I have a 2006. I have noticed lately that the hatchback only lifts about a foot and then I need to help it. I live in Illinois and as we speak it is 15 degrees! The dealer said the cars on the lot do the same thing and they are new. It is the cold weather that is the problem. Any thoughts here? Thanks
The shocks are gas filled and the cold weather will reduce the pressure. They will loose some of their strength. As they get older, they will also begin to loose pressure. In a few years, you will either have to replace them or carry a stick to hold up the hatch. Not just a prius thing. All of those type of lifts do it.
Thanks for the super fast reply. I understand all you say. But the car is under warranty! According to the dealer I will need to wait anyway till warmer weather! Thanks again.
My former 1996 Nissan Quest had those pressure shocks for the trunk as well. It never gave me problems for the last 11 years. I hope these shocks for my Prius would last just as long.
We're looking forward to colder weather here in Kansas and I've painfully noticed the same thing as I loaded my kids backpacks into the rear of the car. The edge of that hatchback will give your head a nasty jolt if you're not careful!
I noticed the same thing last winter, and it's back. It did go away in the summer, though. Just learn to live with it & watch your head. I banged mine on the interior edge after leaning in too soon when the weather got colder.
If you think they are weak at +15 F, wait until -40 F! The dealer is right. Gas assist is common for rear hatch and doors, and front hoods. My FJ Cruiser has a giant gas assist strut for the rear swing-out door, and gas assist cylinders for the hood They are also very weak in very cold temps. Fortunately I have a heated attached garage, so I don't notice this as much
Greetings - You may also notice when it gets really cold that it's harder to latch. Or rather, you have to close it with just the right amount to force - not too hard, not too soft. Atleast that's the way mine was. When it got real cold here, mine would make the first 'click' of the latch no problem but not the second unless you slammed it HARD. But when it warmed up, or when I parked in a garage, it closed fine. So I cut about 1/4" off of the rubber 'stops' on each corner of the hatch and now it closes fine even in the cold. Warning, those things are just held in with a 'one way' plastic tab so if you pull them out to cut them off, they may or may not stay in when put back. So yes, I have one loose rubber nub - but don't tell anyone.... D.
