Posted by Marc Gerges on October 22, 2007, 1:05 pm
>
> Thanks guys for your help in responding to my initial question.
> I managed to get a longer test drive today and was even more impressed.
> One other thing I wanted to check up on ,which the dealer was unable to
> answer was how real is the possibility of the battery completely discharging
> when going up hilly roads and the car reducing its speed significantly
> because it only has the petrol engine left.
I have a nice setup locally to test the hill climbing power of a car:
red light leading to the motorway onramp, then on to the motorway and
around 3-4 km steady upwards with an average 6%.
Pedal to the metal till around 150 km/h - I don't dare more because I
somewhat enjoy having a license - and keep it there. Prius gets a bit
noisy but keeps the speed till we're on top. The display shows that even
at this speed it manages to charge the battery.
cu
.\arc
Posted by mrv@kluge.net on October 21, 2007, 5:31 pm
> I live in north Scotland and am seriously thinking of getting a Prius, I had
> a test drive and was very impressed. However the weather can be a bit
> extreme up here with a lot of rain and some snow in the winter. How does the
> Prius stand up to these more extreme conditions? I have checked out the
> internet and users comments and have seen one which reported a problem with
> snow, where the traction control locked because of slippery conditions and
> the car would not move, has anyone else experienced this in snow?
Do be aware that there are some differences between the Prius
available in the US and the UK. For example, in the US on the NHW20,
we get the CHHS (thermos), 15" tyres, and rear drum brakes, while the
UK doesn't get the thermos, has 16" tyres, and 4 wheel disc brakes.
Also, I assume that you're looking at a new NHW20, and not a used
NHW11, or even the NHW10 that has been imported into the UK from
Japan?
Stock tyres are different between markets, as well:
US/Canada 2004-2007 NHW20 OE Prius tyre:
Goodyear Integrity (Standard Load)
P185/65 R15
86S
Treadwear 460
Traction A
Temperature B
44psi max. cold pressure
2004-2007 NHW20 UK tyre
Bridgestone Turanza ER30
195/55R16
87V
Most of what you'll probably find on the 'net is for the US-style
Prius. I'd suggest checking in with the more local groups:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Prius-UK/
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Prius-Europe/
In the US, the Goodyear Integrity tyres are barely "all-
weather" (barely the 3-season they really are) tyres. Once they're
worn a bit (after the first winter), traction is not very good and
you'll be sliding a bit. Reports on the 'net (both usenet and at
places like tirerack.com) for the Goodyear Integrety shows that
they're common as OE tyres on several cars and that most people don't
seem to like them, with some even swapping them out before taking
delivery of the car!
Yes, the traction control can be a bit agressive in shutting down
power to the other non-slipping wheels, to prevent damage to the
transmission when the slipping wheel catches again. You cannot
manually shut this off. (Avoid Inspection Mode while driving, if you
find it while searching the 'net!) Rumor is that it is less agressive
in the newer models (but I don't know if that is true or just newer
with more traction...). Sometimes, a bit of throttle control can
still get you up an icy hill if the traction control kicks in - either
a feather light touch on the accelerator, or a full mash to the floor
of the accelerator - I don't recall which works best for the NHW20 vs.
the NHW11. But if you find yourself having too much trouble, then you
may want to invest in some dedicated winter/snow/ice tyres
(Bridgestone Blizzaks and several Nokian models are often suggested)
or at least a better "all-season" tyre.
And yes, any vehicle has lowered fuel economy in the winter months.
It's just more apparent in the Prius because:
1. you have the display telling you your fuel economy
2. the petrol engine has to run more often to provide "waste" heat to
the passengers, and to keep itself warm.
Posted by Alan on October 21, 2007, 5:49 pm
Thanks for your help. The Prius I am looking to buy is a new "Spirit" which
is the top model in the UK, so assume it is the NHW 20. Thanks also for the
links to the various groups, the only UK group I had picked up on was filled
with spam unfortunately which everyone had seem to have deserted!
I think I am now persuaded that this is a good buy for me and will put the
order in tomorrow. According to the Dealer it should be available by 2 Nov.
Very much looking forward to it. Again thanks to all you guys for your
help/advice which is invaluable!
Alan
>> I live in north Scotland and am seriously thinking of getting a Prius, I
>> had
>> a test drive and was very impressed. However the weather can be a bit
>> extreme up here with a lot of rain and some snow in the winter. How does
>> the
>> Prius stand up to these more extreme conditions? I have checked out the
>> internet and users comments and have seen one which reported a problem
>> with
>> snow, where the traction control locked because of slippery conditions
>> and
>> the car would not move, has anyone else experienced this in snow?
> Do be aware that there are some differences between the Prius
> available in the US and the UK. For example, in the US on the NHW20,
> we get the CHHS (thermos), 15" tyres, and rear drum brakes, while the
> UK doesn't get the thermos, has 16" tyres, and 4 wheel disc brakes.
> Also, I assume that you're looking at a new NHW20, and not a used
> NHW11, or even the NHW10 that has been imported into the UK from
> Japan?
> Stock tyres are different between markets, as well:
> US/Canada 2004-2007 NHW20 OE Prius tyre:
> Goodyear Integrity (Standard Load)
> P185/65 R15
> 86S
> Treadwear 460
> Traction A
> Temperature B
> 44psi max. cold pressure
> 2004-2007 NHW20 UK tyre
> Bridgestone Turanza ER30
> 195/55R16
> 87V
> Most of what you'll probably find on the 'net is for the US-style
> Prius. I'd suggest checking in with the more local groups:
> http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Prius-UK/
> http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Prius-Europe/
> In the US, the Goodyear Integrity tyres are barely "all-
> weather" (barely the 3-season they really are) tyres. Once they're
> worn a bit (after the first winter), traction is not very good and
> you'll be sliding a bit. Reports on the 'net (both usenet and at
> places like tirerack.com) for the Goodyear Integrety shows that
> they're common as OE tyres on several cars and that most people don't
> seem to like them, with some even swapping them out before taking
> delivery of the car!
> Yes, the traction control can be a bit agressive in shutting down
> power to the other non-slipping wheels, to prevent damage to the
> transmission when the slipping wheel catches again. You cannot
> manually shut this off. (Avoid Inspection Mode while driving, if you
> find it while searching the 'net!) Rumor is that it is less agressive
> in the newer models (but I don't know if that is true or just newer
> with more traction...). Sometimes, a bit of throttle control can
> still get you up an icy hill if the traction control kicks in - either
> a feather light touch on the accelerator, or a full mash to the floor
> of the accelerator - I don't recall which works best for the NHW20 vs.
> the NHW11. But if you find yourself having too much trouble, then you
> may want to invest in some dedicated winter/snow/ice tyres
> (Bridgestone Blizzaks and several Nokian models are often suggested)
> or at least a better "all-season" tyre.
> And yes, any vehicle has lowered fuel economy in the winter months.
> It's just more apparent in the Prius because:
> 1. you have the display telling you your fuel economy
> 2. the petrol engine has to run more often to provide "waste" heat to
> the passengers, and to keep itself warm.
>
Posted by Elmo P. Shagnasty on October 26, 2007, 11:50 pm
bwilson4use@hotmail.com (Bob & Holly Wilson) wrote:
> > Sorry that you don't have a map.
>
> Non sequitor.
I'm still sorry that you don't have a map.
Posted by Bob & Holly Wilson on October 29, 2007, 2:11 am
> > > Sorry that you don't have a map.
> >
> > Non sequitor.
>
> I'm still sorry that you don't have a map.
Non sequitor.
Bob Wilson
XML site map
> Thanks guys for your help in responding to my initial question.
> I managed to get a longer test drive today and was even more impressed.
> One other thing I wanted to check up on ,which the dealer was unable to
> answer was how real is the possibility of the battery completely discharging
> when going up hilly roads and the car reducing its speed significantly
> because it only has the petrol engine left.