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Surge Forward

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by mgpp123, Jun 15, 2011.

  1. mgpp123

    mgpp123 New Member

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    Has anyone noticed that at times the Prius has a surge of power.I dont mean anything like the crazy stuff that was in the press awhile back about people unable to stop.Sometimes when im just starting to apply the brakes and the car hits a rough patch of road or a pot hole the car get a surge of power and forward momentum.Its only for a quick second,but enough to get the heart jumping.Just wondering if its just my car or something others have experienced.Thanks
     
    #1 mgpp123, Jun 15, 2011
  2. ksstathead

    ksstathead Active Member

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    sounds exactly like what people reported in the brouhaha. That is just transition from regen to friction breaking when the ABS kicks in from the change in traction.

    It is not power being applied, but the brief reduction in braking force.
     
    #2 ksstathead, Jun 15, 2011
  3. mgpp123

    mgpp123 New Member

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    Its not really a problem now that im used to it,thanks for the info
     
    #3 mgpp123, Jun 15, 2011
  4. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    It's not a surge of power; it's loss of traction. Hitting a bump causes one or both of the front tires to lose traction, forcing an end to regenerative braking and a transition to ABS friction braking. The short reduction in braking effort is perceived as a surge.

    Tom
     
    #4 qbee42, Jun 15, 2011
  5. liskipper

    liskipper Member

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    #5 liskipper, Jun 16, 2011
  6. ksstathead

    ksstathead Active Member

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    Please do not report to nhtsa as it is not dangerous. IMO
     
    #6 ksstathead, Jun 16, 2011
  7. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    I do not concur.
    Please report it immediately!!! Tell them the G3 is a death trap. Act concerned. Get anybody that you know who drives one to do the same.

    Maybe then the prices will drop some... :)


    Note for the humor impaired: That was sarcasm.
     
    #7 ETC(SS), Jun 16, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  8. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    +1 Please do not report to nhtsa as it is not dangerous IMO either ........ :cool:
     
    #8 jdcollins5, Jun 16, 2011
  9. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    We need a sticky on this topic please//////////
     
    #9 adamace1, Jun 16, 2011
  10. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Wouldn't work. It would hit a bump and stop sticking.

    Tom
     
    #10 qbee42, Jun 17, 2011
  11. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    LOL It would have sudden acceleration to the top off the page.
     
    #11 adamace1, Jun 23, 2011
  12. mikewithaprius

    mikewithaprius New Member

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    A small suggestion, it's pretty simple, but to avoid the sensation, if you're braking gradually and notice a bump coming in the road, just let up for that split second, then reapply to keep getting the most energy possible through regen. Once you hit that bump and the traction control kicks in, it's almost all friction brakes even if you wait a couple seconds to start braking again, so to me it's quite worth it.

    Of course, if you really have to stop, I wouldn't suggest letting up on the brake everytime you see a bump :)
     
    #12 mikewithaprius, Jun 23, 2011
  13. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    I do this without thinking. I suspect it comes from years of driving on ice and snow.

    Tom
     
    #13 qbee42, Jun 24, 2011
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