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What do you think of the A-Pillar blocking view?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Skoorbmax, Aug 3, 2011.

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  1. Skoorbmax

    Skoorbmax Senior Member

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    My wife insists this has caused her no problems, but with 26k on our 2010 now I can say that the A-Pillar--the vertical column going from the front of the dash up to the hood (part of the car's structure)--I have several times been completely oblivious to another car until surprisingly late. One time it was somebody cycling on a sidewalk as I was approaching an intersection at a similar speed (really they shouldn't have been doing this), another couple me and another car coming up to a 4 way and another I was driving through a parking lot recently without any yield/stop signs at all and barely saw a pickup truck in time, because the damn A-pillar is the size of the moon and cuts a huge portion of view.

    So in general, those with Gen 3's, can you classify the A-Pillar as one of the following:

    1) Doesn't bother you at all
    2) A little bothersome
    3) Very bothersome

    ?
     
    #1 Skoorbmax, Aug 3, 2011
  2. katiesdad7

    katiesdad7 Member

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    That's what the little window is for. I have no problems.
     
    #2 katiesdad7, Aug 3, 2011
  3. Teakwood

    Teakwood Member

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    Doesn't bother me. I do not understand what your problem is.
     
    #3 Teakwood, Aug 3, 2011
  4. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    Leaning forward as a secondary confirm has become an automatic behavior for me.

    It's like looking over your shoulder after having already checked the side mirror. You naturally do that, just to be sure.
    .
     
    #4 john1701a, Aug 3, 2011
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I'd say #2, a little bothersome. And now I've put our Garmin GPS's suction cup bracket on that piece of glass.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Aug 3, 2011
  6. tonyrenier

    tonyrenier I grew up, but it's still red!

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    1.)
     
    #6 tonyrenier, Aug 3, 2011
  7. Skoorbmax

    Skoorbmax Senior Member

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    Yes you do; see first post :)
     
    #7 Skoorbmax, Aug 3, 2011
  8. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    No bother for me on my Gen 3 or SWMBO's Gen 2, but it does bother her.
    I think it depends how far forward or back you sit from it.
     
    #8 kithmo, Aug 3, 2011
  9. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    Like John1701a, I've learned to live with it. I like the crash strength, but I'd say it's a little bothersome - too easy for a pedestrian to hide behind.
     
    #9 hyo silver, Aug 3, 2011
  10. Eoin

    Eoin Active Member

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    The pillar completely blocked my view of a pedestrian in an intersection as I was turning left. Luckily I saw him at the last second. And I usually do lean forward. Many cars are like this - not just the Prius. It needs to be addressed by car engineers.
     
    #10 Eoin, Aug 3, 2011
  11. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    You get used to them and learn to be more aware of the surroundings that the A-pillars are blocking.
     
    #11 32kcolors, Aug 3, 2011
  12. sipnfuel

    sipnfuel New Member

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    I hate to say this, but it wasn't more than a few days of owning the car when I was about to hit a lady and her daughters walking across a parking lot. The A-Pillar blocked them completely, I was in EV. They apparently didn't hear me, and I apparently didn't see them. It wasn't that close, I was still about 20 feet away from them, but it was surprising.

    I've learned to move my head more deliberately to see around the A-pillar. It is the right size to block views of pedestrians and vehicles when you are making turns.

    Now it is a non-issue. I really look around my blind spots because the Prius' are large and many.
     
    #12 sipnfuel, Aug 3, 2011
  13. Much More Better

    Much More Better Active Member

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    not a problem. I suppose it depends on seat position and driver height.
    I find the C pillars more of a problem but I've never been close to trouble because of it.
     
    #13 Much More Better, Aug 3, 2011
  14. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Maybe it's because I've driving a Prius for nearly 7 years but I would vote 1.

    My reasoning is that I'm already used to tilting my head to the left to see around the A-pillar if I'm making a left-turn to see if there's anything hidden behind the pillar (yes, you're right. It can hide something as big as a car or worse a pedestrian/cyclist which would have terrible consequences if you didn't see them). For right turns, it doesn't bother me at all and the small window (which is larger than the Gen 2) is quite useful at seeing the curb.
     
    #14 Tideland Prius, Aug 3, 2011
  15. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    #15 RRxing, Aug 3, 2011
  16. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    #16 stream, Aug 3, 2011
  17. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

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    2 or 3... i've almost hit people about half a dozen times. a few times i couldn't see them with leaning but my g/f in the passenger seat could.

    one time, this guy was carrying balloons!.. i couldn't see him at all till he and i were about 15 ft apart. i was slowing but still over 10mph when i sighted him (he was starting to slow his walking pace) i apologized for not being able to see him past my pillar and only my g/f could. he said thank you, in an "ok... at least you were looking and steered away from me when you did see me" kind of way... wasn't sarcastic.. a nice/sincere sort of way.
     
    #17 V8Cobrakid, Aug 3, 2011
  18. energyandair

    energyandair Active Member

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    #2 Moderate concern

    I've occassionally been surprised.
     
    #18 energyandair, Aug 3, 2011
  19. J5A

    J5A Active Member

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    #1
    Our old Saturn VUE has a thick A-pilar. I guess I'm so used to always moving to see around it I don't notice it a problem on the VUE or GenIII
     
    #19 J5A, Aug 3, 2011
  20. JoeM(GA)

    JoeM(GA) Member

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    #1
     
    #20 JoeM(GA), Aug 3, 2011
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