Major Problem with 2010 Prius PCS

From what I recollect from reading the manual (finally found an online copy - thanks PriusChat) - the PCS OFF will disable the automatic braking but it's not clear if it will also disable the warnings as both of these are grouped together in the manual (3rd component of PCS). Interestingly enough, the manual does cite specific instances where PCS may malfunction, and this includes "metal objects" on the road.

It seems like the OP may have encountered a situation where the PCS thought a collision was unavoidable, but never had to chance to pass first through a collision hazard/threat scenario and thus no warnings were emitted. The behavior is closer to that of the automatic brake enagement for unavoidable collision, a behavior that thankfully most on PC will most likely have never experienced. Sounds like the system got confused, probably from the radar reflections off the metal plate (perhaps unique combination of grade, plate location, and other factors conspiring to confuse the PCS radar).

 

Re: troll spray

I suggest that you read the f.. manual.

 

I'm sure the system has safe-guards in place, but it does appear that it can be confused at times. In particular, the manual advises that (page 252, section 2-4): "When there is an object by the roadside at the entrance to a curve" "When passing an oncoming vehicle on a curve" "When driving over a narrow iron bridge" "When there is a metal object on the road surface" "When driving on an uneven road surface" "When passing an oncoming vehicle on a left-turn" "When your vehicle rapidly closes on the vehicle in front" (although I take exception to this..this is precisely WHEN I want the system to activate) "may trigger the system even if there is no danger of collision"...

 

Re: troll spray

x2

 

I had the PCS beep at me in this exact situation (I was anticipating the vehicle to accelerate more frankly than it did), I chose to brake instead of letting the system do it for me D), but I do think that PCS would have fully activated had I not done something. My driving was not at its safest at this point so I'm perfectly happy with the fact that I got beeped at by my car, I'm also happy that it did not brake before I decided to.
Bravo Toyota :cheer2:
One day (once the parking lot is no longer covered in snow) I'll pile up a bunch of cardboard boxes at work and try to test the PCS for real!
Do you guys think I need to wrap some foil paper or would the radar detect the plain cardboard boxes?

 

How about trying it both ways and let us know what happens?

Mine came on yesterday for the first time in 14K miles. I was coming up behind a slow car and he slowed even more, rather abruptly, to make a right turn. The PCS came on, brakes were already applied by DRCC but I got beeps and the wide stripe on DRCC indicator screen, great now I know it works.

 

Both ways on snow-covered or dry road or both ways with or without foil?

You mention DRCC and PCS, which was it?
Were you using cruise control? In which case it was DRCC, which will brake much sooner than PCS!
I've already tested DRCC braking with friends, I'm more interested with PCS interventions!

PS: I don't think the title of this thread is appropriate, PCS is great, except for the OP who probably had some calibration probems (any feedback about this yet?).

 

I was thinking of with and without foil after the snow is gone.

Yes I was using DRCC and it was applying the brakes, when the PCS activated I heard the beeps and saw the PSC warning in the display. DRCC was already braking pretty hard so I didn't notice an increase in braking force when the PCS activated.

 

Twice in the last month I have had a PCS problem.

I have been driving at night, the Cruise Control was NOT engaged, and the car went into PCS mode, hurting and damaging my left arm and chest. In one case there was a car behind me that almost smashed into me.

There was no one in front of me and I think this is a very dangerous situation. I used to love this car, but no more.

 

I'm interested to hear more about the situations in which it occurred. However, I don't see this as a truly "dangerous" situation - if the car behind you couldn't stop in time for an emergency brake, then he's tailgating (you can never know when the car in front of you will suddenly brake for no apparent reason).

If you are hurting your left arm and chest w/PCS activation, you may want to consider re-adjusting the selt belts and seat position because in the event of a real accident you have seriously hurt yourself.

Lastly, you can disable PCS braking functionality (at least some portions of it) with the PCS disable switch as indicated in the manual and earlier in this thread.

 

These just occurred out of no-where; I was going at highway speed and the car really just locked up; These both happened at night and there was nothing else that connected the two.

My seat belt perfectly adjusted properly but the speed and power that the PCS used to retract the belt was fast and furious; which would have been great if I had been in a crash situation. The last time this happened was 1.5 weeks ago and I'm still in pain.

I'm aware of the PCS switch, but PCS is one of the features I most wanted in the car. it's a damned if you do and damned if you don't situation.

Toyota has to stop working on problems like these in private and be honest and forth right even if it doesn't have all the answers.

 

chefhawk, my only advice is to report the incidents to the NHTSA & to update your details. I'm sure you didn't buy a G Touring in New Jersey. Change it to a V-Advanced Tech.

 

I have a 2010 Prius model V fully loaded

 

What should I list as the package?

 

Adv. Technology, same as JimN and I have.

 

Thanks I didn't see that option until I scrolled up..

Nice to meet two folks who have the same car. I've had it since August and I really like it a lot.. although I hate that there are not electric seats in a car so expensive and advanced..

How do you like the car?

 

Driveability and handling are better than I expected, I think it's a very good highway car. Driving position and front seats are better than the Gen2 but could still stand some improvement, and yes electric power seat with memory would be a plus. Gas mileage (my opinion) is not quite as good as the Gen2 but still plenty good enough for me. I like the radar CC a lot, I use the LKA part of the time but could live without it.

Mine has rattles and I'm working on finding and fixing them but it's a long slow process. I do my own oil changes and it's pretty easy with this car.

Nav system is not as user friendly or as good as a Garmin but it gets me there and I don't mind it as much as some. Really like the backup camera and the Audio interface on the Nav screen.

Interior design is not so good (don't like the thing between the seats) and it needs more/better cup holders.

Overall I think it's a keeper.

Edit: I should add that I have had no problem with the PCS. I think there is an alignment procedure for it, may be that yours needs alignment. See if Toyota can fix it if not report it as JimN mentioned. Don't accept the "we took it out and drove it and we don't see any problems" line from the dealer. Tell them you consider it a safety problem and you want it fixed.

 

Thanks Tom. No real rattles for me.

I am due for a 7,500 check up; i'm at 8,300 but I missed an appointment due to the snow we have been having.

I love the radar CC as i've mentioned.

I wish there was a front camera like the Lexus and I wish there was connectivity to Google Maps for the Nav system so I could plot a route at home and then use it on the Prius. I find that on some highway trips it wants me to take a lot of local roads, and it's not always clear if that's because it's stupid or if there is bad traffic.

Northern NJ to Cape May NJ it wanted to take all local roads and not GSP.