Just put the first 100 miles on my new 06 this weekend, and when we got back back home I noticed a black dust on the bottom panel behind the front two tires. It wiped right off, but am wondering if this is normal. This is my first new car, and have never noticed this on another car. It wasn't on the panels behind the back wheels so I dont think it was something I drove through. Any ideas?
IMO, i wouldn't worry about it just yet... So long as the car is handling fine, then you probably don't have a problem. It's something to maybe keep an eye on, see if it comes up again, but not something to fret about.
Might be the compound the dealer uses to make the tires all shiny and black. Sometimes centrifugal force flings it onto the fenders; perhaps it's collecting dust...? I think brake dust usually deposits on the wheels themselves.
Hi adammc, welcome to PriusChat. I don't know what the dust you see is, but it very likely NOT brake dust. With regerative braking down to about 7 MPH, the Prius is very gentle on the brakes. Just guessing, I'd bet it was road dust stuck in the silicone goo from the tires. Cornering puts the trailing edge of the tire outside the envelope of the body, so it is easier for goo flying off to hit the front fenders than flying goo off the back tires. Don't worry about it unless you're getting really bad MPG. Then it might be brake dust from misadjusted brakes.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Oct 3 2006, 11:34 PM) [snapback]327711[/snapback]</div> Thanks Guys! I havn't seen it since that first highway trip so I think you are right about the silicon or tire shine collecting dirt. My MPG is pretty good ( 46.7 for 250 miles). Taking the prius on its first road-trip Thursday to a blues fest in Arkansas and cant wait!! I've been lurching for a while and priuschat is a great resource! Keep up the great work. Adam
