driversonly

Prius Slips By

Filed in archive Toyota on January 29, 2008

Prius_Snow_50.jpg


ConsumerAffairs.Com is reporting that the toyota prius traction control system can fail to operate properly on a snowy road. Prius owners have reported that the hybrid's TRAC system is still inadequate on slippery inclines.

Toyota spokesman Bill Kwon agreed last year that the traction control system in the Prius could impact performance in snow conditions but he insisted that the system is not a safety problem.

"Prius has TRAC (traction control) as standard equipment," he said. "The purpose of traction control is to help prevent wheel spin and minimize slippage of the drive wheels by applying brakes and/or reducing engine power."

Kwon pointed out last year that an 8- to 10-degree grade "is a fairly steep grade and combined with snow would cause a loss of traction which will activate the traction control system and therefore reduce or cut power."

"A vehicle without TRAC in those conditions," Kwon added. "would probably just start spinning in place and eventually spin out of control. In my opinion, it's better to have the vehicle stop then to have the wheels spinning and out of control."

Toyota did not respond to a ConsumerAffairs.Com request for an update on plans to modify the existing Prius traction control system.

Permalink: Prius Slips By

Tags: Toyota  Prius  safety  slippery  prius  traction+control  prius+slips  toyota+prius 

Vote for Prius Slips By:

  • Currently 9.00/10
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
Rating: 9.00 out of 2 vote(s) cast.
 
Share It
RSSrss
Google google
Yahoo! yahoo
Addthis Subscribe using any feed reader!
Bloglines Bloglines
TwitterFollow us on Twitter!
Most Popular   Acura   Audi   BMW   Bridgestone   Buick   Cadillac   Chevrolet   Chrysler   Classics   Concepts   Custom   Daewoo   Design   Did you know   Diesel   Dodge   Engines   Facts   Ferrari   Fiat