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Car in neutral while running

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by DWJM2513, Jan 12, 2019.

  1. DWJM2513

    DWJM2513 Junior Member

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    I don't know much about these CVT transmissions but is it okay to set the parking brake and put the transmission in neutral just to keep the engine running for heat in the winter?

    SM-N960U ?
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no, you'll kill the battery. just press park
     
    #2 bisco, Jan 12, 2019
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2019
  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Why do you need to put it in neutral? Can't you just leave it in park?

    The HV battery does not charge in neutral
     
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  4. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    You would be better off in park. The Prius cannot charge the big battery in N, and it is nontrivial to find a charger if you run it down.
     
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  5. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    You are fooling yourself.

    N is there for towing ONLY.....and pushing when EVERYTHING is dead.

    Either D or P would be better, since theoretically the engine NEVER runs in N.
     
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  6. DWJM2513

    DWJM2513 Junior Member

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    Actually it does. It will stay running in N and will shut off when I put it in Park

    SM-N960U ?
     
  7. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Can't stress it enough -- do NOT leave it in neutral. Put it in park so the engine can charge the traction battery as needed.
     
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  8. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    a rare moment of PriusChat unanimity
     
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    give it time :cool:
     
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  10. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    …I seem to remember someone else saying the same about the current Cirque du Washington! :whistle::whistle::rolleyes:;)
     
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  11. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    It's complex.
    The engine can neither start or stop in N. So if it is already running, it can't stop and does not charge the big battery, it just produces hot water.
    If it is not running when you put it in N, it will stay off and the HV Battery will run down.

    In the US, Toyota is required by law to have an N mode. You just never want to use it.*

    *If you want to test your friction brakes, you might use N. If you want to make it about 75% of the way through a car wash that pulls your car, you could start in N, the car wash owner will not be happy. The other users will not be happy. You will not be happy.
     
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  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    prius will produce heat in 'park', with the engine starting and stopping to maintain water temp.
     
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  13. landspeed

    landspeed Active Member

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    It has been said, but : If you leave it in neutral, the high-voltage battery *cannot* be charged. If the car is powered up, the high-voltage battery will discharge to keep all the computers running etc.

    Once it is discharged, you need to get the car trailered to a Toyota dealer. Give the dealer advance warning, as they need to, in advance, get one of the few chargers in the country couriered out to them. They can then charge your HV battery up. It will cost a lot of time, also money.

    Please heed the advice of the people above. If you need heat, leave it in 'Park', with engine running (or not). Apply 'footbrake' / 'parking brake'. It will even be more economical, as the engine will stop/ start based upon the need for hot air from the heaters.
     
  14. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    N is for towing a Prius? Where did this delusion come from?

    A Prius should be towed only with the front wheels off the ground. When the car is dead, it is automatically in Park, and it takes very special actions to disengage that Park pawl. But even then, it mustn't be towed with the wheels on the ground, unless one intends to cause transaxle or engine damage.
     
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  15. DWJM2513

    DWJM2513 Junior Member

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    True, but if the engine works like it should, it'll pump the water through the radiator while running to cool the engine just as if it was a regular car engine running all the time

    SM-N960U ?
     
  16. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    While I am not an expert, from everything I've seen discussed that sounds like a major problem.
    There is no practical reason for the engine to run in Neutral.

    (edit) Except for a design "quirk" that has been explained, causing it to stay ON if it already is running when the shift to N is made.
     
  17. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    So.....what IS the recommended procedure for properly going through a car wash like that ??
    I have been just switching to N and getting away with it. Just lucky, I guess.
     
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  18. oldtechaa

    oldtechaa Active Member

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    This is exactly why you should leave it in Park. If you absolutely need as much heat as possible, set the temperature to max with the car in Park, and the car will handle when it needs to turn the engine on or off. Or if you want a specific temperature, set the thermostat to that temp and your engine will run even less.
     
  19. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Or the battery in the C copes better than the Battery in the Gen 2?

    My advice is to not use car washes that want you in N.
     
  20. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Gee thanks, that really helps a LOT.......since most all of them near me work that way.
    :(