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ICE running when gliding at Iow speeds.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Michael Hopgood, Sep 24, 2012.

  1. Michael Hopgood

    Michael Hopgood New Member

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    Hi there!
    Bought my prius 2008 about six weeks ago. My commute takes about five to ten minutes and involves dropping the kids off at school. My mileage is 6.1 l per 100 Km. Not great but half of what my Saab takes.
    I can often glide the Prius with ICE off shortly after starting the car. However, I have noticed that
    sometimes the ICE won't switch off after gliding down from higher speeds.

    Case in point.
    10 minute journey. Car fairly warm from previous journey. First a 90 Kmph Stretch. Glide down to 50 for a roundabout then a 70 with a long glide downhill to a traffic light. Next stretch is a 50 a glide to another roundabout the only this time the ICE remains on and I have 1.8 l per100 km. I can switch to the EV mode and drive but the engine comes if I change modes.

    Since my commute has a 70 Stretch followed by a 50 I notice this a lot.what is going on?
    Why can I glide from a higher speed but Then not from a lower speed Immediately afterwards?
     
    #1 Michael Hopgood, Sep 24, 2012
  2. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    The ability to run electric only depends on many factors.

    Numbers 1 and two being the most important.
    (1) The engine (ICE) temperature.
    (2) the state of charge of the high voltage battery (the number of blue / green bars on the battery display) should be at least 5 blue bars
    (3)How much you press the gas pedal (a very light touch is needed) but first you must take your foot all the way off the pedal then very gently re apply.

    Do not be tempted into using EV mode unless you are just moving the car a short distance such as in your drive way eg putting the car in the garage at night or moving it out of the way. Using EV on the road can actually use more petrol as the ICE has to recharge it.

    Do a search on how to hyper mile this will give you all the information you need to know.
     
    #2 Britprius, Sep 24, 2012
  3. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    Hi Michael, you've discover the annoyance of "hybrid stage 3". Yes it's true, once the Gen2 Prius has warmed up to "stage 3", it will only glide (engine off) if you commence the glide from 56 km/hr or greater! Otherwise, as you've found, it keeps the engine running.:cry:

    Here's the trick to get to "stage 4". Stop while the engine is running and let it idle for 7 to 10 second, until the engine cuts out. Amazingly now you can continue driving and it will behave completely differently. Alternatively if you've stopped with the engine off, hold your foot on the brake and jab the accelerator to make then engine start. Again wait 7 to 10 seconds until it cuts out and you'll be in "stage 4".
     
    #3 uart, Sep 24, 2012
  4. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    #4 uart, Sep 24, 2012
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