I just bought my first used Prius (2004 with 91K). Got a great deal at Page Toyota in Southfield, MI ($8800). In fact, the deal was so great I am still wondering (paranoid perhaps) that something is wrong with the car. After a few days of driving it, all seems well with one exception: when on the highway and driving between 65 and 75 MPH, it almost seems like the car self-accelerates a little. It feels like the car is thrusting intermittently. I don't notice it all the time, but if feels a little disconcerting. No check engine light or anything to indicate a problem that the computer recognizes, but it feels strange. I have watched the engine monitor on the dashboard, and there does seem to be a correlation between when I feel this and when the arrows shift around between gas/electric motor, etc. So perhaps this is just how the car drives? Has anyone else experienced this? Am I just a nervous new Prius "Dad"? The car is warrantied through the dealer up to 100k, so if there were a transmission problem I would want to make sure this is caught in time not to get killed by the 9K replacement fee. Thanks in advance for your help. Craig
I think perhaps it's just all the recent hype about run-away toyota's messing with your mind. Do you actually notice the speed increasing when it's "thrusting" or are you just going slightly uphill with the speed remaining fairly constant?
I bought my '04 at the same dealership in April '09. PM me and perhaps we can get together and compare notes.
Since the components within the PSD are spinning at highway speeds regardless of whether or not they are contributing power, you're not going to feel momentary increases or decreases. What you will feel though is the tires playing with the road surface, especially if you've never had a car with electric steering. Is the tire tread worn down? Were you driving over cement? Was your foot on the pedal? .
Tires are new. I was driving on the interstate, not sure what the materials were. My foot was on the pedal.
I don't really notice it, but I do know my Prius alternates from engine+battery -> wheels and engine -> battery + wheels. I wonder if that's just more pronounced for you?
This issue is noticeable with Cruise control on as the car is compensating for any minor changes in whether you are going uphill or downhill or winds and increasing the power or reducing it as necessary to keep you going at the same speed. It is disconcerting at first and if you don't like it turn Cruise control off. Without Cruise control you feel that the car is having to work harder and react accordingly. With Cruise control the car knows it is working harder before you would even notice.
