Summary of proposed improvements for future versions of Prius

So I don't have to shift out of B to accelerate to keep my speed in line with other traffic? How about shifting to B while using cruise control?

 

IIRC, cruise control provides engine braking which works out OK in light traffic on the freeway but as soon as you have to brake, you pop out of cruise. Might work out better with Dynamic cruise but still wouldn't handle twisty descents. I can't recall what happens if you activate cruise & B at the same time. I guess it could be different depending on sequence.

 

I'm sure I'll end up braking most of the time and then shifting to "B" going through the mountains of Northern Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana on our trip next month, so it's just curiosity at this point. Since the Prius CVT is new to me too, anyone have an opinion on how fast/how long you can go in "B" without hurting things or overheating the trans fluid? I'm particularly concerned that using "B" is the same as downshifting an automatic where running in a lower gear at too high of a speed (like 65) for extended periods can overheat the trans fluid. Bumble Bee north of Phoenix and Wolf Creek in southern Colorado come to mind.

 

Did you know the Persona Series is coming back in 2015? Not in the colors you expect, either. I'm doing my 2015 ordering tonight for September arrivals and there it is... the new (old) model # just pops up with color choices!

Dianne

 

Thanks Dianne but I still don't see a 110 VAC outlet . . . <grins>

Enhance the Toyota diagnostic data with GPS trip recording. That way when someone comes in complaining they are not getting the expected mileage, play the data back through an AI system pointing out the driver needs to:

• warm-up car 60-100 seconds before driving
• comply with posted speed limits
• stop 'fretting' the accelerator and brake
• use higher AC temperature with more fan
• avoid accelerating when climbing hills

However, if every trip shows a pathological route and driving, the last recommendation,"We have this nice TDI diesel in the used car lot. Would you like to trade?"

Then for good measure, report the trip profiles of cars within 10 miles of the Consumer Reports test track. Use this data to understand how they are able to get such crappy mileage.

Bob Wilson

 

Diane,

More insight on the 2015 Color options for Non-Persona models???

 

Everything that came with the Prius Three is fine, the amount of engineering in this car still amazes me but a few corrections that wouldn't change the price too much.
1)Extra USB port-So you can run apps on your iphone/android, as well as hook up a separate ipod for control. (You can however blue tooth Spotify which works pretty well)
2)Change drawer, can be put on right side of console near driver's knee, most people are right handed, so it makes sense.
3)Blind spot-right side indicator or adjustment to right mirror.
4)Navigation-speech recognition improvement, I ask for Vegas it keeps setting up address to Texas or Oregon. Tip though, I found saying "State" works well even if you are not going out of state, for example, "State" California, then it prompts you right through the address very easily and hands free. But needs improvement on recognition.
5)Sun Roof Emergency Battery jump (not sure if that's feasible but wouldn't that be cool "yeah give it another hour and we should be good to go".

That's all I can think of, keeping price in mind, otherwise it's an incredible car a real optical illusion people say they can't believe how huge the car is inside and the features are fantastic.

 

Good idea, and while we're at it, why is the pickup phone button on the bottom and not on the top? I've hung up on people by hitting the wrong button.

However I do like the Star-Trek like shift buttons on the console too, "warp drive/power mode yes captain!" but your idea makes more sense perhaps it was the extra wiring, labor costs to add it to the steering wheel?.

 

Wow, getting chat notifications again.

 

So far my biggest complaint is disabling some screen functions while the car is in motion. For $0, Prius can fix that. The backup beep should be disabled by default, too.

Concerning the PiP, the charge port is on the wrong side. I'll be charging every time I use the car, so it makes sense to put the port on the drivers side, potentially saving a trip to the opposite side of the car each and every drive. The fuel tank can go on the passenger side since it's rarely used, and pumps are usually easier to find on the 0ff-side anyhow.

It seems like such a trivial thing when it only adds maybe 10 seconds to walk to the opposite side of the vehicle and back. However, assuming I averaged 2 visits to the charge point per day, for 10 years of ownership, that amounts to over 20 extra hours spent walking to the charge port. Multiply that by the number of people with the PiP, and the loss of productivity is enormous!

Last; eliminate the stupid looking antenna. It wastes time to remove the thing for car washes, and presents aerodynamic drag. The in-glass antennas are my favorite.

 

I just bought a 2015 Prius 4 with the deluxe solar roof package. I am sure this has been covered; I have ready a lot of this thread, but I really wish I would could be able to capture the data shown at shutdown. While I am sure this could be a pain to a service center, it would really be great to be able to have that. I am aware of some other add ons that will capture it and I have notice a few phone apps that can correlate the data. However, they involve the user to remember to capture that.

 

top left corner of rear windshield with no heat to melt ice. Didnt see it on list. if its a repeat, sorry!

 

Since I managed to kill my 12v battery by leaving a map light on, I'd love to see a 12v jump start button that uses the traction battery to charge the 12v so you can start the car.

 

i don't know if this can be overcome. the high voltage battery is disconnected upon power off for safety reasons, and requires the 12 volt to close the relay.

 

You could use a diode isolated 12v 3.4 ah battery or perhaps smaller that engages the relay and starts the 12v converter off the traction battery.

 

or carry a small jump pack.

 

I thought some people on here might be interested in a customer feed back email I sent Toyota today. It is below and please voice your interest to Toyota at their feedback link:

"I have a 2013 Prius model 5. I also have a Masters in Mechanical Engineering with 20+ years of software design. I would really like to work on an upgrade for all the hundreds of Prius' out there that would extend their cars, improve customer satisfaction and help decrease fossil fuel emissions.
The upgrade would be a retrofit to replace the old NiMH batteries with Li batteries, enhance the BMS and ECU to work with these new items, enhance the output MG1, MG2 and sun gears to be more in line with the Plug-in Prius.
Much of this technology is already in the 2016 Plug in Prius. This would be extending the coverage to many many people who will not be spending the extra money to buy a new Prius and will increase the production items to help lower to the cost of the items through higher throughput. I think this would also buy a huge amount of increased customer satisfaction from many who are considering the Chevy Spark or BMW i3 or similar electric vehicles. That last category includes me. I won't be buying another prius. I might keep my existing prius if I can do just such an upgrade.
Please don't take this lightly. There are many people interested in this type of retrofit all over the world. Just look at PriusChat and see.
Marc"​

Please make your voice heard to Toyota - we support them with our purchase dollars/pounds/lira/....!

 

You are to be commended for your valiant endeavor. However, you must realize that Toyota is in the business of manufacturing and selling NEW cars... not upgrading old ones. The aftermarket people are the ones you might have a better chance of convincing that this would be a money maker. So far, I don't think anybody has jumped on the band wagon in that sector. Why? There probably isn't any money or future in it. Sorry but that's just my opinion.