"feather foot" syndrome

Do not underestimate the power of the Prius, Luke.

I think that's a fairly normal thing when you first start driving it...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(adaviel @ Feb 27 2007, 09:49 PM) [snapback]397594[/snapback]</div>

LOL, I've had a bit of trouble with this too. I used to drive manual as well, but I don't think that had much to do with it. For me, I'm just way more aware of my gas consumption now and it sometimes gets the better of me. I've been trying to keep in mind that it's okay to go as fast as I need to go to get up to speed, but then level off when I get to the right speed limit. I have to keep telling myself that it's more important to be going the correct speed than to get good mileage for that tiny but of time it takes to get up to speed. Also makes other drivers mad when I don't get up to speed quickly.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(razzledazzlebee @ Feb 27 2007, 10:09 PM) [snapback]397602[/snapback]</div>

This has been my experience too, and I do attribute it to a lifetime of exclusively driving stick until now. I've spent 25 years driving with left foot sensitivity and now I'm having to learn to do it with the right. It's weird. I still put my foot on the invisible clutch everytime I'm coming to a stop or making a slow-speed turn from one street to another.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(adaviel @ Feb 27 2007, 09:49 PM) [snapback]397594[/snapback]</div>

I actually had the reverse problem when I first started driving our Prius -- I'd be on the highway going 80 MPH because I was used to judging the speed I was going by engine RPM.

 

Prius does have a tendance to infect owners/drivers with just the opposite of road rage. I find that I am even "feathering the pedal" when driving my truck..... No harm at all, I just get better mileage in the truck now. In my recent trip to the Raleigh-Durham area, I really had to watch my habits in the busy city traffic. I'm used to starting slowly going off from stop lights, running on the battery as long as possible. After one or two attempts at that in city traffic, and nearly getting rear-ended, that method had to change.

I still find that I'm not in a hurry on the highway, set the cruise somewhere in the 62-68 mph range and just plug in some good music...... There was even a thread on here a while back on music people liked to listen to while driving the Prius. "Laid back" , probably the best way to describe the Prius attitude..... B)

 

My blood pressure has returned to normal since we bought ours in November.

The car is relaxing and theraputic to drive.

 

"Feather foot" is how I access electric-only mode.

When I am entering a reduced-speed zone, I can feather the gas pedal to put the car in electric mode while decelerating, and am able to drive completely through some small towns in electric mode, again by using a very light touch on the gas pedal.

Harry

 

I do try a light pedal touch whenever I get into a conventional vehicle, but inevitably, after the first 15 minutes or so, I end up with a lead foot because conventional vehicles simply cannot deliver the instant off-the-line torque that the Prius gives me without any effort.. Once you're up to speed though, conventional vehicles do tend to be somewhat less tiring to drive because they tend to hold their speed better without a lot of careful pedal feathering like you have to do in the Prius to balance speed and consumption, so I guess the answer for me anyways is that in terms of gas pedal control, I don't really take anything from the Prius over to conventional vehicles.. On the other hand, it's the brake where the Prius habit is impossible to break (haha, a pun!)- even in conventional vehicles, I now tend to brake like I do on the Prius- even though there's no regeneration, and then there's always that sense of disappointment when the engine doesn't shut off when you come to a stop..

 

I had an "invisible clutch" for a while too when I had to start driving an automatic. I love that the Prius removes even the desire for a clutch, and now on the rare occasion that I drive my Camry, I get startled by the shifting!

At first when I started driving the Prius I noticed that I was pushing and releasing the gas pedal as if anticipating gear shifts by letting up a little at certain speeds or based on engine sound. That in turn made me realize that I still drive automatics a little like manuals.

One of the things that I really enjoy about the Prius, which is really an underrated selling point, is that it has the ability to change our perception of the driving experience so dramatically.

 

I think that Prius drivers have the same basic driving obligations as all drivers. When I was taught to drive (more years ago than I want to admit) the basic rule was move to the right until you are either all the way over or are traveling at the prevailing rate of speed. I think Prius drivers should follow this rule...especially those who have a "feather foot" on the gas pedal.

 

I am no longer ashamed of my feather foot . . . rather now, I embrace it B)

 

The real trick is embracing and loving the feather-foot to the point that you can effortlessly maintain a safe speed relative to other traffic, but maximize your efficiency. It really does help in other cars too.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(steve in Arizona @ Feb 28 2007, 02:46 PM) [snapback]397781[/snapback]</div>

(For me in the UK swap left for right.) Our rule is keep left unless overtaking. It is an offence to under-take. My recollection is that you (in the US) can pass on both sides? Is that so and if so is it dangerous as our laws would have us believe?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Hobbs @ Feb 28 2007, 10:58 AM) [snapback]397863[/snapback]</div>

People in the US really can't drive worth a crap is the problem. People are SUPPOSED (no law) to pass on the left and slow traffic keep right. However, people zig zag through traffic speeding all the time and thus the de-facto rules of driving start to change. Traffic cops can ticket for aggressive driving, but in reality they are not out to keep the roads safe - rather to just conduct business.

Generally people with bigger cars will drive more aggressively... which makes it even more dangerous for the smaller cars.

 

As a long time stick shift driver, I've had the opposite problem. I find myself going 5-10 mph faster than I may have done before, under similar conditions. The lack of noise, and shifting sequence lets the speed creep up on you. I told my wife she was doing 55 in a 35 on her first Prius drive. She was surprised too. I routinely sneak up on 80+ on the freeway without realizing it. Still getting 50 mpg though. I may get my first ticket since 1979 in this car. Its "sneaky" fast.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(subarutoo @ Feb 28 2007, 04:03 PM) [snapback]398029[/snapback]</div>

LOL, that's just about being in an automatic versus a stick, not necessarily about the Prius. I find it easier to know my speed since there is the large print digital speedometer right in my line of sight (I don't have to look down to see it)....

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(D1CK1E @ Feb 28 2007, 11:24 AM) [snapback]397918[/snapback]</div>

I have to disagree. If the slower drivers were driving on the right, there would be no zigzagging. Zigzagging occurs because the drivers on the left have gaps on their right so drivers move to the right to pass them.

Yes...there are some overly aggressive drivers (actually many overly aggressive drivers) but they are balanced by all the drivers who get in the middle and left lane and don't keep up with the traffic.