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2010 E brake

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by cobradb, Jun 1, 2013.

  1. cobradb

    cobradb Member

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    my ebrake is very weak compared to other vehicles .. what say ye
    it will not stop the car at 10 mph in 30-40 feet.. yea i kn its not used for that.

    i was curious because i tested it when i saw the rotors on the rear were rusted a bit one day as if the rear was not used very much
     
  2. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    It's a parking brake, not an emergency brake. ;)
     
  3. cobradb

    cobradb Member

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    who said
     
  4. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Look in the owners' manual.
     
  5. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    Parking brake - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    I tested mine a few days ago after reading about total brake failures in 2010 Prius. Mine did stop at low speed at about the same distance you mentioned. Of course it's going to be weak, it's the last resort brake.
     
  6. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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  7. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    Who cares?
     
  8. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Apparently the OP.
     
  9. macman408

    macman408 Electron Guidance Counselor

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    And it doesn't use the rear rotors anyway, does it? I'm pretty sure the Prius, like most cars, uses a separate drum brake, because it's simpler to do without hydraulic power available when the car is off. Hence, it's generally quite weak.
     
  10. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    If they are calling the Prius parking brake a hand brake, they are doing wrong. (The Prius c has a hand brake, but was not offered in 2010)

    [​IMG]
     
  11. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    The cable pulls a lever on the rear caliper, whichg turns a screw that manually pushes the piston to squeeze the pads against the rotor. There's no drums used for the parking brake on a GenIII.
     
  12. Bill Norton

    Bill Norton Senior Member

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    I agree with the OP. It is the lamest Emergency Brake I ever felt.
    I want an E-brake that can take the rears to lock up.
    And I want a lever so I can control it properly... Oh well..
    Call it what you like.
    It is required for hydraulic brake failures, which is happening, people... Practice!
     
  13. mad-dog-one

    mad-dog-one Prius Enthusiast

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    It stops the car slowly so you have time to finish that last prayer. :)
     
  14. JRitt

    JRitt Bio-Medical Equip. Tech

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    When I lost all braking power on my Gen III and had to use the foot operated e-brake/parking brake from 60mph down hill (15%) I had plenty of time to complete my final prayer. It felt like 1/2 mile.
     
  15. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    The brake pedal doesn't require power to fully stop either. It is like a car with no power brakes, you just have to press hard. If you have never done that, then it may feel like nothing is there, but you have to put your body on it. That is a much safer emergency brake than using the parking brake which hasn't been used as an e-brake in many many years...
     
  16. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Yep, and that's why the hydraulic system is split in half, so there's still two wheels left in case you loose the other two.
     
  17. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    The only problem is when master cylinder seals go, pedal goes to the floor and there is no braking action whatsoever.

    This only works when one brake line is cut. It doesn't work with central failures (like master cylinder).
     
  18. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    And that's why the system is split in half, starting at the master cylinder.
     
  19. Bill Norton

    Bill Norton Senior Member

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    If, and when the brake pedal goes to the floor...
    You only have one other pedal to use, that's the Emergency Brake.
    At least think about it, and maybe practice a few times.
    Brake failures are happening.
    If it is a reflex it can save your life.
    I just wish the darn thing had more power.
    I miss handbrake turns in the snow....
     
  20. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    Agree. I tested that recently and talked to the family members about it. You would be surprised how many acted surprised that "parking brake" can be used in emergency.

    Another thing that is good for emergency stopping is rapid turns (not at high speed though).