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Wish I had my Prius today.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by LoraJ, Aug 3, 2009.

  1. LoraJ

    LoraJ Active Member

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    Today was a reminder as to why I am getting rid of my 2003 Corolla with manual transmission.

    There has been a lot of road construction on my way to work lately. I have been going a different route, but today the traffic was backed up even further and I ended up detouring another way. I ended up getting stuck in traffic on a hill. This is exactly why I am getting rid of the Corolla. I burnt out my clutch last summer when I would get stuck in traffic on a hill. So I am freaking out a little bit because I am afraid I am going to burn it out again when I already have a buyer for it. :eek:

    So the traffic is just as horrible at teh top of the hill so I am trying to find my way around some back roads. I have a Garmin portable, but I leave it at home unless I know I am going to use it. This reminded me that I am glad I opted for the Navigation package. becuase it would be so helpful to have the map in these situations.

    I really hope a ship comes in with my Prius soon. This is the second time in a week I have been stuck in traffic like this and I am so ready for an automatic.

    I have seen videos about a "hill start" thing in the Prius but I have not heard much about that here. Is it a button? Or just something that happens?

    I had to keep signalling for the Smart Car behind me to back up because he was right on my tail on the hill which makes me even more nervous.

    While my Corolla could last me another 10 years, I don't think my sanity would last that long.
     
    #1 LoraJ, Aug 3, 2009
  2. jay_man2

    jay_man2 jay_man_also

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    To activate the hill start assist just press hard on the brake pedal. You'll feel the pedal move further to the floor, the VSC slip indicator flashes, and you hear a beep to indicate that the hill start assist is activated. If you want to deactivate it, just release and press hard on the brake pedal again.

    Once it's activated you have a couple of seconds to release the brake and press the accelerator without the car rolling backwards. I'd only use it on steep inclines, as on even gentle slopes once I let off the brake the car starts moving ever so slightly forward.
     
    #2 jay_man2, Aug 3, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  3. LoraJ

    LoraJ Active Member

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    Thank you. I'm sure the roll back in the Prius would be nothing like in my Corolla, but that could definitely help on the really steep hills I get stuck on sometimes.
     
    #3 LoraJ, Aug 3, 2009
  4. jay_man2

    jay_man2 jay_man_also

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    I can remember trying to drive a stick years ago in Richmond, VA, and dreaded some of the hills there. Having an automatic and the hill start assist will eliminate that stress in your life!
     
    #4 jay_man2, Aug 3, 2009
  5. scottwyden

    scottwyden new jersey photographer

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    I wish I had mine already too. No word from the dealer :/
     
    #5 scottwyden, Aug 3, 2009
  6. martinw

    martinw New Member

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    Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but why would you roll back or burn out a clutch on hilly roads with a manual? Surely the appropriate course of action in such situations is to apply the handbrake and go into neutral, then bring the clutch to the bite point and release the handbrake when moving off? No rollback, not much clutch wear? (by the way thanks for the tip on the hill-start assist from jay_man2, I didn't know about that.)
     
    #6 martinw, Aug 3, 2009
  7. LoraJ

    LoraJ Active Member

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    I burnt out the clutch in slow moving traffic with a bunch of Jersey drivers behind me, one of them being right on my tail. I did not know about the hand brake trick at the time. Someone told me about it after, but I never really got the hang of it. I was trying to remember what he told me to do today with that trick, but could not recall. Thankfully it was more stop and go than slow moving.
     
    #7 LoraJ, Aug 3, 2009
  8. TKY

    TKY Member

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    Fun with a clutch: try getting stopped on a hill, with my right rear tire on a street trolley rail in San Francisco . . . LoraJ, I hope you get your Prius real soon. --TK
     
    #8 TKY, Aug 4, 2009
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