lag time between systems when starting Prius

never. i have 'ready' in less than a second. what do you mean by second engine kicks in?

 

how long have you had it, has something changed?

 

I am not sure what you are even describing...

Car is OFF. No lights, nothing.
Press the brake pedal.
Press the Start button.
Hear 1 click - current limiting startup relay for the HV battery
Hear 2nd click - regular HV relay (1st relay also disconnects with a click but very shortly afterwards)
Car is now READY.
Shift into D/R.
No matter what "gear" you are in (P/R/D/B ), the gas engine (ICE) will start at most 7 seconds after READY. However, the car is fully drivable before this. If your battery charge is low, the engine will kick on sooner. Same with if the HVAC settings require it.

If this is not happening, then take a video of the start sequence and post it.

 

it could be that you don't understand how a hybrid works. however, when you put your foot on the brake and press power, the ready light should come on within a few seconds and you should be able to shift into drive and go, regardless of when the engine kicks on. the engine is independent of the drive system in terms of whether it is running or not. if you cannot shift into drive until much longer than a few seconds, a trip to the dealer is just what the car doctor ordered. all the best!

 

You don't need to wait for the engine to start. After power up, there is about a two-second wait for the car to be "Ready", at which point you can shift into D or R and drive away. The engine will turn on later when it needs to.

Tom

 

make sure you are not stabbing the start button too quickly,
press it and hold it for 1 second.
if you stab it too quick it can confuse the car.

 

As mentioned above try holding your foot on the brake (firmly) and holding the start button for one second (or even 1/2 a second is ok but don't just "stab" it).. Then keep your foot on the brake and wait 2 to 3 seconds before you try to put it into "D" (or "R" as the case may be). It should go straight in, but do wait for that couple of seconds until you hear the "ready" beep before you try to shift into gear and keep your foot on the brake.

 

wow.. a true newbie.. how exciting

as people have mentioned.. and ill repeat just to beat this dead horse (where did that icon go anyway...) (i'll skip it... don't care to reach for the mouse...)

driving a prius 101:

jump in.. press break.. press start button.

dash says "ready"

u: Go

Prius: starts out on electricity

u: where's the gas engine.. did i break it?...

Prius: decided a warm-up cycle is needed, and starts up the Internal Combustion Engine.. or ICE for short... (motor refers to the electric motors)

u: this prius engine finally kicked on (u should be driving at this point)

Prius: reduces load on the ICE so it can warm up without any real pressure or load on it... runs ICE a little higher to keep electric feedback high... or to keep battery State of Charge or SOC for short topped off (which is only really ~%80) (it will drop... should drop every warmup cycle.. will go back up too)

u: stopping at the nearest stop light.. over 30 seconds away or so.. and over 10 mph or so in speed to get there. (i've seen different data on this)

Prius: gas engine warmed, check. speed achieved, check. break pedal fully depressed at this stop light or sign, check... i'll switch the ICE out of warmup cycle, and shut it off. i'll also re instate the ICE's carrying load and work on filling the battery back up to 6 bars.

u: depending on if you're sitting in the garage still:
about time this thing works
or
cool, the warmup cycle is done, and i NEVER have to sit around and wait for it since my car is better than that...


one of the joys of owning this car is the joy of walking to your car the same time as everyone else.. but jumping in your car and driving off instantly without causing damage as it's designed to handle itself and it's warmup, charge, cooling, and any other cycle you can possibly think of. the rest of this car is just as smart..

it's smarter and stronger than you think... i've tested it.. it way too many ways (specially durability of the drivetrain and chassis)

 

where you at, lizmariecat? did u go 2 the dealer? how are you making out?

 

Wait, what? You mean it takes 30-60 seconds before the "READY" light comes on? If so then that requires a trip to a dealer, because something is wrong.

As soon as the READY light is on you can drive. You do not have to wait for the engine to start.

If you do not have a copy of the Owner's Manual for the correct year then buy a copy from a dealer. It's full of info that you need to know.