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The one and only Prius Plug-in FAQ!

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by lensovet, Nov 24, 2012.

  1. kaiotes

    kaiotes Junior Member

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    really stupid question.
    how do i open the door to plugin my charger?
    I got more questions to follow but right now this is one that i would like to know so i can charge it for the first time
    dealer told me to push the door. it does not work.
     
  2. Lourun

    Lourun Member

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    A little gentle push on the rear facing part of the door should do it.
     
  3. kaiotes

    kaiotes Junior Member

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    omg
    i'm an idiot
    i been trying to open the GAS DOOR
    just had someone at work show me
     
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  4. kaiotes

    kaiotes Junior Member

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    i have been driving my car for a few days. I have noticed that the acceleration of the vehicle is VERY lacking.
    I dont even have much charge using mainly gas and well when i try to step my pedal past the half way bar of the hybrid system indicator, it doesn't accelerate much. Even when the meter goes past the EV towards PWR it is pretty weak. I would have to step my pedal all the way down to PWR for it to act more like a normal car. Is there something wrong w the way i'm driving? I"m not expecting this to have much acceleration but something more 'normal'?. When I have to climb up an on ramp with a small incline, it is pretty hard without without having to floor it
     
  5. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    Try the normal mode or power mode see if that works better.
    I'm guessing you are in eco mode which is good for gas mileage, for better response try power mode.
     
  6. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    That's what you are suppose to do.

    The smooooth of the cvt combined with the thought the power should be avoided is a common misleader for new owners.

    Go ahead, press hard on the pedal.
     
  7. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    Also, keep in mind it shouldn't feel quite as powerful as a "normal" car. This is a MPG beast, not a race car.
     
  8. lensovet

    lensovet former BP Brigade 207

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    in my experience, driving in HV mode, acceleration from stoplights forces me into the PWR section 95% of the time.
    in EV mode, I can stay away from it but have to watch the bar to avoid unintentional engine startup.
     
  9. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    To be fair, it is only your foot that is forcing you into the PWR section, nothing else.
     
  10. lensovet

    lensovet former BP Brigade 207

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    Well, I'm trying not to be an donkey to other drivers too :)
    But I do think it's a bit weird that the "scale" for the power bar is different between the two modes.
     
  11. Astolat

    Astolat Member

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    Sorry, don't check this thread often and forgot I had posted. Yes, even an idiot like me can understand it now, thanks!
     
  12. pbceng

    pbceng Junior Member

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    Hi all. I've recently (end of September) traded in my '06 152k miles gen 2 Prius for a PiP in the UK. I wanted a full EV but apart from the Tesla Model S there isn't one that will cope in any reasonable fashion with my regular trips. I initially discounted the PiP because of it's low EV range, but when I worked the numbers out against an Ampera (Volt) and a BMW i3 REX it came out with the lowest running costs - the i3 worked out lower for my daily commute, but not the regular longer ones and the Ampera also came out cheaper on my regular commute but only with charging at work. Every other trip worked out more expensive. The PiP also came in cheaper due to a friendly dealer.

    I finally have a home charging point but am rarely able to charge away from home. For the first couple of months I used a custom high amp extension cable and a power monitoring plug - full charge with depleted batted came in at a pretty consistent 2.9kW (240V AC supply) using the supplied cable. I'm pretty sure the. At display showed something like 2.3kW charge when I first had the car and was charging via an extension lead, but on the installed charger it's now reading 1.9kW - I can't monitor any data from the charging point (yet) but am guessing it may be due to lower temperatures.

    Indicated EV range has dropped from about 13.5 miles when I first got the car to about 10.5 now, but again I think that's down to the drop in temperature. My EV usage is approx 10% at the moment.

    I've read some of the discussion here with interest and will be experimenting as time permits. If I can find the time I'll try tapping into the CAN bus and see what I can dig out.

    Thanks for all the interesting posts
     
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  13. pbceng

    pbceng Junior Member

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    Slight typo - the bit on charging should have read - "full charge with depleted battery came in at a pretty consistent 2.9kWh (240V AC supply) using the supplied cable"
     
  14. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    Perfect! :)
     
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    congrats on your new pip, all the best!(y)
     
  16. resoh02

    resoh02 Member

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    It seems every one is hyped up on a plugin Prius, the question I have if everyone gets a plug in what will it do to our electrical grid which is already strained. The rates for electric will sky rocket. We get off one thing (gas) then electric. I still think that the standard prius hybrid is the best answer. I owned a 2006 and now I have a 2010 and still love it.
     
  17. DadofHedgehog

    DadofHedgehog Active Member

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    Plug-in drivers are almost guaranteed to charge every day at night, when general electric power demand is the lowest. IMHO this is a perfect example of helping to "balance the load" on the regional grid, because late night charging uses already built and partly amortized electrical grid components at the times of their least utilization. Now, if we all plugged in to charge at noon every day in August, then yes, I'd agree with you.
     
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  18. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    This is a nonsense rant in the completely wrong thread from a closed minded one.
     
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  19. RicCorless

    RicCorless Junior Member

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  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    do you have a pip?