Runs Back On Hills

[red12]

My prius runs back when in drive on a hill. Is this normal? I have had automatic cars before and none of them have done this. Car is a 57 plate with 70,000 miles on the clock and has full dealer's service history.

Thanks

[Raistlin]

Hi, Welcome to the club... Enjoy

Depress the brake all the way to the floor. You'll then hear a beep, and "hill hold" will engage to keep the car still even if you take your foot off the brake.

[cootuk]

There is some artificial creep built into the system, but maybe the holding power depends on the gradient of the hill?

[ian rooke]

Hi depressing the foot brake hard will bring on the anti skid warning light and hold the car for 2 seconds after releasing the foot brake.

[PeteB]

Hi depressing the foot brake hard will bring on the anti skid warning light and hold the car for 2 seconds after releasing the foot brake.

If it's a 57 plate, surely it's a Gen 2 - Hill Start assist is only on the Gen 3 isn't it?

The 'artificial' creep on the Prius (normally provided by the electric motor) is quite gentle and on its own will only stop roll back on a gentle gradient. On steeper gradients it's either necessary to use the parking brake (or Hill Start assist where fitted) or keep a foot on the service brake pedal. Even on quite a steep hill, swiftly moving from the service brake to the accelerator when ready to move off will allow only a tiny roll back.

Some people use the left foot on the service brake pedal, but that's a personal choice and not one I personally would use.

[Grumpy Cabbie]

Hill start assist is on the gen3.

Maybe the op has just driven automatics with larger engines. I've driven loads of autos and some will hold on a hill and other won't. Usually the big Mercs and Beemers will hold and your Rover 200 automatic won't.

[Joseph D]

Hi depressing the foot brake hard will bring on the anti skid warning light and hold the car for 2 seconds after releasing the foot brake.

If it's a 57 plate, surely it's a Gen 2 - Hill Start assist is only on the Gen 3 isn't it?

The 'artificial' creep on the Prius (normally provided by the electric motor) is quite gentle and on its own will only stop roll back on a gentle gradient. On steeper gradients it's either necessary to use the parking brake (or Hill Start assist where fitted) or keep a foot on the service brake pedal. Even on quite a steep hill, swiftly moving from the service brake to the accelerator when ready to move off will allow only a tiny roll back.

Some people use the left foot on the service brake pedal, but that's a personal choice and not one I personally would use.

Correct the Gen II does not have "Hill Start Assist."

It is a bad practice to hold any car for a prolonged stop on the clutch/motor on a hill. In the prius you should not do it, because it is just wasted energy. Personally, I feel that it is not good ultimately for the electric motor either (prolonged use not very short term). But that is just my opinion.

I don't do it as it is primarily a waste of energy. I always hold the car on one of the brakes.

[johalareewi]

The creep in the Prius is artificial and is provided so it 'feels' like a normal automatic.

[Grumpy Cabbie]

But even on the steepest of hills, the split second swapping foot from brake to accelerator doesn't allow for any significant (if any) roll back on a hill, even with a fully loaded car. Maybe if one were towing something, this would be an issue, but with the Prius unable to officially tow, then I can't see a problem. That and being able to use either the parking brake or Park.

Does the OP wish to comment?

[red12]

Thanks for all your replies. Having never driven a prius before didnt know if it was a fault on my car or normal as my previous auto cars merc and renault never rolled back on any hill