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Ground clearance problems?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Sufferin' Prius Envy, Aug 13, 2004.

  1. Sufferin' Prius Envy

    Sufferin' Prius Envy Platinum Member

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    Anyone out there experience any problems with the low ground clearance?

    I’ve heard it can be a problem in deep powder snow areas.

    My concern is I have a large curb which makes most cars scrape their front end on their way in and out of the driveway. Should I look at fixing the curb before delivery, or should I be able to safely cheat the car up and down the curb at an angle?
     
    #1 Sufferin' Prius Envy, Aug 13, 2004
  2. removeum

    removeum Member

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    Ground Clearance

    I have not had any problem getting around and/or ground clearance in snow. In fact last winter Omaha, Nebraska, we had a lot of snow and my 04 did great.

    Ben
     
    #2 removeum, Aug 13, 2004
  3. delrey

    delrey Member

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    I think the front clearance is pretty low ...

    I back into my driveway to avoid scraping, though it wasn't a problem with my last car (Honda Accord).

    I'd think about fixing the curb or backing in.
     
    #3 delrey, Aug 13, 2004
  4. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    I bottomed out the other day on a not-too-bad looking speed bump. I probably could have cleared it going really slow, but as it was I was less than 10-12mph. But I've also had to drive on and park on grass a couple times in the past 2 weeks and taking it easy I didn't have any trouble crossing the rough ground and it's concrete ditches and other dips and rises.
     
    #4 efusco, Aug 13, 2004
  5. Frank Hudon

    Frank Hudon Senior Member

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    Rent that Jack Hammer and save the car. Curbs are a dime a dozen, these cars aren't
     
    #5 Frank Hudon, Aug 13, 2004
  6. priusham

    priusham New Member

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    While visiting San Fransisco a couple days after taking delivery, I noticed the lower air dam would scrape the pavement when entering an intersection after driving down one of those insane hills!

    I had to start driving the Prius into intersections on a slight angle to avoid scraping the air dam.
     
    #6 priusham, Aug 14, 2004
  7. InTheWASide

    InTheWASide New Member

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    Amen! :)
     
    #7 InTheWASide, Aug 14, 2004
  8. daniel

    daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb

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    I scraped something underneath on one occasion when I drove into a friend's very steep driveway. Needless to say, I parked on the street after that, when visiting that friend.
     
    #8 daniel, Aug 14, 2004
  9. Ray Moore

    Ray Moore Active Member

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    Many curbs scrape the air dam and I even have hit a few tall tire stops but so far I have not cracked the air dam. Methinks it is but a matter of time.
     
    #9 Ray Moore, Aug 14, 2004
  10. bresna

    bresna Active Member

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    I had a large bump in my driveway late last year when I bought my Prius. I scraped the front end maybe twice, and very lightly at that, but it was enough to put holes in my undercarriage cover. I paid the $$ and got the driveway repaired. I got a quote for a new cover last year and it was up around $600... for a chuck of plastic... I passed. BTW, my mileage has yet to be affected by these little holes down there.

    FWIW, this cover is made of very thin plastic. I bet many of the people who've scraped pavement don't even realize that their aerodynamic plastic cover is damaged.

    Kevin
     
    #10 bresna, Aug 25, 2004
  11. Sufferin' Prius Envy

    Sufferin' Prius Envy Platinum Member

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    My lazy side was hoping that everyone would say the Prii would take a large curb with no problem.

    I got that “happy call†from my dealer last week. Three for me to choose from, but I passed on grounds of color/package combos. Now in #1 overall position, so they say I have my choice of every Prii from now till we buy.

    That got me busy with the curb situation. I called the city about what hoops I jump through. They will send a crew next week to inspect. I think they will split the costs as a nearby city tree has raised the gutter and curb enough to make it a tripping hazzard.

    I agree, protect the Prii.
     
    #11 Sufferin' Prius Envy, Aug 25, 2004
  12. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    the low clearance helps to rduce drag on the car. the front air dam will scrape on the average curb or those concrete stops in a parking lot.

    i have become adept at stopping just short of those things. as it is, i still dont stick out as far as an average SUV (or anything else for that matter)

    i think according to the specs, the clearance is about 4.5"
     
    #12 DaveinOlyWA, Aug 25, 2004
  13. InTheWASide

    InTheWASide New Member

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    sounds about right... and can you believe the people that say they want to LOWER theirs?
     
    #13 InTheWASide, Aug 26, 2004
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