Instability at highway speeds.

If you were a brand-new owner?
I'd tell you to put the 'giveacrap' switch in the "don't" position.
The Prius (even the station wagon) is a smallish, light, slab-sided car with X-Box 360 steering.
Since you have a little time in type, I'll presume that you've felt all of this before. It's possible that you encountered a little extra cross wind, or were traveling in dirtier air than you're otherwise used to. The tires could be a factor, but your TPMS would be fussing at you if the pressures were off by about 10-psi, and you didn't mention any suspension work.
Check the pressures, and make sure that all of the underside panels are still there, and maybe see if any of the other plastical panels (front lip, fender well, etc) are trying to jump ship...other than that???
See above: Giveacrap Switch.

I've "known" people who have driven the regular-sized G3 at low three digit speeds in very dirty air with no stability issues, so despite the lack of tactile output from the steering, the G3 is a pretty stable car for what it is. I would expect that the plus-sized variant should be even more so. Perhaps you're one of those people who can run over a dime and tell whether it's heads or tails (I'm not) and you're just a little more 'in tune' with your car, or perhaps your "usta-car" was a proper sports car????

Good Luck!
Let us know if you find anything!

 

Are you saying it handled fine till they installed the bra? It's always possible that something was screwed up during the installation, if it continues have the dealer check it out. If you're just starting to notice it doesn't handle as well as a BMW, well, all I can say is that's not what the Prii are designed for! It will get you from point A to point B competently using little gas, and little excitement!

 

Check your tire pressure. With 17s the car should feel pretty stable. Now 15s on the other hand... lol

 

Prius is no different from any other car in respect to hwy stability. Sometimes decent-looking tires can give you wondering on the interstate speeds. I had that in my previous cars. 15" has nothing to do with it. But, people with 17" are more likely to use good tires which results in better stability.

Most likely its a wheel alignment issue. With slight toe-in both rear and front it should be rock-solid. But, rear are not (easily) adjustable, so its up to chance/manufacturer. Test-drive THE car before you buy.

- Alex

 

I disagree. I have swapped between 15s and 17s on two generations of Prius more times than i can count and the 17s always feel much more stable due to the wider tread and reduction in sidewall flex. True that the Prius is not the only car that is predisposed to wandering but it is the worst I have ever driven. I also agree that different tires may track differently but even quality 15" tires will do this.

 

I do not argue that 17" is less stable than 15". They are more stable. My point is there should be no "unsafe wondering" feel just because its 15", if tires are good and alignment is proper. I have driven extensively 3 cars (2 Gen 2 and 1 gen 3) all on 15" and they all were very stable on interstate.

- Alex

 

I'm sure you kept then aired up properly which contributes to stability. Most of the time that someone comes in here and complains about highway speed stability we find out their tires were low on pressure or they air them up to 40/38 or higher and the car handles better. So my advice was to check the tire pressure. I agree with you on proper alignment.

 

When I've looked in the past, I've felt BMWs are a bit bloated in terms of weight given their small size, possibly for a stiffer chassis? Per Toyota Prius v - 2012 Performance & Specifications, curb weight of the Prius v is 3274 lbs. Prius liftback is 3042 lbs. (Toyota Prius - 2012 Performance & Specifications). Per
BMW 328i Sedan - Features & Specs - Specifications - BMW North America
, BMW 328i looks like it's 3410 lbs. w/an automatic

My former 02 midsized Maxima was 3218 lbs. While the smaller (and weaker) compact 3-series from that era appears to be heavier (2002 BMW 3-Series Technical Specifications - Consumer Guide Automotive). You can see the differences in interior volumes and classifications at Compare Side-by-Side under the Specs tab.

As for whatever BMW fanboys say, you need either dismiss them or take them w/a grain of salt. Many of them have all sorts of excuses. The anti-hybrid folks also always have many excuses and claims, most of which are false.

 

Some tires tramline worse than others. My OE Yokohama S33D tires were terrible in this regard! I swapped to the Energy Saver A/S and the tramlining was much reduced.

 

Same "problem" here, highway speed 60 and above, keep adjusting the steering by a bit left, right, left just to keep it straight, brand new car. Worst when there's cross wind. I guess it's the design, some sort of bushing not stiff enough?

 

SamuriaSD…JZChen & Et Al In Between – I do not feel the “Steering-Tracking” characteristic of the Prius v (vee) at “Highway Speeds 60 And Above” is a “Problem,” so much as it is a design “Quirk” attendant to the Motor-Generator/ICE/HSD Front Wheel Drive System used in the Prius line of vehicles. It is an attribute drivers must recognize, and to which they must adapt. I think the special Front Wheel MGEN/ICE-powered design makes the Prius steering very “Micro-Position Sensitive” resulting in “Zero Steering Slop/Slack.”

I previously drove an iconic 2G running on OEM Goodyear “Integrity” tires, Up-Pressured to 42F/40R. It required 100% Attention By The Driver, me, towards maintaining the steering wheel position when cruising at “Highway Speeds.” There was no forgiving “Slop/Slack” in the steering that would permit driving with one hand/thumb on the steering wheel while the other hand fiddled with the AM-FM Radio/CD, HVAC, Navigation, Monitor Screen or some whatever other driver distraction. If you took your attention away from the Prius 2G piloting task at-hand, it was likely to start to lane wander a bit.

I now own-operate a Prius v Five with the OEM 17-Inch Alloy Wheels factory-fitted w/ Toyo Proxes A20s, which I run Up-Pressured to 52F/51R. My larger v (vee) “Big Brother” to the 2G exhibits a similar “Sensitive Steering” response, which also requires “100% Attention By The Driver, me, towards maintaining the steering wheel position when cruising at ‘Highway Speeds’.” I must take care not to make long, lingering glances to adore my beauteous wife as we tool along, else I may find my Prius v commence an errant lane wandering in the direction of departing the highway lane in which I am traveling.

IMHO, the aforementioned “Tramlining Effect,” which results from grooves worn in the roadway, is only an additional nuisance contributor that exacerbates the “Steering-Tracking” response of the v (vee).

I have recognized the idiosyncratic “Micro-Position Sensitive Steering” of the Prius steering system when it is traveling at elevated speeds, and have adapted my driving technique to accommodate it. Therefore, it is not a “Problem” for me.

 

I run 15 inch Yokohamas on my V and the steering is much less twitchy than the Gen 2.

If I had to guess what would make it feel more solid: Toyota Prius v Under Brace and Prius v Chassis Stiffener - Improve Prius v ride

 

JimboPalmer – I would agree that the steering-tracking in the v (vee) “is much less twitchy than the (my) Gen 2.” However, having said that, my v (vee) still has touchy steering “at Highway Speeds” requiring good driver attention as per my “Micro-Position Sensitive”…“Zero Steering Slop/Slack” declaration.

As far as Prius v “Solidness” and an “Under Brace-Chassis Stiffener” goes, the Factory OEM installed “Under Brace-Chassis Stiffener” in mine is working “Solidly” fine for my personal “Low, Minimal G-Pulling” driving behavior envelope. I do not “Horse” my v (vee) around ala In-Traffic zigzagging or lane weaving/changing or taking corners/curves at high speed, etcetera.

With me behind the wheel of my v (vee), baring some unforeseen emergency driving maneuver being required, an uncovered full cup of coffee placed in the center console cup holder hole of my v (vee) would be gently transported from Point “A” To Point “B” without a drop of the precious brew being sloshed out.

 

It's always a good idea to have your alignment checked as well. It can be set to help reduce the twitchiness.

 

Not likely. High tire pressure doesn't wear the center of the tire like it used to. Not on such narrow tires anyway. Some tires are still susceptible but most are not. In fact, at the manufacturer recommended levels many people wear out the edges!