Can You Start the Internal Combustion Engine?

[MattThumper]

Hi,
I'm interested in a 2009 Toyota Prius but my friend insists that you (as the owner/operator) can't turn on the internal combustion engine. He says that the Prius always makes the determination of when to do that. For example, you can't push a button to override the car and turn on the internal combustion engine.

Is this true?

If not, how do you do it?

Thanks, Matt

[efusco]

if you step on the accelerator it turns on the ICE...at least if you step on it hard enough. your friend displays a abundance of ignorance and a modicum of understanding.

What are your concerns...in 6 years here it's the first time I've heard this question. While the computer monitors and controls the gas/electric, etc to keep you running most efficiently, I've never had a difficult time getting the ICE to run, more often it runs when you'd rather it didn't.

[DetPrius]

Why would this be a concern? Push the go-pedal and it goes, determining on its own what source of propulsion to use. In my 2010, I can always force the ICE on by pushing the pedal far enough that battery alone can't meet the demand. It sounds like a comment from someone very unfamiliar with the car and looking for any reason to knock it.

[MattThumper]

Guys, thanks. I'm interested in the Prius because I've been tasked with interrogating the CAN bus on this vehicle with the Vector CANoe diagnostic tool. Specifically, to identify the CAN Bus message/code that starts the engine. I can't begin my testing to discover this message until I know how to intentionally start it when I (the human) want to.

- unless you already know the CAN hex code to start the vehicle....

[efusco]

Put the car in drive, push the brake all the way down, then step on the accelerator and you should get your code.

[xpcman]

Turn the heat to MAX and the ICE will start.

[hobbit]

Read this.
.
And please keep us apprised of your results; if you're going to take a
real CAN analyzer to some of this stuff there are a bunch of folks
who want to talk to you...
.
_H*

[grand total]

Originally Posted by efusco

...your friend displays a abundance of ignorance and a modicum of understanding.

I don't think MattThumper's friend is displaying a (sic) abundance of ignorance at all. Perhaps you're better placed to determine that than I am though.

[Zythryn]

I believe that turning the defrost on using the steering wheel button will also always start the ICE.

[JimboPalmer]

Originally Posted by grand total

I don't think MattThumper's friend is displaying a (sic) abundance of ignorance at all. Perhaps you're better placed to determine that than I am though.

Given that others post at least 5 ways to force start the ICE, it is clear that "you can't push a button to override the car and turn on the internal combustion engine" is incorrect.

Ignorance is not being incorrect, however, ignorance is "lack of knowledge, education, or awareness"* MattThumper is combating ignorance, they don't know how to force the ICE on and he is asking experts. (Or at least owners) He did not initially explain WHY he would want to do that, as there is no reason anyone would ever do that just to drive the car.

Ignorance is curable with knowledge, that is why many of us are here. However, "you can't fix stupid."**

*ignorance - Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
**Ron White: You Can't Fix Stupid (2006) (TV)