Shift lever returns to center right

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by bruceha_2000, Apr 5, 2004.

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  1. bruceha_2000

    bruceha_2000 Senior Member

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    I had the opportunity to drive a friend's Prius around the parking lot (alone, she was busy :) ). I figured I had it all well in hand from reading the forums but was surprised to find that the shift lever did not stay in the position I selected. I expected it to stay left and down in 'drive' when I moved it there to pull out of the parking spot. Instead, it popped back to the original positon. Is this normal? It took me a few tries before I figured out it had actually gone into 'drive'.
    Also, when people mentioned the annoying 'reverse beep' I figured it was external, to let people know the silent car was moving but loud enough to annoy some drivers. Now I realize it is a 'driver awareness' thing and can understand why people disable it!
    All in all, my short test drive was pleasant. The driving position was fine (at least for this short drive). The car was very quiet, I could only tell if I was in 'stealth' or the ICE was on by looking at the display. Of course I was only going 5-10 mph :) This was before the ice skating show and I was 1) worried if I had it out too long, I'd never be able to tell her where I parked it 2) If someone whacked it, no amount of love nor money could replace it!!
     
    #1 bruceha_2000, Apr 5, 2004
  2. Wolfman

    Wolfman New Member

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    Yes, the sifter is supposed to return to its "home" position. It's little more than a joystick that closes a contact when selecting the desired position.
     
    #2 Wolfman, Apr 5, 2004
  3. JJay

    JJay New Member

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    I always watch for "feedback" from the Prius in the digital display when I shift, so I know the Prius knows I shifted.

    Next to the MPH readout is the R(everse), D(rive), P(ark), etc. and the current selection has a box around it.
     
    #3 JJay, Apr 7, 2004
  4. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Well, I was afraid that this would be my least favorite feature of the Prius. Functionally (which here includes the notion of "affordance", or obviousness and convenience to the user) I thought it would have been better to use a set of buttons, like the shifter on a 1965 Dodge Dart. But the lever is fine!
     
    #4 richard schumacher, Apr 7, 2004
  5. mikepaul

    mikepaul Senior Member

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    My big 'complaint' is, I'm always ready to shift after powering up before the car is ready to be shifted.

    Waiting for that beep is annoying...
     
    #5 mikepaul, Apr 7, 2004
  6. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Yeah. Why not have a "Ready" indicator on the shifter?
     
    #6 richard schumacher, Apr 7, 2004
  7. rflagg

    rflagg Member

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    Personally, I love the drive-by-wire shifter. Buttons wouldn't be nearly as 'exciting' as a joystick. And, there is a ready indicator on the display - it shows up afer just a second or two right next to the digital display of the shifter. It's a feature I see no reason to change, IMO.

    -m.
     
    #7 rflagg, Apr 7, 2004
  8. rockluvr

    rockluvr New Member

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    Mikepaul,
    I power up and then put on my seat belt. Car is ready to shift by the time the belt is on. Just a suggestion. :wink:
     
    #8 rockluvr, Apr 7, 2004
  9. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    I too have gotten used to the timing of locking my seatbelt, and or getting my sun glasses with being ready to shift. Also, and it may be my damn imagination again, with time it seem to boot and be ready to drive faster now than it did during the first couple thousand miles.

    Also, I guess it's becoming more habitual, but I just look at the dash and don't worry about shifter position at all. I think it's a good layout (not that I wouldn't be amenable if there was something even better.
     
    #9 efusco, Apr 7, 2004
  10. autoxic

    autoxic Commuter

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    Gear selection buttons like those on the old Dodge cars would be cool, but I think the shift lever is a safer design for Toyota. Your brain can get used to pulling down for D, and pushing up for R (or vise-versa), and the lever always starts out in the same location relative to the steering wheel. With buttons, you might have to feel for the right button in the dark.

    I have noticed that sometimes I shift into D or R and the car is not yet ready. I then shift into gear again and it works. No biggie.
     
    #10 autoxic, Apr 7, 2004
  11. photon

    photon New Member

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    What I can't understand is why they didn't just complete the H and put Park in the upper right instead of a separate button. Then it would be more like a normal transmission that you shift into Park.
     
    #11 photon, Apr 7, 2004
  12. Jonathan

    Jonathan New Member

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    If you're in a hurry (or not) you can hold the shift in R or D as soon as you hit 'Power' and when the 'Ready' light comes on, you will be in R or D instantly.
     
    #12 Jonathan, Apr 7, 2004
  13. Frank Hudon

    Frank Hudon Senior Member

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    Come on this should be a voice command Drive Revers Park and it just does as you say. We have cars that talk to us, it's long past time that it should be the other way around.
     
    #13 Frank Hudon, Apr 7, 2004
  14. Tempus

    Tempus Senior Member

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    Verbal is so 21st century.

    I have been sitting in the car projecting my mental commands, but with little success so far. I'm sure Toyota has it programmed in somewhere though.
     
    #14 Tempus, Apr 7, 2004
  15. Frank Hudon

    Frank Hudon Senior Member

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    most time's I don't want my vehicle to read my mind. other wise it'd probably let me off at the corner!
     
    #15 Frank Hudon, Apr 7, 2004
  16. Batavier

    Batavier Member

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    I think the stick is a neat feature, it's good the way it is. The seperate park button is also good I think.
     
    #16 Batavier, Apr 8, 2004
  17. ggood

    ggood Senior Member

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    I vote for buttons. I still often reach for the wrong stalk (3 in the same vicinity), and sometimes accidentally put it in neutral. Buttons would be easier and would show at a glance what gear you're in (much easier and more intuitive than the dash indicator). Also, a lot less explaining for the carwash and valet situations. At the tirestore the other day, they kept expecting the stick to "stay" in gear. This joystick is just different for the sake of being different, not because it's better.
     
    #17 ggood, Apr 8, 2004
  18. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Visit the best provider of aftermarket Prius upgrades at

    http://www.coastaletech.com/04prius.htm

    and ask them to develop a kit to replace the lever with buttons. I'd guess it would cost a couple hundred for a good-looking one.
     
    #18 richard schumacher, Apr 8, 2004
  19. mikepaul

    mikepaul Senior Member

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    My Order of Operations is to buckle up, put foot on brake, release parking brake, power up, then shift into gear (R at home), and go. Belt first avoids being beeped at.

    Usually, I hit the lever at least a second before the car is ready to be shifted. If I wait for the audio to kick in, which is just about the same time the car beeps, I'm usually OK, but it's a long couple of seconds... :mrgreen:
     
    #19 mikepaul, Apr 8, 2004
  20. Batavier

    Batavier Member

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    At the moment I still drive a Peugeot 206 diesel and it needs to pre-heat the cylinders before I can start the car. So I'm used to a bit of waiting. Gives me time buckle up, put the radio on, that sort of thing.
     
    #20 Batavier, Apr 9, 2004
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