Energy Bars

[LYLUVLY]

I am trying to ascertain as to what happens to the energy bars.
This is in regards to the operation of the EV mode.
When I come back home for the final time of the day, I may have anywhere from 3 to 10 energy bars on the MFD screen. The next time I start the Prius, there are no more energy bars. When this happens, I cannot operate the EV mode on the turn signal stalk. How do I compensate for this problem. ANYONE? help !!
Here are supporting fotos of my questions:
[attachmentid=11007][attachmentid=11008][attachmentid=11009][attachmentid=11010]

I rarely get any more than 3 to 5 energy bars, unless its a long drive on the fwy. Is this normal?
Thanks to anyone who can explain or help out, so that I can test out the EV mode, which requires 3 or more energy bars before its operational.

[mgipe]

Those aren't energy bars. They show the five-minute average gas mileage values for the last thirty minutes since turning on the car. The little car icons within the bar do show energy, specifically the energy that was regenerated and returned to the battery by braking or coasting.

Here's what happens: Turn on the car. The screen shows no bars. Drive for five minutes. The right-most bar shows the average gas mileage for those five minutes. Drive for another five minutes. The original bar moves one place to the left, and the right-most bar now shows the average gas mileage for the most recent five minutes. After thirty five minutes, the original bar drops off the left. If the car regenerates energy during the five minute interval, a car icon will show up for each 50 wh regenerated. This continues as you drive until you turn off the car. Starting the car again starts you over from the beginning with blank bars.

These do not affect the ability to use EV mode. EV mode may be affected by the battery state-of-charge (SOC), which is shown on the other INFO screen. On this screeen, at right center, there is an SOC display which shows zero to eight horizontal bars in purple, blue, or green. I believe that one bar means approximately 40% charge, and eight bars means 80% charge. If the battery charge level is too low, EV mode should not be enabled.

Note: edited to correct zero bar misinformation.

[Danny Hamilton]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mgipe @ Aug 29 2007, 05:30 PM) [snapback]503998[/snapback]</div>

EV mode may be affected by the battery state-of-charge (SOC), which is shown on the other INFO screen. . . . .
[/b]

The posted photographs are of the "Consumption" screen.

The other screen (the one with the battery "energy bars") is the "Energy" screen.

To see the "Energy" screen, press that [ENERGY] button in the bottom left corner of the "Consumption" screen in the picture that is posted.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mgipe @ Aug 29 2007, 05:30 PM) [snapback]503998[/snapback]</div>

. . . .I believe that zero bars means 20% charge, and eight bars means 80% charge. If the battery charge level is too low, EV mode should not be enabled.
[/b]

I agree with the top end being 80%, I've heard that as well. However, I was of the impression that the low end was 40%. Am I mistaken?

[mgipe]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Danny Hamilton @ Aug 29 2007, 03:42 PM) [snapback]504005[/snapback]</div>

I agree with the top end being 80%, I've heard that as well. However, I was of the impression that the low end was 40%. Am I mistaken?
[/b]

You're probably right. I knew it didn't sound right when I wrote it!

[mgipe]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mgipe @ Aug 29 2007, 04:00 PM) [snapback]504012[/snapback]</div>

You're probably right. I knew it didn't sound right when I wrote it!
[/b]

Umm. Actually, 40% is ONE bar. I'm not really sure what zero bars means.

[hobbit]

The energy bars disappear because they're yummy, and the kids in the
back like to eat them. That's why they have so much energy.
.
_H*

[LYLUVLY]

I understand what you are talking of.
I will send picture of the other screen next time.
It still remains that I cannot innervate the EV mode, very often.
Does that mean my soc has always been low? and thats why I cannot get into the EV mode?
Thanks for explaining.

[treehggr]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hobbit @ Aug 29 2007, 04:16 PM) [snapback]504017[/snapback]</div>

The energy bars disappear because they're yummy, and the kids in the
back like to eat them. That's why they have so much energy.
.
_H*
[/b]

For some reason I found that extremely funny.

[LYLUVLY]

here is a picture of the Energy screen. It looks like the soc is less than 50% and I just put in 20miles
on the freeway. Should it not be fully charged?
[attachmentid=11019]

[D0li0]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(LYLUVLY @ Aug 29 2007, 06:52 PM) [snapback]504088[/snapback]</div>

here is a picture of the Energy screen. It looks like the soc is less than 50% and I just put in 20miles
on the freeway. Should it not be fully charged?
[/b]

See http://www.eaa-phev.org/wiki/Toyota_Prius_Battery_Specs for an explanation of the SOC% that the 8 battery bars represent. per http://www.eaa-phev.org/wiki/Image:KevinSOC.jpg It appears that 4 of 8 bars could have a value as low as 49% SOC which would not allow entry into EV-Mode. The Prius tends to like to keep the battery at about 60-65% (63% I think), which would be 6 of the 8 bars. It isn't "normal" for the two last green bars to be lit up unless you just finished regenning down a long hill... If the end of your drive includes an uphill climb to your house or perhaps a lot of low speed stealth mode then the SOC may be low when you park it. Using EV-Mode can lower the SOC to 45% (2/8 or 3/8 bars), and EV-Mode won't enguage unless it's above 50% (normally 4/8 bars). There are other things such as battery temperature which will disallow ev-mode entry. BTW, using the EV-Mode won't necessarily improve mileage, but is more prone to decrees mileage, and could shorten the lifespan of the battery if used to often and/or to liberally. Though it is still a handy feature if used properly for quick moves over short distances, to lower the SOC prior to a large regen opportunity, showing off to friends, etc...