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How the Prius shifter stll emulates the outdated mechanical shifters of yesteryear...

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by Georgina Rudkus, Dec 20, 2019.

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  1. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Towing a roller wouldn't be a problem with the Ryobi. It has a hitch with a hole for that. You can even remove the mowing deck, if you want to. That would make it ride like a golf cart.
     
    #21 Georgina Rudkus, Dec 21, 2019
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  2. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    #22 Georgina Rudkus, Dec 21, 2019
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  3. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Back to the shifter.

    For those who must have a shift knob, simply put, a switch like this one would have been a simple, cheap, and easy solution.



    A push button on top could be used to activate the "B" mode when shifting back to Drive.

    From my experience in aircraft and spacecraft engineering, I prefer simple, inexpensive and intuitive designs.
     
    #23 Georgina Rudkus, Dec 21, 2019
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  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    For that kind of money, I'd rather see it packaged as a replacement for the whole white trim piece, and with the buttons flush. (And maybe even, dare I whisper, not white.)

    And without the giant logo, thankyouverymuch. Maybe they could offer a half-price version for people who want to spend less money, in exchange for driving around with a giant random third-party logo on the dash.
     
    #24 ChapmanF, Dec 21, 2019
  5. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    If you could get a connector for the harness, you could make your own using this diagram by analyzing the pin outs. Prius shifter switching.JPG
     
    #25 Georgina Rudkus, Dec 21, 2019
  6. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    Nothing from TOM'S is reasonably priced...
     
    #26 krmcg, Dec 21, 2019
  7. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    Does the shifter really weigh 2 lbs ? that seems excessive on a car that is supposed to be as light as possible.
    I love the Gen 4 and SWMBO's Gen 2 shifters they are simple to operate and perfectly positioned IMO.
    Ideal for SWMBO who has arthritis in her hands, light to operate and no need to grip tight. She tried a Yaris Hybrid which has a normal auto style shifter and found it difficult.
     
    #27 kithmo, Dec 22, 2019
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  8. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Weight is okay if it brings some strength or utility that you also need. Maybe they needed some crushable/crackable plastic there for occupant safety in the worst of crashes? I like to think that one of the reasons they used a stubby handle was to eliminate a stab hazard.
     
    #28 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Dec 22, 2019
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  9. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Yes it weighs nearly two pounds and it takes up a lot of space. The electronics could be lighter smaller than the interior circuit board on a key fob. That's why Honda and others and even the new Corvette has gone tp simple push buttons.
     
    #29 Georgina Rudkus, Dec 22, 2019
  10. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    slammed black peek knob.JPG
    In that case, a simple momentary rocker switch would suffice. On my 2012 Prius v, the shaft on the shifter has been cut down so that it sticks out an inch less than the original. It is now centered and not offset, so it is more ergonomically to use. The original design was obviously designed for image rather than function.

    Now, it's more like the joystick or pad on a game controller.
     
    #30 Georgina Rudkus, Dec 22, 2019
    Last edited: Dec 22, 2019
  11. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Even simpler would be three switches spaced as the current shift pattern. I would be a momentary rocker switch on the left for left hand drive using the current forward position for "Reverse" and the back position for "Drive." The lower right position would be used for "Braking." All that is needed is a tab on the "B" switch, so it would also depress the "D" switch at the same time.

    Basically, this would be an absolutely inexpensive, light weight and space saving rendition of the current Prius shifter.
     
    #31 Georgina Rudkus, Dec 22, 2019
  12. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    I don't see the problem - it works just fine, takes much less space than a traditional shifter, and is still similar enough to a traditional shifter that it's intuitive to use. We don't want some new-fangled gadgetry like separate switches with a complicated operation method. It's bad enough to need to press, I think 17 keypresses to adjust the clock.
     
    #32 alanclarkeau, Dec 22, 2019
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  13. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    What's the complication? Only three buttons are needed for "R," D" or "B" in their current positions of operation for the Prius shifter.
     
    #33 Georgina Rudkus, Dec 22, 2019
  14. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    There's already "P" - and it would need "N" as well. TOYOTA don't even put buttons on the radio - no possibility they'll consider another 4 buttons.

    Reaching for the lever and pulling down is done by feel easily. The "P" button - needs a glance - which would worse if there were 5 buttons.
     
    #34 alanclarkeau, Dec 22, 2019
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  15. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    No "N" button is needed, since a momentary rocker switch returns to the neutral position when released just like the current Prius shifter.

    The "P" button on the Prius v is easy to naturally access as is.
     
    #35 Georgina Rudkus, Dec 22, 2019
  16. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    What would you do to actually put the powertrain in Neutral?
     
    #36 ChapmanF, Dec 22, 2019
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  17. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    An on-off-on momentary rocker switch is spring loaded, like the current Prius shifter to return to the center off position for Neutral.
     
    #37 Georgina Rudkus, Dec 22, 2019
  18. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    I don't get it. What are the steps?
     
    #38 krmcg, Dec 22, 2019
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  19. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    No steps. Activate whatever button selected. The switches return to the neutral position like the current. shifter.
     
    #39 Georgina Rudkus, Dec 22, 2019
  20. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    so if the car is in Drive, then pressing the Drive button would put the car into Neutral?
     
    #40 krmcg, Dec 22, 2019
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