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Is the Gen 3 unreliable?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by MikeDee, Dec 24, 2022.

  1. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    in philosophy, no one knows what they're talking about ;)

    the vast majority of car owners have little to no understanding of automotive engineering. that being said, even the 'experts' can't agree on why the gen 3 blows head gaskets, what the problem is with the inverter and brake actuator. or for that matter, the floor mat and the gas pedal :p
     
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  2. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    I think the problem with the accelerator pedal is that it's designed for tiny feet, like most Japanese accelerators. That means it hangs too close to the floor, which makes it not only too susceptible to getting jammed by floor mats, but also very awkward for full-sized feet to operate.
    I solved that problem on my '81 Mazda when it was new by cutting about 1½" out of the pedal arm between the pedal and its fulcrum, then having it welded back together.
     
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  3. MikeDee

    MikeDee Senior Member

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    Market conditions makes me hang onto it longer than I want. The price and availability of new cars is not good plus can't get the Gen 5 Prime for quite some time.


    iPhone ? Pro
     
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    same for me. if it wasn't for covid, we'd have had 2 new cars over the last few years
     
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  5. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Way to go! Mine has 200,300 miles with original hv battery and 8 yr old 12v battery w/original water pump :sick:Currently 62.5 mpg from the last 9,000 winter down hill miles. The cold weather is killing my mpgs.
     
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  6. MikeDee

    MikeDee Senior Member

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    What do you attribute that too? Lots of highway driving vs city? Cleaning the EGR system? 5000 mile oil changes?
     
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if we knew, there would be fewer problems
     
  8. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    90% of my driving, and the previous ower, is highway driving.
    10,000 mile oil changes. Except for the last two changes, 7500.
    And driving it like a Prius not an F1 Car.

     
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