2006 Prius and "stiffener" mod

http://priuschat.com/BT-Stiffening-Plate-Review-t17018.html

The tag line on the post is "installed on our '06", so i would assume it would answer just about every question about the BT stiffening plate you'd have.


and as for the nav, i'd tend to agree with you - no real complaints! however, when it comes to the algorithm, i'd say there are some damn good ones out there for solving graph theory problems. the real problem isn't so much the algorithm. instead, the nav simply doesn't have complete information about the problem at hand. it provides generic estimates for speed limits on streets, which at times can be way off, for one reason or another (speed limits are often set higher than what might be expected, or there might be a school zone or something). additionally, the nav doesn't have any information on traffic lights and stop signs - so it's impossible to judge the amount of time stopped at a light (i can't even count the number of times it's recommended i go one way and i decided to go another because the lights are better timed or fewer and thus i arrive at my destination quicker - this is something it simply doesn't "know"). and finally, it doesn't know about current traffic conditions - although this is changing.

I think we'll see much better navs in the near future. currently all the information is held on one DVD - what happens when you change that over to blue ray or HD-DVD? suddenly there's tons more room to store information, and the computer (which will be more powerful by then) can more accurately estimate times of different routes.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NYLion @ Aug 10 2006, 10:02 AM) [snapback]300774[/snapback]</div>

If navigation is off topic, did you just hijack your own thread in your opening post?

I'm glad to hear that the navigation technology is improving. I've heard reports here and at gpspassion from users with both Prius navigation and recent portable navigators. Many report buying a new Prius with navigation but then switching back to their portable street pilot for better routing.

As for the BT stiffening brace, there are no instrumented tests or carefully controlled objective or double blind comparisons that I've heard of. There are many very enthusiastic customers.

 

I have two 2006 Prii, and drive on washboard dirt roads and across RR tracks and overpass seams that aren't perpendicular to the direction of travel. After the addition of the BT stiffener plate, it is now enjoyable to drive the cars in these areas and the yellow traction light on the dash doesn't come on anymore. I am imagining there is actually a difference! I highly recommend the BT plate!