Is there a way to force the ICE to stay on while stationary?

[norman]

Let's suppose I drive up a long slope and deplete the battery to some extent, is there a way to force the ICE to kick over for a while to repleneish the battery before I switch off and leave the car at the top of the hill for several hours. (Just wondering whether it's wise to leave the battery in a depleted state for any length of time).

I guess I could always turn on the aircon on high for a while and let it idle and charge for a while. Seems to defeat the purpose of the whole idea doesn't it.

[eak354]

The ICE should be on if it detects that the battery does indeed need to be charged, the ICE should remain on and recharge battery until it's sufficient enough then it will shut off. I've experienced this, i live up a hill and once tried leaving A/C and radio on. when the battery level had 2 bars left, the ICE kicked in to recharge. So i guess in your case as you pull in to park and the battery level is low, the ICE will be on.

[jeffrey]

At first I thought "Why would you want to do this?" then realised that it made sense. I pull the car out of the garage to wash it, leave it "running" while I do, then pull it back in to dry. Usually the batt depletes a bar or two and I thought I'd like it to be more, but decided that these cars are probably smarter than me, and let it go.

After all, if these guys can make a car that keeps the air conditioner on 24/7/365 BUT only run it when required by the ambient temp, I think they can be trusted to force the ICE to charge if it is really necessary, and not if not.

Peace

[efusco]

With EVb you can, sort of, force the ICE to run.

Ready State:
1)Go into EV mode,
2)Turn off EV mode--ICE should start
3)Press accellerator--as the battery charges you'll have to press more and more and you'll get less and less ICE reving, but it will usually continue until the battery is nearly charged then stop no matter what.

Caveat--you may need to be moving and/or have the battery a bit depleted for this to work.

Another note:Please don't leave your car turned on while washing it. That 2 bars depletion of the battery represents burned fossil fuel. I leave my car on when I'm jumping out for 30 seconds to get the mail, I think it actually uses less energy/fuel to do that than to restart the ICE and have it go through the whole Cat. rewarm etc., but for anything over a few minutes please just shut the thing off.

[daniel]

Originally posted by norman
Let's suppose I drive up a long slope and deplete the battery to some extent, is there a way to force the ICE to kick over for a while to repleneish the battery before I switch off and leave the car at the top of the hill for several hours. (Just wondering whether it's wise to leave the battery in a depleted state for any length of time).

The computer keeps the battery within acceptable limits, and Toyota guarantees the battery for 8 years or 100,000 miles. I would not worry about it. The battery will recharge (and do it more efficiently) the next time you drive.

Assuming that after driving up the hill you're going to drive back down later you can:

1. Burn gas to recharge the battery while you sit at the top of the hill; or

2. Use gravity and regen braking to recharge the battery for free when you go back down the hill.

Which makes more sense?