How do you guys manage to drive in normal mode without getting shot

Welllll, you could do like what I saw on the back of a large black four wheel drive Ford truck yesterday, and install some chrome balls ( and I am not talking about trailer hitch balls). Surely nobody would shoot shoot up a Prius with chrome
balls hanging down in the back.

 

Prius are already stereotyped as traffic obstructions, mainly because of their driver's timid driving styles rather than the vehicle's capabilities. This "red zone" indicator may not help the situation.

 

Interesting thread!

This was one of my main trepidations about getting a Prius, as so many of them seem to be rolling traffic obstructions. Having now test driven (and ordered) one of the new ones, I know that it ain't the car, its the drivers

As a forum newbie reading through this and other threads, I would gently observe that there may be a scrim of smug, self righteous obstinancy at work with some owners. Whew; this is hubris behind the wheel - a dangerous combination, IMHO.

Suggest that you drive how you like, and at the speed limit if you wish, but do so courteously, and in the righthand lane.

Do it for the rest of us

 

It's no different that those drivers who are self righteous and feel it is their god given right to speed and drive recklessly. The difference here is that such behavior is accepted and in some cases even promoted. It's sort of akin to how it is cool to put smoke stacks on your diesel pickup and roll coal. Prius drivers get labeled as smug because they are trying to do what's best for our environmental health and their wallet. What does that say about the guy driving 85mph and weaving through traffic in his 7 series BMW or 4x4 pickup?

 

I agree that we should all be as courteous as possible on the road. Personally, I drive constantly looking in my rear view mirror to see how my driving is or will affect other drivers.

That being said, there seems to be a misconception that those of us that regularly get in the 60's and 70's (MPG) have a total disregard for others on the road. This couldn't be further from the truth.

 

I'm consistently in the red zone during acceleration and averaging around 54 MPG. The few times I've avoided the power zone, the car is just too slow and holds up traffic. I will continue to change the perception that Prius cars are slow by using the left lane at stop lights and zooming along enjoying the car.

 

It's simple- It all depends on where you're driving...
Where my parents lived in (typical small town) NC you could accelerate slowly from a traffic light and no one would be up your butt, that doesn't work here in NY. Here you have to go with the flow- and that means accelerate at a brisk pace once the light changes or face the consequences ranging from dirty looks and hand gestures to possible verbal abuse and certainly getting cutoff by cars as they finally pass you in the other lane.

 

Actually, the answer was "by reading traffic".

I hate Tapatalk just because of that annoying advertising.

 

I don't really pay attention to how fast I accelarate. I just follow the flow of traffic.

But, I glide to a stop/regen as much as possible. (that is, minimize use of friction brake).

I still get 47-50 mpg.

 

"It's no different that those drivers who are self righteous and feel it is their god given right to speed and drive recklessly".
Gosh, sounds kinda' polarizing. May I suggest that two wrongs don't make a right? Courtesy is the better alternative.

Certainly agree with you: both on the road behaviours are boorish and inane. What you drive is not a license for how you drive. No one likes a reckless driver. And, no one likes a smug twit parked in the passing lane. Both are equally rude and dangerous.

With all due respect, I applaud folks who strive to achieve great MPG figures, as long as they don't do it at the expense of others. As pointed out in this thread and elsewhere, its perfectly possible to drive a Prius with both courtesy and economy - importantly in that order

 

I can't argue that. I am hyper-aware of other drivers and I stick as far to the right as possible. I will not, however, be forced to travel over the speed limit in most circumstances (except when my girlfriend is in the car or emergency situations). I'm a very courteous driver except for driving the speed limit or 5mph below in multi-lane areas.

For those new to this forum I admit to being a former drag racer with a long list of very fast cars and trucks. I know what it's like to be the one swerving through traffic like a scene from Gone in 60 Seconds or The Fast and Furious. I have since grown up.

 

I have tapatalk. It is just a signature that anyone can take off but most people are too lazy to.

 

See attachment....hope the animation works on here

 

The difference between a full on power start, and a Wayne Gerdes 86 MPG start, up to 45 mph is 7 seconds.

And normal, eco and power modes, don't really make any difference in how quickly the car accelerates, just how much pedal it takes to do it.

 

Damn you, Matt!

 

Mode have no effect on whether you can keep up with traffic. At all.

 

"I will not, however, be forced to travel over the speed limit in most circumstances (except when my girlfriend is in the car or emergency situations). I'm a very courteous driver except for driving the speed limit or 5mph below in multi-lane areas"

I do hope you're being intentionally facetious here. Pretty funny, actually. Three oxymorons in one paragraph. Could your girlfriend perhaps chime in? Please?

Yes; I'm moving from an E39 M5 daily driver to our new Prius. I guess there's a need to guard against zealotry in the opposite direction, apparently.

Enjoyed the snail pedestrian video - great analogy! At least the snail has an excuse.

Have y'all see the Southpark Prius clip (below)? It is deadly.

Thanks! (Season 10, Episode 2) - Video Clips - South Park Studios