When should gas engine start?

I know. AWD does give you confidence. We had a RAV 4 for a couple of years. It was great in the snow but the gas bill was high. It always gave 22 mpg regardless. I pumped the tires up. I got rid of all the weight in the RAV it still got 22 mpg.

Let's hope the 2016 Prius will have AWD as an option. That would be an awesome thing to have in the snow.

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Did you get the fully loaded Prius? I think I am going to with my next purchase down the line I am wondering how well that solar top is, or is it a gimmick? Heard it turns on the AC when it gets hot and turns on the heat when it gets cold

 

No sir, I have a Gen II 2004 Package #9. It has it all. I never thought I would use bluetooth or the GPS but I really have.

Everything still works, no failures anywhere. Now that is engineering at its finest.

I think the solar fan is a good idea but its also a bit of a gimmick.I mean if it's that hot in the car, drop the windows until the A/C catches up.JTM


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When the engine coolant temperature is below 68F (or 20C), my engine always starts within about 15 seconds of powering on. It cannot be defeated by the EV switch.

This is the U.S. threshold temperature, most other countries get a lower threshold.

 

In the US, it's all about lowering emissions. The hotter the engine, the more complete the combustion will be.

I learned that the coolant temp has got to be 158 degrees or more for the computer to say the engine is at operational temperature.

That's part of the reason US cars GenII have the thermo storage tank. Warm coolant uses less energy to heat back up. And it means faster warming to operational temp

This above translates to better fuel economy. JTM


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I sold my Rex and bought my Prius used from my parents so I didn't have much choice on options wish they got the navi. I've seen some after markets that look like oem but wasn't sure how well it was. I guess I'll just use waze on my iPhone.

 

Yes the iPhone does a nice job. I have an Android LG G3 and it does great. Just say ok google and it works. Bluetooth works iPhone but will not transfer contacts. Android does this no problem. JTM
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I can get my iPhone to sync to the radio but having the gps and everything in the car to me seems like a complete package lol

 

The solar roof model works a little differently than you imagine.

If the "fan switch" for this system has been turned on before you shut off the car, and the sun is shining on the panel, after about 5 minutes of the car being turned off, and the ambient temp above about 70F, the panel will power the cars ventilation fan. It pulls air in the cowl vents to the interior and exhausts it out the back, unless you have left the windows or sunroof open a bit, then the air exits there. The A/C cooling does not function automatically. This system does not work once the car is put in "ready", though it does continue to work if you open a door and get in, or just stay in the car without putting it in "ready".

On the remote there is an "A/C" button. If you approach the car (the remote has a range of about 50 ft or so) and press the "A/C" button, the A/C cooling will start, even though the car is not in "ready". It will not run for very long, as it's running on the "traction battery" (the 200V one), which has limited capacity. My guess is it could run for maybe 2-5 minutes, though I never use it so I don't know for sure.

BTW, if you have the sunroof/solar roof, and leave the sunroof open a bit, the car will warn you when you try to walk away.

 

(David already covered the AC side.)

No, it doesn't turn on the heat in cold weather.

 

Wonder if Gen IV Prius will still have this option?

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I hope so...

 

I am anxiously awaiting the next Gen Prius. It may be the last new car I will buy, but I will keep my Gen II until they pry my cold, dead hand from the wheel.

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