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Cruise Control Has Improved. How? Why?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by PriusPeep, Nov 21, 2020.

  1. PriusPeep

    PriusPeep Member

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    Today I used the cruise control (I forget the Toyota terminology) for the first time in more than a year.

    I stopped using it on my 2017 Prius Three because I was dissatisfied with its performance, which was too abrupt. For example, the acceleration after slowing down was very hard... so was the braking.

    Today on the New Jersey Turnpike with a lot of traffic and a 90 minute drive, I gave it a try.

    I was very surprised by the improvement. It maintained the proper distance, slowing down when my fellow Garden State lunatics changed lanes four times in ten seconds merely to advance one car length.

    Why? How? Does Toyota do software updates and make changes without the owner knowing?

    As far as I know, my four year old Prius has never had a software or firmware update. I ask every time I go for maintenance.

    BTW, I know there's something in the manual about the car's computer learning your style of driving. I don't think this topic fits in that category.
     
    #1 PriusPeep, Nov 21, 2020
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    There’s been no software updates as far as I know.

    Were you in Eco mode this time and normal mode last time?
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Nov 21, 2020
    fuzzy1, krmcg and alanclarkeau like this.
  3. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    As @Tideland Prius said - what you got on Day#1 is what's there now. Maybe your driving style has changed - but the car hasn't.

    Myself - I reckon I use it for 75% of driving. Love it - yes, it's sometimes not quite as bright as me:eek::D.
     
    #3 alanclarkeau, Nov 21, 2020
  4. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    I agree with @Tideland Prius, I think it was probably a change in the mode. It does make quite a difference...
     
    #4 krmcg, Nov 21, 2020
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  5. PriusPeep

    PriusPeep Member

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    Interesting question.

    I have always driven in Eco mode. The day I got the car I figured that’s the purpose of buying a Prius. Why would I choose anything else?

    And I have never changed it from Eco.
     
    #5 PriusPeep, Nov 22, 2020
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    In the Prime, normal mode is quite peppy in whilst in EV. Eco Mode feels like any other Prius (which is fine). I almost always keep it in Eco but normal mode is fun every once in a while.
     
    #6 Tideland Prius, Nov 22, 2020
  7. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    BUT.....the different operation that you are commenting about was over a year ago.
    Are you really sure that it was in ECO at the time ?

    The only time I've noticed my C be aggressive with the cruise is when it is re-engaged to a previously set speed.
     
    #7 sam spade 2, Nov 22, 2020
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  8. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    The past year has changed everybody's driving patterns and also the traffic density in many areas. The car is probably just better attuned to what you saw yesterday vs. a year ago.
     
    #8 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Nov 22, 2020
  9. 2020XLEAWD

    2020XLEAWD Member

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    I can’t drive in eco anymore in LA. People honk at your for going too slow. Even from a stop light. They’ll cut you off. It’s always the assholes in the black luxury suvs too.
     
    #9 2020XLEAWD, Nov 24, 2020
  10. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Well... at least they're getting over their fear of using the horn.
     
    #10 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Nov 24, 2020
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