I thought I saw a Toyota fact sheet that stated the Prius has a "Hill Holder" mode that will keep the Prius stopped on an incline when you let your foot off the brake (so it doesn't roll backwards). I haven't noticed this in my car, but I haven't tested it fully yet. Anyone familiar with this? Thanks mfc
Yeah, it's listed as a feature on Toyota Canada's site too. I think they might be referring to the "creep" that's built into the car so that the car doesn't roll back on slight inclines as it does on cars with manual transmissions. I don't think they were planning to have a "real" hill hold feature (Ã la 4Runner) in the first place.
It's just the creep built into the HSD system, which makes it feel like a "normal" automatic transmission. There is no need for a hill holder of the type sometimes used with manual transmissions. Tom
Hill-holding is basically increasing the creep force fairly dramatically if the system detects that the car is rolling a little in the direction *opposite* the one intended. To get an idea of how this works, try shifting into "D" while slowly rolling backwards -- you'll feel a large pulse of torque that stops the car, and then it'll start creeping forward normally with less force. . _H*
I agree, too, that it is the faux automatic transmission feel. I don't know if I like the idea of there being a "creep" in my car though, unless it is me!
Hobbit's got it, as usual. Yes, it is there, and yes it is beyond the normal "creep." I drive on the SF hills somewhat regularly, and you can most definitely feel this "feature" when you're stopped with your nose way up in the air, and you take your foot off the brake. I sure don't need it - but it is there. It is somewhat of a shuddery experience to use for any length of time.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Sep 3 2006, 04:23 PM) [snapback]313565[/snapback]</div> Darelidd, Could you please explain the Hillhold feature and also do you use it? Or are you afraid to use it. I can't really tell by your post. sincerely, Mary <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MyTFineCar @ Sep 2 2006, 11:41 PM) [snapback]313339[/snapback]</div> MyTFineCar, How do you put the car in "Hill Holder" mode? I would love to know this. Sincerely, Mary
As I've mentioned before, it's a typo. It doesn't have a "true" hillholder function (i.e. the one where if you let go of your brake pedal, the car still has the brakes applied for a few seconds until you press the accelerator or that few seconds expires). It has a built-in creep function to mimic an automatic transmission.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Dec 3 2006, 02:32 PM) [snapback]357014[/snapback]</div> Thanks Tideland, That's much clearer, but should I or should I not hold down the brake pedal at the crest of this slight incline? If I have my foot off the brake while waiting for the light to change what would happen? Thanks. Sincerely, Mary
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Masnyd @ Dec 3 2006, 10:41 AM) [snapback]357020[/snapback]</div> Hold the brake pedal. This does not have the automatic brake HOLD feature that debuted on the new LS460. Depending on how steep this incline is, it may or may not roll back (like any ordinary car with an automatic transmission0.