Straight answer from dealer on Traction Control power loss

Sure it's a known issue. Toyota has known about it for years. Starting in mid 2005 they changed the parameters on the traction control system to lessen the problem. The real sticker is balancing the need for the car to move in poor traction verses the need to protect the HSD.

Tom

 

My 2007 FJ Cruiser also has Traction Control and VSC. I was lucky in that when I test drove it in March, we still had a lot of snow and ice around. Hard to believe with temps this weekend of +90 F.

The FJ will actually allow wheelspin before the Traction control intervenes, but the Trac never kills all the power. When the Spring melt finally came, I purposely drove in 2WD on the gravel sideroad to the hobby farm, to see just how far I could get before bogging down.

On the steep hill, I finally bogged down, but the wheels were still slowly turning. With my 2004 Prius, it would kill all power, even with the gas floored.

So I find it interesting that a Toyota dealer claims all Toyota models have a "problem." My FJ clearly does not

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jayman @ Jun 24 2007, 06:44 PM) [snapback]467391[/snapback]</div>

The FJ also has anti-chip paint. I wish they'd put the same careful thought into some of the items on the Prius.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Les Gas @ Jun 25 2007, 11:12 AM) [snapback]467606[/snapback]</div>

Now that you mention it, that's another good reason to stop taking the Prius out to my hobby farm. The plastic bumper and soft aluminum hood are peppered with little dings. I may have to get the entire bumper repainted.

The gravel sideroad to my hobby farm has already been washed out a couple of times due to our weird intense thunderstorm activity here. Have had to follow gravel trucks a few times in the FJ and have even had to pry small rocks out of the plastic mesh grille. But no obvious paint damage that I could see.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jayman @ Jun 26 2007, 07:43 AM) [snapback]468194[/snapback]</div>

Interesting observation. I have the same chips all over the bumper and hood. It really irked me the other day looking at one of those nice, thick-paper FJ magazine advertisements. Each of those ads will go into some obscure facts about the FJ and what went into the design process. Well, in the ad I was reading, one of the features discussed was the anti-chip paint. I just had to sit and fume for a minute thinking about the paint on my Prius. :angry: If they ever produce a clean diesel FJ, I'm there.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Les Gas @ Jun 26 2007, 12:09 PM) [snapback]468305[/snapback]</div>

I've been told that the Prius was an early adopter of low VOS paints, and as a consequence, the paint is not as tough as some. I don't know if it's true, but it seems plausible.

Tom

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Jun 26 2007, 01:28 PM) [snapback]468390[/snapback]</div>

Talking about chips in the paint. Does anyone recommend a "bra" for the Prius? Does it really help? I wonder how much of a nuisance it would be when washing the car, etc. Any thoughts?

Mo

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(moshe @ Jun 27 2007, 11:12 AM) [snapback]468804[/snapback]</div>

yes, I had installed a venture shield clear bra immediately after i took posession of my vehicle to protect the paint. I think it works great and you treat it like the normal surface. It is no nuisance to wash or polish, you simply treat it like you do the regular finish. I highly recommend it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(moshe @ Jun 27 2007, 11:12 AM) [snapback]468804[/snapback]</div>

My Prius isn't that well developed. I'm thinking about a training bra.

Tom

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Jun 22 2007, 10:49 AM) [snapback]466431[/snapback]</div>

I really wish they'd figure something out! Seems like a liability issue. It's happened a couple times that I've tried to accelerate across an interesction in the face of oncoming traffic, only to have a tire slip on some gravel and then lose the power. Pretty scary.

-Bill

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jayman @ Jun 24 2007, 06:44 PM) [snapback]467391[/snapback]</div>

You're putting words in the dealer's mouth. He says it's not unique to the Prius, and other Toyota models have it. But it wasn't said in the OP that ALL models have it. Since the FJ is specially built for off-road capability, if any vehicle is an exception to their practice in this area, it would be the FJ Cruiser.

Also, there's circumstantial evidence that the problem was addressed (at least partially) sometime in 2005. I know my 2006 Prius allows some wheel slip. I haven't been able to get it to completely stop the wheels, despite driving up steep hills with several inches of snow (the wheels still moved even when the car lost all upward momentum, it tended to spin and grab, spin and grab).

But it does sound that for your case of driving to the hobby farm, you have found a better vehicle. It's too bad it doesn't come with great gas mileage, but the Prius can't fill all niches. I like the looks of the FJ Cruiser, but it doesn't match my citified needs. Rural western Ontario is a different kind of place entirely.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nerfer @ Jun 27 2007, 06:13 PM) [snapback]469092[/snapback]</div>

Uh, technically my hobby farm is about an hour from the Ontario border. About half an hour from Pinawa, Manitoba. I'm heading out tomorrow for our long weekend, hopefully the washout on the road is fixed. The FJ can handle the washout, but I'm expecting installation of satellite internet and the installer refuses to go out until the road is fixed.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusFTW @ Jun 27 2007, 12:52 PM) [snapback]468864[/snapback]</div>

Thanks for the info -- is this something available through the PriusChat Shop? If not where did you get it.