I will wait as long as possible to get my Prius repaired under the upcoming recall. I do not trust the fix. It is like an update for a computer operating system. They sometimes cause more problems than they fix. I'll wait and see how it works. At least a year after the letter is sent to me, maybe longer.:hippie:
Kind of the same here. I'll wait to bring it in and have it done when I do my next oil change, which may be months from now... Not because I an nervous of it causing more problems though, rather because I simply don't have the time to lose at the dealership for something which does not bother me one bit.
I know my 2008 isn't covered by the programming recall. I just wanted to add that I'm not in a hurry to let the dealer cut off the bottom of my gas pedal and remove my perfectly safe driver's side floor mat, either.
I'm not worried about the fix as it's already been in production since Jan. If the flashing fails, the software will warn of such (checksums won't match), and they'll have to replace the entire ECU. Either way, I'll walk away w/ the current software.
What did Bob Barker use to say at the end of Price is Right? Have your Prius Spayed or Neutered... I'll be interested in feedback from post January Prius owners as to brake feel and gas mileage. But if one is improved and the other stays the same? Why not just do it? I've got a feeling Toyota was probably pretty careful about this update....
Agreed it's not something I need "fixed" but I had a 2003 Mercedes E Class, delivered right as they were introduced, and for the next 3 years, just about every time I went in for regular service (and the numerous "a message is displayed in the MFP, see the dealer" visits) they would have some new software download which had to come from Germany, coded for my car. Nothing ever caused a problem. That car had the brake by wire brakes, and the whole vehicle was a LAN instead of having typical wiring harnesses. A marvel in concept, not so hot in practice. Since Toyota already applied it on the line, it's probably pretty well tested but I understand folks concern. I'll get it in IF/when they ask and report.
I wouldn't worry about the fix. In the earliest days of the 2G Prius there were a few ECUs fried by inexperienced service personel, but now days they've all got good experience with the hybrids and can handle an ECU flash with alacrity. Also, the flash that will be used is known to work as they've been [secretly] doing it for a month on the production line. That said, if I had the 3G, I don't know if I'd have it done at all, and if I did, it wouldn't be until my next planned service visit. My concern would be a decrease in the effectiveness of the regen braking and harm to my hypermiling numbers!
You may not have much of a choice on waiting. I suspect the dealerships will be mobbed with people getting shims installed in accelerator assemblies for at least a few months. I don't think they have a lot of spare capacity. It could be worse, a guy I work with tried to take his newly orphaned Saturn (a now defunct brand of GM) in for warranty work. He had to take it to a regular GM dealership that was overwhelmed by having to service all the displaced Saturn owners. It sat in the parking lot for a week waiting its turn.
For me I do not have the time to lose going to the dealer for them to 'fix' something I do not see as a problem. Yes, it may be a problem to some and in their case by all means, take the car in. As mentioned, I will have it performed when the vehicle is in for it's next oil change unless people see mileage dips or worse braking action after having the reprogram performed. And if it happens I do not need a service for a year, then a year it will be before I take it in...
I'll bet you any sum of money (up to 79 cents) that there will not be any noticeable change in brake feel or mileage. This anomaly only affects braking < 1 % of the time. Consequently I'd expect the modification to be very minor. Keith
I have read articles, and even seen dealerships in my area, saying their service departments will stay open 24 hours to accommodate people bringing in their vehicles... Still may take a while but I have to give credit where it is due, and not just lengthening your hours of operation but making it a 24 hour operation deserves credit.
+1 Here in the Silicon Valley we probably have the highest density of Prius automobiles per square mile of any place in the country. In the last 24 hours I've watched numerous stories on the local TV news about our local Toyota dealers service departments working around the clock putting in "the fix" on every Toyota listed in the recall that they could schedule an appointment. That is Great Customer Service... Keith
If I had a 2010 I wouldn't be in a hurry to get it done either. I remember when I had my 04 and there was some problem on the Prius suddenly dieing out on the highway and their was new computer program which required a reflash of the ECU. Well just after people had it done there was a million complaints of people's gas mileage taking a dive. I was glad then that I never had mine done.
Although like Evan this ECU reprogramming (I hate that term reflash!) will not affect me with the G2 model, I doubt it would affect your MPG, since I don't see how shortening the time interval between the regenerative braking feature and friction braking is going to affect operation of the ICE. OTOH, if the braking transition is invoked at a higher speed, I suppose it could diminish the amount of electrical regeneration energy sent back to the HV battery. I guess we'll all learn eventually.
To be clear, I don't think the reprogramming is likely to negatively affect the MPG of anyone but us more serious hypermilers....and even then it may not be noticable since we avoid braking of any kind anyway. But, as Ron mentioned, I think it will reduce the total amount of energy regenerated somewhat...but likely not enough to show up on the MPG gauge.
