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A Newbie that needs some reassurance.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Martso, Dec 22, 2009.

  1. Martso

    Martso New Member

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    Just got my Prius IV last Thursday before the big snow storm in the east. I only have thirty six miles on it and did a little local driving today. When I got in this morning I has three bars on the battery. While driving it did go up to 4 & 5 bars but when I just went to change my parking space now (I do live in NYC so we have to constantly move from one side to the other) it only has 2 bars. I will not be driving till the weekend. Is that normal to only have 2 bars? If I just do local driving how do you get it charged up? I see on some post that people say don't worry about all this and just let the car do it's thing. Should I just turn off the screen that shows the battery and not worry?
     
    #1 Martso, Dec 22, 2009
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Only if you find you can't watch it do its thing, and not worry.

    If all you did was accelerate full throttle, you would want it always full, if all you did was brake going down hills you would always want it empty, in real life it varies.

    Have fun with your New Car!

    :welcome:
     
    #2 JimboPalmer, Dec 22, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  3. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    The only thing you should "worry" about is if you get the warning lights. In which case, take it in to the dealer. Otherwise, just enjoy the ride.
     
    #3 spiderman, Dec 22, 2009
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  4. bestmapman

    bestmapman 04, 07 ,08, 09, 10, 16, 21 Prime

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    It is fine. Not to worry, 2-3 bars is common depending on your driving circumstances.
     
    #4 bestmapman, Dec 22, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  5. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
    Staff Member

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    This reminds me of someone who posted a while back about how the dealer had drained their battery. The rant went something along the lines of "what were they doing to my car that drained the battery?!"

    The response was that if you move your car from spot to spot a few times like a dealer does you will see the battery level drop.

    So your situation reminds me of that where you say that you have to move it from spot to spot. I wouldn't worry about it.

    And congrats on the new Prius!
     
    #5 TonyPSchaefer, Dec 22, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  6. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    Change from the Energy screen to the Consumption screen and you will never have to worry about how many bars are showing on the battery. The Energy screen is just eye candy. Let the car do its thing with the battery and don't worry about it.
     
    #6 firepa63, Dec 22, 2009
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  7. going red baby!

    going red baby! still a n00b

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    A few days ago I was stuck in bumper to bumper traffic and tried to put the car into EV mode and got a message saying my battery was too low to use EV! I was wondering if I had to intentionally use inefficient driving techniques just to get it charged back up. I kept trying to drive efficiently and eventually it got recharged no problem. I did think it a bit odd when that happened though.
     
    #7 going red baby!, Dec 23, 2009
  8. lenjack

    lenjack Active Member

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    The car's computers will keep the battery between 40% to 80% state of charge, no matter how you drive.
     
    #8 lenjack, Dec 23, 2009
  9. spinkao

    spinkao New Member

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    :welcome:and congrats to your new car! As others said, don't worry, it's completely normal. Just let the car do it's thing, as you said yourself :).
     
    #9 spinkao, Dec 23, 2009
  10. ctmurray

    ctmurray Member

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    I have to say my newe gen IV showed the same behavior for a few days, but now seems to be in a steady state and not fluctuating. I have a gen II where I did not see (or notice) this behavior when new. So I too would say - give it a few days but don't worry too much. Maybe take a medium length trip.
     
    #10 ctmurray, Dec 23, 2009
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