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Feedback: Is this true ?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by moomber, Jun 17, 2007.

  1. moomber

    moomber New Member

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    Seriously considering getting a Prius, but friends and a salesman have told me
    that if the Prius dies somehow on the road, the only option would be to tow
    it to the nearest Toyota dealership, as no one else can fix the hybrid engine.
    Is this true ? Can the car run on just the gasoline engine, if it's the electric
    motor that died ? I can't imagine driving this car on the freeway, half way
    from LA to San Francisco, and the car dies on the way ...

    Appreciate any feedback!
     
  2. TheForce

    TheForce Stop War! Lets Rave! Make Love!

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    1. Thats the same with any car you get depending on the problem. All cars can stall on the highway. Most of the time you can restart the car and drive off. Other times you have to get a tow truck. Again this applies to any car. The Prius is know for its reliability. The chances of it stalling on the highway are about the same if not lower than any other car.

    2. If there is a problem with the hybrid system then yes you may need to take it to a Toyota dealer. In fact you would have to take it to them because most likely it would be under warranty and would be fixed for free.

    3. Don't know if the Prius can run on gas alone but if you had a problem with the electric motor you might want to tow it anyway. A problem with the electric motor is highly unlikely because electric motors are better than gas. :)

    4. You must have never owned a car since your so worried about it stalling on the highway. Don't worry about it. Its highly unlikely that it will happen but it does happen every once in a while to ANY car.
     
  3. SW03ES

    SW03ES Senior Member

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    In 2007 I would not be concerned about this in ANY car, let alone a Prius. Yes there are unique facets to the hybrid powertrain that a gas station mechanic in rural Kentucky probably can't fix, but thats true of most modern cars. The odds of it breaking down and needing to be towed off are extremely remote.
     
  4. ystasino

    ystasino Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(moomber @ Jun 17 2007, 03:19 PM) [snapback]463518[/snapback]</div>
    Wouldn't you take any car's faulty engine to a dealer if it was under the warranty? The hybrid parts are warrantied by Toyota for 8 years/100k mi.

    They are expensive to replace and you do need to find a Prius tech if the hybrid parts fail. You can also extend the bumper to bumper warranty to a total of 7 year/100kmi for $1k if you want to.

    Any car can break down and it might happen. I have seen expensive cars break down. It happens to any car and nothing in life is guaranteed. We all need luck and in the Prius's case it's more like we don't need bad luck.
     
  5. Stev0

    Stev0 Honorary Hong Kong Cavalier

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    If the car "breaks down" on the highway, 99% of the time it's because it's out of gas. AAA (or better yet, A Better World Club) can come, put a couple of gallons in your tank, and off you go to the nearest gas station.

    No worries.
     
  6. apriusfan

    apriusfan New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(moomber @ Jun 17 2007, 12:19 PM) [snapback]463518[/snapback]</div>
    You have got to love the dis-information game. If you are losing a sale - lie through your teeth!!!!

    If you are on the freeway, you are likely running on the ICE (internal combustion engine), given the speeds that traffic on California freeways seems obsessed with running at. If the ICE dies, then you have electric power to go a very limited distance in pure electric mode. That is an option that none of the pure gas engined cars have. And as others have pointed out, if the engine fails on other pure gas engined cars, you have the same problem (the car would have to be towed to the dealer and repairs would have to be performed by the dealer). The Prius' Hybrid Synergy Drive is easily as reliable as other non-hybrid ICEs. If you want confirmation, check the Toyota dealer's service department for the number of high mileage Prius that they are servicing. The dealer that I bought mine from has two customers with 2nd gen Prius that have over 150K miles, and a bunch that are over 70K miles with no problems at all. And, as others have also posted, you can get the bumper-to-bumper warranty extended out to 7 years/100,000 miles.
     
  7. moomber

    moomber New Member

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    Thanks for all the fast replies. I guess I must have hit on a nerve or something. I by no means trashing it.

    Judge from the responses so far, it confirms that if the engine stalls, one would need to have to
    tow it to the nearest dealer to have it fixed. UNLIKE any other non-hybrid cars, where you have
    the OPTION to have the nearest mechanic look at it. I guess one would just have to hope, however
    minute the chance is, to not have the engine die on you while you are 200 miles from the nearest
    dealership. Please feel free to respond if I am wrong again ;)

    Thx guys!
     
  8. barbaram

    barbaram Active Member

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    The Prius is not just a car, like your old '65 Chevy- but a sophisticated computer controlled piece of eqiupment.
    If you run out of gas or have a flat tire that is one thing....

    If there is a real problem with the system only an expert would be able to resolve it! Why would you take a car that is under warranty to anyone BUT the dealer?????
     
  9. nytimez

    nytimez New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(moomber @ Jun 17 2007, 07:09 PM) [snapback]463621[/snapback]</div>
    Considering the car is under warranty for at least 3 years, and the hybrid components for at least 8 (someone correct me if I'm wrong), why wouldn't you want it brought to a dealer?

    Having said that, the Prius has been around long enough and there are enough floating around that I'm sure many if not most quality mechanics in areas where there's a decent population have seen with or dealth with them. And good mechanics do keep up on automotive technology and new cars - they WANT your business. If there is a specific mechanic you go to, call him and ask how familiar he is with the Prius.
     
  10. apriusfan

    apriusfan New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(moomber @ Jun 17 2007, 04:09 PM) [snapback]463621[/snapback]</div>
    I guess my question is about your assertion that you would be 200 miles from the nearest dealership. Even if you were on I-5 (or, for that matter, U.S. 101) going from L.A. to S.F., there are Toyota dealers located less than 200 miles apart.


    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nytimez @ Jun 17 2007, 05:14 PM) [snapback]463651[/snapback]</div>
    Actually, for cars purchased in California, the AT-PZEV technology components (things like the traction battery) are warranted for 10 years/150,000 miles.... And those are the really expensive bits.
     
  11. daniel

    daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb

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    So really, here's your dilemma:

    Would you rather have a car that any mechanic can fix, and which has one chance in a hundred of breaking down on the highway on any given trip, or a car that only a Toyota dealership can fix, but which has one chance in ten thousand of breaking down on any given trip?

    Because the cars that any mechanic can fix nowadays are older cars, which are more likely than average to break down, while Toyota cars (including the Prius) are the most reliable in the world. And all new cars today are run by electronics that cannot be repaired, only replaced, and that only dealerships will have replacement electronics.

    Note also, that Toyota dealers in CA are probably 5 or 10 miles apart, not 200.

    People worry about the most curious things. You are far more likely to be hit by an SUV driver on a cell phone, than to break down in a Prius. And if you are hit, the Prius has a stellar crash rating.

    Finally, it depends on what breaks down: You do need a Prius tech to repair the hybrid components, but these are so extraordinarily reliable that you might as well worry about being attacked by a leopard on Fisherman's Wharf as worry about your hybrid components breaking down on the highway. And if any of the conventional components breaks down, they can be fixed by a regular mechanic. Though I cannot imagine why you would want to have an independent mechanic fix something any dealership would fix for free under the warranty.

    The days when anything can be fixed by an independent mechanic while you wait are long gone. It's all computers and high-tech analyzers and digital scan gauges nowadays.

    I'm not attacking you. I just think you are worried about the wrong thing. The Prius is one of the most reliable cars you can buy.
     
  12. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(moomber @ Jun 17 2007, 02:19 PM) [snapback]463518[/snapback]</div>
    Moomber, welcome to the site. It's about time you start hanging out with some friends who are more informed. ;) BTW, just what does that salesman peddle, horse manure?

    My 1989 Delta 88 failed me several times. Once in the driveway and on my way to the office. Some of the trouble I believe (but can't prove) was caused by Mr. Goodwrench. Some of the trouble I believe was caused by incomplete diagnostics (no longer Mr. Goodwrench). Some of the trouble was a parts failure after warranty. Sometimes I limped to the garage. Sometimes it was towed. :(

    In NJ and CA the hybrid components are warranted for 150,000 miles. Taxi fleets have twice the mileage without reported problems. Toyotas in general are very reliable and this car should require less maintenance. Now go to www.carbuyingtips.com and start doing some real shopping.
     
  13. moomber

    moomber New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(apriusfan @ Jun 17 2007, 04:20 PM) [snapback]463653[/snapback]</div>
    hmm, ok, 100 miles away ? still have to be towed, right ? hehe man, why pick on minor details. ...
    fact remains that there's no option of anyone else but nearest dealer to fix it. If the dealer is down
    the street, what retard will bring it to the shell gas station nearby ? Thanks you for your respond, tho.

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Jun 17 2007, 04:42 PM) [snapback]463661[/snapback]</div>
    Just saying, if one's on a long trip... . my original question wasn't about whether Prius is a
    good or bad car, whether it's reliable or not ..etc. .. I am certain Toyota makes a great car,
    compared to others. Just want to know, if , for whatever reason, the engine would die,
    is, or is not the only option to take it to the nearest dealership .. that's all .. yes or no
    question ... I have my answer. Thanks to all who posted.
     
  14. FL_Prius_Driver

    FL_Prius_Driver Senior Member

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    I have a 2001 Prius and I have had four "events" over the past six years:

    1) While backing out of a parking space on a really hot day, the engine stalled and the master hybrid warning light (triangle of death) and engine check light came on. The car restarted with no problem, but the warning icons stayed on. Took it to dealer and they could not find a problem. My oversight for not asking what the fault code was. In any case, the car worked fine the whole time.

    2) About a year ago, the little 12V battery started to die. This is a big event since the Prius will not start at all if this battery is too weak. Once started, the car will run without any problem, but the trip should be to the dealer or place where you can get a replacement battery. You can jump start the Prius, but once you turn it off, you are right back where you started. This was my most significant problem, but EVERY car I have had eventually had the lead acid battery wear out after about 5 years of FL heat. What is really cool about the Prius is a secret screen that allows you to directly read the 12V battery voltage on the touchscreen and allows you to do a load check on this battery just from the drivers seat....but only if the battery is able to power the computers to begin with.

    3) While driving down the interstate, the car lost most, but not all acceleration, and the triangle of death appeared again. However, the car was able to drive to the Toyota dealer where the gas pedal assembly (including the potentiometers) was replaced. Car worked fine after replacement.

    4) Two weeks latter, the triangle of death appeared along with a beep from the dash. Took to the dealer and had the big hybrid battery replaced under warranty. Fault codes were P3000, P3006, indicating that the battery cells were charging unevenly.

    I have also discovered that if you leave the gas cap off or loose after a fill up, the engine check light (but no other indicators) will come on. If you put the gas cap back on tight, the engine check light will go out on it's own (e.g. after about 4 or more car on/off cycles with the problem no longer present).

    In no case was I ever stranded or stalled out, and was able to get to the dealer. So my personel experience was that the Prius seemed to have more options to get you out of harms way than previous cars I have had.
     
  15. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    if the repair is covered by warranty, it is towed to the nearest dealer (no matter how far) for free as part of the warranty coverage.

    so, you can tow it to wherever on your own dime and pay out of pocket, or tow it to the dealer on toyota's dime, and toyota pays for it.
     
  16. NoMoShocks

    NoMoShocks Electrical Engineer

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    The "Salesman" is obviously trying to lure you into buying his alternative product. You will find plently of happy campers here at PriusChat who have found their cars to be very reliable. Many have owned for over three years of relatively trouble free mileage.
     
  17. ystasino

    ystasino Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(moomber @ Jun 17 2007, 08:56 PM) [snapback]463669[/snapback]</div>
    Well you are asking with so many hypotheticals. There are SOME things that ONLY a dealer can fix on a Prius car. If THEY fail then only a dealer can and should fix them.

    It is an issue but the Prius has way above average reliability ratings. There are stories of failed cars that only a dealer could resolve. I thought that might have been self understood, just like your following statement:

     
  18. LYLUVLY

    LYLUVLY New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TheForce @ Jun 17 2007, 12:28 PM) [snapback]463520[/snapback]</div>

    Moomber has a fix about buying a car which can only be fixed by Toyota.
    My fix is: if Toyota Prius is so reliable, is there still any doubt whether to buy a 7yr/100,000 extended warantee? How many Prius chat members have purchased such a policy. Perhaps it can help mommber [and ease my mind, also]

    My Honda Hybrid had a problem with the transmission, and finally had the start clutdch assembly replaced, which would have been $4000. And in succession, the EGR valve was also replaced. Each one cause shuddering under driving conditions. After one was repaired and its problem resolved, the other half of the shuddering showed up again at a different point of the driving condition. And this problem was only around $400, still under warantee. Now, the question is: Would having a extented warantee make owning a prius soothe your worries.
    I have definitely decided to spend $990 for the Prius extended waranted, because of all the electronics involved in this fine auto.
    Hopefully, all the extended warantee members will post and give us newbies a little bit of guidance.
     
  19. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    I just wanted to add:

    Since the OP is from the SF Bay Area, you can also have your Prius serviced at an independent shop instead of the dealership. Here is one that I ran across; there may be others as well:

    http://www.artsautomotive.com/

    http://www.artsautomotive.com/Hybrid.htm

    Of course, while the car is under warranty, you would want to have the dealer do the work for N/C, same as any other car on the road.
     
  20. jbarnhart

    jbarnhart New Member

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    Stop beating this dead horse. The OP has no intention of buying a Prius. I'm amazed that no one has picked up on the fact that he has one objection -- the Prius can't be fixed at a gas station on the I-5 -- and doesn't care about the actual reliability of the car.

    This is a shill post and is only intended to rile people up. Move along, nothing to see here.