First 5 mins

gazz · 05-10-2007, 08:23 AM

Can anybody help with the first 5 mins of driving from cold, I have tried a number of differnent styles and cannot improve on about 30mpg.

I have tried very slow startoff, faster start, parking noise out (so do not have to reverse).

I am looking at a EBH for the winter but am having trouble finding one in the UK.

Many Thanks

JimboK · 05-10-2007, 08:29 AM

That's probably about the best you'll do. Before my block heater install, that's about the most I ever got.

morpheusx · 05-10-2007, 08:56 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gazz @ May 10 2007, 08:23 AM) [snapback]438979[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Can anybody help with the first 5 mins of driving from cold, I have tried a number of differnent styles and cannot improve on about 30mpg.

I have tried very slow startoff, faster start, parking noise out (so do not have to reverse).

I am looking at a EBH for the winter but am having trouble finding one in the UK.

Many Thanks
[/b]

Make sure you heater is off.

**TonyPSchaefer** · 05-10-2007, 09:05 AM

The first five minutes kills everyone. The EBH will not make that lower first segment go away but it will most certainly reduce its impact. After 2.5 years of driving a Prius, I never stop getting frustrated with that first five-minute segment. Makes me feel as though the rest of the drive is solely for the purpose of compensating for it.

I'm sure that if you are willing to pay shipping and handling, Wayne would be more than happy to fly over with an EBH and install it for you. Installation time is about one week: 30 minutes for the installation, seven days for sightseeing.

gazz · 05-10-2007, 09:39 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimboK @ May 10 2007, 07:29 AM) [snapback]438981[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

That's probably about the best you'll do. Before my block heater install, that's about the most I ever got.
[/b]

Thanks,

But have you any preference on the rpm you should use for the first few miles. 1,500 or 2,000.

jdenenberg · 05-10-2007, 09:45 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gazz @ May 10 2007, 08:23 AM) [snapback]438979[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I am looking at a EBH for the winter but am having trouble finding one in the UK.[/b]

You can order one from Canada via the web.
JeffD

qbee42 · 05-10-2007, 09:47 AM

The only way to avoid that problem is to keep the engine hot. You could let it idle 24 hours a day, but it might be hard on your mileage.

Seriously, there isn't much you can do. It's just thermodynamics: you have to expend energy to heat the engine and catalytic converter.

Tom

gazz · 05-10-2007, 09:50 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jdenenberg @ May 10 2007, 08:45 AM) [snapback]439010[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

You can order one from Canada via the web.
JeffD
[/b]

The problem is the ones from Canada or US are only 110V not 240V we use in Europe. Any idears?

Highly ImPriused · 05-10-2007, 09:59 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gazz @ May 10 2007, 09:50 AM) [snapback]439017[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The problem is the ones from Canada or US are only 110V not 240V we use in Europe. Any idears?
[/b]

I'm sure you can find a voltage converter. If not at a local electronics store, then certainly on-line. Here's one. Good luck!

gazz · 05-10-2007, 10:22 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Highly ImPriused @ May 10 2007, 08:59 AM) [snapback]439028[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I'm sure you can find a voltage converter. If not at a local electronics store, then certainly on-line. Here's one. Good luck!
[/b]

Thanks for that, got the web site for the EBH?

05-10-2007, 09:05 AM	#4
TonyPSchaefer Ruler of Omicron Persei 8 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 7,705 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 4 Times in 2 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 14	The first five minutes kills everyone. The EBH will not make that lower first segment go away but it will most certainly reduce its impact. After 2.5 years of driving a Prius, I never stop getting frustrated with that first five-minute segment. Makes me feel as though the rest of the drive is solely for the purpose of compensating for it. I'm sure that if you are willing to pay shipping and handling, Wayne would be more than happy to fly over with an EBH and install it for you. Installation time is about one week: 30 minutes for the installation, seven days for sightseeing. __________________ Proud father of Priapus: the '04 Tideland BC9 with an OEM EV button and sense of self-righteousness >>Current Mileage<< Spreading information and passing gas in the Greater Chicagoland area

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05-10-2007, 08:23 AM	#1
gazz Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coventry, UK Posts: 173 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: T4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Can anybody help with the first 5 mins of driving from cold, I have tried a number of differnent styles and cannot improve on about 30mpg. I have tried very slow startoff, faster start, parking noise out (so do not have to reverse). I am looking at a EBH for the winter but am having trouble finding one in the UK. Many Thanks

05-10-2007, 08:29 AM	#2
JimboK One owner, low mileage Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chesterfield, VA Posts: 1,903 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 2	That's probably about the best you'll do. Before my block heater install, that's about the most I ever got.

05-10-2007, 09:47 AM	#7
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 4,881 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	The only way to avoid that problem is to keep the engine hot. You could let it idle 24 hours a day, but it might be hard on your mileage. Seriously, there isn't much you can do. It's just thermodynamics: you have to expend energy to heat the engine and catalytic converter. Tom