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Prius Road Trip Update: Pros and Cons

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by 'LectroFuel, Sep 9, 2016.

  1. 'LectroFuel

    'LectroFuel Senior Member

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    So ,we took a trip to Utah this weekend (Zion National Park). In all, we drove about 1,200 miles. I have some things to update about the car. My Prius has 13,000 miles currently. I was pretty impressed with the car overall.

    Pros:

    1. I got 55 MPG on the entire trip, which is better than my usual 51 mpg on my commute. There were many mountains and downhills. Many straights. The car performed well on the steep, uphill roads. My average speed was 79 mph

    2. I love DRCC. I used it for about 60% of the trip and it took the stress off of the freeway driving.

    3. The ride is so floaty! I love the comfy ride. The new suspension setup works wonders.

    4. I loaded the trunk to the roof in crap and the car never felt heavy and never squatted. There about 550 pounds of people and the trunk had about another 600.

    5. Someone cut in front of me going 85 mph and the car braked for me, which was nice to find out the system works well.

    Cons:

    1. The annoying rattle in the right rear seatbelt roller is back again.:mad: Does anyone else have this issue?

    2. The horrible crosswinds I experience on my gen 2 are even worse on the gen 4 (and even worse than our 2002 Honda Odyssey minivan). The wind almost flew me off the road in Mesquite, Nevada. I was going 80 mph and I had to slow down to to 50 on an open freeway. These were 28 mph winds though, but other cars were staying in their lanes going much faster.

    3. The speed limit camera often reads the speed limit sign incorrectly, but I still like the feature.

    4. The tire noise can give you a headache.

    5. The brakes are too touchy. My gen 2 has MUCH better brake feel.

    6. I have to stop the car to put in a destination. Voice commands are virtually useless.
     
    #1 'LectroFuel, Sep 9, 2016
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2016
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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i wonder if the tyre brand/model is responsible for the noise and crosswind problem? great write up, thanks man!(y)
     
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  3. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    I wonder if the significant cargo overload had any connection to the crosswind problem, despite the earlier statement of no load problems.
     
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  4. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    Great report, 'Lectro. I think we are curious about what you had in the trunk that weighed 600 lbs?! Or did you mean 60?

    And you had all that weight of people & cargo, and you STILL got 55 mpg? And doing 79 mph? I think that's great! But the cross-wind drifting is a concern. And I always agree about the tire noise.

    ( I kind of laugh, when people say the little compact 20lb spare tire will hurt their mpg. :LOL:)
     
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  5. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    I'm not that surprised - that sounds like a lot of weight over or behind the rear wheels - maybe would tend to de-stabilise any car.
     
  6. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    Toyo tires???
     
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  7. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    What the heck was he hauling? A bulldozer engine?? :eek:
     
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  8. KimPrius3

    KimPrius3 Member

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    I thought the load maximum was 850 pounds.
     
  9. 'LectroFuel

    'LectroFuel Senior Member

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    It could be the reason, but the car handled like there was only people in the car. I would think a heavier car would be more planted on the road. And maybe the trunk load was 450 lbs. 4 suitcases, 2 coolers, 4 people, and 4 backpacks.
     
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  10. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    I guess you turned it into like an early Porsche, with a lot of weight behind the rear axle, they were a bit (lot) tail happy and wandered a bit.
     
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  11. 'LectroFuel

    'LectroFuel Senior Member

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    We condensed a minivan-size load of cargo into the back of a Prius. I could barely close the trunk:ROFLMAO:!
     
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  12. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    So was the TOTAL weight 450 lbs? All people, all cargo, all beer....
     
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  13. 'LectroFuel

    'LectroFuel Senior Member

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    It could be, but that seems like a weak number. I think it would be closer to 1,300 lbs.
     
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  14. 'LectroFuel

    'LectroFuel Senior Member

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    lol No, 500 lbs of people, maybe 450 lbs of trunk stuff.:LOL:
     
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  15. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    Holy smoke! :LOL: But you still got 55 mpg, and doing 79 mph. You belong in a Toyota TV commercial! :D

    (Are your tires Toyo???)!
     
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  16. KimPrius3

    KimPrius3 Member

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    Owner's Manual, Page 726 "Vehicle capacity weight (Occupants + Luggage) 825 lb. (375kg)"
     
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  17. 'LectroFuel

    'LectroFuel Senior Member

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    Ya, I have the Toyos. Only good for mpg...

    I don't know how I got that MPG number:confused:. I started the Trip A right when I left home for Utah. I have a lead foot and my MPG in "normal" California driving is usually an unimpressive-for-a-Prius-driver 51-52 mpg.
     
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  18. 'LectroFuel

    'LectroFuel Senior Member

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    Oops. Well, I guess I'm never doing that again. I need to learn how to pack lighter.
     
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  19. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    Thanks again Kim4.

    Me and Mrs Shrek better lose some weight!
     
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  20. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    Dude, I'm surprised you didn't have a blowout. Or 2 or 3... :(
     
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