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"OVER-REV" Question....? possible

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by cyberprius, Oct 25, 2008.

  1. cyberprius

    cyberprius Mtn Bikes don't need foglights

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    Gosh, I haven't been here in months, and nearly asked a stupid tire jack question, earlier today, but figured it out myself...

    But, have been pushing the little beast (my '08 Prius) to it's limits on some of our very steep mountain grades in the Pacific Northwest in the past few months and at times the engine does not sound happy.

    I am used to cars with Tachs, so I can see how close to redline, I am...but the Prius, of course has no such animal.

    So, if, for example, I am flooring the car coming up the grade out of Snake River Canyon in Lewiston, Idaho and it sounds as if the engine is coming apart, I should ignore it, because the computer prevents me from doing anything stupid....

    Reading that back IT SOUNDS STUPID, but I hope you all know what I mean....
     
    #1 cyberprius, Oct 25, 2008
  2. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
    Staff Member

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    The computers limit the rpms to 5000rpm. You can't over-rev. Stomp that pedal if you need to!!
     
    #2 efusco, Oct 25, 2008
  3. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

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    ... you're ok.. just drive.
     
    #3 V8Cobrakid, Oct 25, 2008
  4. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

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    When I was toolin' around the PNW this summer I tried to keep
    things not too far over 3000 RPM, just to not get into the
    really-suckin'-it-down region, but that's just me. Yes, I joined
    the loaded semis crawlin' up the truck lane by not stomping it,
    but I'm good with that.
    .
    _H*
     
    #4 hobbit, Oct 25, 2008
  5. alanh

    alanh Active Member

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    The only over-reving I think is possible is coasting at high speed in neutral; it may over-rev the electric motor.
     
    #5 alanh, Oct 26, 2008
  6. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    I have climbed some reasonably steep hills since I got the ScanGauge; at 4100 rpm the engine is really thrashing away, but you are still under the 5000 rpm redline.
     
    #6 dogfriend, Oct 26, 2008
  7. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    On REALLY steep grades I've seen 5000 RPM a few times. I've never seen it go over that. The system will limit it and you will start to slow a bit.

    Don't read this as saying the Prius can be gutless up mountain hills. It isn't. I was passing powerful SUVs going up the Coqahalla in B.C. (and boy did they look pissed ;) ).
     
    #7 David Beale, Oct 26, 2008
  8. cyberprius

    cyberprius Mtn Bikes don't need foglights

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    Thanks guys. The Prius doesn't seem to have quite the "umph" factor of my husband's Camry, but I have to admit, when I start hearing it strain, I back-off pretty quickly.

    Guess I have have to be braver.
     
    #8 cyberprius, Oct 26, 2008
  9. SW03ES

    SW03ES Senior Member

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    Its the CVT, the Camry downshifts which gives it the feeling of more oomph because its over-reacting to the situation. The CVT always finds the optimal gearing neccisary for whatever individual load is placed on the drivetrain, which makes it feel like its really struggling in the mountains, but its not.
     
    #9 SW03ES, Oct 26, 2008
  10. cyberprius

    cyberprius Mtn Bikes don't need foglights

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    I think I understand (sorta of :D) what you are saying about the Prius....In the Camry, the only downshifting it gets is when I jam it into fourth on a hill -- it's one of those rare breeds -- a 2003 MANUAL 5-speed Camry -- Kevin had to threaten to walk out of the dealership to get the dealer to hassle with ordering him a manual transmission Camry from Japan.
     
    #10 cyberprius, Oct 26, 2008
  11. SW03ES

    SW03ES Senior Member

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    Really?!?! A manual how cool. I'd love to see a picture of that!
     
    #11 SW03ES, Oct 26, 2008
  12. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    The Prius engine is quite noisy under heavy acceleration when the gasoline engine is reving up. I suspect this is intentional, to encourage owners to drive with a light foot.
     
    #12 Patrick Wong, Oct 26, 2008
  13. SW03ES

    SW03ES Senior Member

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    I dont think its intentional, its just not a very refined engine, the CVT tends to make engines sound louder anyways, the motor mounts aren't very isolating, and theres not a lot of sound deadening in the firewall.
     
    #13 SW03ES, Oct 26, 2008
  14. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Just stomp on it and keep it stomped as needed. Forget fears learned from broken-down old technology cars.
     
    #14 richard schumacher, Oct 27, 2008
  15. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    If you had seen the mountain passes I've driven over in a Prius packed to the gills, you would no longer worry about destroying the engine. One purple bar, 6% grade, pedal floored, 12,000 feet, crawling around a nearly stationary pickup truck with a trailer - that's my personal experience. I think they station those slow trucks at inconvenient spots, and launch them into the flow of traffic when they see me coming up the hill: "Cue the truck..."

    Tom
     
    #15 qbee42, Oct 27, 2008
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