Am I crazy? Do these cars start in 3rd gear?

Engine RPM is dependent on how much go-pedal it receives. If you hold the pedal completely steady, engine RPM should hold steady as well. I notice myself driving it a bit like an automatic transmission sometimes, lifting off a bit at supposed "shift points", making the engine RPM step down as well. The virtual gearing is completely variable (although the gearset itself is fixed ratio). It's a "simulated CVT"--the computer adjusts the speed of MG1 so that the gasoline engine can be turning at any speed at any ground speed of the car, within reason. Things change above 42 mph (gasoline engine needs to always spin). You can start it out in whatever "gear" you want, based on pedal pressure.

 

There are no "gears" in a Prius. The gear ratio is fixed, but the HSD acts to balance the torque between one of the motor/generators and the gasoline engine. Its action parallels that of a CVT, but done without friction belts or cones.

JeffD

 

No, the pedal is the only way to manipulate the "ratio". Just give it more pedal to accelerate more quickly. Giving it more pedal also activates more electric drive. Unlike most cars that don't really give you much more as you push the pedal further down, the Prius keeps boosting the power all the way to the floor.

I find Prius acceleration to be pretty spirited. I usually only use the top 3rd of the pedal travel. I find most drivers accelerate way too quickly, though, especially in stop-n-go traffic.

Do you know anyone who has a 40hp VW or a flat-6 farm truck with 2-speed rearend you could borrow? That's how to make the Prius feel like a track car.

 

Yes. Just push the accelerator pedal farther, as already explained above by others.

 

Are there ECO/PWR buttons on '04, or no?

 

No Eco/Pwr or EV on the US 2nd gen.

 

For your issue, 'ratio' has no useful meaning on the Prius HSD system. There is no changeable gearing. It has only one 'gear', used for both Reverse and Forward.

If pushing the gas pedal doesn't get the car to accelerate fast enough, then something is wrong with the car, either broken or worn out.

 

Pace, are you testing with the engine cold or fully warmed up?

 

As others have mentioned, it is a one speed manual with no way to activate the clutch.
Motor/Generator 2 speed is proportional to the car's speed. 0 RPM at 0 MPH and it redlines at 112 MPH. To go in reverse, you spin M/G2 backwards. The engine adds both HP and torque to M/G2, as you give the computer hints with the accelerator. Motor/Generator 1 spins to allow the other two elements to vary by load. (M/G1 has a 6000 RPM redline, so above 42 MPH the engine cannot shut off, or it would hurt the car)

If for some reason, the High Voltage Battery is low on charge, the car will be sluggish as it is down 50 HP. Have you tested other Gen 2 Prius?

 

Actually it is only down 25 HP due to battery limitations.

JeffD

 

It's "one-speed" only in the sense that there are no alternate mechanical ratios in the gearing. However the ratio of engine speed to wheel speed is infinitely variable, that ratio is selected automatically, not manually, and there's no clutch of any kind.

 

It is a one speed manual in relation to M/G2, as I said. There is a clutch plate, in case.the engine seizes up. It is.never.'released'.