Comments on: Thoughts on Driving a Prius http://www.leanblog.org/2007/04/thoughts-on-driving-prius/ Mark Graban's leanblog.org - Lean Healthcare, Lean Thinking, Lean Manufacturing, Toyota Production System Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:26:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: curiouscat http://www.leanblog.org/2007/04/thoughts-on-driving-prius/#comment-1929 curiouscat Mon, 16 Apr 2007 21:40:00 +0000 http://leanblog.bigbigdesign.net/2007/04/thoughts-on-driving-a-prius/#comment-1929 Good post. You are lucky you are in Texas and not Georgia: Prius can't pass Georgia emissions test - <br/><a HREF="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/16/prius-cant-pass-georgia-emissions-test/" REL="nofollow">Link</a><br/><br/>"When the Prius is set to idle at 2,500 rpm on the tester, it does what it's supposed to do. It shuts off the engine to save fuel. Georgia's pre-hybrid equipment issues a failing grade because of an incomplete test." And Georgia's DMV takes this as a failed test and requires the owner to go to a center and get a waiver. Just the kind of lame behavior that makes so many people think government's can't manage at all.<br/><br/>Granted this is problem with Georgia government not really Toyota. But if you were Toyota would you be talking to the government about fixing the problem? I would. Also who else would be embarrassed about having 5 "waiver centers" - http://www.cleanairforce.com/waivers_etc/index.htm Good post. You are lucky you are in Texas and not Georgia: Prius can’t pass Georgia emissions test –
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“When the Prius is set to idle at 2,500 rpm on the tester, it does what it’s supposed to do. It shuts off the engine to save fuel. Georgia’s pre-hybrid equipment issues a failing grade because of an incomplete test.” And Georgia’s DMV takes this as a failed test and requires the owner to go to a center and get a waiver. Just the kind of lame behavior that makes so many people think government’s can’t manage at all.

Granted this is problem with Georgia government not really Toyota. But if you were Toyota would you be talking to the government about fixing the problem? I would. Also who else would be embarrassed about having 5 “waiver centers” – http://www.cleanairforce.com/waivers_etc/index.htm

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]]> By: Mark Graban http://www.leanblog.org/2007/04/thoughts-on-driving-prius/#comment-1924 Mark Graban Sun, 15 Apr 2007 20:07:00 +0000 http://leanblog.bigbigdesign.net/2007/04/thoughts-on-driving-a-prius/#comment-1924 It's also much more expensive if you lose a key! I've never lost one, but I heard the Saab electronic keys were $850 each and it was even worse if you lost both keys (having to swap out something in the ignition switch itself).<br/><br/>One other "human factors" thing I don't like with the Prius is the touchscreen. Changing a radio station takes multiple button presses and requires attention to be paid to the screen. Doing it by feel alone would be tough, unlike traditional radio buttons. It’s also much more expensive if you lose a key! I’ve never lost one, but I heard the Saab electronic keys were $850 each and it was even worse if you lost both keys (having to swap out something in the ignition switch itself).

One other “human factors” thing I don’t like with the Prius is the touchscreen. Changing a radio station takes multiple button presses and requires attention to be paid to the screen. Doing it by feel alone would be tough, unlike traditional radio buttons.

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]]> By: Frisbeeralf http://www.leanblog.org/2007/04/thoughts-on-driving-prius/#comment-1922 Frisbeeralf Sun, 15 Apr 2007 19:26:00 +0000 http://leanblog.bigbigdesign.net/2007/04/thoughts-on-driving-a-prius/#comment-1922 Hi Mark,<br/><br/>I would love to drive a PRIUS myself so I am happy to hear what it would be like to drive.<br/><br/>Concerning the new key starting procedure with start/stop: this is common at the moment and the main reason that comes to my mind is higher security because you can't copy the key electronics and there are fewer mechanical parts in the lock itself (no turning any more, magnetical shut as long as wrong key!, etc.). Just had a talk earlier today with a friend who has bought a new BMW series 3 Touring having the same feature and ;-)) question.<br/><br/>About the falling key on not kept in the hole: that could happen in any car is worthwile to overthink. There is almost no way to grasp a key between the console of shift gear box and the seat (especially when the seat is packed with electronics, heating, etc. there is no space for men' hands to get down on the floor;-(().<br/><br/>Best regards<br/><br/>Ralf Hi Mark,

I would love to drive a PRIUS myself so I am happy to hear what it would be like to drive.

Concerning the new key starting procedure with start/stop: this is common at the moment and the main reason that comes to my mind is higher security because you can’t copy the key electronics and there are fewer mechanical parts in the lock itself (no turning any more, magnetical shut as long as wrong key!, etc.). Just had a talk earlier today with a friend who has bought a new BMW series 3 Touring having the same feature and ;-)) question.

About the falling key on not kept in the hole: that could happen in any car is worthwile to overthink. There is almost no way to grasp a key between the console of shift gear box and the seat (especially when the seat is packed with electronics, heating, etc. there is no space for men’ hands to get down on the floor;-(().

Best regards

Ralf

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