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What's the deal with this suspension!!??

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by spongebob, Jul 6, 2012.

  1. spongebob

    spongebob Not paying 'THE MAN' so much for fuel anymore!

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    Hi Everyone,
    Loving my GIII. 1.5 months old. 90% of the time I'm driving alone. I noticed some harder suspension but since I'm coming from a some riding vehicle, I figure that was how the car rode. Now I'm riding with one passenger and she mentioned the car rode bumpy and hard.....ok. Then I had my first full car with 4 of us and holy cow, it felt like I was in a low rider, with half the normal shock travel and traveling through all its travel and bottoming out! I don't think this matters, but while hand washing I noticed a sticker on the driver's b pillar saying the car had been modified and the load capacity was 10 lbs less. Is this the way these are suspended or might there be a problem. I had no luggage or weight in the cargo area and we are normal sized people. Ideas?
    Thanks Sbob
     
    #1 spongebob, Jul 6, 2012
  2. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    That may be due to the addition of the new chassis brace being used on the 2012 models?
     
    #2 ny_rob, Jul 6, 2012
  3. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

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    That is usually because of a port installed extra. Did you get port installed floormats?
     
    #3 xs650, Jul 6, 2012
  4. jjPrius

    jjPrius Junior Member

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    Correct. My 2011 came with port-installed floor and cargo mats and the yellow sticker on the B pillar as well.

    What are your tire pressures? Which OE tires did your car come with? I have been pleasantly surprised with the ride, beginning with the initial test drive, but then everyone's expectations are different. I drive mostly solo, but have loaded the car with 4 other people (two were small children) and their luggage for a few 400-500 mile trips and noticed no difference in ride or handling.
     
    #4 jjPrius, Jul 6, 2012
  5. spongebob

    spongebob Not paying 'THE MAN' so much for fuel anymore!

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    Yes I did.
     
    #5 spongebob, Jul 6, 2012
  6. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Likely due to an option like the solar roof?
     
    #6 F8L, Jul 6, 2012
  7. spongebob

    spongebob Not paying 'THE MAN' so much for fuel anymore!

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    I have the Yokohama (yo mama) Avid S33's. I checked the pressure and it was a little low, especially in the fronts.... 31 instead of 35. Rears were 31 instead of 33...... Now they are correctly pressured.
     
    #7 spongebob, Jul 6, 2012
  8. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    The S33Ds ride rougher than some other tires like the Energy Saver A/S, Ecopia EP422 and ComfortTread but they shouldn't be that bad at such low pressures. Maybe the Prius just isn't for you? You can always try to go with a larger tire with a larger sidewall.
     
    #8 F8L, Jul 6, 2012
  9. spongebob

    spongebob Not paying 'THE MAN' so much for fuel anymore!

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    No solar roof option.
     
    #9 spongebob, Jul 6, 2012
  10. spongebob

    spongebob Not paying 'THE MAN' so much for fuel anymore!

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    oh, its definitely for me! Just feels like I'm hitting speeeedddd buummmpsss. kerpulk, kerpulk.
     
    #10 spongebob, Jul 6, 2012
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how is it after the increased tire pressure? my 3 pri have always been smooth as a whistle. no lexus mind you, but not harsh or bumpy.
     
    #11 bisco, Jul 6, 2012
  12. spongebob

    spongebob Not paying 'THE MAN' so much for fuel anymore!

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    Haven't driven it after airing it up. Will go for a 60 mile hwy ride tomorrow with some local roads for a few miles too. we'll see.........
     
    #12 spongebob, Jul 6, 2012
  13. yeldogt

    yeldogt Active Member

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    I had not driven in an econobox in a while -- so the Prius on the highway was a bit of a shock. Basically it is an econobox with an econobox suspension.
     
    #13 yeldogt, Jul 6, 2012
  14. Timw

    Timw Junior Member

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    As far as econobox, I have had a GEO Prism! The Prius is not classified as and Econobox! It is a Mid Size Car! I love mine and my I have driven my fathers Mercedes and Lexus and all his other high end vehicles that he has had. Came from Dodge Dakota's, Buick's, and VW bugs, Rams and the likes, move from a 2001 Corrolla to my 2011 Prius and the ride is great. I wish people would quit calling the Prius and Econo Box, the first ones that came out where but not since then. Just MHO!
     
    #14 Timw, Jul 6, 2012
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  15. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

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    The Prius suspension came out of Toyota's econobox parts bins.
     
    #15 xs650, Jul 6, 2012
  16. spongebob

    spongebob Not paying 'THE MAN' so much for fuel anymore!

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    Well I don't expect the ride of a Mercedes which is more active than a Lexus, but I don't expect a feel like I'm carrying an (over) load of bricks in the vehicle either. There are many factors that go into the 'feel' of a suspension, and I'd like to figure this one out......if anything I can do in the future. Regardless, outside of a few things about the car, I'm loving it, and getting the mileage, well, that's what I love the best. My way of making a statement.
     
    #16 spongebob, Jul 7, 2012
  17. Den49

    Den49 Member

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    It seems counterintuitive, but low tire pressure can cause an uncomfortable ride bounce. The 35/33 Toyota recommened tire pressures are a good place to start to find the pressure that is most comfortable for you. Prius ride comfort does improve as the car gets older and broken in. At 50,500 miles, my Prius rides a lot smoother and more comfortably than when it was new. Also, I keep the tire pressure at 35/33, have Michelin Harmony (not LRR) tires, and have augmented the foam padding in the bottoms and backs of both front seats. My Prius is relegated to local driving and short trips. I use my Lincoln Town Car for long trips. The Prius excuses me for owning a Lincoln, and vice versa, depending on the politics of the situation.
     
    #17 Den49, Jul 7, 2012
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  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you might try test driving another one just to be sure there isn't something wrong with yours.
     
    #18 bisco, Jul 7, 2012
  19. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    Can we have a service or parts person check the part numbers on the shocks & struts of the early 3rd Gen and the 2012 and see if there was a dampener change? All the 2009 thru 2011 rental Prii I have driven had cushy feeling suspension. I have not driven a regular 2012 Prius to see how it feels.

    Mike
     
    #19 WE0H, Jul 7, 2012
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