Another prius problem I have and see coming up Traction control

I would like to add. I don't want a recall, I like my car, I just want to turn off the traction control. I have been driving for over 40 years I know how to control a car when I have control.

 

I have this problem on my 06 also. It has occurred on two different sets of tires. It happens more in rain but also in dry circumstances. I think this and the breaking issue that was just announced are caused by a similar issue as this happens when I'm breaking AND accelerating. It's annoying and a little scary at times but not scary enough for me not to drive the car.

 

The traction control in the Prius is absurdly aggressive. It cuts power as soon as there is any slippage. I have also been driving for 35 years in snow and ice and I can control the car if it lets me. I really preferred cars before ABS, traction control, VSC and all that bullshit.

 

Agreed, I'd like to try it out without the traction control. Anyone know a hack for this?

 

Found a hack to turn off traction control here, priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-technical-discussion/21652-traction-control.html but they say it could fry your electric motor. I'll probably just wait for a "real" fix from Toyota is I still have this car by then.

 

Although people may feel the traction control is overly agressive, in this case I think the main reason is to prevent overspeed of the electric motors.

 

I have got one better - yesterday I was starting to cross an intersection after the light had changed to green and out of the corner of my eye, I saw a Subaru proceeding to run the red light. Fortunately, I was able to stop and avoid getting T-boned by the Subaru. I wonder if I had not been able to stop in time, would that have been Toyota's fault? It potentially could have been if the braking system had hiccuped.... Fortunately, for me, I will never know.

I would just like to have a car with a braking system that works as it should work in all conditions. It would be really nice not to have to wonder whether I should be taking the Prius out when it rains. It is a great car otherwise.

 

What about controlling a car when you don't have control? It would be nice if traction control worked as it is supposed to.

 

The traction control has been improved twice: once for the Gen II and then again with the Gen III. Unfortunately for you, both of these improvements came after you purchased your Prius.

Tom

 

Out of curiosity, when was the GenII TC upgrade released? And, why would an owner with an earlier (pre-update) edition not be eligible for the update? Just off the cuff, such a policy (not making upgrades within the generation available to all owners of the generation) would seem to invite a lawsuit. Especially for safety systems.

 

With all the torque of the electric motors you need tc or you'd spin your tires all the time. I've seen some folks from warmer areas drive in snow for the first time in cars without tc and it ain't pretty and they get no where. My tc doesn't do more than a very brief ramp down in torque so i have no problem, so i'm wondering what you guys are doing. Is your response to the dip in acceleration to stomp on it? I don't... i just hold steady and the car takes off after maybe a quarter second... certainly not a safety issue.

 

Stop whining. You aren't going to get in an accident due to the braking issue. If you did manage the impossible by causing an accident then you were driving beyond what the road conditions permit. I've owned multiple Prius' for several years. Not once has the braking issue led to an unsafe situation that proper spacing would not solve.

Now you people believe there is a problem with the traction control because the Prius can't grab hold on lose gravel? Give me a break! What do you expect the Prius to do? Defy the laws of physics by accelerating 2700 pounds up to road speed on lose gravel?

Stop just inventing issues...

 

There seem to be brand apologists frequenting every car forum that I am a member of. Are you going to warrant the proper functioning of the Prius' brakes? If so, get your checkbook out as there have been accidents that could be attributable to reduced brake system efficiency.

Toyota will be real happy to learn that you are going to warrant the performance of their brake systems. You might even get treated to an all-expenses-paid trip to Japan for your gesture.

 

Listen to yourself, "...there have been accidents that could be attributable to reduced brake system efficiency." Exactly, COULD be attributed. Or more likely, someone caused an accident and is looking for someone to blame it on. I don't know how many times I am going to make this point. You are not going to get in an accident from the braking issue. You can't, it is not possible - period. The braking force is lost for a 1/5 to a 1/2 second. If that is enough time to hit another car then you are at fault for following to closely.

 

Unlike you, I tend to not make categorical assertions unless proof exists to substantiate the assertion. BTW, there have already been 4 accidents reported due to brake failures in the Gen III Prius.

Keep on with the denial routine. At least Toyota is coming around to the idea that there may be problems with the brakes on their cars. What will you say if (more likely when) Toyota issues a recall?

 

Every car has its quirks. RWD cars tend to spin out easier while applying gas going around a corner on a wet road. You just have to plan for that. For my Prius, I do plan for the traction control problems on bumpy roads. When accellerating quickly to enter traffic, I look to see if there are bumps in the road and make sure I avoid them if possible. Same thing with braking.

You dont want to turn off the traction control because it prevents the electric motors from delievering too much torque to the drive components.

Wanting to go back to the days of pre-ABS, or Pre traction control is about as smart as wanting to go back to the days of no seat belts and steel dashboards.

 

You shouldn't have to 'plan' your drive to accommodate the limitations/failings of the car. One could argue that the owners of the cars with the throttle problems shouldn't drive with the floor mats in position to obstruct the pedal.... Many apologists on this board have made just that argument. There is a reason that Toyota is not heeding the argument about not obstructing the pedal and is instead ordering a recall.

 

"Wanting to go back to the days of pre-ABS, or Pre traction control is about as smart as wanting to go back to the days of no seat belts and steel dashboards."

I disagree. I grew up driving in snow in pre ABS and pre traction control cars and I learned how to use the gas and brakes under those condition. My 2005 Prius is a great car, but I hate the way the power cuts out as soon as the wheels slip. It is much worse than the brief braking transition so much in the news. ABS and traction control assume the driver is a moron. This is not true in my case.

 

I get the same result on our Seattle wet roads. There are a few places I know that this happens (with or without speed) so I now know to take it slow and attend to the wheel.

I also learned to take my foot off the gas when possible and self correct out of it. That helps.

but when it happens without cause and it does now and then - it wakes you up for sure!

Know your road - you know your car - that's half of it