Downshift? I've never experienced anything like that. If what is happening is tuly dramatic, I'd take your car to the dealer immediately. However, there are a couple of subtle sensations associated with driving a Prius that one might describe as being similar to a downshift. First, when you are driving in warp stealth (freeway speeds on electric only) you can sometimes feel the ICE as it turns on and off. Second, driving in "B" has a very different feeling than driving in "D." Take along a co-pilot and have them watch your energy screen while you try to get the car to dupicate what you are experiencing. They should be able to tell you if the car is going in and out of stealth.Cienaga said:Does anybody know why the Prius seems to suddenly downshift and slow down a bit while on the freeway going at about 65mph? It feels like the a/c compressor came on suddenly. What's this about?
Bob,Bob Allen said:I have never been able to attain stealth mode above 40 mph and didn't think the Prius could attain electric motor only mode at freeway speeds. How did you do that? Possibly, if you take your foot off the accelerator the car will briefly go into something like stealth, but I don't believe you can sustain that.
Big Detroit,Big Detriot Iron said:I do not have a Prius yet but am very interested it them. Currently I drive a 92 Bronco. Yes, I am supporting the Arabs and killing the environment and my checkbook. What I have noticed while driving on interstate highways is that when my cruise control is set, my vehicle holds a constant speed very well. Many drivers don't use their cruise control and I catch up to them or they pass me, only to have the positions reversed many times in a 50 or 100 mile stretch. Could your problem be your foot action or slight hills and dips in the road causing the Prius try to shift from engine to electric? And is the Prius accelerator that touchy?
I'm glad Toyota took care of your steering issue. Did they check your downshifting problem as well? Since you aren't sure what "stealth" feels like, I'll assume that you recently purchased this vehicle and are not the one who has been driving it for 65,000 miles. When my car switches between gas/electric and electric-only power modes, I can hear and feel a subtle change--passengers typically don't notice anything. There is no dramatic loss of momentum or obvious downshifting sensation. As I posted originally, if what you are experiencing is anything more than slightly perceptible, I recommend you take your Prius in to your dealer immediately.Cienaga said:In this world of corporate greed, miracles still do happen. Toyota decided to provide a new rack & pinion steering unit for free. The dealer charged me 325.00 bucks to install it and my car was way out of warranty! I applaud Toyota for making these kinds of decisions for it's consumers. After the new rack was installed, the car started getting much better gas mileage. I can now top out at 53mpg hwy and 47 city. An increase from 50 hwy and 38 city. It still occasionally downshifts though. I noticed the energy display went to electric only whn this happened last. Is this stealth mode?
If your Prius is a 2001 or early 2002, you might want to still contact Toyota. There has been an extended warranty on the power steering rack (for a vibrating/oscillating steering wheel), out to 5 years/unlimited miles. More info: http://www.priusonline.com/viewtopic.php?t=1701Cienaga said:In this world of corporate greed, miracles still do happen. Toyota decided to provide a new rack & pinion steering unit for free. The dealer charged me 325.00 bucks to install it and my car was way out of warranty! I applaud Toyota for making these kinds of decisions for it's consumers. After the new rack was installed, the car started getting much better gas mileage. I can now top out at 53mpg hwy and 47 city. An increase from 50 hwy and 38 city. It still occasionally downshifts though. I noticed the energy display went to electric only whn this happened last. Is this stealth mode?