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Prius Plugin Handling

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by johnpa, Jul 3, 2013.

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  1. johnpa

    johnpa Junior Member

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    Has anyone with a plug in Prius had a problem with the vehicle tracking at highway speeds? I have had mine back to the dealer (DAR Cars 355 Toyota in Rockville MD) 3 times and they are unable to duplicate or identify the problem. A case has been opened with Toyota and basically what I am getting back is "this is the way the car handles" and "the alignment is within spec".

    I was wondering if anyone else has noticed a similar handling problem. The car feels like it is being buffeted by a cross wind and wants to wander back and forth in the lane I am driving.

    I apprieciate any feedback. I am trying to figure out if this is a one off problem or just poor design on the part of Toyota.

    I find a car that wanders at highway speed (where I do most of my driving) is unexceptable.

    Thanks
     
    #1 johnpa, Jul 3, 2013
  2. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    It's normal for the Prius. It is not aerodynamically designed to handle side winds at high speeds.

    The only way to solve this condition is to install lowering springs and 17" wheels. At least that's how a lot of us solved it.
     
    #2 F8L, Jul 3, 2013
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome to priuschat! why are you asking about plug in prius, do you have one? it is the same as non plug in as far as aerodynamics are concerned. what do you mean by highway speeds? i don't have any problems at 65mph.
     
    #3 bisco, Jul 3, 2013
  4. John in LB

    John in LB Life is good

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    This issue is not limited to the Plug-in version - check the other forums. The car does not track straight easily and needs the driver's constant steering input.... (I had a 2006 and now the plug-in; both did it - however, the 2012 is much better)
     
    #4 John in LB, Jul 3, 2013
  5. CaliforniaBear

    CaliforniaBear Clearwater Blue Metallic

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    I only notice it when there are water hydroplaning reduction grooves on the highway parallel with the direction of travel. I've heard that is due to the low rolling resistance tires with high pressure.
     
    #5 CaliforniaBear, Jul 3, 2013
  6. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    I know how you feel about any Japanese car with strut front suspension.
    I drove a Passat in Europe, doing 185 kmph, it will go straight for kms hands off the steering wheel until came to a curve.

     
    #6 bedrock8x, Jul 3, 2013
  7. johnpa

    johnpa Junior Member

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    Mine is miserable on the highway. It wants to wander back and forth now matter how minimal the steering wheel response might be. The dealership and Toyota have been no help. I am really at a loss as to what to do.
     
    #7 johnpa, Jul 4, 2013
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how about a quality alignment shoppe and new tyres?
     
    #8 bisco, Jul 4, 2013
  9. Ken Blake

    Ken Blake Active Member

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    The TRD/Prius+ lowering springs and rear sway bar help a lot with the problem, as does an upgraded center chassis brace. Going to fuel wasting 17" wheels and tires is not necessary, and may even exacerbate the problem, since they will probably be heavier, increasing unsprung weight beyond what the factory suspension is designed to control.
     
    #9 Ken Blake, Jul 6, 2013
  10. rogerv

    rogerv Senior Member

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    When mine was new I noticed that it seemed to wander a bit where there were "rain grooves" in the pavement. I now have 17K miles on it, and it has mostly settled in to where I rarely feel the wandering. I wonder if this is what the OP is describing? I asked other new owners who drive the same freeways about it and nobody had noticed it with their cars. A couple of them have the Advanced model, which may have different tires.
     
    #10 rogerv, Jul 6, 2013
  11. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Not noticing any tracking problems here. I've owned so many cars, I'm probably just auto-correcting. :D
     
    #11 El Dobro, Jul 6, 2013
  12. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    Yea! The older I get the less I notice! Makes things seem better! :p
     
    #12 retired4999, Jul 7, 2013
  13. 3PriusMike

    3PriusMike Prius owner since 2000, Tesla M3 2018

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    Why not try borrowing another Prius or asking the dealer to loan you one so you can see if it just yours.

    Mike
     
    #13 3PriusMike, Jul 8, 2013
  14. rockerdan

    rockerdan PiP Rocks!

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    experiment with PSI in front/rear tires, they need to be different to help reduce some of these characteristics. Just gotta find the sweet spot for front to rear pressure.


    Dan
     
    #14 rockerdan, Jul 8, 2013
  15. DadofHedgehog

    DadofHedgehog Active Member

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    You're in Bethesda - I'm in Arlington. PM me and we can meet over the weekend and you can compare what I've done to solve this and some other issues.
     
    #15 DadofHedgehog, Jul 8, 2013
  16. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Mine does not bother me. It drives better than Gen2.

    What tire and psi do you have?
     
    #16 usbseawolf2000, Jul 8, 2013
  17. radiocycle

    radiocycle Active Member

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    Have not noticed any handling problems here... easy and fun to drive!

    radio
     
    #17 radiocycle, Jul 10, 2013
  18. Boulder27

    Boulder27 New Member

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    I likely drive the same roads as you and do not notice any problem in mine. (Purchased and pass by that dealership daily).
     
    #18 Boulder27, Jul 11, 2013
  19. johnpa

    johnpa Junior Member

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    Back to the dealer for the 4th time to have the Toyota regional tech look at the car. Of course I got it back tonight and the problem is no better than it was when I took it in. Now (and I realize this is a function of them telling me there isn't a problem and they all handle this way) I have noticed that the car will drift to the left when the wheel is held in the centered position. This occurs with the car in the right lane so it isn't a road crown issue.

    The puzzlement is that each time they "check" the alignment the print out comes back with different numbers.

    The car has the stock Yokohama tires and the tire pressures are set to spec.

    I really don't think the problem is going to be resolved by the crack technicians at 355 Toyota.

    What a disappointment. I guess sometimes you just get a lemon. Unfortunately I will just get rid of the car and eat the difference. I can't drive a car that is that squirrely on the road.

    Hopefully whatever I get won't be as much of a problem.

    Thanks for all the input.
     
    #19 johnpa, Jul 11, 2013
  20. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Try bringing the car to an independent alignment shop and see what they say.
     
    #20 El Dobro, Jul 11, 2013
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