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Powering off without Park

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by rpickoff, Apr 24, 2011.

  1. rpickoff

    rpickoff Bob P

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    Is it very bad to Power off before putting the car into Park? It seems to go into Park upon hitting the Power button automatically.
     
  2. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    No problem. I've been doing it since I took delivery in June 2009, as have many other here.
     
  3. sipnfuel

    sipnfuel New Member

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    ^ Stream is right. It does no harm.
     
  4. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    1 person likes this.
  5. chrisj428

    chrisj428 Active Member

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    I do it every time.
     
  6. MJFrog

    MJFrog Active Member

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    The advantage to putting it in park before you press power-off is that, when you press the power button, but don't hold it long enough, the car won't power off and you have a danger of rolling forward (or backward if you're in reverse)
     
  7. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    I read once that someone powered off without putting the car in park and the engine fell completely out of the car and laid there on the driveway just sputtering while the hybrid battery provided the electricity to keep it running and the gas tank was still in the car chassis but the hoses were still running to the car and then the Prius sprang forward with unintended acceleration and literally dragged the engine behind the car but still powering the wheels because the transmission was still engaged which is when the brakes failed as they tend to when you drive over rough pavement and then the car slammed into the front of a store and the whole thing was caught on a security camera.
     
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  8. Rocco42

    Rocco42 Member

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    And I have a bridge for sale. :D
     
  9. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    If you (successfully) power down the car, it will go into park.
    Period.

    I almost always just hit the power button....unless I want to finish out an NPR or talk radio segment before getting out of the car(*). For me, it's just easier that way.

    YMMV.

    (*) Hey Toyota! How about adding the radio to the retained power feature?
     
  10. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    Of course that whole diatribe I wrote previously was absolute nonsense. Powering down without first putting the car into Park will, in no way, harm the vehicle. Period.
     
  11. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    I once powered off without first going into park. My head exploded and flames shot out of my neck.

    What? Well, I got better.

    Seriously, when you power off, the computer presses park for you. There is no difference, other than the ritual.

    Tom
     
  12. billinmd

    billinmd Member

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    For the Gen III, it is on page 163 of the owner's manual. Pressing the power button to turn off the hybrid system will put the car in "park" automatically.
     
  13. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Why do we have this thread topic every few months?
     
  14. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Awwww MAN! :(

    I was juuuust waiting......

    Lotsa people out there buying new Priuses.....
     
  15. Flaninacupboard

    Flaninacupboard Senior Member

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    If you do it properly (by applying the parking brake) that won't happen.
     
  16. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    It turned me into a newt!
     
  17. San_Carlos_Jeff

    San_Carlos_Jeff Active Member

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    It turned you into a newt?
     
  18. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    This topic--and many others! ;)

    If only there was a way to...search...the forum: :D
    Posting And You... | Flash Videos

     
  19. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Ni!!!!
    Or...if you prefer....ekki-ekki-ekki-pitang-zoom-boing! :D
     
  20. mesojdm

    mesojdm New Member

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    My pri rocks back and forth after putting it in park...?