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Does Prius needs Power Steering Fluid?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by AllenZ, Nov 29, 2011.

  1. AllenZ

    AllenZ Active Member

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    I can't find the fluid tank under hood.
     
  2. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Your Prius uses electrons to move the steering. The tank for those is in the back under the hatch.

    In other words, no, your Prius does not need power steering fluid.

    Tom
     
  3. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    No, it has drive-by-wire (electric steering wheel). It is maintenance free so there is one less thing to worry about.
     
  4. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

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    I would be worried if it were truely drive (steer) by wire. It has mechanical steering like every other production car except the Prius has an electric assist instead of the more common hydraulic assist.
     
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  5. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Come to think of it, I think you are right.
     
  6. ksstathead

    ksstathead Active Member

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    Throttle is drive by wire, but the brakes and steering are mechanical with traditional hydraulic brake assist and electric power steering.
     
  7. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Mostly right. Throttle is drive by wire. Brakes are brake by wire but have a fail-back safety system that reverts to hydraulic. In normal operation there is no hydraulic connection from the driver's foot to the brakes, so it is truly brake by wire. It is not traditional hydraulic brake assist. Steering is mechanically coupled with electrical boost.

    As a minor point of clarification, the power brakes are driven by an electrically powered hydraulic pump.

    Tom
     
  8. AllenZ

    AllenZ Active Member

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    Great info. Thank you all!