Prius Four or Five? Pre-collision worth it?

i would not fall in all that,
how many car you will see on dealer lot with all those (eg. radar cruise control, Pre-collision system and lane assist. ..)..only one or two....why ...people do not buy those expensive car.....final word....it is prius....more saving ,,,if u buy low end model....

....it's all about spending more money from you....
you can buy high end car for that price

thanks
hp

 

I agree completely regarding DCC. Not to belabor my point on LKA, but I just find that too much "beeping" when the car senses false danger is distracting. I prefer to be able to turn the feature off and have it stay off until I turn it back on. For you folks who know:

1) Does LKA come on whenever the car is started?
2) Does it come on automatically when DCC is activated?
3) Can I use DCC without KTA?
2) Can I turn it off while driving and have it stay off?
3) Can I change the default setting so it's off unless I turn it on?
4) None of the above?

I am soon to pull the trigger and the online version of the owner's manual is not clear on this. Thanks.

 

You must actively turn DRCC and/or LKA on if you want to use them; they are independent systems. Both DRCC and LKA are off by default when you start the car. PCS is always on in equipped Prii, although there is a switch under the dash that deactivates phase 3 (auto braking) if you don't want it. You won't even know that a properly working PCS is there, unless the system senses an eminent front end crash or you slam on the brakes at 55+ MPH (front seatbelts retract).

 

There shouldn't be too much false danger unless you're careless in keeping the car in the center of the lane, and LKA temporarily turns off when you change lanes (with the turn signals on). In other words, it still requires your full attention.

 

Two points:

1. The Pre-Collision system only works when the DRCC is engaged (at least on the 2011). This was an incorrect statement (and is grayed out)
   
2. The model Fives' 17" wheels will (according to other threads here) get around 3mpg poorer mileage (despite what the EPA sticker says).

 

As I recall. However, I am out of town and can't re-check the manual. What does your (2012) manual say? I thought that it might be an important point as the OP was looking for the added safety margin for his teen age son.

 

Correct.

 

Get it! It saved me once. I do not drive with out it on. You perhaps can get the dealer down on that price.... maybe $1,500.00

 

Correct and the Intelligent Parking Assist sensors are always on as well, which is how you can skip the slow pre-support system and it'll still detect the parking spot for faster self-parking.

 

I looked up the manual on-line and it sort of implies that the PCS is always on (unless intentially turned off or radar sensor inoperable - as when covered with ice*). This feature only makes itself evident under rare circumstances, so it is easy for my wrong assumption to continue. My previous post will be corrected.

*ICE: I've lately run into several instances where the DCC stopped (and I assume the PRC also stopped) due to ice covering the sensor. You'd think that with heated seats, rear view mirrors, headlight washers that they would have a radar sensor deicer!

 

I have received a warning that says something like 'radar sensor needs cleaning' when using DRCC in light rain where dirty water is splashed up by other cars. I don't know for certain, but think this results from water and dirt on the Toyota emblem, right in front of the radar unit. Perhaps my water problem and your ice issue is the emblem, rather than the radar unit.

 

The obstruction is on the emblem, but that is effectively the cover for the radar sensor. Most of the time this occurs it has been ice forming, but I have had one instance where it was water - perhaps water close to freezing. It is a pain when this occurs - particularly when driving interstates, where opportunities to clear it are limited. I also noted one instance where the cloud of water thrown up by the car I was tracking obscured the car ahead (turned it into a stealth car). Goes to show that one shouldn't rely on either DRCC or PCS.