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Radar cruise changes the way I drive

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by IAPrius, Jul 29, 2016.

  1. IAPrius

    IAPrius Active Member

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    Just picked up my new Prius 4 with ATP and I LOVE IT. Attached are some pics (I'm so happy how the black interior and grey metallic turned out with my Hawkeye plates).

    The biggest thing for me is the radar cruise control. I drive about 25,000 miles a year (mostly highway) and the radar is so handy. I set my cruise for around 77 MPH on the interstate. Whenever I approach a car my car slows down and keeps a safe distance, then I'll adjust to the left lane and my car speeds back up to 77.

    I literally don't use the pedals for long interstate portions. It has made me a safer driver and significantly made my drive less stressful.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Kramah313

    Kramah313 Active Member

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    I am curious - what kind of mpg does the car get at that speed? That's pretty fast for a sustained speed...my gen 3 would probably be in the 45 mpg range
     
  3. IAPrius

    IAPrius Active Member

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    I usually get between 50-56 MPG depending on the wind direction/strength. I'll drive on I-80 in Nebraska quite often where the posted limit is 75 MPH so I don't think its that insanely fast.
     
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  4. Dragon Rider

    Dragon Rider Active Member

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    Nice color. Awesome!! Congratulations here in Miami people drive like crazy I don't have that package in my Prius . The Expressway and the street here are really bad . I don't think I could have used the option..

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  5. Kramah313

    Kramah313 Active Member

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    That is really good...does the cruise control help your mpg at interstate speed?
     
  6. pakitt

    pakitt Senior Member

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    Congrats!
    I like that color too :D

    FYI, depending on the driving mode you select (eco, normal, power) the radar CC will recover lost speed more or less fast, power being the fastest.

    I can add instead that here in Germany the Radar CC for me has shown how badly other drivers drive. If I set it at 130km/h // 80mph and I approach a work zone with 80km/h // 50mph, other drivers will *not* slow down till the very last minute. I tried it once (and I am no slow driver) letting the CC follow the driver in front of me (and the ones ahead of him going the same way), it was almost scary. They essentially arrived at the work zone without any real hint of braking and then they went through a change of lane at like 100km/h // 62mph...
    How can people be so stupid... I am not saying to get there from a distance at the posted limit, but "landing" there almost with no change in speed, really dangerous and causing traffic jams (hard braking causes traffic jams).
     
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  7. IAPrius

    IAPrius Active Member

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    Yes it significantly helps. Usually when on the interstate I'll put on Eco driving (which I don't like in town as it feels mushy) and it will let my speed fluctuate about 1-2 MPH but keeps the drive meter totally out of the power zone.
     
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  8. raspy

    raspy Senior Member

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    I'm going to try that. I have mine set in Normal when on radar cruise at 65mph and up.
     
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  9. raspy

    raspy Senior Member

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    I got 58mpg (US) with radar cruise and AC on at 70mph on a 50 mile drive.
     
  10. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    Great looking car. Your "Z" tail light is so bright in that pic... I almost thought it was the brake light. Be great if it was. I don't like the single bulb brake light on the Gen4.
     
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    There's something alarming in this. With radar cruise on, the car in front of you is determining your behavior. :eek:
     
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  12. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    That reduction of stress is nice.

    For me, the long cruises through South Dakota at 80 mph are much improved from the car automatically slowing down each time a moron cuts in after a pass.

    It's annoying how some drivers get back in the right lane so abruptly. Why not just keep going for a bit? There's usually only the two of on those long open stretches anyway. Ugh.
     
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  13. Dragon Rider

    Dragon Rider Active Member

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    It funny when I am driving my wrangler Jeep people don't cut me off in front at all. It happen alot with the Prius. It really stupid!! I just want peace while I am driving to work or going home. It like they are pulling me in with their crazy habit.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  14. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    I do hope that you are staying in full control of the car, not mentally checking out. Have you read this thread?:
    DRCC emergency stop at 70mph | PriusChat
     
  15. IAPrius

    IAPrius Active Member

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    Well of course I do, you always keep a foot by the brake and your eyes on the road. But I've found for me it relieves stress.
     
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  16. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    I don't trust it. I think some people will be lulled into false sense of security.

    The only "radar" I want to see, is on a Navy ship!
     
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  17. raspy

    raspy Senior Member

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    I wonder how many owners who use CC, opt to use the regular CC rather than the radar one?
     
  18. jbkendrick

    jbkendrick Active Member

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    I get passed and cut back in on quite often as well, but have found that if the new car I'm trailing is going faster than I am, or accelerating, even if close to me, the drcc maintains my speed. This was very smart of the Toyota programmers and makes the feature much more usable than maintaining distance alone. J
     
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  19. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I'm a bit confused. Is the car ahead of you going faster than your set speed? Your cruise should stick to your set speed.
     
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  20. jbkendrick

    jbkendrick Active Member

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    No, and that is what I like about how it works. It will start slowing if the car in front doesn't keep moving away from me, but most of the time that isn't the case. Also, I keep my drive mode in eco so that may also be influencing the behavior. J
     
    #20 jbkendrick, Jul 29, 2016
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2016
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