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Help calm my nerves with this issue

Discussion in 'Prius c Fuel Economy' started by ageless, Oct 5, 2012.

  1. ageless

    ageless New Member

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    As everyone else does here I am driving my PC3 like I'm driving Ms Daisy in order to minimize fuel consumption and jack up those MPG's. I could absolutely run this car in a ditch when I begin to back off the pedal while headed downhill(a steep long one, mind you) and this son of a *_(*%$# slows from 65 to 60. I have NEVER owned or heard of a car that slows down when going downhill!!! I even put the car in neutral and guess what??? IT SLOWS DOWN!!!!

    Wth is worng with this car? Is everyone else experiencing this?
     
  2. Ashley7

    Ashley7 Active Member

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    I can only assume that it's physics...that the hill must just not be steep enough to maintain the momentum you need to stay at that speed. It is a relatively fast speed. But not knowing the hill myself it's hard to say. I certainly haven't noticed the car slowing down while going downhill, but I haven't been down any that fast.
     
  3. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Jack up each wheel and see how well it spins... Also maybe tire alignment... Downhill coasting in neutral should be significantly less resistant to the downhill when the car is in drive or in B mode...
     
  4. Revan86

    Revan86 Animal nerd and alt car guy

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    While this cars coefficient of drag is low for a hatchback your Previous car could of been lower. Also this car is pretty heavy for its size but your old one may of been heavier.
     
  5. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Make sure parking brake is not engaged?
     
  6. Revan86

    Revan86 Animal nerd and alt car guy

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    Lol. Had a ex that did that lol.

    God I hate her
     
  7. ageless

    ageless New Member

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    checked, it's fine
     
  8. ageless

    ageless New Member

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    former car was an 08 avalanche
     
  9. ageless

    ageless New Member

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    I'm gonna video the hill and the dash next time I go down it, it is insane.
     
  10. ageless

    ageless New Member

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    the car only has 1000 miles on it, alignment should be perfect. I have pondered what the issue might be. Wheel bearing? axle?
     
  11. John H

    John H Senior Member

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    maybe post the route, or at least the downhill section, from google maps.
     
  12. Forza4

    Forza4 New Member

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    It could be hand brake adjustment that is too tight or rear brake shoes adjusted to tight in the drum or defective front caliper that keep too much pressure on the disk or defective bearing. Since you put it in neutral and it did the same, it's not transmission or motor related. One thing for sure, it's not normal ! How is your fuel MPG ? Is your tires under inflated ?
     
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  13. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Regen braking can cause the car to slow down on very mile hills. You could try coasting (gliding) although neutral would work the same. Are you sure you were in neutral?
     
  14. brucepmiller

    brucepmiller Member

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    Mine speeds up going down even small hills as long as I keep a light foot pressure to keep regen off. Either the hill is an optical illusion (don't laugh - it can be that way) or something is wrong with your car.
     
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  15. Sagitar

    Sagitar Junior Member

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    Did you have cruise control set? Mine will attempt to maintain the set cruise control speed when going down hills.
     
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  16. brucepmiller

    brucepmiller Member

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    Another thought, make sure you are in D not B!
     
  17. RocMills

    RocMills Active Member

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    Ageless, I agree with others... this is something wrong with your car or what you are doing. My C2 will eventually slow down when I pop into neutral on a flat stretch of road, and it will even slowly speed up a mile or two if there is the slightest downward incline. Slowing down in the situations you described is not normal.
     
  18. photogrl13

    photogrl13 Member

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    An Avalanche is a lot heavier than a C, therefore it has more momentum and reacts differently to hills. In particular, it would accelerate more rapidly while going downhill than the lighter C. On most of the hills I drive, I don't decelerate while in D. If I move to N I'm pretty sure I would accelerate, but not very quickly. If it is a steep hill and you aren't accelerating slightly in N then I would assume something is amiss.

    Things to check if you are worried: Tire pressure, brakes (perhaps they rub), oil clarity, fuel type, overall engine tune-up.
     
  19. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    I do not think a Prius should slow down going downhill in Neutral, but depending on the grade, it could slow down with the transmission in Drive.

    If it slows down in Neutral, you should take it into the dealer.
     
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  20. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    It depends on the combination of speed and slope. I don't expect my liftback to maintain 65 mph when rolling in Neutral down a slope of just 1 or 2%, it is going to need something like 3%. There is still a lot of air drag at that speed.