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Questions from new owner

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by echeng66, Dec 23, 2007.

  1. echeng66

    echeng66 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 23, 2007
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    Location:
    Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    I have my car for almost a month now. So far so good (knock on wood). I have also read many interesting posts here for the past few weeks. Very informative. I have a couple of questions that I hope you can give me some hints.

    1) I read the traction control and VSC threads. So I know the difference. My question is how can I tell when each of the following is activated in terms of warning light and sound as there is only one slippery light
    a) antilock brake
    b) traction control
    c) VSC
    I guess I don't really need any warning light/sound to tell me when the antilock brake is applied since I can feel the pulsing in the pedal. The manual mentions about the slippery light coming on and a warning sound when VSC is engaged but I can't find anything about traction control. So far I have seen the slippery light came on but not sound. Any idea?

    2) Sometimes at low speed when braking, I heard short buzzing noise from the front. The manual mentions noise from the hybrid system. I assume this is normal. Is this right?

    Thanks.

    Ed.
     
    #1 echeng66, Dec 23, 2007
  2. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2006
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    Location:
    Edmonton Alberta
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius

    1. a) when antilock brake is activated you will feel it - ONLY happens when you are braking (obviously).
    b) when traction control is activated you will feel the car suddenly "die" then recover. This often happens several times in a row before the car gets going. It only happens when you are trying to accelerate.
    c) usually VSC will be tripped when you are in a corner, particularly if the car is sliding a bit. You will hear the tones sound and the light will come on. You -may- hear the braking system activate, though you'd have to be really sliding for that.

    2. The "buzzing" noise is the inverter using the regeneration energy to charge the battery. It operates at a very high frequency and generates what I would class a faint squealing sound. It has to convert whatever the MG puts out to what the battery needs to charge, so converts and regulates voltage and current. The antilock brakes buzz when tripped.
     
    #2 David Beale, Dec 23, 2007
  3. echeng66

    echeng66 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 23, 2007
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    Location:
    Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Thanks!!!

    Ed.
     
    #3 echeng66, Dec 24, 2007
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