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Any fix for rough ride in a 2011 Prius Three

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by surfer7382, Jun 5, 2013.

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  1. surfer7382

    surfer7382 Junior Member

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    We had a 2005 prius and LOVED it. But, we decided to move on and get a new one.

    How different could it be? Ha!

    I hate the new one. It is extremely uncomfortable for me in the passenger seat. Less so in the driver's seat, which is height adjustable, but still a problem for me due to physical issues.

    EVERY bump and wrinkle in the road reverberates through the car - and through me.

    The people at our dealership say there's nothing that can be done.

    Is this true?

    Thanks for any help.
     
    #1 surfer7382, Jun 5, 2013
  2. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    First thing to do is check the tire pressure and air them down to the factor recommendations that are on the sticker on the lower driver door sill area. If it rides THAT bad, the tires may be overinflated. Other than that, oh well.
     
    #2 BZzap!, Jun 5, 2013
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  3. Image Group

    Image Group Bounding Overwatch to Grandmothers house we go!

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    Come on by and we can swap suspensions. Mine is too soft.
     
    #3 Image Group, Jun 6, 2013
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  4. 2010PriusIII

    2010PriusIII Member

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    #4 2010PriusIII, Jun 6, 2013
  5. ForestBeekeeper

    ForestBeekeeper Active Member

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    My first thought is tire pressure.

    I find it interesting that within the Prius line, the suspension varies so much from vehicle to vehicle.

    Our Prius III is great. However to follow this forum, I see that we were lucky.

    Would the answer be to test drive each model on the dealer's lot? To somehow make a judgement of which one has the best tuned ride?
     
    #5 ForestBeekeeper, Jun 6, 2013
  6. surfer7382

    surfer7382 Junior Member

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    Thanks for the responses and suggestions!

    We have tried lowering the pressure in the tires and it has a small effect, but not much. I think the suspension is overly stiff.

    We ordered our car, which we did not see as an issue at the time, since we had to order (and wait for months) for the first one. Plus, I did not believe that there would be much difference inthe cars. We had test driven one before we ordered and it was fine.

    I have tried SOME cushions, but it seems to make the back and neck issues worse, and not make a GOOD difference in the overall jarring to my body. Sometimes it was worse! The ergonomic ones are especially uncomfortable for me overall.

    I haven't given up on that approach, yet as I just got two different kinds of seat cushions (full coverage type). We'll see.

    I hesitate to take the Prius anywher but the dealer, but....

    Thanks again!
     
    #6 surfer7382, Jun 6, 2013
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  7. FriarNurgle

    FriarNurgle Member

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    It's a 2011? Maybe the previous owner put on some aftermarket items to stiffen up the suspension. The dealer could have overlooked something.
     
    #7 FriarNurgle, Jun 6, 2013
  8. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    If you are sure that you have Prius Three, take a pic of your rims and tires.

    It could be non-OEM rim and tire size.
     
    #8 usbseawolf2000, Jun 6, 2013
  9. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    I think that if you ordered your Prius with the 17" rims and low profile tires, that could be the answer. The low profile tires would make a significant difference from the 15" wheel and tire combination, as far as ride quality is concerned.
     
    #9 BZzap!, Jun 6, 2013
  10. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    Sounds like a suspension issue if you feel every bumps through the vehicle. You might want to get that checked out.
     
    #10 NutzAboutBolts, Jun 6, 2013
  11. surfer7382

    surfer7382 Junior Member

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    service dept says nothing can be done ;(

    definitely III, 15 in tires; ordered it brand new

    Looks like I won'; be a prius owner much longer
     
    #11 surfer7382, Jun 8, 2013
  12. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    What are the tires? The wrong tire can really make or break the ride quality.
     
    #12 F8L, Jun 8, 2013
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  13. surfer7382

    surfer7382 Junior Member

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    original tires: yokohama avid s33 p195/65 R15 about 5500 miles onthe car/tires

    we had about 7-8000 miles a year ont he older prius, but as the newer one causes problems for me, the miles are a lot less
     
    #13 surfer7382, Jun 9, 2013
  14. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

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    It's time to change tires. I suggest Michelin Defenders or Goodyear Comfortreds (?) or perhaps F8L can recommend a soft riding tire.
     
    #14 xpcman, Jun 9, 2013
  15. surfer7382

    surfer7382 Junior Member

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    I'd be willing to change tires if it would make a SUBSTANTIAL difference.

    I still have trouble believing that there is NOTHING that can be done to the suspension itself, such as adjusting it.

    I do recall the SAME conversation about our old Taurus with multiple service providers and it turned out that the shocks were extremely worn and then failed on me - after THAT was fixed the ride was good.

    But the service dept says "nothing can be done"

    I suspect this might be because it might be charged to the dealership if it was considered warranty work.
     
    #15 surfer7382, Jun 9, 2013
  16. rrg

    rrg Active Member

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    Test drive another Prius and compare.
    If it's different show the dealer.
     
    #16 rrg, Jun 9, 2013
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  17. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

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    LRR tires can make a large difference. With them you feel every crack in the road.

    A Prius is probably not the car you want or need. Perhaps a Camry or Lexus hybrid would be a better car for your needs.
     
    #17 xpcman, Jun 9, 2013
  18. surfer7382

    surfer7382 Junior Member

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    I think that if LRR tires alone were the issue, the old car would have had a rough ride, which was not the case, and we stuck with LRR on that one

    However, theses ARE different tires, and it's still an option to switch the tires and that is on the list IF we can get a suspension adjustment/fix.

    I also like the idea of test-driving another Prius, perhaps even a used one of the same year/model.

    We did test drive a Camry (hybrid, of course) and it's not very smooth, either, despite the salesman's claims. It WAS cushier inside, though.

    A Lexus is a little pricey for us new and used seems to not to be an option for me due to allergy issues.

    I found a local service place that specializes in Toyotas. It's got goof d reviews on Angies List, so I will give them a call.

    Thanks for all the input!
     
    #18 surfer7382, Jun 9, 2013
  19. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    How is it that your ordered it (and waited for it) new yet it's a 2011 model year? Have you had it for two years?
     
    #19 css28, Jun 9, 2013
  20. surfer7382

    surfer7382 Junior Member

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    huh? is the length of time I've had it relevant to any info you have that might help me?

    the ride is rough. I'm asking for possible solutions.
     
    #20 surfer7382, Jun 9, 2013
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