1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Suspension Break-In

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by erikl, Mar 31, 2011.

  1. erikl

    erikl New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2010
    36
    10
    0
    Location:
    SF Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Is it just me, or is the suspension on my Prius II relaxing and breaking in? I used to run 38/36 and could barely tolerate the harsh ride over our awful roads, but with 5K on the odometer and running 46/44 things are currently feeling remarkably composed.

    In my head, or has a few thousand miles of travel on the springs/shocks loosened things up?
     
    #1 erikl, Mar 31, 2011
  2. twittel

    twittel Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2010
    1,605
    148
    0
    Location:
    Mt. Pleasant, SC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Could you have a bad strut? I don't think there's anything to loosen up. Does the car feel like it sways/rocks up and down or side-to-side?
     
    #2 twittel, Mar 31, 2011
  3. tpfun

    tpfun New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2009
    791
    54
    1
    Location:
    Oh Never Mind,CA
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Tire pressures have a big impact on the ride characteristics.

    If you reduce the pressures back to 38/36, does the harsh ride return ?
     
    #3 tpfun, Mar 31, 2011
  4. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2009
    1,403
    191
    0
    Location:
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    ... How would the ride get harsher with less tire pressure.

    I'm thinking the OP got used to the car/ some parts may break in some and provide a better ride.
     
    #4 adamace1, Apr 1, 2011
  5. mad-dog-one

    mad-dog-one Prius Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2009
    1,181
    420
    0
    Location:
    Whereabouts Unknown
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    ----USA----
    I don't think the suspension gets softer with use, but perhaps you have found the most comfortable seat position for your ride and have become more accustomed and tolereant of the unique characteristics of your Prius. On the other hand, it could be that your lower fuel bill has added more padding to your wallet, shielding you from some of life's bumps in the road. Regardless of the reason, it's nice to know that your Prius ride has gotten better with use.
     
    #5 mad-dog-one, Apr 1, 2011
  6. Teakwood

    Teakwood Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2010
    491
    73
    0
    Location:
    New Mexico
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I think that the Prius suspension does require some break in period. AFTER ABOUT 5000 MILES, THE RIDE DID BECOME SMOOTHER AND MORE COMFORTABLE.
     
    #6 Teakwood, Apr 1, 2011
  7. erikl

    erikl New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2010
    36
    10
    0
    Location:
    SF Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Thanks for the replies guys. I just had a 5k service, everything checked out suspension-wise. I'm pretty sensitive to ride characteristics -- I was stunned when the Prius, new, felt harsher at stock psi's on tiny 15" rims than the 20yr old car it replaced, which had a double wishbone suspension setup on deeper rims.

    The solid beam setup doesn't help this car, but then I forget that this is a vehicle that has had a lot of amenities and small touches zapped in order to meet pricing criteria.

    Did some searching on the forums, and found that others had reported similar changes in ride quality. For now I'm chalking this up to suspension break-in!
     
    #7 erikl, Apr 1, 2011
  8. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2010
    4,539
    1,433
    9
    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Based on the ride your avatar, I'm going to guess that you aren't the right person to evaluate whether or not the Prius ride is smooth enough for people with delicate derrieres.:D
     
    #8 xs650, Apr 1, 2011
  9. tpfun

    tpfun New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2009
    791
    54
    1
    Location:
    Oh Never Mind,CA
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    That would depend on what the OP meant by a harsh ride.
     
    #9 tpfun, Apr 1, 2011
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    55,551
    38,718
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I've heard it said that if you could instantly transport from your brand new car, say to 5 years later, you would notice a suspension difference. Typically happens very gradually, so you get used to it, don't notice.
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Apr 1, 2011
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)