had car 2 days, hit a deer before I even put it on my insurance, now what?

Keep in mind ABS doesn't guarantee the tires will never slide/lock up. The goal of ABS is to reduce stopping distance and depending on the situation some amount of locking up the tires will help you stop quicker. The difference is between sliding 100ft with wheels locked up vs sliding 5 ft, rolling 5ft, sliding 5ft and being able to steer while tires are locked up only part of the time.

Of course my numbers are totally made up, I don't know the actual ratio of lockup to rolling when ABS pumps 15 times a second nor did I bother to do the math for distance traveled at any set speed.

 

If it helps, the damage to your car was nothing compared to when I hit a deer with my old Carolla, and that had metal bumpers, etc. The deer pushed the radiator back into the engine. Luckily, I was able to bend the radiator back enough to where everything would (kind of) work so that I could get home. Comparatively speaking, it doesn't look like much damage was done to your car. Like you said, mostly (if not completely) cosmetic.

Good luck on getting it fixed and made pretty. Somebody correct me, but isn't the car supposed to be able to absorb this hit at this (relatively low) speed?

Mike

 

Because of the way the brakes in the Prius operate, you wouldn't feel brake pedal pulsation when the ABS system engages. A loud noise from an ABS pump will also be absent. The Prius uses electro hydraulic braking system. The hydraulic pump pressurizes a storage tank; using solenoids, the system releases pressure from this tank to the individual brake lines. The hydraulic pump is a two speed pump; pump speed is determined by the type of braking or whether VSC or ABS is engaged. The brake pedal is connected to the stroke simulator; designed to mimic the feel of a normal brake pedal. Should the braking system fail, the computer can link the brake pedal directly to the brake lines to create pressure using the brake pedal.

 

I've had to do the "panic brake" twice in the last year and didn't squeal the tires in either case. You probably won't feel the ABS kick in with the Prius. I don't think I've felt anything anytime it's happened to me in snowy weather. Admittedly, those are typically done purposely, so that I'll have some idea if it ever happens when needed.

I almost kissed a deer once in one of my panic stops. Well, actually, I almost kissed the steering wheel and the bumper almost kissed the deer . The other panic stop, was someone making a left turn in front of me when I was halfway through the intersection (a small one). Luckily, the Prius senses when you do this, and I believe applies full brakes about a half second quicker than we can. At least, I'm pretty sure that's what I read about the car.....maybe someone else can confirm that for me.

What's important, is that you weren't injured and the car can be fixed. Now what's on every redneck's mind that reads this.....did you go back and pick up dinner?

 

nooo.. can't eat bambi..

 

No, the goal of ABS is to maintain control of the vehicle. If the tires are all skidding, you have very minimal control over where the car goes. With ABS, skidding can be avoided, and you may be able to steer around whatever you're trying to not hit.

Stopping distance with ABS is decreased on some surfaces (wet pavement), and increased on others (gravel, snow). But in all cases, you have more steering control than without ABS.

 

1) It could have been worse
2) If you still feel bad, think about being the deer
3) Now you have a perfectly good reason to get one of those spiffy illuminated emblems to replace the one that now seems to be missing!

 

This is a common misconception. The goal of ABS is to keep the wheels from locking, which is why it is called Anti-lock Braking System. Anti-lock is the key word. ABS generally does not reduce braking distance, and on loose surfaces such as sand and gravel it will increase braking distance. Generally, however, it will allow the driver to maintain control and steer, which is its key benefit.

ABS is not flawless. Any situation the simultaneously locks all four wheels will not be detected by ABS. It needs to see a difference in wheel rotation to note a locked or locking wheel. If all four are locked, it thinks that the car has stopped.

Tom