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traction control problem?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by jsrichjr, Apr 23, 2014.

  1. jsrichjr

    jsrichjr Junior Member

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    I have a 2008 with 81000 miles and new tires. On clean dry roads when I hit 60 mph the traction control warning light comes on and car will barely accelerate. Slow down a couple mph and car runs fine. Any idea what is wrong?
     
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    1. Check the air pressure on all four tires.
    2. Inspect the tire sidewalls to make sure that all four tires are the same size.
     
    dorunron likes this.
  3. nssdiver

    nssdiver Me digging' life

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    I have a very similar problem on my '07 Touring. Front tires are new and identical. JSRICHJR - did you ever determine the cause of your traction control issue? Outside of slight wear difference (which develops yearly - I only rotate my tires 1x/yr as I have dedicated snows) the rears are the same as the front.
     
  4. Bill the Engineer

    Bill the Engineer Senior Member

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    Just to be clear, are ALL 4 tires the same size and type? If not, the anti-skid trigger point will be exceeded at high speed because all four tires are not rotating at the same rpm.

    Bill the Engineer
     
  5. nssdiver

    nssdiver Me digging' life

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    Tires are the same size and pressure, but different manufacturer and type (snows on front, ASR's in rear). I will re-test and report findings when snows are on all four corners.
     
  6. nssdiver

    nssdiver Me digging' life

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    All 4 corners have similarly worn Blizzak's on them, all the same pressure to within ~2psi. I cannot get my traction control light to come on any longer.
     
    goldfinger likes this.
  7. GizmoxP

    GizmoxP New Member

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    Did you ever find out what is wrong with it? I’m having the exact same problem and the dealership is trying to say the car is overheating and this is the car telling me to slow down....
     
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    did they pull any trouble codes?
     
  9. Jennifer A.

    Jennifer A. Junior Member

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    ----USA----
    This was the problem for me (2007 Prius). I thought my tires were all the same size (that's what it said on my Costco tire receipt!), but it turns out they erroneously put on a 195 in the rear instead of 185! Not even my mechanic knew to check. They replaced the tires, and now no traction control alarm above 65mph; problem solved! Hopefully no lasting damage. Thanks so much to Patrick Wong, Bill the Engineer, and others on this forum who actually understand how a Prius works!
     
    nssdiver likes this.
  10. nssdiver

    nssdiver Me digging' life

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    Same problem (and solution) here.
    But mine was from unevenly worn tires.


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