Close call: Prius vs pedestran

90% of all these problems would be solved if there were an external electric cow bell (with an occasional mooooove) that would sound whenever the car is moving at less than 15 MPH - forward or backward. (Above that speed, they would probably never know what hit them.)

Keith

 

I'm for an electronic recording of The Dukes of Hazards' Uncle Jessy saying "Git Out A My Way! Preee Eye comin through! " .

 

Pretty hard to explain, but basically they just look like they were designed by someone from the UK or Japan. They are angled parking, that the only way to park "normally" would be to cross oncoming traffic. Basically you go past the space and then back into it.

It is pretty experimental (I have my doubts that it will be any safer). But ours' were designed so a little paint will reverse the experiment.

 

You mean, like driving down the wrong lane of an angled parking space lot? That's almost what it sounds like.

 

This makes a lot of sense, painting the parking lines to encourage, back-in parking. I've given up on back-in parking for the 90 degree spaces unless the adjacent spaces are free of cars. The reason is without a rear-view camera, it is easy to misjudge either a rear bumper or the inner curve, parked vehicle radius. I have a crease in my right rear quarter panel thanks to this problem. It is the sharp turn that makes it difficult to back into a 90 degree parking place.

Of course angled, back-in lines means loss of at least one, possibly two spaces in a row. If a typical row has say 10 spaces, this could be an 80-90% reduction in parking lot capacity.

Bob Wilson

 

Like anything else it just takes practice. Once you get the hang of it its very easy.

 

A $30 set of parking sesnors helps a lot in a car like the prius with poor rear visibility.

There is nothing but 90 degree spaces here, those angled ones just seem to be for lazy drivers.

 

Here's a link to a graphic.
http://www.northamptonma.gov/tpc/uploads/imageWidget/i_5424/Driver-field-of-vision.gif

Ours' are set up in groupings that you can just change the lane markers by 90 degrees. Just in case people can't figure it out!

 

I use the side mirrors when backing around objects and into parking spaces. If you use the driver's mirror to line the parking line up with the side of the car, you'll back straight into the space every time.

 

All of our parking spaces are for parallel parking.

Tom

 

I'm all for backed in parking and all you have to do is blast your horn on the way out. (Really wakes up sleep walking pedestrians).

 

If everybody did that though, think of the noise pollution!

 

Lol!

 

It's hard for me to think of the little "meep-meep" horn in this car as "blasting", or a noise pollution threat. It MAY be capable of awakening a sleeping pedestrian...if they're not listening to an iPod....

 

I have had a lot of the interior panels off looking for rattles and I haven't found any sound insulation yet. The Prius is not a Lexus or an Audi, it's an economy car and they built it light and cheap. I agree with ET the horn is rather feeble, fortunately it is easy to change out for a louder one. I won't bother because I never use it but there is a good thread on it: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...odifications/68226-2010-horn-replacement.html

 

I agree, the engine, hybrid system, and other strictly functional parts seem to be as well made as can be. Which is one reason I like the car, not to mention fuel economy and drivability which are both excellent. But the interior is made of cheap parts and was poorly assembled, at least in my car.

 

I have to agree with Tumbleweed, the Prius has little, if any, sound insulation.