretty quick. It was traction control yelling at me for driving too fast haha. The TC is pretty sensitive.

i have the 2010 3 and dont like the steering at all.it drifts and i seem to over correct all the time.i have over 10,000 miles on it and have taken it to the dealership several times and they say nothing is wrong.i have owned the 05 and 06 and never had this problem with either.must be the electric steering that i just cant get used to.