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Anyone Know Why Prius Has No Auto Off Feature?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Matt Hirn, Jun 22, 2013.

  1. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    The above behavior can be difficult to explain. The user knowing about auto shut off can end up encourage bad actions/behavior such as people habitually NOT turning their car off (because they "know" it will shut itself off), thus resulting in people's Priuses being stolen due to that window of vulnerability.

    I've seen many folks just leave their headlights on after they've shut off, locked and left their car because their car has some auto shut off (I've asked them about it or told them they left their lights on). What's to say that some Prius owners won't do this, if it's implemented?
     
  2. Matt Hirn

    Matt Hirn Junior Member

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    The goal is to make the design better by refining it. There are definite benefits to refining the design. Others have also pointed out that it increases the number of failure points. Making sure the design is robust enough to benefit from the change without adding an unacceptable number of failures is is part of the process that Toyota engineers would follow to make the change worthwhile.

    Yes, people misuse features of products. Some people buckle their seat belts behind them. Some people enter an address into their GPS while driving down the highway. In the case of the auto off feature by way of a timer, it makes the car less likely to suffer the ill effects of being left in ready mode for long periods of time and reduces the impact of leaving the car in ready mode on others. Like anything that is intended for good, it can be misused. We have all seen the added benefit of a railing on a stairway to help provide stability to those going up and down, unless you happen to be standing on top of it riding a skateboard. In which case, it becomes a potential means of great bodily harm.
     
  3. stevemcelroy

    stevemcelroy Active Member

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    Mike- you thought it out well, but I just do not see how you can improve on how it is now. You want the car off, turn it off. You want the car on, leave it on. It takes only 1 jab of your index finger. If you are too distracted to remember this you need to put down the cell phone.


     
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  4. KyleT

    KyleT Junior Member

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    Steve - You sound like a young man. Wait until you are a little older and you will see how your memory fails you.

    If the auto off feature is added, it should allow drivers to turned it on or off depending everyone's taste. For sure it will benefit many of us.

    Many states in the US make it illegal for leaving your car running unattended due to auto thefts which draw police force away from higher priority jobs to solve car stealing problems. I think 15 minutes deday is too long. The car should turn off by itself within 60 seconds from the time the driver seat is emty. Sixty seconds should be enough for a person to get off his/her car to pick up the mail or close the garage door. Sometimes at the red light, you would try to grab something in you pant's front pocket and lift your butts from the seat, your car would still be on. However once the car is in motion, the auto off would be disable.
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i hear ya man, i'm getting there myself. if it saves one person from co poisoning, it's worth it. now where did i leave my car keys?(n)
     
  6. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    Key's! where are my pants? :unsure:
     
  7. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    I like it the way it is :) I have never forgotten to turn off/power down a car ever in my 29 years of driving.

    Mike

    Mobile on my SGH-i717
     
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  8. stevemcelroy

    stevemcelroy Active Member

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    I'm 44 so I'm far from young. I've been driving since 1986 and have never forgotten to turn off my car. If I ever do please take away my cell phone. To me someone forgetting to turn off their car is distracted. Solve the real problem by putting down the phone rather that build an overly complex and unneeded additional system that adds cost, complexity and another point of failure to your car.
     
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you've got 6 more good years my friend, enjoy them.;)
     
  10. PLSPUSH

    PLSPUSH Active Member

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    been driving since '74 and a few weeks after getting the prius I forgot (for the 1st time) to turn it off when I went to the drugstore, had nothing to do with my cellphone, it rarely rings...just forgot!
     
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  11. KyleT

    KyleT Junior Member

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    I am not sure why some people just try to deprive others of benefits which are totally harmless to them...

    I personally haven't forgotten to turn off my Prius but I can say for sure that it will happen to my wife if I let her drive mine. Unlike the normal gas engine cars, hybrid vehicles are silent when they stop. Once the parking brake is applied, you can not tell if the car is on or off.

    Would you tell your older parents to go out there to find works instead of receiving social security fund? You and millions of people can work, why can't they?
     
  12. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

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    The conversation is virtually identical to the one that occurred when 'smart keys' started being used in some cars (go Prius!).
    I'm pretty sure similar conversations were made when those new fangled power windows hit the market.
    And most likely all the way back to the electric starter motor.

    Some people see it as adding unnecessary complication, others see it as a convenience and some others actually see it as a convenience that actually improves the entire car owning experience.

    Some others are just uncomfortable with change or are set in their ways.
     
  13. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    What happens after 50? :)

    Mike

    Mobile on my SGH-i717
     
  14. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    The mind is the first thing to go :-(

    Mike

    Mobile on my SGH-i717
     
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  15. PLSPUSH

    PLSPUSH Active Member

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    you forget to turn off your car!!!!!
     
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  16. PLSPUSH

    PLSPUSH Active Member

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    this is the 1st car that I've owned with push buton start, and it is so quiet when you stop, heck once I forgot to put it in park and started to get out only the lunge forward saved the day that time.....I have since bought a dodge that also has push button start and there is plenty of engine noise when you stop, don't believe that I will ever leave it running!
     
  17. jgilliam1955

    jgilliam1955 Sometime your just gotta cry! 2013 Prius 4.

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    No one wants to steal a Prius:-D:)

    SCH-I535 ? 2
     
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  18. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    My Prius sounds like George Jetson's space mobile when it moves slowly :)

    Mike

    Mobile on my SGH-i717
     
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no, the putting is the first thing to go, then the mind.:p
     
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you don't want to know.:eek:
     
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