Battery Status Bars - Is this Right?

[NoSUVnow]

Hello Everyone. My first Post here. On Friday, July 18, I took delivery of my 2008 Prius Touring, Bright Silver Met, #5 plus leather.

I am confused on how the Battery status and Energy display are reporting the status of my Hybrid System.
I live just N.E. of Atlanta, GA. I picked up the Prius in Jacksonville, Fl. I drove back up I-75. Speeds were between 55 - 65 MPH. I averaged 42.6 MPG, which I am very pleased with. However:
1. The battery indicator never got above 6 BARS on the Interstate.

I have been driving around Snellville / Lawrenceville since getting back on Friday evening.
2. The Energy display almost never goes into Battery only mode. The ICE is almost always running, even after driving around town for 30 minutes.
3. The Energy display indicates Battery only operation ONLY if I creep at about 10 - 15 MPH. If I step down on the accelerator even slightly, the ICE starts and the instant MPG drops to the teens. This is true even on level pavement.
4. When stopped at traffic lights, the Battery Status may drop one or two bars.
5. I have seen 7 Bars (GREEN) on the display only twice, and only after re-generating downhill for a good distance. When I started up the next slight incline at about 30 MPH, the Status dropped to 6 or 5 bars within one minute, and the ICE was powering the vehicle.
6. The Battery Status indicator reports the Battery fluctuating a lot between 3 bars and 6 bars. It seem to drop over the course of 10 - 15 minutes when driving in heavy traffic and stopping frequently, then goes back up to 5 - 6 bars within 2 - 3 minutes of driving 30 - 40 MPH.

Does all this seem normal, or might I have a problem????

Thanks, Robert.

[efusco]

Completely normal on everything you said.

[Joekc]

Your description is normal in every way. Don't worry. Your gas mileage will improve as the engine breaks in. My mileage jumped about 6mpg after about 3000 miles. I now get about 50 mpg even with air conditioning.

Use the MFD to help you learn how to drive the car, but don't let it worry you. All systems are "go."

[kazots]

Don't worry so much about the bars on your battery. You will never totally go without battery power.

[NoSUVnow]

Okay,
I appreciate the information. I'll quit obsessing on the display and just drive the thing.

[billarb]

You'll probably never stop obsessing about the displays! That's part of what makes driving the vehicle so much fun. Everyone is correct in that you should see substantial improvement in mpg after you've logged several thousand miles on your car. In my case, the mpg's improved after ~6,000 miles driven. With A/C running full blast, I'm averaging about 52mpg.

[Graciegirl]

Stupid Question time

What is MFD? I still haven't gotten through the manual but laughed out loud at the part about not carrying an aquarium with water in it....DUH! Someone must have done that and now they have to put in a disclaimer...

I just picked mine up Saturday - I got so tired of waiting I took one that didn't match my order....

[N3FOL]

Originally Posted by NoSUVnow

Okay,
I appreciate the information. I'll quit obsessing on the display and just drive the thing.

Yeah, I wish we can all watch DVD on the display. But that will be very unsafe.

Simply drive your Prius and enjoy every moment saving gas. As members stated, your battery status is very normal. Congrats on your new ride.

[N3FOL]

Originally Posted by Graciegirl

Stupid Question time

What is MFD? I still haven't gotten through the manual but laughed out loud at the part about not carrying an aquarium with water in it....DUH! Someone must have done that and now they have to put in a disclaimer...

I just picked mine up Saturday - I got so tired of waiting I took one that didn't match my order....

Hello. Congrats on your new Prius. What color, etc.?

MFD stands for 'Multi Function Display'.

[rwhoyle]

Graciegirl,

MFD stands for Multi Function Display. Its the screen in the middle of your dashboard that shows you the various informational display screens, i.e., energy usage, nav, telephone, etc.