Stopping the hybrid system in an emergency

Instead of powering off, in an emergency I would recommend putting the car into neutral instead. I think it would be a lot safer because there would be no control lost.

 

Don't know. Does it lock when you turn off normally? I haven't tired. "Normal" cars have a mechanical lock that's tied to the key.

Normal cars lose both power steering and power brakes. My understanding is that the Prius disconnects the master brake cylinder during normal operation, but fails safe. My guess (and expectation from the engineers) is that you regain manual control when you turn it off.

Since it has electric power steering, I would expect to lose that too.

I don't see why not. If I had a large enough open space it'd be wiling to try it. I suggest that it be done by a professional driver on a closed course.

 

With a run-away, first get off the "gas" pedal and "stomp" the mechanical brake, and then quickly take the 2 sec to shift into N, and immediately take the additional 3 sec to force "OFF", being careful to maintain control of the steering.

Of course a confused or "broken" ECU (computer) might ignore the "N" (and even the OFF), so the first "step" is the most important, I suspect.

 

I ask about the 3 second shut down in another thread. Mine will shut down almost immediately when I hit the power button while the car is standing still. I don't know what happens while the car is moving though, at least not with the gen3. I think everyone is a bit reluctant to try it because if you hit the power button while stopped it goes into park and no one wants to have that happen while moving.

But I may work up the courage and give it a try, after all that's what warranties are for "honest, I don't know what happened I was just driving down the road and it made all these noises and came to a screeching halt".

I did this (power button) with my gen2 about 3 years ago and it did not go into park, it went into neutral and shut down. No power steering but that's no problem it steers fine with out it, there was enough pressure in the accumulator for the brakes to work but if there were not no problem just push harder.

What I don't remember is how long I had to hold the power button down, was it 3 seconds or did it just shut down? and I don't remember exactly how I had to restart it, hold the button down for several seconds I think for the restart.

Anyway Neutral really does work just fine, it only takes 1 second. Using Neutral you still have power steering and power brakes also. I have tried that with the gen3, nothing to it. Put it in Neutral going down the highway at a speed of 40 or less, actually 46 or less so you don't over speed MG1, and try it. When you see it works just select D again and off you go.

EDIT: Owner's Manual page 167 does say to hold the Power Switch in for 3 seconds to shut down the hybrid system while driving. But it also says you shouldn't do it except in an emergency because this could "lead to an unexpected accident". I guess the "unexpected" ones are the ones you have to watch out for.

 

I tested this on gen 2 pushed my park button while driving in parking lot going about 10mi [speed] found out car will go into neutral and you still have all power steering and power brake control. this would be faster then 3 second power botton. have not try this on my gen 3 assuming this would be same as gen 2.

 

No.

Brakes still function normally, steering effort goes up slightly but still very reasonable.

Yes.

I have done it a couple of times, just to see what happens. After 3 seconds, the hybrid system shuts down - the System Relays open and the car goes into a psuedo - ACC mode (the combo meter lights go out except for the shift indicator which shifts to N - it can't shift to P, since you are still moving). Once the car comes to a stop, you can restart by pushing the brake pedal and power button, just like normal.

Its fun. Try it. :madgrin:

 

I hit P (on my Gen III)by accident while going 30 MPH the other day and it shifted to N. I just shifted back to D and all was well.

 

I've shut mine down while driving, it acted exactly like a "normal" car does if the engine dies. No big deal.

 

Thanks to everyone out there who is brave enough to do trial runs on these things!!

 

I tested out turning my gen III off while moving at around 10 mph recently. It works as advertised. The MFD stayed on and displayed a big notice that said "Shift to P". Of course I waited until I could stop on the side of the road before I did and then I restarted it.

I didn't try restarting the car while moving. Anyone try that?

 

I think that would be difficult/impossible for 2 reasons:

1. You need to have your foot on the brake (firmly) while pressing the Power button.

2. I *think* the car shifts to P once you press the Power button. I'm not willing to test that while the car is still moving. :madgrin: