Sometimes, when I'm coming up to a red light and have gentle pressure applied to the brakes, just as I'm coming to a stop, it feels like the brakes grab, then let go then grab again... I'm wondering if I'm really riding the fine line between actually having the brakes applied and the car trying to move the car forward with the electric motor. Has anyone else experienced this? As I've mentioned, it only occurs sometimes, just as I'm about to stop with very light pressure on the brakes -- I'd apply more pressure, but the brakes are very sensitive.
Yeah, I've felt it sometimes. I'm not sure if it was the ICE kicking in and adding some forward momentum and then the brakes kicking in. I noticed more when I've been driving around parking lots on batter power only and just as I pull in to a parking spot it feels like it jolts forward a little as I hit the brakes.
The car goes from regen breaking to friction breaking at 6-7mph. Friction breaking is always used for reverse. Also, if the wheels slip while breaking, like when hitting a pothole here in the Midwest, the car will disengage regen breaking to save the electrical system. -Lee
Kind of weird because I have experienced similar behavior recently and the brakes seem to be a LOT more sensitive. I really didn't notice this until after the dealer adjusted the rear drums, though.
The brakes pulsing sounds a bit like anti-lock braking...I haven't noticed this myself, and wouldn't expect to unless I was making a quick or panic stop. Odd. -Roger
I've noticed this several times myself. It is not the kind of pulsing you get with antilock braking. It is only near the end of a nice, smooth stop. I am guessing that it is the transition from regen to friction brakes. I did experience this a couple of times in a rented 2005 Prius, but it seems to happen more in our new 2006. Perhaps it will diminish as the brakes get broken in? - Bob R. Portland, OR
