"warming up" the engine

aalpenia · 05-03-2006, 03:15 PM

I have read in various threads that the Prius gets better mielage after the engine warms up. My question. Would starting the car and letting it iddle for 10 minutes or so be sufficient to warm up the engine (works form my gas hog), and if yes, would the gas used for this activity counteract any benefits of starting the drive with a warm engine. Thanks in advance for your feedback.

**TonyPSchaefer** · 05-03-2006, 03:17 PM

WHen the engine idles but the wheels do not turn, you are realizing exactly zero miles per gallon. Let me double check my math. . . yep, 0.

I never "warm up" the engine. I punch (POWER), drop into gear and off I go. When the engine wants to run, it runs.

aaf709 · 05-03-2006, 03:21 PM

You can add a block heater if there's a need in your neck of the woods. That should keep it warm so it take less time to get up to temperature.

ScottY · 05-03-2006, 03:22 PM

Or add the engine block heater like some of the guys here. Do a search on block heater or something to read more about it.

Like Tony said, if you idle, you are getting ZERO MPG!

galaxee · 05-03-2006, 03:34 PM

i'd sooner get 25 mpg for a bit than 0 mpg for a bit

just drive it and you'll be set. by losing the guzzler you're already leaps and bounds ahead of the game

Rancid13 · 05-03-2006, 03:42 PM

ITA with what the other responders have said. It doesn't do any good to let the Prius just sit still while the engine warms up, while it can warm up just as well (if not better) while moving.

aalpenia · 05-03-2006, 03:49 PM

Thanks, everyone. I just thought that perhaps the electric engine would do most of the "warm up" work while in idle, hence no fuel would be expended. Guess not.

**efusco** · 05-03-2006, 03:57 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(XGasGuzzler @ May 3 2006, 02:49 PM) [snapback]249218[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Thanks, everyone. I just thought that perhaps the electric engine would do most of the "warm up" work while in idle, hence no fuel would be expended. Guess not. [/b]

That's not the way it works, it warms up just like any other ICE. And even if the electric motors did, somehow, contribute, that would be even less efficient and would still use gas...that's where all the power for your car comes from.

FJRCRAZED · 05-03-2006, 03:57 PM

To add to this, how is the car in the colder parts of the country. That is how long does it take to warm up when its 15 degrees outside?

ken1784 · 05-03-2006, 04:28 PM

If you have an EV switch, following is the best warming up strategy discussed among Japanese mileage enthusiasts.

- Push START, then ICE will start in several seconds.
- Watch your energy screen, you'll see some battery charging.
- After exact 56 seconds, the charging will stop and you'll hear the engine noize is changed.
- Push EV switch, then the ICE stops.
- Start your vehicle.
- Off the EV switch when you are accelerating (accelerate using ICE) and on the EV switch when you are slowing down (coast without ICE power).
- Repeat it until you are at Stage-2.
- Be carefull about the idling check in Stage-3.

Please refer to...
http://priuschat.com/forums/kb.php?mode=article&k=14

Ken@Japan

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05-03-2006, 03:15 PM	#1
aalpenia Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 23 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I have read in various threads that the Prius gets better mielage after the engine warms up. My question. Would starting the car and letting it iddle for 10 minutes or so be sufficient to warm up the engine (works form my gas hog), and if yes, would the gas used for this activity counteract any benefits of starting the drive with a warm engine. Thanks in advance for your feedback.

05-03-2006, 03:17 PM	#2
TonyPSchaefer Ruler of Omicron Persei 8 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 8,445 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 4 Times in 2 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 17	WHen the engine idles but the wheels do not turn, you are realizing exactly zero miles per gallon. Let me double check my math. . . yep, 0. I never "warm up" the engine. I punch (POWER), drop into gear and off I go. When the engine wants to run, it runs.

05-03-2006, 03:21 PM	#3
aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,838 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	You can add a block heater if there's a need in your neck of the woods. That should keep it warm so it take less time to get up to temperature.

05-03-2006, 03:22 PM	#4
ScottY Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,247 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Or add the engine block heater like some of the guys here. Do a search on block heater or something to read more about it. Like Tony said, if you idle, you are getting ZERO MPG!

05-03-2006, 03:34 PM	#5
galaxee running WOT until out of fuel Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: central NC/ western WI Posts: 9,081 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 5 Times in 3 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 21	i'd sooner get 25 mpg for a bit than 0 mpg for a bit just drive it and you'll be set. by losing the guzzler you're already leaps and bounds ahead of the game

05-03-2006, 03:42 PM	#6
Rancid13 Cool Chick with a Black Prius Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Alamitos, Orange County, CA Posts: 2,455 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #8 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 2	ITA with what the other responders have said. It doesn't do any good to let the Prius just sit still while the engine warms up, while it can warm up just as well (if not better) while moving.

05-03-2006, 03:49 PM	#7
aalpenia Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 23 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Thanks, everyone. I just thought that perhaps the electric engine would do most of the "warm up" work while in idle, hence no fuel would be expended. Guess not.

05-03-2006, 03:57 PM	#9
FJRCRAZED Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: S.E PA Posts: 100 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	To add to this, how is the car in the colder parts of the country. That is how long does it take to warm up when its 15 degrees outside?

05-03-2006, 04:28 PM	#10
ken1784 SuperMID designer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Yokohama, JAPAN Posts: 1,392 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: G Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 3	If you have an EV switch, following is the best warming up strategy discussed among Japanese mileage enthusiasts. - Push START, then ICE will start in several seconds. - Watch your energy screen, you'll see some battery charging. - After exact 56 seconds, the charging will stop and you'll hear the engine noize is changed. - Push EV switch, then the ICE stops. - Start your vehicle. - Off the EV switch when you are accelerating (accelerate using ICE) and on the EV switch when you are slowing down (coast without ICE power). - Repeat it until you are at Stage-2. - Be carefull about the idling check in Stage-3. Please refer to... http://priuschat.com/forums/kb.php?mode=article&k=14 Ken@Japan