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Stalled on the interstate

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Locust43, Dec 3, 2006.

  1. Locust43

    Locust43 New Member

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    Today I was getting on a very big interstate with heavy traffic where you have to floor to get on off the ramp. I had to slow down to 45 MPH to watch for cars and I saw a gap that I could get into. My Sienna could do it easily so I thought this could also. I kicked it and it would not go and after about 3-4 Seconds It started to accelerate my I caused people to almost crash and was pulled over by the state trooper and I told him what happened and he said he had seen this happen before and he was nice and led me onto the interstate with my following him until I got up to speed. This has happened a few times before, is this normal because it's a Hybrid? If so I am going to have to sell it for something different. I bought this car in August of this year and it was the base model with side curtain airbags added. How much could I get for it and what is another fast Hybrid that I would not have to pay much more for because I can't afford to loose money on this.
     
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    ehh...

    it shouldn't be hesitant at all. The only thing that I can think of ay the moment that would cause the *greatest* lag between asking the car to go and the car actually moving is if you floor the car when the engine is off. Any other time, the lag should be minimised.

    This is not characteristic of hybrids but of any car with drive-by-wire throttle. There is a lag between asking for power and getting it but it's only apparent when you floor it which I'm guessing that's what you did.
     
  3. Locust43

    Locust43 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Dec 4 2006, 12:07 AM) [snapback]357246[/snapback]</div>
    Ok I see now. The Brakes are very quick though, when I slammed on it today in gatlinburg at 60 MPH the brake assist came on and I stopped avoiding a car pulled out in front of me on a curve

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Dec 4 2006, 12:07 AM) [snapback]357246[/snapback]</div>
    Ok I see now. The Brakes are very quick though, when I slammed on it today in gatlinburg at 60 MPH the brake assist came on and I stopped avoiding a car pulled out in front of me on a curve
     
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Locust43 @ Dec 3 2006, 10:08 PM) [snapback]357248[/snapback]</div>
    ok, glad you understood.

    I haven't had the chance to do a full emergency stop on the road yet (knock on wood) but Brake Assist does help quite a bit.

    What's more impressive is that the brakes are smaller than necessary (since most of the regular braking is done by the electric motor).

    Take a look at the rear drum brakes. They're tiny!
     
  5. eagle33199

    eagle33199 Platinum Member

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    From what i've noticed with the car, there can be a very slight delay when flooring it. If it's that crowded and people aren't willing to make room for you, it might be a better idea to hang back a little on the ramp until you see the opening you'll want to take, then you'll have plenty of room to quickly accelerate to speed without needed to floor it.
     
  6. MegansPrius

    MegansPrius GoogleMeister, AKA bongokitty

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    Just wanted to add my two cents, that our 2007 Prius has better acceleration than our 1998 Subaru Outback did.
     
  7. FBear

    FBear Senior Member

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    First please edit your positng as it took three readings to understand what the situation was when you were entering the interstate. After reducing speed you then tried to accelerate to enter the flow of traffic. What could have occured is you hit some pot holes or very rough pavement which caused the Traction Control to limit the power going to the front wheels. This is a common problem with the Prius. All you have to do is release pressure on the gas pedal, once the front wheels regain traction (which is normally a split second) you can accelerate normally.
     
  8. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

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    ...and in general, consider avoiding further attempts to holeshot
    your way onto the highway. A little patience will find you a larger
    and safer gap soon enough, and you can get on and avoid endangering
    other people. This applies to ANY car, of course..
    .
    _H*
     
  9. MarinJohn

    MarinJohn Senior Member

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    I'll bet once you get the hang of this car you will love it. Yes, it has quirks, but just like your significant other, you learn 'work arounds' and still get all the benefits you were originally attracted to. One of the features you will find is both good and (you found out, bad) is the traction control. It is in my opinion a feature which needs fine tuning. It kicks in more if you floor the car than if you heavily accelerate (but not floor it). It also (unnecessarily) kicks in too easily if you are accelerating heavily and hit a significant pot hole. Once you relearn how to drive this car with it's inherent quirks you will find it has amazing acceleration.
     
  10. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Locust43,

    I tried to recreate your experience on my commute today. This morning I was doing 30-35mph on the ramp (descending right hand turn) and floored it on the straightaway. I counted 8 seconds to 65mph but there wasn't any hesitation. I had to abort the evening test due to slower traffic ahead of me on the ramp.

    I will make other attempts and try to be more precise but this situation is not one that lends itself to having one's head in the cockpit.

    Somewhere (probably on this site) I remember reading that the 0-60 acceleration is 10.+ seconds with a top speed of 107mph so this car should be able to hold its own merging onto the Interstate.

    PA had to pass a law to get people in the right lane to yield the lane to the people on the ramp on limited access highways.
     
  11. Locust43

    Locust43 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Dec 4 2006, 07:55 PM) [snapback]357719[/snapback]</div>
    I think what had happened is the gas engine shut off because I let off the gas and floored it and it delayed starting back up. Also I am thinking of trading my 06" in with 7000 miles and side curtain air bags for a 2007 with the VSC package
     
  12. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    yeah if you slowed down enough and the engine cut out, it does take a second for the car to realize you floored it and transfer appropriate power. happened to me early on, i was waiting to make a left turn on a busy street and there was just enough of a gap so i floored it, and whew was that ever a close call. i never cut it that close again.
    3-4 seconds sounds way too long, but i can see how it might have felt that way in heavy traffic!
     
  13. Blegate

    Blegate Prius Gen III 2013

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    I've noticed a delay (1-2 second) in my '06 when the engine wasn't really warmed up. It was low 30's outside. It occured as I was turning on to a 45MPH road from a dead stop and traffic was heavy. When the car is warmed up I don't have an issue.
    b
     
  14. subarutoo

    subarutoo New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MegansPrius @ Dec 4 2006, 06:49 AM) [snapback]357336[/snapback]</div>
    Another Outback owner. I agree. My Prius just jumps from 50-70 mph, freeway merging is no problem. Its not as fast as my Impreza, but beats the Outback. I woulld try to duplicate the exact situation is a safe area (parking lot, or uncrowded freeway, if you can find one). ..and then talk to the dealer. That kind of lag is NOT consistant with the way my 06 drives. Maybe your battery was down, and the electric motor didn't kick in. Good luck
     
  15. aaronw

    aaronw Junior Member

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    I have also had my 2006 Prius lag, often at the same locations. I attribute this to an overly sensitive traction control, since it kicks in when the pavement is a bit uneven. I wish there were a way to turn it off during dry weather conditions since I consider it kicking in at the wrong time can be a major road hazard.
     
  16. slvr_phoenix

    slvr_phoenix Tinker Gnome

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    I've noticed on occasion my Prius stutters when I floor it, usually from a stop. It's like the computer can't decide what it's doing and I have crap acceleration for a heartbeat or two as the computer juggles between electric and ICE, and then all of the sudden VROOM it all kicks into gear. Never had a problem when I'm already moving or when I'm accelerating normally though. And since I drive it for good milage, I just made the decision not to floor it unless necessary. :lol: Problem solved. :D
     
  17. keydiver

    keydiver New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FBear @ Dec 4 2006, 10:58 AM) [snapback]357342[/snapback]</div>
    This is the only "problem" I have noticed also. Was the road surface wet? Especially in the rain I've had the traction control kick in on hard acceleration, but it has also happened on rough surfaces, as someone else said. It is annoying, but I've finally learned not to panic and let off the gas when it kicks in. I just keep the pedal down, and wait for the tires to grab.
     
  18. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    the OP stated that he slowed to 45 mph probably by coasting which would turn off the gas, all he had to do was slight pressure on the gas a few seconds before the opening, not enough to gain a lot of speed, and he would have had no problem.

    i only see this issue in low speed stop and go where the ICE is rarely on. at 45 mph, its simply understanding and getting familiar with your Prius. the issue will resolve itself over time and practice. trading your car in because of that will probably be regrettable.
     
  19. BlairMartin

    BlairMartin New Member

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    I'm amazed at how many of you feel it's necessary to "floor" your car. Do you HAVE to do that? I'm not a slow driver, but I've never floored the "gas" pedal except once or twice to find out how it responds. OK, I admit I may be hanging back on the on-ramp for a few seconds longer, but I sure like the feeling of NOT risking my life in a tight high-speed manoever.

    Blair
     
  20. slvr_phoenix

    slvr_phoenix Tinker Gnome

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveinOlyWA @ Dec 8 2006, 10:47 AM) [snapback]359323[/snapback]</div>
    While I'd normally agree, out here I've seen repeatedly where a used Prius sells for more than a shiny new one because you aren't put on a waiting list for a used one. :lol: Silly, but I've seen it. Everyone wants a Prius. So under normal conditions I'd agree, but in this weird scenario I could see where you could come out ahead if you negotiate well. ;)