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Any 2010 Prius owners here can share experience about "inconsistent brake feel"?

I own a 2009 Prius and have owned a 2007 Prius before. And several other cars before that which had ABS in them. So, based on my personal experience with ABS I cannot wrap my head around the description of the problem as posted on Toyota's press site: "inconsistent brake feel during slow and steady application of the brakes on rough or slick road surfaces"

Who would seriously expect a "consistent" feel on a "rough or slick road"? Isn't this a driver's responsibility to contain a safe speed according to the road condition? I have also heard about a feeling of delayed braking after the pedal is depressed which would be a bad thing indeed. However, what kind of delay we are talking about? Is it really 1 second as the dude from The Detroit Bureau was saying on the air today? I mean, really, a second delay is crazy and I don't think it is really what's happening.

So, we've heard a lot of talk about it lately but can someone describe the experience first hand?

Also, The Detroit Bureau website is hinting at a possibility that earlier Prius models may be affected which is a total bullshit. It appears that there are at least some unfounded allegations surrounding the issue so if someone can share a first hand account, it would be greatly appreciated!

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Reply to
DA
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The problem is thus: The Prius reduces regen braking down to coasting levels or cuts it off completely and switches to friction brakes whenever any of 4 things occur, 1. The speed drops below 7MPH, 2. The ABS activates due to slick or uneven surfaces, 3. When you brake too hard or suddenly (panic stop), and 4. You "shift" to neutral. Unfortunately the car has a slight "break before make" behavior regarding the transition and as such in the

2010 for about .8 seconds the car coasts between when the regen is switched off and the friction brakes are applied. Due to the way our inner ear works for some people this can feel like the car is actually accelerating instead of just coasting. This is not a delay between when you first press the pedal and when actual braking happens.

BTW I do not own a Prius and my hands-on experience with them is limited to about a 10 minute test drive in Lawton, OK but I am an "armchair enthusiast" with hopes of owning an '05 or '06 model in either Millennium Silver or Seaside Pearl someday. I do not like the ZVW30 and am indifferent about the NHW11 hence the want for an NHW20.

Reply to
Daniel who wants to know

I own a 2010. The above description sounds reasonable except I do NOT feel a period of coasting when slowing down normally throught the 7 mph range. I will guess that the problem occurs when the ABS function is activated during that transition period. That's why most people don't experience the problem.

Reply to
greenpjs

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