Stalled on the interstate

From what i've noticed with the car, there can be a very slight delay when flooring it. If it's that crowded and people aren't willing to make room for you, it might be a better idea to hang back a little on the ramp until you see the opening you'll want to take, then you'll have plenty of room to quickly accelerate to speed without needed to floor it.

 

Just wanted to add my two cents, that our 2007 Prius has better acceleration than our 1998 Subaru Outback did.

 

First please edit your positng as it took three readings to understand what the situation was when you were entering the interstate. After reducing speed you then tried to accelerate to enter the flow of traffic. What could have occured is you hit some pot holes or very rough pavement which caused the Traction Control to limit the power going to the front wheels. This is a common problem with the Prius. All you have to do is release pressure on the gas pedal, once the front wheels regain traction (which is normally a split second) you can accelerate normally.

 

...and in general, consider avoiding further attempts to holeshot
your way onto the highway. A little patience will find you a larger
and safer gap soon enough, and you can get on and avoid endangering
other people. This applies to ANY car, of course..
.
_H*

 

I'll bet once you get the hang of this car you will love it. Yes, it has quirks, but just like your significant other, you learn 'work arounds' and still get all the benefits you were originally attracted to. One of the features you will find is both good and (you found out, bad) is the traction control. It is in my opinion a feature which needs fine tuning. It kicks in more if you floor the car than if you heavily accelerate (but not floor it). It also (unnecessarily) kicks in too easily if you are accelerating heavily and hit a significant pot hole. Once you relearn how to drive this car with it's inherent quirks you will find it has amazing acceleration.

 

Locust43,

I tried to recreate your experience on my commute today. This morning I was doing 30-35mph on the ramp (descending right hand turn) and floored it on the straightaway. I counted 8 seconds to 65mph but there wasn't any hesitation. I had to abort the evening test due to slower traffic ahead of me on the ramp.

I will make other attempts and try to be more precise but this situation is not one that lends itself to having one's head in the cockpit.

Somewhere (probably on this site) I remember reading that the 0-60 acceleration is 10.+ seconds with a top speed of 107mph so this car should be able to hold its own merging onto the Interstate.

PA had to pass a law to get people in the right lane to yield the lane to the people on the ramp on limited access highways.

 

yeah if you slowed down enough and the engine cut out, it does take a second for the car to realize you floored it and transfer appropriate power. happened to me early on, i was waiting to make a left turn on a busy street and there was just enough of a gap so i floored it, and whew was that ever a close call. i never cut it that close again.
3-4 seconds sounds way too long, but i can see how it might have felt that way in heavy traffic!

 

I've noticed a delay (1-2 second) in my '06 when the engine wasn't really warmed up. It was low 30's outside. It occured as I was turning on to a 45MPH road from a dead stop and traffic was heavy. When the car is warmed up I don't have an issue.
b

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MegansPrius @ Dec 4 2006, 06:49 AM) [snapback]357336[/snapback]</div>

Another Outback owner. I agree. My Prius just jumps from 50-70 mph, freeway merging is no problem. Its not as fast as my Impreza, but beats the Outback. I woulld try to duplicate the exact situation is a safe area (parking lot, or uncrowded freeway, if you can find one). ..and then talk to the dealer. That kind of lag is NOT consistant with the way my 06 drives. Maybe your battery was down, and the electric motor didn't kick in. Good luck

 

I have also had my 2006 Prius lag, often at the same locations. I attribute this to an overly sensitive traction control, since it kicks in when the pavement is a bit uneven. I wish there were a way to turn it off during dry weather conditions since I consider it kicking in at the wrong time can be a major road hazard.

 

I've noticed on occasion my Prius stutters when I floor it, usually from a stop. It's like the computer can't decide what it's doing and I have crap acceleration for a heartbeat or two as the computer juggles between electric and ICE, and then all of the sudden VROOM it all kicks into gear. Never had a problem when I'm already moving or when I'm accelerating normally though. And since I drive it for good milage, I just made the decision not to floor it unless necessary. :lol: Problem solved.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FBear @ Dec 4 2006, 10:58 AM) [snapback]357342[/snapback]</div>

This is the only "problem" I have noticed also. Was the road surface wet? Especially in the rain I've had the traction control kick in on hard acceleration, but it has also happened on rough surfaces, as someone else said. It is annoying, but I've finally learned not to panic and let off the gas when it kicks in. I just keep the pedal down, and wait for the tires to grab.

 

the OP stated that he slowed to 45 mph probably by coasting which would turn off the gas, all he had to do was slight pressure on the gas a few seconds before the opening, not enough to gain a lot of speed, and he would have had no problem.

i only see this issue in low speed stop and go where the ICE is rarely on. at 45 mph, its simply understanding and getting familiar with your Prius. the issue will resolve itself over time and practice. trading your car in because of that will probably be regrettable.

 

I'm amazed at how many of you feel it's necessary to "floor" your car. Do you HAVE to do that? I'm not a slow driver, but I've never floored the "gas" pedal except once or twice to find out how it responds. OK, I admit I may be hanging back on the on-ramp for a few seconds longer, but I sure like the feeling of NOT risking my life in a tight high-speed manoever.

Blair

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveinOlyWA @ Dec 8 2006, 10:47 AM) [snapback]359323[/snapback]</div>

While I'd normally agree, out here I've seen repeatedly where a used Prius sells for more than a shiny new one because you aren't put on a waiting list for a used one. :lol: Silly, but I've seen it. Everyone wants a Prius. So under normal conditions I'd agree, but in this weird scenario I could see where you could come out ahead if you negotiate well.