Purple Bars - In Traffic

[David]

My wife ran out of gas today in our 06 and didn't stop until there were no bars and the car wouldn't go anymore. She called me on her cell phone to ask what all the flashing lights were and why the car stopped. Fortunately when AAA put in some gas it started right up and took a charge. I'm hoping the computer is smart enough to stop the car from totally depleting the battery even when the engine can't run.

[Jonnycat26]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FJRCRAZED @ Jun 23 2006, 07:43 PM) [snapback]276061[/snapback]</div>

Are you saying I should not be using the AC if I'm stuck traffic? That was my point from my 1st post. The engine did not seem to run to charge the battery at all. If thats true I might as will ride my cycle to work.
[/b]

No, by all means use it... the engine will cycle on and off to provide a minimal charge when necessary.

However, the one thing to be aware of, is if traffic suddenly starts moving, or you turn onto another street, acceleration will be pathetic as the electric engine isn't able to give it's boost.

[ScottY]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(usbseawolf2000 @ Jun 23 2006, 10:10 PM) [snapback]276116[/snapback]</div>

It happened to me once. I hit a very long traffic jam and the HV battery got to the last two bars. It was annoying how the ICE came on, just to gain 2 mph. I know how the Civic hybrid drivers feel now. :P

Dennis
[/b]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David @ Jun 23 2006, 10:10 PM) [snapback]276117[/snapback]</div>

My wife ran out of gas today in our 06 and didn't stop until there were no bars and the car wouldn't go anymore. She called me on her cell phone to ask what all the flashing lights were and why the car stopped. Fortunately when AAA put in some gas it started right up and took a charge. I'm hoping the computer is smart enough to stop the car from totally depleting the battery even when the engine can't run.
[/b]

Oh, please don't do that EVER again~! Running out of gas is not good for any car. For the Prius, you might damage the hybrid battery by running it too low, not to mention that the fuel pump is not being cool and lubricated when no gas is present in the tank.

[rufaro]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kosmikchic @ Jun 23 2006, 11:28 AM) [snapback]275913[/snapback]</div>

when it's a pink bar with a plus, it means your pregnant... :P

[/b]

Uh oh...

[rufaro]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kosmikchic @ Jun 23 2006, 11:28 AM) [snapback]275913[/snapback]</div>

when it's a pink bar with a plus, it means your pregnant... :P

[/b]

Uh oh...



edit: and obviously having twins....

[tumbleweed]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mr. Clean @ Jun 23 2006, 10:31 AM) [snapback]275882[/snapback]</div>

Has anyone ever charged the battery fully? I have gotten it to seven bars. I was just wondering if it is possible and if so, what color are the bars?

Also, what color are the bars when it gets to 1 bar?
[/b]

It will charge to 80% (maybe 78%) and that will show 8 green bars. It will discharge to 40% (or 43%) and that shows 1 "pink" bar. I have never seen "no bars" I didn't think it would do that, but I haven't run it out of gas yet. I have been down to one bar several times while climbing long steep hills and it just runs the engine and won't take anything else out of the battery. If you shut it off with only one pink bar showing it will still take what ever it needs out of the battery to get going again. I did notice when down to one bar the engine runs when you are in reverse and it starts as soon as you push the power button. I seems to know how to take care of it's self.

[mcbrunnhilde]

I'm more of a cat person than a dog person, but I have to say that Rufaro and Tumbleweed have the CUTEST pictures of their dogs!!!!

[Lil Mo]

On my 2006, the bars were purple when I went down to two bars. It quickly recovered.

[snowman83]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NuShrike @ Jun 23 2006, 02:40 PM) [snapback]275921[/snapback]</div>

Try turning our AC temperature higher to something like 77. The AC in the Prius is automatic, and will tune the compressor to "max cold" to reach your target temperature if it needs unlike normal cars where you have to set it to "max cold" usually.

You should find 77F just as comfortable. The rule for the Prius's AC is it will turn on with any temperature target setting below outside ambient, and usually add +8-10F to what you would normally like it with the AC off.

I driven comfortably in 80-102F with temperature target set to 78F (I also have tint). When I turn off AC, I immediately drop the temperature target 8F because of that weird gap.
[/b]

I agree with the statement about setting the temperature higher. When you first said that you set your temperature for 68, I thought I might have been crazy, because I always set mine for between 76 and 80 and it seems comfortable to me (even a couple days ago when it said the outside temp was 98).

In fact, many times when I first turn it on after it's been sitting in the sun, I'll disable automatic A/C so as to avoid having it blast warm air and use battery; rather, I just let it cool down more gradually and then re-enable auto A/C when it gets nearer to the desired temperature.

[Sapphra]

For my 06, the bars are green when full and I have only been down to two purple bars about 3 times. Haven't experienced one bar just yet. The battery does recover very quickly the minute traffic lets up!