Braking problem

Try to make yours go out of control; get familiar!

OK Folks, I had fun the other night trying to make my 2010 (purchased July '09) go out of control. It was 25 degrees F, and I was driving on hard packed snowy, icy roads. I was able to recreate the "floating sensation" easily, by engaging the regen, watching the hybrid system indicator show the cut out, feeling the split second "float" (kind of like when you are cresting a hill on a roller coaster and feel that weightlessness), and then having the friction brakes/ABS engage. I also tried jamming on the brakes many times, etc. In no instance was I able to make the car fishtail or go into a spin, so definitely this isn't a good car for trying to do snow-donuts.

So, bottom line, now that I've run all these trials with my car, I'm used to and comfortable with the way it handles on ice/snow hardpack. Yes, it gives you the sinking feeling in your stomach sometimes for a split second, but I know what to expect, and feel safer in this one than in past cars. If there's an electronic improvement on the immediate horizon, great, but I'd say to all drivers, go out, find safe areas where you can practice emergency maneuvers, and become familiar with your car (plus, like with any car in winter driving conditions, open up more space between you and the car in front of you).

 

Huntsville Alabama streets are paved with what must be the prototype of 'slip and slide.' Every time it rains, it takes a day or so to wash off the accumulated oil, dirt and pollen that makes our rain-slick streets so hazardous. But we've lived here 25 years and I don't even notice it. So I may have experienced the effect but I'm just used to slip and slide paving.

Bob Wilson

 

Toyota chief apologizes for global recalls - Yahoo! News

"There have been nearly 200 complaints in Japan and the U.S. of drivers experiencing a short delay before the brakes kick in — a problem that can be fixed with a software programming change."

If there's no official recall - do we still bring our cars to the dealers to get re-programmed?

I got my car in November 2009.

 

Good question, I think I'm just going to wait and see what happens. When/if the recall happens I won't be the first one to take my car in either. I want to see what others have to say about it's effect on braking and I don't want them (service techs) to "practice" on my car, better if they do a 100 or so other ones first.

 

Until and if a recall or campaign is issued the dealership's service department may not have recieved the new software program to reflash the cars ECU.

If a recall or campaign for the G3 Prius is issued in all likelihood it will come in the next two weeks. At that time and you will probably hear it here on Priuschat first before you recieve an email or letter from Toyota. Once the campaign or recall is issued call your dealership's service department to schedule an appointment to get your ECU reflashed.

 

guys,
I had my first experience driving in snow today (after i got delivery about 2 weeks back). We are having a major snow storm here in columbus,oh. I did clearly feel the sudden fraction of a second accelarating feeling that people are talking when I went over a slight bump. I was driving slow (maybe 15-25mph) and the roads were slick and still snowing.
Now while returning from work (atleast 2-3 inches snow on the ground), I tried recreating this near my office (not much traffic here). I was around 15mph and when pressed on the brake, the car had that fleeting surge. I recreated this successfully for the next 3 times. Then the next time, I pressed harder on the brake, and I did not feel any. After this, I did not feel any for the next few times (I was on main roads now though). After driving for another 2-3 miles, I felt this again. Please note, I was deliberately driving slow (15 mph) and checking this phenomenon whenever there were no vehicles behind and ahead. When I was nearing home, I switched to B, and although this was much better than D, I did once feel slight surge (not as distinct as in D). I was driving all along in normal mode. Clearly, I experienced at ~15mph what people are saying here; I have not tried at higher speeds. Also,I am confident that pressing harder on brakes makes things fine. So, I am going to enjoy driving this baby while maintaining a safe distance from the car ahead. Do I bring this to the dealer's attention or wait until Toyota announces a recall (hopefully soon)?

 

Call Toyota and demand that we get regular firmware updates

Toyota obviously knew about the brake problem before January and they had a software update available by then, but they apparently have a policy of not providing updated firmware (the software which controls the car) as part of normal maintenance.

Even $20 cell phones get firmware updates as problems with their software are found and fixed, but we are expected to be satisfied with outdated software on our $20K plus Prius automobiles.

This is a completely unacceptable situation. In the case of this braking issue, they are going to be forced to provide an update, but software is being improved all the time, to fix minor problems as well as major ones.

Toyota should upgrade firmware, if an upgrade is available, with each scheduled maintenance, and on request thereafter.

If you agree, call Toyota at 800-331-4331 and let them know, or write to them at Email Toyota.

You don't still run Windows 95: don't put up with out dated firmware on your car.

 

Re: Call Toyota and demand that we get regular firmware updates

they acknowledge the problem


they're going to fix it


why do we need another thread?

 

Re: Call Toyota and demand that we get regular firmware updates

Do we really know how easy it is for them to update the software? I'd imagine some of the components can't be easily updated, while others are...

The fact that no fix for current drivers has yet to be announced makes me think that fixing the brake issue is more than just plugging in a computer and doing a firmware update.

 

Re: Call Toyota and demand that we get regular firmware updates

Apparently, you are misinformed or making assumptions.

They do provide firmware updates as part of the normal maintenance.

My 2004 Prius received several over the years.
.

 

Re: Call Toyota and demand that we get regular firmware updates

If I am misinformed the Toyota rep whom I just got off the phone with is the one who misinformed me.

And this was after she put me on hold for 10 minutes to speak with her technical staff.

So perhaps the did have a policy of providing regular updates in the past and changed it? I don't know, but she seemed clear about the fact that they do not have that policy now.

 

Re: Call Toyota and demand that we get regular firmware updates

Because those of us who are worried and should be don't have our heads shoved up Toyota's A$$ and believe they are perfect.

We simply want a fix ASAP. If they knew, which they did about the problem with the brakes then why did they implement it and not mention it until they were forced to?

We like our Prius, but it's simply not safe to drive. We didn't buy it because it was a Toyota, we bought it because it fit our needs and wants.

 

Re: Call Toyota and demand that we get regular firmware updates

Ford obviously knew about the brake problem before October and they had a software update for the production vehicles since October 17, but they apparently have a policy of not providing updated firmware as part of normal maintenance.
Ford offers to fix Fusion, Milan Hybrid brakes | freep.com | Detroit Free Press

So, it's not only Toyota.

Ken@Japan

 

I can't believe that either Toyota or an automobile fanzine or Fox News or a tabloid hasn't laid down some rumble strips in a parking lot somewhere to try to recreate these problems. If I were Toyota, I'd sure want to be first.

...and as far as I know, the software in my 2005 has never been updated since purchase. Am I missing something?

 

I noticed the first time it snowed that my Gen III Prius from Dec. 2009 "pulsed" the brakes. I thought it was the ABS system. It was abit disconcerting a couple of times, but I've gotten used to it. I'm glad Toyota's not"caving" to pressure, and hopefully is taking its time, and getting a good fix for us. Better to take your time, and do it right the first time, than to have something half-assed, and have there still be a problem there. This is my first Toyota. I like it. I'm not getting as good a gas milage as I thought I would, though. I drive very conservatively, and only get in the low-to-mid-forties. And I get less than the on-board computer tells me, by about 2.4mpg. I still like it, though.

 

Re: Call Toyota and demand that we get regular firmware updates

We will never know what would have done Toyota if they were not forced to admit the problem. They might have silently upgraded the firmware during regular maintenance, the might have decided to upgrade the firmware only to those who complained about the brakes, they might have pretended as if the problem didn't even exist.

Toyota hasn't been aware of the problem for that much time.
A large corporation cannot check if every single problem reported by a user is indeed a problem which needs to be corrected. That would be madness. A potential problem is investigated when a sufficiently large group of users report the same problem. Once the potential problem is identified they need to recreate the conditions in which such problem arises. Then they need to find a fix for the problem. We know that Toyota had a fix ready from late January as it started implementing it into newly produced cars. Today is only the 6th of February...! And we already know that Toyota is going to fix pre January cars in someway.
Unfortunately Toyota was already in the spotlight by the media because of the accelerator pedal recall so the discovery of this new problem might look fishy but it is just coincidence IMHO. Or an opportunity for competitors to bash the world biggest automaker. Probably both.

 

I,like a lot of people on this post ,have experienced the brief loss of braking . It's happened 3 times to me and I do not like it but I still love my car. I am hoping that Toyota will fix this problem so I can love my car even more !

 

Agree w/Darwood. I'm not so bothered either w/the fact IndyKing doesn't like his Prius, but from many of his posts w/attitude, boldfacing, an inflammatory language, it seems he is VERY bothered by his Prius. Some more recent examples are http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-main-forum/67528-braking-problem-50.html#post1054768, http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-main-forum/67528-braking-problem-43.html#post1053590 ("technology is a crock of baloney"), in the past words like pathetic when describing his mileage along w/all sorts of accusations against Toyota.

I can always find more examples if needed...

 

I have had my 2010 prius for 6 months, and whenever I go over a certain manhole at work near a crosswalk, the car accelerates. It makes me nervous because someone could be walking across the street when my car speeds up. This all started before all of the media problems, so I know I'm not just responding to something suggested by all the media hype.