2010 observations from the tech's standpoint

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by galaxee, Jan 14, 2009.

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  1. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    big things first- need some time to chill out to remember the little things. DH was looking of course from the automotive technician's perspective and also just personal curiosity. here are the things he noticed.

    *gas tank is resin! no bladder in metal outer tank! :) he assumes if is set up like the hihy and hycam. filler pipe is metal.
    *engine is zr-fxe series (pretty sure it's a 1zr, but maybe 2zr- not remembering)
    *rear axle is still a nonadjustable-alignment beam. but it appears sturdier- that part is an improvement if it is indeed sturdier.
    *rear suspension is no longer a coilover strut setup. it is now shock with separate pad mounted spring. we'll have to see how that setup changes handling, there's no real estimating just by looking at it.
    *no likely need to upgrade the chassis stiffening brace, there is a giant tube-like stabilizer brace underneath, about 3 feet long.
    *rear disc brakes in the one we saw!
    *inverter is smaller, but he's not sure the dc/dc is separate. nobody he asked knew specifically.
    *he was surprised at the new electric engine water pump. it has a metal housing- GOOD. it will be heavier duty- but a more expensive part. previously the electric coolant pumps were plastic.
    *that sliding lid on the center console looks kinda breakable...
    *coolant bleed valve at the highest point in the coolant system!!! (though it may just be for the exhaust heat recovery system)
    *the exhaust pipe is all one piece from after the exhaust header up to the muffler. you think the cat on the current prius is expensive? LOL! let's hope they change that for production.
    *plastic sheeting under the engine has a fiber insulator pad, possibly to keep heat in? it will get wet when it rains and get heavy. oil spills will soak in. leaks will be missed until catastrophe (what if a filter starts pouring oil? you won't notice the trail of oil behind you). the little hinged service flap is held on with clips. clips BREAK, usually around the frequency of once every 3rd-4th service (some dealers will replace the broken ones, some will charge you the $2.95/clip). that flap might not get replaced correctly during service, and since it's permanently attached it could drag and/or get pulled off. if you want the flap replaced, the whole panel has to be replaced. also, how high will the car need to be jacked up to diy change the oil? he is skeptical of the risk:benefit ratio of this.
    fully removable flap would be better, but has its own set of downfalls too. (see landcruiser.)
    *speaking of panels, holy crap there is plastic everywhere under that car! that was a definite factor in the cd coming down.
    *mouse holes in the corner of the cowling are still there!
    *sks- the delay between finger touch and key activation is kinda slow- hopefully that timing is adjustable. but the system is overall easier to use.
    *button-activated a/c turns on the dash lights (but locks the doors.) huh?

    tapped out for now, it's been a long day. :)
     
    #1 galaxee, Jan 14, 2009
  2. Kapena Gary

    Kapena Gary New Member

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    Galaxee,

    Thanks for the great observations. Much appreciated. I take it, though, that the overall thought is that this is still a great car. I'm 95th in line to get one from Longo Toyota in LA. The preview, observations and photos have only wet my appetite.

    Price will probably go up but the advancements sure seem to worth it.

    Thanks again.
     
    #2 Kapena Gary, Jan 14, 2009
  3. a priori

    a priori Canonus Curiosus

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    I'm hoping that is the case, but I'm not certain it is. I did not get under the engine to check it out, but only viewed it on the break-away model they brought along. What I noticed is that everything had been painted a kind of silver metallic, including plastic and rubber pieces. Hopefully, the housing is metal, but I couldn't confirm it.

    Regardless, it was great to see the engine had not one belt!
     
    #3 a priori, Jan 14, 2009
  4. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    oh, absolutely. the list isn't there to say it's a good or bad car at all, it's a list of observations only. (and maybe toyota will appreciate the experienced outside perspective, since DH spent so many years fixing their cars!) all signs DH saw indicated it will be a wonderful vehicle, but he can't give final judgment until he drives it!
     
    #4 galaxee, Jan 14, 2009
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    It'll be the 2ZR. The 1ZR is a 1.6 litre.

    I was confused when I read the specs for the rear suspension. It seems like a completely new design that isn't on any vehicle.

    I too noticed the delay between the swipe and the actual locking of the doors. I'm sure we'll have complains on the location of the rear hatch lock button (which is right next to the rear hatch unlock button)
     
    #5 Tideland Prius, Jan 14, 2009
  6. Rae Vynn

    Rae Vynn Artist In Residence

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    Galaxy, your DH took a couple of great photos of the rear brace (not 3 ft long -- it spans the whole width of the underside, as far as I could see), and the rear spring assembly. I'll get those uploaded as soon as I recover from the trip! (I've been home about 20 minutes)
     
    #6 Rae Vynn, Jan 14, 2009
  7. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Here's the best shot I got of the rear suspension/brace.
    [​IMG]
     
    #7 efusco, Jan 14, 2009
  8. Rae Vynn

    Rae Vynn Artist In Residence

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    Okay, thank you, Evan.
    The brace is the tube that is behind the channel thing (axle level) that has the spring mounting... in this photo, the appearance is that it is about a foot in front of the rear axle.
     
    #8 Rae Vynn, Jan 14, 2009
  9. JSH

    JSH Senior Member

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    I looks like a pretty standard beam axle to me. Minivans have a similar arrangement.

    [​IMG]
     
    #9 JSH, Jan 14, 2009
  10. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    This picture shows it is a brace, not a Panhard rod.
     

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    #10 bedrock8x, Jan 14, 2009
  11. bruceha_2000

    bruceha_2000 Senior Member

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    I like the pan they have on the floor. Are they expecting these brand new cars to be leaking oil?? :lol:
     
    #11 bruceha_2000, Jan 14, 2009
  12. JSH

    JSH Senior Member

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    I know the tube connecting the suspension mounts is a chassis brace. It's nothing new, aftermarket companies have been making them for decades. To me that is confirmation that Toyota acknowledges the handling problems on the 2nd generation and is trying to address this on the 3rd generation. We will have to wait until it is tested to see if the handling has improved.

    I was talking about the rear suspension. I look at the pictures and see a typical beam suspension.
     
    #12 JSH, Jan 14, 2009
  13. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    There are two buttons? Where are they located???
     
    #13 zenMachine, Jan 14, 2009
  14. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    Your picture shows a typical beam axle configuration with a Panhard rod.
    The G3 uses a twisted beam axle which provides lateral support without a Panhard rod.


     
    #14 bedrock8x, Jan 14, 2009
  15. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    I didn't catch the lock button either, however, the unlock/open button for the hatch felt shifted slightly to the left and smaller. I did feel a second piece of rubber to it's right though.

    Only thing that struck me at the time was that my muscle memory would have to be revised when finding the location.
     
    #15 HTMLSpinnr, Jan 14, 2009
  16. JSH

    JSH Senior Member

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    I happened to pick that picture because it shows separate coil springs and shocks. Most illustrations I found showed coil-overs or leaf springs. I pulled it from here: RearSuspension

    There are many variations of beam axles: twist, torsion bar, leaf spring, coil-over, etc. I happen to like Car Bibles for quick reference. Car Bibles : The Car Suspension Bible page 1 of 2

    Again, I'll be interested to see if the rear chassis brace makes a difference in handling.
     
    #16 JSH, Jan 14, 2009
  17. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Yup, that's the unlock button. It is no longer visible from the rear view anymore.
     
    #17 usbseawolf2000, Jan 14, 2009
  18. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    DH and I also noticed there seems to be ample room in the engine bay for turbo ducting...:D
     
    #18 hyo silver, Jan 14, 2009
  19. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    No offense, I just want to point out that the picture you posted is not the configuration of beam axle for the G3.

    This link shows the typical H shape torsion beam similar to the G3 rear suspension picture and also used in the 03-09 Corolla.

    AutoZine Technical School - Suspension

    The brace stiffens the tension beam attachment points by forming box to minimize the twisting of the body.


     

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    #19 bedrock8x, Jan 14, 2009
  20. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

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    left is sensor, no pressing, right is press/lock button... simple, works fine, tested on Avensis :).

    Oh yeah, something people might not have realized - door lock "button" is both at the top and bottom of door handle, so if it is under ice/snow, you can still operate bottom "button" :)
     
    #20 spwolf, Jan 14, 2009
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