Stop calling Prius brake characteristic a problem

Semantics. The real problem is that this subject is becoming very boring. Call it a problem, an issue or (my preference) an idiosyncrasy, it's being resolved right now. So let's move on and crab about something else.

 

I do have to ask the question though, of all of you who consider this a "characterstic" and not a momentary brake failure- I assume that you're all adapted and will see no need to obtain said "fix"...so, how many of you will opt out??? Seems to me there's no need for you to obtain it if you're all adapted, expert Prius drivers now and it's not a defect of any kind for you...

 

They may get it fixed sooner than anyone else....

 

Bighouse, it's not a matter of "opting out".

When Apple updates their software, I don't opt out even if I don't completely understand what's involved in the update. I update and generally speaking, I'm left with a device which usually functions just a little more efficiently than it did before. This is no different for my Prius. If Toyota offers an update to Prius, why wouldn't I take it? And why does the update somehow demean the previously most efficient version of Prius I had before?

I'm continually surprised at the level of panic involved in this issue.

My 2005 GenII had comfortable seats, for me. For some people they weren't comfortable. Toyota added some things and modified the seats in the GenIII. I think they're even more comfortable now and I'm going to guess some other folks now like them as well. That doesn't mean the GenII vehicle is complete shite. It means when they had the opportunity, Toyota improved something. The nice thing about computerized vehicles is that we can take advantages, through software, of increases in efficiency comfort and yes, I'll say it, possibly even safety through updated software. This isn't proof Toyota is doing nothing, it's evidence of the exact opposite.

 

I am new to my Prius. 48 hours to be exact. I have wondered about this brake thing. I will say. I drove my 2000 Honda Insight for 3 years and it did exactly what seems to be described in the Prius brake issues mentioned. I just got used to it and figure light car and hybrid brakes. If the road was rough and I was braking it would "Jump" or "Skip" a little. I have talked with many people over the years with the insight and they said the exact same thing. I do wonder if it is a hybrid characteristic that so many new people are just not used to?

 

Following? Or tailgateing ... and not paying attention ... and driving too fast over pot holes? As pointed out on other threads, worse case scenerio, the 1/2 second delay might mean you'll stop a whopping 5 feet farther down the road. Why havent all the 10 speed bikes been recalled. If you grab a hand full of front brake, you'll go over the handlebars. I know from experience, when I was 23 years old ... that happened to me. I was an idiot. Oh ... you mean all products are not idiot proof? But sure ... if Toyota can make it even better ... more power to 'em.

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I don't think the brake issue is serious enough to warrant 95% of the discussion. BUT, whoever did that math isn't correct. For every 1 mph of speed you travel about 1.5 ft per sec (5280 feet per 1/3600th of an hour-- or about 90 ft/sec is 60 mph...yes its closer to 88 ft/sec).

So if you are going 20 mph and you are delayed in stopping by 1/2 second you will go 15 ft. further. That's the math. The reality is that this brake glitch only happens when you are lightly braking to start with and you can stop the car by slamming on the brakes (thus instantly applying the friction brakes) at 20 mph in about 10 feet. When the glitch happens, your foot is already pushing on the brake pedal...if you suddenly find yourself not stopping as fast as you think you should be, for whatever reason ...and it's happened to all of us outside of the Prius brake issue, such as the car in front of you stops suddenly, you then push hard on the brake and you stop quicker.

3PriusMike

 

And wouldn't it be SWEET if they would update the Nav DVD while it was in for the Recall work?:rockon:

 

If Mr Toyoda would tell the World "We are trying to perfect our Prius product, it is not a problem".... I don't think many people would believe those words and he would be crucified. And perhaps - just perhaps - the Gen II will be "perfected" via recall as well...

Your computer analogy - a Windows crash typically can't injure a person. Automotive braking systems can.

 

I've actually never had a Gen II. It's so widely reported in the Gen II that I was speaking on behalf of their owners who've gotten used to this brake characteristic. Even I, as a new Gen III owner, have adjusted to it and find it no big deal.

 

If you don't understand, why would you consider it unimportant.

Wouldn't you first want to know what it is?

It doesn't appear that those of us that think it is a problem are causing the media firestorm. That is toyota itself. It is difficult to understand why so many in the organization would contradict the president, and say that customer satisfaction is unimportant.

I would think those of you that think it is a good characteristic would opt out. Those that think its a bad characteristic would fix it. Those who agree with the administration in tokyo that toyota's blaming drivers for defects in safety systems would anxiously wait for it.

If you think its a problem, toyota is fixing it. The recall is a good thing.

If you don't think its a problem, why do you care that others do. Would you rather have long investigations into each crash to see if its a problem with the media questioning toyota's motives at every turn for having a fix for a problem, but no problem, so they are not providing it to customers.

I'm just a senial old fool who forgot to take his meds. I think its daytime in tokyo. Is that a problem or a characteristic. It really matters what the definition of is is. The boxer was never knocked out he is just vertically challenged or horizontally skilled.

If there isn't a problem, what problem did they fix. That was one of the questions that led to the first apology. Do you know what non-problem they fixed. I would put this in japanese but my keyboard won't let me.

 

I am just a simple country lawyer, but if only a few percent experience it and its different in different situations, why would you assume you have had the incidents others have. Please keep your old firmware and get an accellerameter from bob wilson and report back. Thanks for the experiment. Your doing a good thing proving toyota should put out this software.

Wait that's all wrong. I'm not from the country. And I'm not a lawyer though I play one on tv. No, that's wrong too, never on tv. It was only in a movie, and I was in a suit in the court room so I think I was a lawyer. I'm not really sure. Does any of this make any sense?

If the glove don't fit you must a.... Chewbacka is a

Defective braking systems aren't a problem.

None of this is coming out right. Nevermind.

 

GrumpyAndOld:
Brovo! Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

You wouldn't know it from my posts, but I'm not overly concerned about brake pause...

What may be a problem for some, might not be a problem for me personally...but that still doesn't mean it is not a problem and I can recognize that.

Main issue for me really was that Toyota never had any official stance (as far as I am aware) on the issue until last week.