Oops! The 2010 Prius Manual Contradicts Toyota's Emergency Instructions

I'm one of those folks who does read the manual, or at least give it more than a cursory glance. And I have to say, my Prius manual SUCKS.

But then, maybe I r just a stoopid redneck.

 

I would say they probably need to change "do not under any circumstances" to " do not under any circumstances except an in the event of an emergency".

Yes it needs clairification, however isn't this the driving part of the manual where they are talking about how to drive the car under normal circumstances? Am I correct in beleiving these instructions are to prevent unnecessary damage to the vehicle (in non-emergency situations).

This may have not been the best choice, but at the time of the writing there was no reason to believe there would be so much hype. If they has known there would be a runaway Prius disclaimer in the manual.

Emergency situations come later and I think in an emergency, to heck with damage save yourself first. Perhaps the what to do in an emergency part should be updated with the proper instructions.

 

If you need a maximum braking power and your gas/enigine is not speeding away, manual is exactly right. Maximum braking can not be achieved while in N.

In a situation where theoretically you have a run away Prius due to engine revving up and powering the prius into runaway mode, putting into N is of course a solution.

You Americans ...

 

Hopefully, it is clear that the 2010 Prius Owner's Manual is incorrect, and that the Toyota emergency instructions should prevail, without the owner worrying about causing a transaxle failure.

Unfortunately, the available Toyota customer documentation has a number of glitches. Here are a few:

1. The maintenance schedule differentiates between transmission fluid and differential oil, although this is one & the same with Prius.

2. That schedule also discusses inspecting the radiator, condenser, and intercooler. (Prius has no intercooler. The 2010 schedule was revised, and now reads "and/or intercooler")

3. The owner's manual says to select unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating of 87 or higher (for example, p. 318 of 2007 Owner's Manual) although the Toyota tech training docs say not to use octane greater than 87, or risk no-start problems.

Although this is not a glitch: for those who have read the 2010 New Car Features Manual available on techinfo.toyota.com, would you agree that this volume was not as informative or as comprehensive as the 2001 and 2004 NCF? I was disappointed with the 2010 version of that publication.

 

This is quite disconcerting:

1. That so many of us did not notice this pouring over our new car manual review after delivery. Speaking for me, I tend to skip through and read stuff that's interesting or new feature. And never all those warning sections...

2. That Toyota could make a (potential) error as this. Especially that Toyota knew of "unwanted acceleration" issue claims in GenII and other models. Engineers should have noted the failsafe measures of Neutral shifting.

3. That Toyota could be liable for legal claims if there is a valid UA issue with injury - "Gee I read the manual you supplied and was told NOT TO shift to Neutral or power off the car. Appears your instructions are incorrect and... meet my lawyer."

4. That Toyota will now need to correct the 2010 manual, and possibly previous years to every customer. Another cha-ching.

Toyota better send a big thank you to the person that found this....

 

Ahhh you Americans, sometimes I wonder, did you really put a man on the moon in 1969 ...

Like I have written. Manual is OK in normal circumstances, when you need to maximize your braking power. For example when pink elephant lands in front of your car.

In a hypothetical situation of a Prius which is running away due to gas / engine revving up problems, solution is to shift into N and therefore cutaway the engine from powering you wheels.

Shifting into N in normal emergency braking situations is not OK as it prolongs the breaking distance as in normal situations engine will actually help in breaking !!!!

 

The same caution wording exists on p.124 of my 2008 model Prius OM. They definitely need a competent tech writer to go over the entire manual, in my opinion.

It was obviously written originally in Japanese and translated. Good technical writers are extremely scarce, and it is obvious when reading the manual, which has some very strange wording in a number of places. Producing a manual that covers a range of configuration options just complicates the matter.

 

Why so much publicity for shifting to Neutral ("N" mode)? Why not shift to Engine Brake ("B" mode) to slow down the car?

 

I was also wondering about this... It would start engine breaking, then with harder braking switches to friction breaking. I'm guessing because it's a panic breaking scenario (ie standing on the pedal), that even if it was in "B" mode, it would go straight to friction breaking.

 

Oops, and I have continually shifted from drive to neutral regularly while moving, with both my hybrids to maximize FE.

 

Because B mode doesn't slow down when the gas is being pushed. You can drive fast in B mode. A runaway ICE in B mode is still a runaway ICE.

Tom

 

There's no contradiction. It's what not to do while driving, not emergency instructions. Most obviously written for moronic drivers who will try to shift into other gears during normal driving.

 

You mean 'B' mode isn't the same as a jake brake ?!?

(sigh . . . . more & more I'm convinced we never went to the moon)

:madgrin:

.

 

IS TOO A JAKE BRAKE! IS TOO!

I tell everybody my Prius has a jake brake. My fellow rednecks are impressed. Well, maybe amused.

 

Babblefish strikes again!!

 

WOW, My parents have only owned Toyotas, I have owned two of them, but Toyota seems to be all over the place with their reaction.

Funny thing is that based on prior experience of forum members as well as low insurance prices, the Prius seems to be one of the best cars around.

 

Well, I guess that does it for the RTFM fools. It's not too good of an excuse now that Toyota actually tells drivers not to use the only emergency procedures available. And, more poignantly, it proves that the "Read the Manual" mantra folks didn't even read the manual themselves.

Confusion. Misinformation. A non-intuitive interface that work differently at different times without warning. Now that just completes the recipe for disaster.

Please, don't tell me to read the manual again.