The same is true for the anti-lock brakes on my 2001 Prius. Have you
ever put on the brakes at a bumpy intersection and had the brakes let
up over the bumps? For a second, it makes you feel that you aren't
going to stop.
Paul Missman wrote:
> Guys,
> I've been happy with my 2005 Prius, and praised the systems which keep the
> car from skidding on icy roads. However, I've noticed an unexpected side
> effect of this system which could cause potential trouble.
> In an vehicle without an anti-skid system, if you are at an intersection
> making a right turn, and there is oncoming traffic that you decide that you
> can beat, you simply "put the petal to the metal", some small gravel flies,
> and you make your turn onto the other road.
> However, if you try this in a Prius, when you "put the petal to the metal",
> the anti-skid system kicks in, and practically shuts down the propulsion
> system, stopping the gravel from flying, slowing you to a crawl, and not
> letting up until you are most of the way through the turn. This can make
> for a few heart-pounding seconds as you wait for the anti-skid system to let
> up, and hope that the oncoming traffic doesn't arrive before you are out of
> the way.
> Whether you actually clear the intersection faster with the anti-skid
> system, or without, is difficult to know. The psychological effect of
> having acceleration removed from your control, while traffic is fast
> approaching, makes for some interesting physiological effects.
> Without careful measurement, I'd recommend that you not put yourself in
> harms way in this manner. The Prius might actually get you out of the way
> faster than "letting the gravel fly", but I wouldn't want to bet on it.
>
> Paul
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> I've been happy with my 2005 Prius, and praised the systems which keep the
> car from skidding on icy roads. However, I've noticed an unexpected side
> effect of this system which could cause potential trouble.
> In an vehicle without an anti-skid system, if you are at an intersection
> making a right turn, and there is oncoming traffic that you decide that you
> can beat, you simply "put the petal to the metal", some small gravel flies,
> and you make your turn onto the other road.
> However, if you try this in a Prius, when you "put the petal to the metal",
> the anti-skid system kicks in, and practically shuts down the propulsion
> system, stopping the gravel from flying, slowing you to a crawl, and not
> letting up until you are most of the way through the turn. This can make
> for a few heart-pounding seconds as you wait for the anti-skid system to let
> up, and hope that the oncoming traffic doesn't arrive before you are out of
> the way.
> Whether you actually clear the intersection faster with the anti-skid
> system, or without, is difficult to know. The psychological effect of
> having acceleration removed from your control, while traffic is fast
> approaching, makes for some interesting physiological effects.
> Without careful measurement, I'd recommend that you not put yourself in
> harms way in this manner. The Prius might actually get you out of the way
> faster than "letting the gravel fly", but I wouldn't want to bet on it.
>
> Paul