So just cause I was bored I tried turning my prime's steering wheel while the car was off and realized it has no wheel lock and could just turn the wheel! Is this just a problem for me? I'm worried about this is because I heard somewhere that it was for security. Even my 08 corrola had a wheel lock. Is it because its easier to steal a corrola beacause it doesn't have an immobilizer? Is this just me?
FMVSS No. 114 (49 CFR § 571.114), Theft protection and rollaway prevention, requires (S5.1.1) a starting system that “prevents..[e]ither steering, or forward self-mobility, of the vehicle, or both.” Toyota chose the “forward self-mobility” option for Prius and Prius Prime cars. The hybrid transaxle has a parking lock mechanism that is engaged and disengaged by a motor under the control of the hybrid vehicle control ECU and the immobilizer system. The New Car Features book (more info) explains how it works, but not why the motor has to be driven with some fairly complicated pulse signals, which keep it from being bypassed just by applying 12 volts. (Credit to @ChapmanF for explaining this.)
I quickly felt it on my first Prius, more than 9 years ago. As Post #3 points out, the Prius used another legal choice to immobilize the vehicle.
No worries there. In all the history of stealing cars, Prius has never, and will never be stolen. No car thief will ever do this to him self. You can leave your Prime wide open. No one markets prius parts on black market, or will buy stolen prius. Its design and reputation is the best anti theft combi SM-G950F ?
Nope. This was me 14 years ago when we bought our first Prius (what, no steering wheel lock??). But yeah there's the parking pawl in lieu of that (electronic shifter and all that).
Humor aside, I trust that you are aware of several instances of stolen Prii here in this forum. While lack of appeal and demand certainly help cut the loss rate, some criminals will steal things simply because they can, regardless of lack of value or utility to them.
There was that commercial where those bank robbers got away in a Prius because of the great gas mileage.
