I'm currently on my second Prius and I notice a couple of differences between what are identical spec cars. My first was a 2011 10th anniversary model and my second is a 2012 10th anniversary model. When driving the first one I found it next to impossible to back off on the throttle in such a way as to have no indication of any sort on the hybrid system indicator, coasting without regen, whereas I can do this on my new one with ease. Secondly on my first car there was a very distinctive change in feel at the pedal between regen braking and friction braking but on my new one I simply don't have this feedback. I'm aware that some adjustments were made to early models in respect of regen braking vs friction but does anyone know if more changes were made later on?
10th anniversary was a special edition not a year of manufacture as far as I am aware. I had my first one in 2011 and my second one in December 2012 both new
I think you may have bought new old stock there Will. The 10th Anniversary model was supposed to be a limited run manufactured in 2010. My 2010 T-spirit has no difference in feel between regen and friction braking and I can quite easily back off the pedal to the point of no indication on the HSD.
I think they've changed the settings a number of times over the years. I have noticed about 3 software update changes since I got my gen3 new in late 2009. The last one was last October where regen seems much less aggressive and the car seems to use the friction brakes more often and for longer. The ever so slight hesitation in brakes over wet drain covers has now completely gone, compared to how the car was when new.
This makes sense as my first Prius used to exhibit the hesitation you mention whereas my new one doesn't. So software could be it eh
All the 10th's were built at the same time (more or less), all sat on forecourts/storage, DVLA reg date is only when they decided to put it on the road
So in your neck of woods, the reg date dictates the model year? I had a 2002 MY Camry that was built in 9/2001, but purchased and registered in 1/2003. It was still a 2002.
I bought my 2010 in Aug of 2009 (build date 7/09) and it does not display the behavior you describe in your 2011. It is very easy to coast using either the HSI (no indication) or my ScanGauge (close to 0 Amps in and out of the battery). The brakes have a gentle transition between regen and friction and if you aren't looking for it you may miss it. As to the brakes I should add that I never had the brake recall that applied to 2010 cars done. This recall reprogrammed the brake ECU to change the brake pedal feel and I like them the way they are. Will, could your 2011 have had some problems?
The date the car was registered is pretty much of utmost importance and the model year less so. The registration/licence plate shows the year coded in so people can tell if you have a new car etc. In fact people very rarely refer to the model year in the way you do your side of the pond. Amusing to us that you all refer to a 2010 Prius which was released in May 2009. A what point can a 2014 model be sold? Feb 2013? When a new model comes out such as the gen3 Prius update, then the old shape are sold off cheap, often pre-registered by the manufacturer with nominal miles, though because of this are sold second hand. You can find some cracking second hand cars like this, often showing less than 10 miles for £thousands off.
Check your VIN number, the 8th digit should be a "U" for Prius, the 9th is probably a "9" and the 10th digit is the year of manufacture, "0" is 2010, "1" is 2011, "2" is 2012 etc.
You're absolutely right, it shows year of manufacture as 2010 even though DVLA lists it as 2012. Hey ho, I guess the differences I'm seeing could be software related or just build variance eh
