my prius not reliable any more

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ May 28 2007, 08:08 PM) [snapback]451278[/snapback]</div>

Duh. Of course. There would still be 12v at the battery cables coming from the 200v system.

Although I assume the 200v system only charges the 12v periodically, on and off as necesary. So if the 12v battery disconnected momentarily, wouldn't all the 12v equipment see a momentary power loss?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brucefern @ May 28 2007, 05:04 PM) [snapback]451133[/snapback]</div>

You do realize, I assume, that this board isn't actually run by Toyota... calling for "a complete investigation" here won't initiate anything of the sort. You didn't say if the car was taken to the dealer for troubleshooting, but that's most likely what would be required to get any official action moving.

I don't mean to downplay the numerous helpful responses that you've already received, of course.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brucefern @ May 28 2007, 05:04 PM) [snapback]451133[/snapback]</div>

You may have bumped the shift lever while/after adjusting the A/C. You would not have been the first one to do that.

 

This could happen in any car, at any time. It happened on my '85 Mustang, at 10 pm on the 118 freeway a few years ago. Do you think all the broken down cars, many of them new, are parked along the freeways to enjoy the view? I also had a rented RV that blinked the alternator charging light, and died on Hiway 99 near Delano in the middle of the night. What makes you think the Prius is a SUPERCAR ! that will never die at any time at any place? Just like power outages, PC crashes, s*** happens. Take it to the dealer and get it checked out.

 

Would be interesting to see what dealer will say about incident. The 07 owners manual says car is equipped with a "black box" recorder something like a commerical airplane. I wander if that would record anything significant in this case? Don't know if 06 has it. Also, don't know who would have access to the recorder.

Update:
Missed the reply from brucefern, scratch the recorder idea.

 

perhaps i am misinformed but my dealer told me specifically after i signed that i should never fill up with premium gas. infact filling up with more than regular on a regular basis was decidedly bad for the prius.

is this false?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Prius Toric @ May 30 2007, 05:43 AM) [snapback]452009[/snapback]</div>

In the Toyota service manual, it specifically notes that using Premium gas (aka 91 octane US) may cause starting issues. It also notes that starting issues will be more problematic than a regular car because the Prius starts the engine more often (whenever the HV ECU commands).

There is no advantage to using Premium gas because the engine is designed to use Regular (87 octane US).

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dogfriend @ May 30 2007, 09:54 AM) [snapback]452039[/snapback]</div>

so maybe this could be an issue for the OP? vpower, atleast at my shell station is 93 octane. you might want to try using the right octane gas in your prius

 

This guy "Jay" ... who works w/ me sometimes. Yesterday, May 30th 2007 ~ he had a massive heart attack after going to the hospital for what he thought was a panic attack. Spent 10 minutes in the waiting room. Then BOOM. Flatline for 5 minutes. They barely managed to bring him back. HE almost died.

Years ago, I had a motorcycle rear tire blowout on the freeway doing 70mph. Fishtailed over all three lanes of the 5 freeway, but managed to NOT go down. Walked away. I did NOT almost die. Right? I would have at least had to have hit the ground, or gotten run over by the 3 lanes of cars behind me.

 

Where we are so far in the informal investigation here:

- No code stored, which isn't a surprise;

- Possible VSC/traction control triggered by the rough road, causing the power loss. A good bump across the road (like where they stop paving progress) will almost always trigger the VSC. Maybe this is the most likely cause?

- A momentary ICE problem caused by the high-octane fuel (though the engine would always have been running at freeway speeds). It could have hiccupped and wouldn't restart till the next power cycle.

- The 10K service would not be a factor, since it was over 300 miles earlier.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rick Auricchio @ Jun 2 2007, 11:00 AM) [snapback]453967[/snapback]</div>

Why do you not include the accidental shifting to reverse or park; this, as suggested by several posters, matches the symptions and is also in line with the drivers fiddling with the A/C at the time as.

 

Sorry, I forgot about the possibility of accidental shifting.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brucefern @ May 28 2007, 09:40 PM) [snapback]451268[/snapback]</div>

i
In the rare case of Park or Neutral engaging by accident on the freeway (or elsewhere) while driving, what's the fastest way to get power back on? I'd like to practice this so in the event of it happening I'll know what to do...
Thanks, newbie

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(zang @ Jun 3 2007, 12:20 PM) [snapback]454494[/snapback]</div>

Apply the brake very briefly--just long enough to shift back into D--and you'll be on your way again. No need to shut off the car and restart if the car is just in Neutral.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mcbrunnhilde @ Jun 3 2007, 05:05 PM) [snapback]454584[/snapback]</div>

Thanks, I think I'll practice it. Zang

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(zang @ Jun 3 2007, 12:20 PM) [snapback]454494[/snapback]</div>

Nothing is required except to shift to drive. You can shift in and out of neutral at any time while in motion; it does not matter how you got to neutral.

 

My husband is 6'2". We had the Prius for two weeks. Halfway through a 5 hour interstate drive he lost power. We had a few seconds of confusion and some mumbling, including the words "lemon like the Chevys" before I noticed his knee had shifted the car into neutral. I knew that was a possibility having read about it in PriusChat. Thanks to all who share info and entertainment!