I'm not sure this would apply to the Prius, but I've never liked the "steering wheel lock" when the key is turned off mechanism. Many years ago a carload of kids were driving down a mountain road one night and one of them thought it'd be funny if he turned off the ignition... they were lucky, when the car braked to a stop, only the front wheels were dangling over the cliff.

So, if the pump fails, or if certain other issues are detected, pressure from the hydraulic master can be applied to selected braking cylinders, by deactivating the SMC solenoids.

HUH? This is only if the computer senses a malfunction and it thinks the hydraulic pump is failed. The computer still has to release SMC 1 & SMC 2 before non-computer controlled braking occurs, unless there is a general full system power failure, where (I'm guessing here) the solenoids will be released.

This is NOT a full fail safe system. A full fail safe system, using this design, would have a relief valve set up so that if the pressure exceeds a certain amount, it ports fluid directly to the brakes. The SMC solenoids would cutout on malfunction

This is a very bad design.

I've added 2 pressure relief valves (PR1 and PR2) where if the pressure in the MC get high enough, the fluid will port directly to the brake cylinders.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1268198718.gif

That is exactly what I suggested in my published letter in the Wall Street Journal, a couple of weeks ago.

I don't know. I just posted it for info, but I don't understand it, other than it is some kind of hybrid electric/hydraulic. My knowledge of car technology pretty much ends in 1989 or so, that prius braking system seems incredibly complex with a lot of parts and sensors in it.

See my above explanation. The addition of the little relief valves would allow manual breaking by simply pushing hard enough.

The better system is a STANDARD master cylinder with pressure sensors which activate the RB system and the break boost system, but the system would simply directly act if the pedal is pushed hard enough, as aways also described.

BINGO! We have a winner. Where is the hard wired (piped) bypass to make this work if everything else fails? http://forums.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/nono.gif

Silly you! Why would we spend about $300 (for 2 high pressure relief valves as seen in the McMaster Carr Catalog) for each car. We can't afford that! How many would ever really need one? :rolleyes:

Yeah, but then you will miss the ability to use 100% regenerative braking to save the most energy.

What's more important, saving energy or protecting the occupants from a very remote hazard? :rolleyes:

That is why he started slowing down when he used that perhaps.

Seems this issue would be straightforward to resolve, so why haven't they?

for many, Smug trumps safety.

Was Al JR driving????

We were talking about this at the club this evening, just like when Ford brought out the Taurus, and wasn't selling, Audi had run-away cars, now, the Government owns GM, Toyota has run-a-way cars:confused:
Yet no one brings up the fact, that most of the cars that are Run-a-ways, are being driven by OLD PEOPLE....

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You know it should revert to fail safe regularly anyway so the rubber seals in the MC don't dry out from disuse.

What a freakin' stupid design- top to bottom.

Proud owner of a brand new Toyota 2010 4Runner Trail!!!! huuraaah.. Let me know if you want me to post pics.

The 993 is now semi retired but still in the garage.

Damn straight. Japanese cars on the average are about as sexy as a toaster. I can't relate to Japanese car fans myself. Makes no damn sense. (even though I own one- mind you)

After much drinking (and 5 minutes of photoshop) I think I have engineered a solution for the Prius/Lexus/Toyota Hybrid braking system!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1268208296.jpg

So, can I get an engineer's pay now? Maybe I can offer an "upgrade installation kit" for this?

Get a bloody clue snipe. Traction control and esp are linked in, a is variable valve timing and other complex systems.

Found by Googling:
____
Hold the shift lever at the "N" position for three seconds, voila! Neutral!

....putting a forward moving Prius into reverse puts it into neutral, as does putting a rapidly reversing Prius into drive as also does pressing the "park" button above 7 mph.

That wasn't even my post! LOL :D

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Look closet you muppet.

So you want to get rid of drive by wire and all the associated economy, environmental, performance and safety(ESP and traction control).

Sounds smart. Then again I guess your head has been damaged quite a bit in the 100 fights you have been in.