Emergency Shift lock override

I was under the impession the parking pawl is actuated by a 12 vdc solenoid. Seems to me, if that's the case, once the 12 vdc system goes dead, you're SOL

 

The classic Prius does indeed have a shift lock override button. No info here on how the new model is set up.

 

I checked the manual for my 2004, and there is no mention of any emergency shift lock override. With the parking pawl activated electrically, I really don't see how you could disable it with the 12 vdc battery dead.

 

no. there is no way to get the car out of park if the battery's dead and won't take a charge.

the park lock mechanism is buried. techs at the shop have speculated that you could get up in there and remove the park lock mechanism and the car would freewheel, but then you've got that electricity generated and nowhere to go because the hybrid battery relays are open.

and then there's actually getting under the car to even do this...

this is the same reason that they say not to tow a prius with the front wheels on the ground.

so no. the 2nd gen prius does not have a way to do this, you pretty much have to stick it on dollies.

*please please please please* complain loudly about this! it drives the techs crazy. hence the speculation of a way around it...

 

I think the echos of the complaints may have been heard; the Camry Hybrid has a park override.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Feb 10 2007, 12:23 AM) [snapback]387861[/snapback]</div>

This doesn't sound like a simple fix but rather a re-engineering. So it looks like we're stuck with it.

Got to thinking about my co-workers 2006 Range Rover HSE. Last summer we were at my hobby farm and I was really interested in how everything worked. There is a huge owner manual and a bunch of supplements.

I recall the fuel door release being electric, but if the battery were dead or the release failed, there was a backup method: remove a small trim piece and use a manual cable pull system.

When you consider how often those things need gas, that might come in real handy!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Feb 9 2007, 11:23 PM) [snapback]387861[/snapback]</div>

I'm pretty freaked out about this issue. Is there no provisions we Prius owners can make for this eventuality? I'm worried about moving the Prius a short distance in an emergency, say off the road or something, and I'm worried about how to get it going again, if its small battery dies. What about tow truck bringing a quick charger such as they bring for regular car's regular batteries? Is this not workable? Why the need to have dollies and all if its just a dead, small battery?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jendbbay @ Feb 12 2007, 12:31 AM) [snapback]388756[/snapback]</div>

Yes, a tow truck would be able to jump start a dead 12V, assuming it's not internally shorted or something. It does perhaps seem shortsighted not to have some mechanical shift override, but how often would it need to be used in all actuality?

 

Our Lexus SUV hybrid 400h has 'N' so I suppose the Highlander has the same. We CAN put it into 'N' with the ignition not on, and it can be pushed. Evidently it IS possible to have the Toyota line of hybrid cars freewheel .... right?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hill @ Feb 12 2007, 12:45 PM) [snapback]388940[/snapback]</div>

Apparently not. If you can't get enough stuff booted up to get it into neutral, then you are stuck... I think this very case happened to someone, and the car was stuck in the garage until someone with jacks and wheel dollies shows up (what you want) or the tow truck drags it (what you don't want). There is also concern if it breaks down on the road with some sort of computer failure. I think those cases are rare, but in the "could possibly happen" category. If the Prius is turned on and in neutral, then you can push it off the road or whatever. If it's in neutral and turned off, however, then it puts itself in park. Maybe the Lexus is different?

 

the prius is the only one with this particular issue. the rest of the hybrids are fine to go into N with a dead 12v battery.

 

I don't understand all this worry. All four tires could explode and you'd be stranded. You could run out of gas and try to drive on electric until you fried the HV battery. You could lose all coolant and melt the ICE.

It COULD happen! I'm not too worried.

On the other hand, I could leave my car unlocked with the windows rolled down and walk away and feel pretty sure no one could roll it away. Some yahoos once rolled my (original) VW Bug into a ditch for me, just for fun, I guess.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Feb 14 2007, 02:07 AM) [snapback]390060[/snapback]</div>

Bill, these are my feelings exactly. An override is a reasonable idea, but the lack of one causes me no anxiety whatsoever. Having a control surface fall off of an airplane, now that worries me.

Tom

 

I believe the reason for no emergency shift lock override on a 2nd gen Prius is that they have electronic actuated shifting mechanisms. All other cars mentioned, Toyotas and the Hybrid Camry, have mechanical linkages that physically connect to the transmission and the override simply allows that linkage to put the transmission into neutral and disengage the parking mechanism. The Prius uses a CVT with only one physical gear, forward, and that can variate it's ratio so there was no need to use mechanical linkages because from my understanding all the Prius would have to do is engage or disengage a parking mechanism, and in "Reverse" it would simply allow electric power only and turn the electric motor backwards for reverse (the ICE can't rotate backwards). So really, if there was a way to reach down by the CVT somewhere with a pair of pliers and pull on the actuator that locks the drivetrain in park, it should freewheel, I think... assuming that there is anything to grab and pull on. It would probably be best to ask a tow truck to bring wheel dolly's to move the car though.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jayman @ Feb 12 2007, 01:17 AM) [snapback]388749[/snapback]</div>

Consumer reports year after year continually slams the RR for being high maint costs and low on reliability. THAT's why we traded ous in for the hybrid lexus SUV - 400h. Our RR was frequently in the shop, and the shop was ALWAYs over filled ... sometimes requiring us to leave the car there, for WEEKS at a time. If our 400h EVER has to go into the shop they tell me we will get a 400h to use in its place. The RR? Heck, we'd have to take what ever rental that might be available, whether it be a compact, a pick up, a mini van ... a real pot pori. Electric gas door? Hardly made the dang thing worth $60k IMHO.

Good ridence

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ilusnforc @ Feb 14 2007, 01:42 PM) [snapback]390241[/snapback]</div>

Our 400h (and I believe the highlander too) has CVT. Maybe a better theory is in order.