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To the Prius engineers- how much forum feedback have you used for the 2010?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Soylent, May 11, 2009.

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  1. Soylent

    Soylent The v isn't a station wagon! It's just big boned

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    I am just wondering... Priuschat has been the #1 forum for current Prius owners to give the comments, complaints, resolutions, and crazy home-made hacks. Toyota employees have been on the forums and regularly posting here.

    So how much of this feedback was actually incorporated into the design of the 2010 Prius?
     
    #1 Soylent, May 11, 2009
  2. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    We can't qualify it, but can certainly say that enough of it has to be noticeable for those who have been her a while.

    Some examples (from my perception at least):
    * Better seats
    * Moonroof
    * No more HIDs
    * 4 wheel disc brakes
    * Move climate control out of the MFD
    * Heated seats
    * Better seats in general
    * MID geared toward helping folks with beginning hypermiling - once we learn how to read it, a ScanGauge may not be necessary unless you need exact details for that last few MPG for advanced techniques.
     
    #2 HTMLSpinnr, May 11, 2009
  3. ggood

    ggood Senior Member

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    and better highway handling...
     
    #3 ggood, May 11, 2009
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  4. edwjmcgrath

    edwjmcgrath New Member

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    and the seats are better.
     
    #4 edwjmcgrath, May 11, 2009
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  5. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Short trip MPG, winter MPG, traction control, different driving modes were all improved because we asked / suggested / complained about them.
     
    #5 usbseawolf2000, May 11, 2009
  6. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    The steering wheel control functionality is, I believe, due to feedback from us and other consumer complaints about not being able to tell, in the dark or without looking down what they all do. There are what, about ~15 functions you can do from the steering wheel? The touch tracer is such an elegant way to keep the steering wheel controls yet improve the interface and functionality.
     
    #6 efusco, May 11, 2009
  7. Matt Herring

    Matt Herring New Member

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    Guessing the fuel tank bladder is gone due to this site and dealer feedback from customers as well
     
    #7 Matt Herring, May 11, 2009
  8. dbacksfan

    dbacksfan Member

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    I think ggood has already covered it, but I'm hoping that the G3 is better at resisting cross winds.
     
    #8 dbacksfan, May 11, 2009
  9. Steve Cebu

    Steve Cebu New Member

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    That was the main reason we didn't buy a 2008 or a 2009 Prius. Well that and the non height adjustable seats. My wife is short so that was another deal breaker.
    Bladder tank is an issue up here when it gets super cold.
     
    #9 Steve Cebu, May 11, 2009
  10. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

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    .... i think most of the car has been altered due to customer feedback.

    in 04.. people were complaining about little things.. so they did away with tape decks.. and made tire pressure monitors standard.. back up cameras.. and so forth.... not to forget changing brake light shading and other colors around the car due to overheating and melting....

    all reported here before that happened.

    right now it's the package layout... so they'll probably change them eventually.. plus.. we've been told they'll change it if they can... but no promises...

    they are already giving us a cheaper version.. as we asked...

    efusco, you bring up a good point. people on this forum wanted to replace the LED's inside the steering wheels... that wasn't too long ago either.
     
    #10 V8Cobrakid, May 11, 2009
  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Tons. In fact, I'll list the stuff added for the 2nd generation first. That's how quick they've changed things

    2005:
    - added two pins to resolve the issue of sagging headliners

    2006:
    - added TPMS, and chrome brakelight housing (to counter the complaints of melting brakelight fins)
    - Added Auxiliary Input Jack to replace the cassette tape player
    - MP3 capability also added
    - dashboard changed in response to the peeling paint issue on the 04/05 models
    - Gen 5 nav available with higher resolution screen and backup camera. Factory leather also available
    - Touring model added for better handling (wider/larger tyres and stiffer suspension)


    2010:
    - Touch Tracer designed to alleviate the concerns of dim steering wheel lights
    - better seat design and height adjustment for driver's seat (even those this feature was available in other parts of the world since 2004)
    - EV Drive Mode
    - better highway mileage
    - more power for better passing power
    - wider tyres (hopefully that'll give a bit more grip on 15" alloy models. Tyre choice will be crucial too)
    - MID added so that you can monitor your hybrid stuff and still have the navigation screen (not too much of a problem since you can easily switch btwn the two screens with steering wheel mounted buttons)


    and the most important... what they didn't change.


    - The hatchback design.
     
    #11 Tideland Prius, May 12, 2009
  12. Gadgetdad

    Gadgetdad New Member

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    How about the design to help warm up the ICE faster and eliminate the screeching heat recovery thermos system? When even those of us in California add engine block heaters to squeeze extra performance (mileage) from our babies, you know engineers took notice and designed a better heat trap!:cool:

    Lee
     
    #12 Gadgetdad, May 12, 2009
  13. Soylent

    Soylent The v isn't a station wagon! It's just big boned

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    Also, did they get rid of that weird buzzing noise coming from the front of the car when someone applied and released the brakes?
     
    #13 Soylent, May 12, 2009
  14. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    The 17" rims and low profile tires are now available from factory because many of us upgrade to after-market rims.
     
    #14 usbseawolf2000, May 12, 2009
  15. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    1. Telescopic steering wheel.

    2. Front seats have about 3" further rearward travel. This change made the amount of rearward travel equal to what constitutes an approximate "standard" for the industry. For example, the amount of rearward travel in the 2010 Prius is about the same as earlier model year Corollas.

    As already noted, some changes were made during the Gen II's 6-year run.

    What's puzzling to me is why the seat adjustable height and 3" further rearward travel changes had to wait until the 2010 Gen III.

    IMO, both changes could and should have been made by 2006 at the latest, and any cost increase would have been nominal.
     
    #15 Boo, May 12, 2009
  16. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    ... and especially, the better seats ;)
     
    #16 hill, May 12, 2009
  17. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    That buzzing is the brake booster pumping up boost pressure after reaching a minimum pressure threshold. Or... are you talking about the "mooseing" sound we heard on cold days in high altitude?

    I didn't notice if it existed in the 2010, but I also didn't note whether the brake system had changed substantially vs. previous. I guess it's one thing to check into when I take delivery...
     
    #17 HTMLSpinnr, May 12, 2009
  18. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    I wonder if Prius engineers ever read the Audio forum on Priuschat...
     
    #18 zenMachine, May 12, 2009
  19. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    The speakers were upgraded for 2006. Given that you have a 2007, you probably don't want to know how the 04/05s sounded like. Our 2002 Camry XLE with the JBL Audio System and six (better quality) speakers sounded richer.
     
    #19 Tideland Prius, May 12, 2009
  20. GatorJZ

    GatorJZ Member

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    Most of these things would have been corrected without this forum. More Prius owners don't belong to Priuschat than do and I'm certain they weren't shy about contacting Toyota about the seats and other items.
     
    #20 GatorJZ, May 12, 2009
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