Pre-collision system activation

Well I experienced the PCS assist today as well. While traveling approximately 20-30 mph in tight stop and go traffic today, the car I was traveling behind slammed on brakes. I experienced the PCS activation while hitting my brakes. I did momentarily realize the flashing PCS indicator light along with several warning beeps. Lasted about 5 seconds. Nice to know the system is there in the background to minimize injury and damage. Frontal to Rear end impacts are a daily part of Los Angeles stop and go traffic.

 

Trust me on this, you want them to total it. You do not want a car with substantial damages repairs...it is never the same. And the value of the Prius holds up well. My experience is a 2010 totalled Prius lost about 10% of the new cost.

 

So sorry to hear about your accident, but very happy that you are ok. I toyed with deactivating the PCS braking yesterday because it had frightened me so much the night before, but then decided I would be better off being frightened if it happened again than I would be if I were to get into an accident and have the PCS braking off.

If you take your Prius to a reputable shop for repair, they may decide to total it even if the insurance adjuster says it is repairable. That happened with my BMW back in the late 90s.... Insurance said fix it, the shop said, "You've got to be kidding"... and it was totaled.

 

Thanks a lot for the advice. I will think about it. Did you mean that if I bought it new for $30K, they will compensate me for 10% ($3K) less than what I paid? If I can get a payment for $27K, it sounds like a good deal. I worried that I might get 20% or more less.

I have all the options for this Prius V.

 

Thank you very much! Yes, I found the best body shop in my area near DC. I am confident that they will work to my interest. If they don't do it, I will not repair it. I have not looked under the hood yet because the hood has been pushed in for an inch or so and locked. But from outside, the damage does not look too terrible, although the radiator fluid is leaking. I am sure the radiator, hood, front panel, and at least one front doors has to be replaced. If the total repair is not over 75% of the value, they may repair it. But if it's too close to 75%, I may push them to total it. Let's see. I will know for sure by tomorrow.

 

I am so sorry to read about your crash, although I am delighted to know that the PCS worked when it was needed. It seems as if it saved your assets. Thank you for sharing your experience. I hope all goes well with the repair or replacement.

 

Just out of curiosity, where are you taking it? A dealer, or another shop in the area?

 

If during panic braking you become so focused on stopping just inches from the car in front of you you might miss all the PCS activation signals. Happened to me.

 

Thank you so much for sharing the 1st hand experience with us!! I will go out and hug my Prius now.... :cheer2:

 

I can not say what will happen with you. I rolled a 2010 PRIUS III with about 15000 miles on it in Dec. I paid 22400, and the Ins gave me 20700 for the car.

 

True. But I did notice the flashing warning lights, although I don't remember where it came from.

 

I found that dealers are not the best place for repair damages. I got a body shop that has great reviews. When there is need to replace critical parts or do major technical installations, the body shop will make arrangement to work with a Toyota shop.

 

I'm glad you are still with us, on Prius Chat and on this side of the white light. I hope you have fully recovered from your acrobatic experience. Have you got advice for us about things that should never be attempted in a Prius?

 

Main advise is to remember, wheels go down

 

That sounds pretty good to me. How many months did you have the car?

 

18

 

Thanks. I have mine for 17 months, very close to yours. But it has 22000 miles on it. You got 7.6% less from your purchase price. I will be happy if I get a similar compensation.

 

I have a 2010 ATP. Several months back, I hit a deer. Minor damage -- the front bumper cracked and it knocked out a fog light. Other than the fog light, everything was functional and the car completely drivable. Went to the dealership's body shop. They replaced the bumper, and did a decent paint job.

HOWEVER, even though the pre-assist function of the parking assist worked prior to going to the body shop (and after hitting the deer), they screwed something up with the front right ultrasonic sensor. Two months later after several demonstrations trying to show them how the park assist was supposed to work, I convinced them something was wrong.

They had my car for another week, ordered parts that never came in, and I finally just asked for my car back. Somewhere along the line they inadvertently fixed whatever it is they broke (although they are not yet aware of that fact!)

My advice is - hope the car is totaled. I had very minor damage but the dealership really didn't know how to properly service this system. I can't imagine you would ever get everything working again with that kind of damage.

 

I am back after a long week.

Long story short: My car has been totaled. They determined that there are too much technology in the front of the car. Repair cost would be too much. I will get a payment of $31K (I paid sticker price in 2009 for $33K).

I think it's pretty good compensation considering I drove the other one for 17 months. Of course I am the type of guy who would keep a car forever. I really did not need to drive a new car every couple of years. But what can I do? This was an accident in which nobody wins. By the way, I bought my first car in graduate school (then a ten-year-old 1977 Toyota Corona). It was still functioning in 2009. But I need the room for my Prius. So I sold it on eBay to a PA Toyota dealer who keeps it in their showroom. .I think that car is going to live longer than me.

I needed to get a replacement soon. But now it's impossible to find a used 2010 Prius with the same color (Sandy Beach) and options, and in excellent condition. So I spent couple of days on the web. Luckily, I found a new 2010 model with only 135 miles. It's in NJ, 3.5 hours from me. I believe it's the last one on the east coast, if not the entire US. So I didn't wait. I got a rental car from the insurance company, drove one way for 3.5 hours, and drove the new car back home last Saturday. I paid $32K plus tax and fees.

It's a funny feeling when I drive this new car, because everything is the same as the other one except the tires are Japanese made "Proexs" while the other car has US made Michelin.

I think I am very lucky: first the PCS saved me from serious injuries; second, I could locate the same car within a week from not too far away. Did I tell you that my other car was bought from NJ also? (The two dealers are not too far from each other)? This combination of color and options is very rare indeed. If I wanted a 2011 new car, the dealers told me I had to make an order and wait for 6 month. Given the current situation in Japan, the wait could be even longer.

 

Maomao,

That is cool that everything worked out for you. Glad to hear your back in a Prius.