Not good for Toyota.
Depends on how Toyota spins this. Who knew a Prius could do 90 mph? ;)
Posted on 03/08/2010 6:42:10 PM PST by ButThreeLeftsDo
It doesn't have gears like a conventional transmission.
I smell B.S., and lots of it.
http://jalopnik.com/5488716/out+of+control-toyota-prius-stopped-by-california-patrol-car
The shifter is electronic. There is no conventional transmission. It is a push-button starter.
It's not as easy as you think.
Besides, since everything is computer-controlled, a fault that creates acceleration may disrupt other functions as well.
I did say without locking the wheel.
I think the Prius uses some type of continuously variable transmission (CVT) in their “Synergy Drive”. I have a CVT in my Ford Freestyle and it was wierd at first to not feel the gears change. I do have a ‘L’ marker on my shifter to tell the transmission to use a lower gear ratio, but I’m not sure how the Prius software handles that. The ‘B’ mode I think is what they call the engine braking/low gear mode.
Of course, if the software swiches to an unstable/unpredictable state, it sounds like all sorts of problems arise.
Too bad they didn’t place a covered emergency override switch which could trump the computer. Similar to a “limp home” mode some cars have where the override would force the car to set parameters which would limit top speed to 10mph and restore operator controls.
How about Ctrl+Alt+Delete ?
Thanks. What I really love about cars is their color — and if they go fast.
N · E · U · T · R · A · L
I think you’re on to something.
A friend is a service tech (the guy that write up your repair work order) at a Toyota dealership. Four years ago he told me of quality problems with Toyota. Transmissions on Camery and brakes on the larger vehicles.
Side note: Did you know the guy that writes up your work order when you take you car in for repair is paid on commission based on the amount of work done on your car?
I know. My point was that if your turn off the car, you can’t steer (ie turn the wheel much) without locking the wheel.
I have the answer for modern cars where everything is controlled by a computer: Carry a .44 Magnum with you, and if nothing else works, shoot the engine through the firewall.
and pull ull up hard on the emegency brake.
ever think of the emergency brake?
Everyone’s looking for a Toyota “problem” (read: some buck$). Let’s wait for this to shake out to see if the driver has some overdue bills.
Not good for Toyota.
Depends on how Toyota spins this. Who knew a Prius could do 90 mph? ;)
Were you anywhere near Farwell, TX in 1972?
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