engine or battery start?

[ikklesmiler]

Hi

I am new here, Im going to be the owner of a Gen II Prius within the next 2 weeks (just waiting for some paperwork to be sorted!)

I took my Prius for a test drive yesterday and im sure when the Prius first started it actually started on engine? is this correct? I was under the understanding that they started with the battery, thus being silent....

Ann Marie

[tumbleweed]

Originally Posted by ikklesmiler

Hi

I am new here, Im going to be the owner of a Gen II Prius within the next 2 weeks (just waiting for some paperwork to be sorted!)

I took my Prius for a test drive yesterday and im sure when the Prius first started it actually started on engine? is this correct? I was under the understanding that they started with the battery, thus being silent....

Ann Marie

When the engine is cold it will start within a few seconds to warm itself up for emission control purposes. After the car is warm it will start out on the battery if you don't push the accelerator pedal down to far and it there is enough charge in the battery (there usually is). If you have a charged up battery you can actually ease it up to 45 or 46 MPH before the engine starts.

[ikklesmiler]

Originally Posted by tumbleweed

When the engine is cold it will start within a few seconds to warm itself up for emission control purposes. After the car is warm it will start out on the battery if you don't push the accelerator pedal down to far and it there is enough charge in the battery (there usually is). If you have a charged up battery you can actually ease it up to 45 or 46 MPH before the engine starts.

Tom

Thank you for your reply.
That has put my mind at rest, I was beginning to wonder if the battery wasnt working properly, (and then all sorts of expensive repair thoughts raced through my mind!!)

Cant wait to pick up my Prius and start driving her!!!

(and to know i could go up to 45mph on battery is even better!!)

Ann Marie

[tumbleweed]

Originally Posted by ikklesmiler

Tom

Thank you for your reply.
That has put my mind at rest, I was beginning to wonder if the battery wasnt working properly, (and then all sorts of expensive repair thoughts raced through my mind!!)

Cant wait to pick up my Prius and start driving her!!!

(and to know i could go up to 45mph on battery is even better!!)

Ann Marie

Good luck with that new Prius you will love it. If it is a Gen2 (2004-2009) you can only get up to 40 or 41 MPH before the engine must start, the Gen3 is a bit different because of some gearing changes. But with either of them you must be pretty easy on the throttle to keep the engine off. Your Gen2, being a European car, may also have an EV (Electric Vehicle) button. It will let you get up to 25 MPH with no engine (strangely you actually can go faster on the battery when you are not in the EV mode), but give it a try also.

Of course depending on conditions to much battery use can actually cut down on mileage but you need to read the Fuel Economy Forums on here to find out how all that stuff works. For now just drive it and enjoy it.

[ikklesmiler]

Originally Posted by tumbleweed

Good luck with that new Prius you will love it. If it is a Gen2 (2004-2009) you can only get up to 40 or 41 MPH before the engine must start, the Gen3 is a bit different because of some gearing changes. But with either of them you must be pretty easy on the throttle to keep the engine off. Your Gen2, being a European car, may also have an EV (Electric Vehicle) button. It will let you get up to 25 MPH with no engine (strangely you actually can go faster on the battery when you are not in the EV mode), but give it a try also.

Of course depending on conditions to much battery use can actually cut down on mileage but you need to read the Fuel Economy Forums on here to find out how all that stuff works. For now just drive it and enjoy it.

Hi Tom
Thanks for your reply.
Im not sure if it has an EV button, but will definately try it out if it has

Another question.... on the 'gearstick' it has the normal D-drive, and R-reverse.. but also has a B... am i right in thinking this is for battery only? maybe the EV you were talking about? (havn't got the car yet so havnt got the manual yet, and am very impatient-need to know everything NOW lol)

Ann Marie

[tumbleweed]

Originally Posted by ikklesmiler

Hi Tom
Thanks for your reply.
Im not sure if it has an EV button, but will definately try it out if it has

Another question.... on the 'gearstick' it has the normal D-drive, and R-reverse.. but also has a B... am i right in thinking this is for battery only? maybe the EV you were talking about? (havn't got the car yet so havnt got the manual yet, and am very impatient-need to know everything NOW lol)

Ann Marie

No the "B" is for engine braking and it works kind of like low range in a normal automatic transmission. With the Prius it is hardly ever needed because you have regenerative braking which returns energy to the battery during light braking and for heavier braking the car uses normal friction brakes. The only time I use the "B" mode is if I am coming down a long steep hill and my battery is already fully charged. Then B mode can be used to reduce wear of the normal friction brakes. Unlike low range in a conventional automatic you can use B mode at any speed. If you forget and leave it in B you will notice your cruise control no longer works, if you forget to shift back to D the car will shift itself back after a few minutes in B anyway.

You should try it and see how it feels then you will probably not use it again, or at least use it very seldom.

If your car has an EV mode switch it should be a button somewhere on the dash board. It doesn't actually lock the vehicle in battery only, if the battery runs low it will just kick you out of EV and the engine will run. The car always looks after itself and tries to keep the driver from doing any damage such as running the hybrid battery down to far. Comforting to know I think.

[patsparks]

Try not to drive on electric, it isn't efficient. Don't sweat over trying to keep the engine off, search for efficiency threads to read the best tactics for good fuel economy.

[Omni-TaG]

Hi Ann Marie

In the owner french version manuel they say the gaz engine have to start now and then to "put it self ""IN PHASE"". Now don't ask me what is the buzz around that "phasing" buisness under the Prius hood ! :-)

My Prius is very often is "phasing" at start up. Even if it's 32°C outside and that the car have run during last half an hour and is hot !!! Some other times it's amasing how long i can go from start up in time using only electric engine.

[cycledrum]

Originally Posted by ikklesmiler

Hi

I am new here, Im going to be the owner of a Gen II Prius within the next 2 weeks (just waiting for some paperwork to be sorted!)

I took my Prius for a test drive yesterday and im sure when the Prius first started it actually started on engine? is this correct? I was under the understanding that they started with the battery, thus being silent....

Ann Marie

Hi Ann Marie,

Are saying that when you powered up the car (pushed the 'on' button, the gas engine came on immediately? Hope not.

When powering on my 2009 Prius, the gas engine never comes on immediately. I haven't timed it, but my guess is the gas engine comes on within 5 to 10 seconds after powering up the car. I'm usually most of the way out of the garage before the gas engine comes on (well, if I put it in gear quickly).

[ikklesmiler]

Originally Posted by cycledrum

Hi Ann Marie,

Are saying that when you powered up the car (pushed the 'on' button, the gas engine came on immediately? Hope not.

When powering on my 2009 Prius, the gas engine never comes on immediately. I haven't timed it, but my guess is the gas engine comes on within 5 to 10 seconds after powering up the car. I'm usually most of the way out of the garage before the gas engine comes on (well, if I put it in gear quickly).

Hi

I think it was about 20 to 30 seconds before the gas engine started up, it just felt strange as we test drove another Prius (same age) the week before and we were out of the drive and halfway down the rd before the gas engine came on...

I guess 20 to 30 seconds is ok though, it just worried me a little at first, until I read the replies on here!!

Should be picking up my Prius friday..so 3 more days to wait!!!

Ann MArie

(a very excited to be Prius owner!!!)