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OK to switch into Drive while moving backward?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by co_prius_3, Nov 25, 2014.

  1. co_prius_3

    co_prius_3 Member

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    Normally I wait for the car to stop backing up before switching to drive. Today I tried switching to drive while still backing up. It coasted to a stop then went forward.

    Is that safe for the traction motor?
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no problem at a couple mph. i've been doing it for ten years.
     
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  3. StarCaller

    StarCaller Senior Member

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    hmm, I wait til the car comes to a complete stop/
    rather save than sorry////
     
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  4. co_prius_3

    co_prius_3 Member

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    I guess if the computer had a problem with that maneuver, it would beep. It probably wastes a bit of electricity at worst.
     
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  5. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    Not a problem, you are only reversing electrical power flow. If you are going too fast it will just shift to neutral.

    I do it all of the time backing out of driveway.
     
  6. co_prius_3

    co_prius_3 Member

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    Good to know.
     
  7. qdllc

    qdllc Senior Member

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    Safe. Even normal transmissions are designed to not allow it to happen if there is too much motion in the wrong direction.
     
  8. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    As many already said, it's safe to do it. I kind of like it doing it :whistle:
     
  9. lester williams

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    Hhmmm, glad this thread was started--- G/F Elsie does this and makes me cringe. I ALWAYS stop completely before shifting, she will shift when the car is still rolling backward/forward. I have been attempting to counsel her on this---- losing battle,, ''I forgot''.........
     
  10. Starship_Enterprius

    Starship_Enterprius Active Member

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    sorry not trying to hijack the thread. But this question is related:

    How about punching P at speed (around 80kph)?

    Was trying to punch the Auto air climate and punched P instead (who's dumb idea is it to make Park a button when you already have a shifter?........ moron)
     
  11. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Because your input to the car is a "suggestion" not a command, ;) shifting while still moving -slowly- shouldn't cause any problems. The car won't do anything that might damage it, other than go too fast. I do it all the time, not intentionally but because I'm in too much of a hurry (backing out of garage then pulling away).

    The car will go to "N" if you try to select an inappropriate "gear" while moving at speed. So "P" or "R" will result in "N" and a beep.
     
  12. lester williams

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    That is good [ comforting ] info, David. I never thought about accidently hitting the ''Park'' button but can clearly understand how it could be done. We do need to be protected from ourselves.
     
  13. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

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    Yes but it is a BAD habit to get into because if and when you drive a "conventional" car again, it will NOT be alright.......probably.
     
  14. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    I do it every day.
    If you're going too fast, the car will not allow you to shift it into reverse.... (see below.)

    Easy...
    It's rather like a Starship.
    There's no linkage from the bridge to the engine room.
    You have to give an order, and if the folks down in the engine room determine that you're violating standard Starfleet Practices for safe operation of impulse and/or warp drive, then the Chief Engineer will call you a dufus and tell you to pound sand.
    Because we live in a safer and more gentile universe, his (or her) invective-laden questions and comments about your intelligence and lineage are translated by the ship's computer into the three beeps that you hear up on the bridge.

    It's all very simple, really.
     
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  15. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    Been doing it for years, saves wear on the brake pedal.
     
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    don't hit the P at 5mph though.:eek:
     
  17. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    While your practice is certainly the best, her's is not damaging. Let it go, the negligible downside to the car is much less than any damage to the relationship.
     
  18. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Why do it, why not just stop and shift?
     
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    saves a second. plus, the feeling of stopping can be irritating. i prefer california stops.:)
     
  20. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    Experts on both sides on this one. Some say very damaging. Some says don't worry. I don't do it. It's a waste of gas hybrid or not. I yell at my wife every time she does it. She ignores me every time.