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Roadshow: Shifting a Prius into neutral is not easy

San Jose Mercury News -- Alas, shifting a Prius into neutral is not as simple as with most models, as my neighbor Emmett discovered. He's a technology lover, one of those guys who loves to figure out how things work and why.
He took his 2006 Prius through some neighborhood streets at low speeds and tried several times to shift into neutral. He failed the first four times before finally succeeding.

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Submitted Mar 14, 2010 By: coughlin

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toyota1999 Champion Author Louisville Posts:5,123 Points:1,066,250 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:50:38 PM Ignore toyota1999 Report Abuse If the cars were as simple as they were back in the 60's. Oh to have a simple car like that again. No computers at all.
Powerstroke73L All-Star Author Sacramento Posts:807 Points:334,895 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:48:26 PM Ignore Powerstroke73L Report Abuse Z51Corvette - you don't find it easy to hold a four inch long lever in place for a "second or two"?
LeftLane1 Champion Author Georgia Posts:5,353 Points:892,375 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:47:34 PM Ignore LeftLane1 Report Abuse Here is the PROBLEM: New Technology has been applied, In the past when YOU Shifted the Car, YOU actually performed the shift with YOUR hand, NOW on MANY New Models, You are shifting a lever that SENDS A SIGNAL to the COMPUTER TO SHIFT THE CAR. If the "COMPUTER" fails to respond, as many computers will do from time to time, THERE MAY BE A DELAY of the action you requested. Note: It appears Toyota's problem MIGHT be in software too, if so, they DO NOT have the problem solved yet. If the Physical Part to send the Signal (the GAS PEDAL is sending the signal, not your foot moving a wire) is failing then hopefully it's redesign or replacement should help, IF, IF... *For Example: on some cars (more expensive one typically) You dont even apply the parking brake yourself anymore, you push a button which tells the COMPUTER to apply the brake.
vulcan96 Champion Author Ohio Posts:17,937 Points:2,130,095 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:46:24 PM Ignore vulcan96 Report Abuse that is similar to having to push & hold the power button on a desktop computer to force it off - takes about 4 seconds
JoeKR Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,978 Points:1,110,810 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:46:06 PM Ignore JoeKR Report Abuse Neighbor Emmett should be arrested for jeopardizing the neighborhood by his on-street experiments.
Powerstroke73L All-Star Author Sacramento Posts:807 Points:334,895 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:45:08 PM Ignore Powerstroke73L Report Abuse What a ridiculous article. "Shifting ...into nuetral is not easy"..... Hmmmm, first I was going to mention that I have no problem shifting mine into neutral at any speed. Then I read the article and found that the 'technology lover' couldn't figure out how to do it but finally figured out he had to hold the lever in position for "one to two seconds". Yeah, that isn't easy to do........
esquared Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:3,938 Points:1,144,100 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:41:15 PM Ignore esquared Report Abuse Anecdotal...? My cousin's sister-in-law's Aunt Maud had not problem at all....
idigau22 Champion Author Modesto Posts:16,899 Points:2,363,930 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:41:07 PM Ignore idigau22 Report Abuse Every car should have a "Kill Switch" installed! At one time all cars did! It was called the "Ignition Key"!! I guess these new Green Cars don't! Bummer!!!
jimgraham Champion Author Akron Posts:5,326 Points:1,005,605 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:40:41 PM Ignore jimgraham Report Abuse There should be a BIG RED E-Stop button right in the middle of the dash.
Z51Corvette Champion Author Austin Posts:4,137 Points:803,885 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:36:48 PM Ignore Z51Corvette Report Abuse You should be able to shift into Neutral EASILY!!! It shouldn't be hard at all! It's dangerous, if it's hard!
Somis1 Champion Author Ventura Posts:8,338 Points:1,662,690 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:34:02 PM Ignore Somis1 Report Abuse Is it me, or are cars getting too complicated?
TBONE3 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:3,885 Points:1,004,445 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:33:25 PM Ignore TBONE3 Report Abuse Holding the OFF button for several seconds reminds me when we had to push the STOP button on early diesel busses. Good point to ponder.
Toppers Champion Author Atlanta Posts:4,122 Points:1,502,365 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:28:58 PM Ignore Toppers Report Abuse Don't think it should be easy...
52MPG Champion Author Dayton Posts:2,319 Points:770,135 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:26:09 PM Ignore 52MPG Report Abuse A stop button should work when pressed. Having a special code to get it to work is asking for problems.
rxman1 Champion Author Toledo Posts:4,352 Points:908,455 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:24:26 PM Ignore rxman1 Report Abuse This does not sound easy. What if the computer does not recognize the position of the shift lever?
PaylessKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:3,590 Points:665,355 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:21:22 PM Ignore PaylessKY Report Abuse This article should have a disclaimer "Don't try this yourself"
Bus561 Champion Author Lexington Posts:11,487 Points:2,242,625 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:20:28 PM Ignore Bus561 Report Abuse If this is so then there are other things you can do to alleviate the situation.
altima2008 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:3,244 Points:768,535 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:20:21 PM Ignore altima2008 Report Abuse Your'e not supposed to do this when your driving! People need to concentrate on using the very limited amount of skills they have on watching where their going!
granitestater Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:4,106 Points:637,550 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:20:14 PM Ignore granitestater Report Abuse Now this is a good point. Is it as easy to shift into neutral in high-tech cars as it was in low-tech cars...
tedjm1 Champion Author New York Posts:1,527 Points:167,030 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:15:55 PM Ignore tedjm1 Report Abuse You learn new things about cars every day. How come they aren't explained when you buy the car? Most people would not read their book for this type of info.
katiejayWV Champion Author West Virginia Posts:1,260 Points:382,135 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:13:11 PM Ignore katiejayWV Report Abuse Prius is just another name for a cracker box death trap.
CobraLeader Champion Author New Jersey Posts:248,184 Points:1,135,700 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:13:07 PM Ignore CobraLeader Report Abuse ... One is NOT supposed to shift to Neutral when moving. ...
LoneGuy Champion Author Lansing Posts:3,628 Points:1,358,200 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:11:16 PM Ignore LoneGuy Report Abuse The guy in California was able to change gears without leaving the steering wheel. The shifter was on the column not the console. He was behind in his payments for the car and he had declared bankruptcy. He is just a hukster looking for a payday thanks to the media. I thought at first he just didn't know how to drive his automobile. This is now showing to be worse than that.
Blue_Cruzer Champion Author Lexington Posts:3,003 Points:772,410 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:10:41 PM Ignore Blue_Cruzer Report Abuse This guy Emmett must be stupid.
v240 All-Star Author Pennsylvania Posts:690 Points:659,705 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:09:01 PM Ignore v240 Report Abuse Many people who buy or rent newer cars assume that they already know - based on previous cars - all of these "basics". For these newer, computer driven, programmable cars the older "basics" no longer apply if this article is correct. And if the transmission is computer controlled (which the instruction about holding the lever at neutral for several seconds suggest is the case) - a computer glitch could indeed prevent you from shifting into neutral. I'm feeling fortunate that I stuck with older, mechanical cars (because of their better gas mileage and lower cost per mile !!)
Chris46 Champion Author Dayton Posts:11,037 Points:1,249,325 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:08:21 PM Ignore Chris46 Report Abuse Sounds like Emmett shouldn't be driving ANYWHERE! Does he even know where the brake pedal is? And he's a technology lover. Hummmmm.
joel27nc Champion Author Raleigh Posts:5,534 Points:888,770 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:07:12 PM Ignore joel27nc Report Abuse I will not purchase a Toyota!
eddyp94 Champion Author Ontario Posts:4,166 Points:870,410 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:04:07 PM Ignore eddyp94 Report Abuse he needs to redo his lic...
RedRam2005 Champion Author San Antonio Posts:3,554 Points:602,575 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 11:01:31 PM Ignore RedRam2005 Report Abuse Some people should not drive until they learn you to read the manual.
danreino Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,796 Points:677,145 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 10:58:58 PM Ignore danreino Report Abuse Couldn't have waited a second or two ???...OMGBBQ
JettaKnight Champion Author Toronto Posts:1,045 Points:1,305,565 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 10:52:56 PM Ignore JettaKnight Report Abuse Just read the article and save posting the B.S.: "He took his 2006 Prius through some neighborhood streets at low speeds and tried several times to shift into neutral. He failed the first four times before finally succeeding. Then he fired off a letter to Consumer Reports detailing his difficulties. Why was it so hard? A traditional car shifts into neutral with one easy step. All you do is push the shift lever to the "N" position. But in the Prius Emmett found out, you must first push the shift lever to "N," then hold it in that position and finally wait a second or two before the transmission shifts into neutral."
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:3,586 Points:796,365 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 10:51:48 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse how old is emmett??
sammynorge Champion Author Columbus Posts:1,215 Points:319,335 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 10:51:26 PM Ignore sammynorge Report Abuse I've never had any trouble stopping while walking. Much safer than driving, except when crossing streets.
Night Owl Champion Author Toronto Posts:2,730 Points:835,065 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 10:50:56 PM Ignore Night Owl Report Abuse djgunrunner: You don't turn the key off. If you do, you will lose all steering control. You have to turn the key to the ACC(essory) position, if it has one. People need to follow what is stated in their owner's manual. But Toyota shouldn't be building cars that are so difficult to shift into neutral.
djgunrunner Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:4,814 Points:1,383,690 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 10:41:14 PM Ignore djgunrunner Report Abuse What would be even worse is not attempting to put it in neutral and doing Hail Mary's down the road. Did he try to turn the key off?
Chiron All-Star Author Tucson Posts:839 Points:325,530 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 10:39:36 PM Ignore Chiron Report Abuse When a car is speeding at 100mph people freak out and have some difficulty slowing the vehicle down. And that is under the best circumstances.
Yonkers111 Champion Author Scranton Posts:6,328 Points:536,820 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 10:35:34 PM Ignore Yonkers111 Report Abuse Buy a car for $25k, you may want to read the owners manual.
cruisingtx Champion Author San Antonio Posts:1,201 Points:528,520 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 10:35:21 PM Ignore cruisingtx Report Abuse Toyota is on its way out.
jjw0608 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:3,372 Points:1,000,320 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 10:30:55 PM Ignore jjw0608 Report Abuse There are other ways to stop!
grandamgt1 Veteran Author Illinois Posts:423 Points:404,535 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 10:30:01 PM Ignore grandamgt1 Report Abuse some people dont need to be behind the wheel
NavyStore Champion Author Seattle Posts:2,682 Points:1,186,195 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 10:24:33 PM Ignore NavyStore Report Abuse That must be because of the Hybrid drive...
SBlouch Champion Author San Antonio Posts:4,884 Points:1,050,285 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 10:19:32 PM Ignore SBlouch Report Abuse When one is not expecting anything to happen, panic sets in and reaction is slower.
LoneGuy Champion Author Lansing Posts:3,628 Points:1,358,200 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 10:19:13 PM Ignore LoneGuy Report Abuse The guy in California is in deep doo doo due to his scamming past incidents.
Bubba44612 Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,666 Points:916,975 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 10:13:19 PM Ignore Bubba44612 Report Abuse You just have to know your vehicle before you get into a crash.
gilfarm Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,147 Points:1,011,310 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 10:12:08 PM Ignore gilfarm Report Abuse Turn the power off
alterman156 Champion Author New York Posts:2,495 Points:582,900 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 10:11:37 PM Ignore alterman156 Report Abuse I can easily put my car into neutral. It is an older model though.
Plebe2001 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:2,271 Points:409,925 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 10:11:09 PM Ignore Plebe2001 Report Abuse Very interesting article.
Rednix Champion Author Miami Posts:1,643 Points:341,590 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 10:07:36 PM Ignore Rednix Report Abuse Well if you can't do that then lift up on the gas pedal from underneath with you foot. a friend of mine did that when his Toyota had a stuck gas pedal.
tickledpink73 Rookie Author Arkansas Posts:50 Points:335,625 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 10:00:13 PM Ignore tickledpink73 Report Abuse The article makes is seem more difficult that it should be.
judgemobile Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,756 Points:1,488,035 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 9:59:58 PM Ignore judgemobile Report Abuse worst case--if your engine runs away, TURN IT OFF--you will lose power steering and power assist breaking, but at least you will be able to stop.
kcboy Champion Author Utah Posts:1,121 Points:820,705 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 9:57:51 PM Ignore kcboy Report Abuse I was always told just turn your vehicle off and put it into nuetral and don't panic.
HongKongPhooey Champion Author Gasbuddy Posts:9,943 Points:162,045 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 9:54:38 PM Ignore HongKongPhooey Report Abuse toyota again, wow!