Releasing Cruise Control with Brake

i agree with your comments.
I started using disengage.

 

Now that they fixed the break issue with the software patch, I can't understand why they didn't fix this. Have to nose dive the car with the brakes to get it to kick off. Really annoying! I use the control, but I shouldn't have to.

 

It's not a software issue. All you need to do is adjust the brake light switch, which only takes a few minutes. The instructions can be fount on this site.

Tom

 

I went to the dealer today to get this "fixed" and they told me it was operating normally. I called Toyota and they repeated the same thing and asked me to go back to the dealer that just told me there was nothing wrong. I went to NHTSA and logged a safety issue with them for this. I've also been using cruise control for at least 3 decades and have never owned a vehicle that had this problem. I have experienced the acceleration lurching as well and was startled at first and thought I was doing something wrong until I realized that is how it operates, which is quite annoying and can be dangerous. I am surprised that they sell it this way especially considering their recent recalls.

 

As far as the releasing of the CC, this is a VERY simple adjustment. Once adjusted, the CC release (brake pressed) works like any other car on the road. Plus you also get your brake lights to light up with even the slightest press of the pedal.

The procedure is mentioned in this thread somewhere...

Now why Toyota can't get this right on the assembly line is another story.

 

I understand why Toyota did it they way they did, even if I don't like the results or agree with their approach.

It sounds like they are using the same switch for brake lights and for cruise control cutoff, and they don't want the brake lights coming on every time the driver uses a little regen by depressing the brake pedal.

So, they set the brake light switch to give the results (no brake lights) they want with regen and sacrificed normal operation of the brake pedal initiated cruise control cutoff.

Not the end of the Earth, but poor design to save the expense of a 2nd switch.

.

 

Not to diminish the folly of Toyota's effort to pinch-pennies, but I absolutely hate vehicles (i.e., Ford) that requires the use of the brake pedal to cancel cruise control. Unless it's a situation that requires the use of the brake, I always use the cancel switch. Franky, this is close to a deal-killer for me if I find a potential vehicle for purchase does not have this feature.

Not having a cancel switch is every bit as bad as Toyota cheaping-out by finding a way to brake-cancel cruise control without that second switch. Given the two choices, I'd much prefer a switch on the column than having it tied in with the brake pedal.

 

I'm confused by this. My 2010 Prius has both: a brake-pedal-cancelling option (which I agree does require too much pressure to actuate) and a "cancel switch" on the steering column (the cruise-control stalk).

In other words, you absolutely can cancel cruise on a new Prius using your hands and a switch.

 

Yes, this is correct. Or, if you choose (as the title of the thread suggests), you can cancel cruise control using the brake pedal (something which I am loath to do).

These have traditionally been the two ways to cancel a cruise control setting, yet be able to 'resume' the same setting at a later time. However, as stated, Ford has removed the hand-cancellation option and the only way to cancel cruise control on a Ford (other than turning it off) is to use the brake pedal.

 

Excellent! I just followed your instructions and was easily able to make the adjustment to the brake light/cruise control switch. In fact, once I undid the panel as you described and was able to see the switch I found that I can now make the adjustment in about 5 seconds just by reaching up under the dash with my hand.

I did a quick road test and found that there is one point at which the brake lights will come on if you just barely touch the brake pedal with your foot. The next "notch" on the adjustment requires you to press the brake pedal about 1/2" before the brake lights will come on. The original setting is one more "notch" which requires the brake pedal to be pressed about 1" or so to trigger the brake lights.

For now I am going to stick with the setting that requires me to barely touch the brake pedal and see how that works out. It is so easy to change the setting that I can always make a change just by stopping the car and reaching under the dash for a few seconds.

Makes you wonder why the dealers are so set against not making this adjustment...

 

I complained to the selling dealer about the lurching associated with brake-cancelation of CC. As others have reported, they said it was normal.

I went back at the next service appointment to different service rep and pointed out 1) that my brake pedal requires 1.5 inches of play to light the brake lights (a safety issue) and 2) that continued CC acceleration is possible with the brake depressed as much as 1.4 inches, another safety issue since the brake isn't overriding th accellerator as advertised after the sudden acceleration issue earlier this year.

Finally I pointed out that Prius Chat has instructed me how to adjust the brake pedal myself but that I didn't really think I should have to on a new car. They adjusted the brake pedal immediately and now the CC cancels nicely, with slight brake pressure.

Don't accept this situation. Get your dealer to fix it.