1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Full charge, coast downhill -> engine runs?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by ntucker, Feb 12, 2013.

  1. Ken Blake

    Ken Blake Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2012
    351
    180
    6
    Location:
    Portland, Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Have you tried coasting in neutral? With the Toyota, state and federal incentives, the PiP isn't THAT much more than a Prius 3 (PiP base) or Prius 5 (PiP Advanced). I'm getting around 1000 miles per tank, even with the wonder PacNW winter (I'm in PDX). That's twice what an average Hybrid Prius would get.
     
  2. Tracksyde

    Tracksyde Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2011
    1,429
    761
    0
    Location:
    So Cal
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    You could put it in Neutral so that when you are going down the hill, it doesnt charge via regeneration (but that may be against the law and may also be a safety concern)
     
  3. ntucker

    ntucker Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2013
    30
    7
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Yeah, 72 degrees is pretty cushy (some might say wimpy), but that's already a compromise from the 75 certain other people like to set it to. ;) I'll give it a try though.

    I'll probably have to start a campaign to raise awareness that we're not spending gallons on miles, but on degrees. :)
     
  4. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2011
    2,652
    625
    15
    Location:
    Eau Claire, Wi.
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I think you will be suprised as to how comfy it is at 65 degrees, fan speed is the big thing, lowest setting you can stand.
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,678
    49,377
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    once you add your wife to the equation, all bets are off.:D mine drives a hycam, heat on full blast. she knew what she was getting into when we bought it. she talks about local trips and a plug in with seat heaters, but our kids have grown up and moved on.
     
  6. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2011
    2,652
    625
    15
    Location:
    Eau Claire, Wi.
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    You will find the ICE will go thru it's warm up stage and then go about 4-5 minutes in EV, then start again for about 1-2 minutes shut off and EV again for 4-5 minutes and will continue this way until you get home. :)
     
  7. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2011
    2,652
    625
    15
    Location:
    Eau Claire, Wi.
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I am lucky, My wife will not even ride with me, say's I do not know how to drive! A matter of opinon I think! :D
     
  8. ntucker

    ntucker Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2013
    30
    7
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I think you will be surprised at my wife's low tolerance for temperatures below the low-seventies. ;) I also have a convertible and there is about one week per year she's willing to ride in it with the top down.

    I think one big public perception issue with electric cars is that people just don't realize how much energy is required to heat the car itself because most cars just dump waste heat all the time. It's a bit of an eye-opener when the waste heat isn't readily available.

    Edit: it seems we've drifted the topic from complaining about going downhill to complaining about running the heater.
     
  9. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2011
    2,652
    625
    15
    Location:
    Eau Claire, Wi.
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    True sorry just trying to get you better mileage! My wife is the same way, when she has to ride with me I do turn up the heat some! Back to topic! :)
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,678
    49,377
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    my wife says the same thing, but she's right.:rolleyes:
     
  11. ntucker

    ntucker Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2013
    30
    7
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Your wife says retired4999 can't drive? Boy, his reputation gets around!
     
    babybird likes this.
  12. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2011
    2,652
    625
    15
    Location:
    Eau Claire, Wi.
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    :ROFLMAO: :eek:
     
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,678
    49,377
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    you have no idea. what til you've been around here for awhile.:whistle:
     
    retired4999 likes this.
  14. 3PriusMike

    3PriusMike Prius owner since 2000, Tesla M3 2018

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2009
    2,963
    2,314
    0
    Location:
    Silicon Valley
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    When you need to drive with someone who likes it warmer, try starting the car 3-5 minutes before you leave and turn on the seat heater.

    Mike
     
  15. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2011
    2,652
    625
    15
    Location:
    Eau Claire, Wi.
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Could always try one of these :)
    12 Volt Heated Travel Blanket


    Only $34.99
     
  16. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2005
    3,686
    699
    2
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    It's not easy on the wimpy Prius battery
     
    retired4999 likes this.
  17. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2011
    2,652
    625
    15
    Location:
    Eau Claire, Wi.
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Just so you know there are a lot of reasons the ICE will run, just a few are.

    • Why is ICE turning on when there's still battery left?
      There are any number of factors that can cause this. The manual outlines them on page 40:
      ●The heater etc. is in use.
      ●The temperature of the hybrid system is high: The vehicle has been left in the sun, driven on a hill, driven at high speeds, etc.
      ●The temperature of the hybrid system is low: The vehicle has been left in temperatures lower than about 32°F (0°C) for a long period of time etc.
      ●Power is needed temporarily, for example when accelerating suddenly.
      ●Vehicle speed is more than approximately 62 mph (100 km/h).
      ●The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
      ●The outside temperature is low (less than 14°F [-10°C])
      Bullet points 4 & 6 refer to accelerating so hard that the HSI progress bar reaches into the PWR zone.
      In addition, it will also turn on when
      ●You have driven in EV mode with no ICE usage for 200 km (~124 miles)
      ●When using the front windshield defogger and coolant temperature is too low (more on that below)
      ●When you are braking/"coasting" and the traction battery is full (see question regarding the B drive mode below)
      Relevant threads: ICE in EV Mode … Again, ICE in EV Mode, why is my ICE starting???, confused about when ICE should run?, ICE Engine ON Indicator, EV mode and my ICE kicked in., Fully charge but ICE still running?, Is there any pattern for when ICE comes on?, Is the ICE kicking on in EV mode?

    Read more: http://priuschat.com/threads/the-one-and-only-prius-plug-in-faq.118566/#ixzz2KmlQrr4D
     
  18. css28

    css28 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2012
    1,566
    442
    3
    Location:
    Suburban Detroit
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    [edit:] Sorry, I went off on a tangent. Post text removed.
     
  19. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2005
    3,686
    699
    2
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    This is a feature that I would love to see implemented in my PiP
     
    ntucker and Drake like this.
  20. ksstathead

    ksstathead Active Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2007
    1,244
    243
    0
    Location:
    Kansas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    OP, is it really burning fuel as shown on the impg? Or is it just spinning the ICE in lieu of regen due to a full battery? If the latter, no big deal; leave the charge short when you can. If burning gas for a warm up cycle solely to spin the ICE, that's seems silly.

    Don't have a PiP yet, just noticed that no one seemed to have asked this yet.
     
    ftl likes this.