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Gas engine comes on

Discussion in 'Prime Technical Discussion' started by Richard Pace, Apr 2, 2019.

  1. Richard Pace

    Richard Pace New Member

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    The gas engine always comes on when it is around 30 degrees F and I have driven 1.9 miles. Why does this happen? The battery is full and everything is set to the most efficient mode. Prius Prime 2018.
     
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  2. Blauer Glimmer

    Blauer Glimmer Active Member

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    Are you going up a hill and/or accelerating at that point? If I am using a particular on-ramp to the highway, the same thing happens to me in cooler temps.
     
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!
    prime is not meant to drive in pure ev at all times. in colder weather, engine starting at a particular point in a commute usually means a change in speed and/or topography
     
  4. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    And use of defroster will instantly turn on ICE. There are other situation not mentioned in the manual but Toyota engineers thought it would be best for the car to turn on the ICE.

    ice on.png
     
  5. lllars

    lllars Junior Member

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  6. zorrobyte

    zorrobyte New Member

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    You have to keep in mind that Lithium Ion batteries aren't primarily designed for cold weather operation. Charging a lithium battery at freezing temperatures will permanently damage it which is exactly why Toyota installed battery heaters in the pack. Additionally, this is why the AWD model uses NiCAD cells for colder weather.

    Leaving ethanol-blended fuel inside a gas tank for too long is also bad news, ethanol absorbs moisture and can crystallize. Personally, I don't mind my engine burning some fuel every now and then to keep my fuel fresh.

    Lastly, while the heat pump heater can work in colder temperatures, engine coolant is still the best bet for HVAC operation below freezing.

    If you live in a cold climate with below freezing temperatures year round, you should have bought the AWD NiCAD model, or at least have a heated garage to maximize efficiency.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    but doesn't heating your garage so your car will be more efficient waste energy?

    (unless you're going to sleep out there:))
     
  8. lllars

    lllars Junior Member

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    Yeah, the awd model definitely would have been more practical for us, as we live up a dirt road in snowy vermont. But... not practical enough to compete with $10,500 worth of incentives on the prime ;-)
     
  9. HPrimeAdvanced

    HPrimeAdvanced Senior Member

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    Doesn't everyone sleep in their garage! I do so to watch over my "baby", to make sure she's safe and comfortable!
    And what's this 14° nonsense; I've never heard of such a thing; isn't it always 60° to 100°?!!

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
    AChoiredTaste.com
     
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  10. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    Is there such a climate other than Antarctica?
     
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  11. lextoy

    lextoy Active Member

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    i live live in a cold climate with below freezing temperatures year round,
    its called marriage ;)
    thats why i sleep in the garage. with my sexy new "primesse"
    and
    thats where the beer fridge is !!!
     
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  12. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    True except there are no models with NiCAD. They are either Li-ion (Lithium-Ion) or NiMh (Nickel Metal Hydride).