check engine light for first 50 miles?

michelle_mcd · 12-11-2004, 03:30 PM

Just picked up my new Prius this morning (yea, very excited!). When I drove it with the dealer there were no problems. But when I drove it away later the check engine light was on. The dealer said the they have noticed that this happens because something has to burn off the new engine in the first 50 or so miles.

Any experience with this issue?

**efusco** · 12-11-2004, 03:32 PM

Yup, hadn't heard anyone mention it for a while, but you can get some build up of 'crud' in the O2 sensor that will cause that light. They usually recommend some relatively hard (like 55mph highway) driving for anywhere from 50-100 miles and it should clear on it's own once that stuff burns off.

paprius4030 · 12-11-2004, 07:20 PM

I remember this issue too from awhile ago. It was noticed that people that took delivery quite a distance from home and had a long drive home never had this problem. Maybe a good thing to do is go for a long highway drive when you pick up your new Prius even if you don't have too. This could tie in with the"driving your Prius for no reason" thread LOL

michelle_mcd · 12-11-2004, 09:00 PM

Thanks, that makes me feel a little better.

My dealer is only 2 miles away, so I didn't have much of a trip home. Afterward I drove for about 50 miles, mostly on the highway, and the light is still on. I'll keep trying.

I must say I'm having a blast with the car!!

12-11-2004, 03:30 PM	#1
michelle_mcd Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Metro DC Area Posts: 10 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	check engine light for first 50 miles? Just picked up my new Prius this morning (yea, very excited!). When I drove it with the dealer there were no problems. But when I drove it away later the check engine light was on. The dealer said the they have noticed that this happens because something has to burn off the new engine in the first 50 or so miles. Any experience with this issue?

12-11-2004, 09:00 PM	#4
michelle_mcd Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Metro DC Area Posts: 10 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: check engine light for first 50 miles? Thanks, that makes me feel a little better. My dealer is only 2 miles away, so I didn't have much of a trip home. Afterward I drove for about 50 miles, mostly on the highway, and the light is still on. I'll keep trying. I must say I'm having a blast with the car!!

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12-11-2004, 03:32 PM	#2
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 19,598 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 214 Thanked 870 Times in 505 Posts Friends: 47	Yup, hadn't heard anyone mention it for a while, but you can get some build up of 'crud' in the O2 sensor that will cause that light. They usually recommend some relatively hard (like 55mph highway) driving for anywhere from 50-100 miles and it should clear on it's own once that stuff burns off.

12-11-2004, 07:20 PM	#3
paprius4030 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Pocono's, Pa. Posts: 1,761 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: II Package: #2 Thanks: 61 Thanked 60 Times in 54 Posts Friends: 3	I remember this issue too from awhile ago. It was noticed that people that took delivery quite a distance from home and had a long drive home never had this problem. Maybe a good thing to do is go for a long highway drive when you pick up your new Prius even if you don't have too. This could tie in with the"driving your Prius for no reason" thread LOL