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

Can't get into EV mode

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by goalblue, Aug 3, 2013.

  1. goalblue

    goalblue Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2013
    13
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Just bought a 2010 Prius IV and loving the car.

    Minor annoyance, but wondering why it's so difficult to get the car to enter or stay in EV mode.

    When I'm able to get into EV mode, it often beeps that it's leaving EV mode due to excessive speed, but I'm often doing barely 10 mph when this happens. I was under the impression that I could do up to 25 mph. Yesterday, I was floating at 8 mph and it said that was excessive speed.

    More often, though, I can't even get into EV mode. It says "EV mode currently unavailable" and I have no idea why. Doesn't matter if I'm not moving or if I'm driving slowly.
     
    #1 goalblue, Aug 3, 2013
  2. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2004
    12,755
    5,245
    57
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Long story short, the emission system is not warmed up yet.

    There are countless threads on this topic,
    but that's all you really get to know.

    If you want detail, get an aftermarket gauge and watch coolant temperature for the engine.
     
    #2 john1701a, Aug 3, 2013
  3. g4_power

    g4_power Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2013
    105
    13
    0
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    I
    Temperature and battery's SOC will affect whether you could get into EV mode and at what point you get kicked out of it. My suggestion is that you don't use EV mode except for a couple of situations. For me, about the only time I use it is when I'm entering a busy parking lot or trying to leave.
     
    #3 g4_power, Aug 3, 2013
  4. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2009
    1,302
    295
    0
    Location:
    California - SF Bay area
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Don't worry - The Prius can only use EV mode in vary limited situations. You will get you best MPG by letting the car decide when to use EV. Remember that the car is smarter than you are.
     
    #4 xpcman, Aug 3, 2013
    Newpriusdanni, Former Member 68813 and Mendel Leisk like this.
  5. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2010
    3,524
    981
    8
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    OP: It's not just you, it applies to most of us, LOL.
     
    #5 Former Member 68813, Aug 3, 2013
  6. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,398
    15,524
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    I've found EV mode to be useful moving around in a parking lot but otherwise, not worth the effort.

    If you want some EV time, there are better options.

    Good luck!
    Bob Wilson
     
    #6 bwilson4web, Aug 3, 2013
  7. goalblue

    goalblue Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2013
    13
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    How do I let the car decide?
     
    #7 goalblue, Aug 4, 2013
  8. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2013
    1,740
    446
    4
    Location:
    New Mexico, USA
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    N/A
    Suggest starting with the manual. The "EV" light on the power meter comes on when the ICE shuts off. Watch this and learn when it happens, and how to "encourage" it.
     
    #8 rdgrimes, Aug 4, 2013
  9. g4_power

    g4_power Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2013
    105
    13
    0
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    I

    Leave the car in "ECO" or normal mode. The car will decide based on how hard you press the accelerator.
     
    #9 g4_power, Aug 4, 2013
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)