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2018 Prius Prime - Remote Engine Start

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by SydneyNJ, May 23, 2019.

  1. SydneyNJ

    SydneyNJ Junior Member

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    Hello,

    I'm new to this forum.

    I recently purchased a 2018 Prius Prime Advanced. I have been shopping around for a remote engine starter. The local (NJ) Toyota dealers do not provide this service. I called around and was quoted between $250 - $450 to get one installed. Per the manual, the car starts in EV mode if battery level is sufficient. Otherwise the gas engine will kick in. Here's my question: has anyone in this forum who has a remote engine starter installed and when you start the car, it starts in gas engine mode? I'm getting mixed answers and some professional installers said, however your car starts, that how the remote starter will start as well. Ideally I want the remote starter to start in EV mode all year around EXCEPT in winter months.

    Anyone can share some experience with what I'm looking to do?

    Thanks
     
  2. heiwa

    heiwa Active Member

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    I'm guessing that you want the remote engine start to preheat the cabin in winter. If this is the case, you can simply use phone app to turn on the remote climate. I cannot think of any reason to need a remote engine start. Is this something one needs in cold climate?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  3. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    My understanding is that for PRIME you can not start ICE while the charge cable is plugged in. I thought about installing a remote engine start to start the ICE remotely to warm-up the cabin during severe cold in winter (below 14F) when the heat pump is not effective, but since I do daily charge at night, and car has the charge cord attached in the morning when I need to start the car remotely. It defeat the purpose if I have to go outside and unplug the cord before remotely starting the engine. Thus I never installed it. There are a few in PC who had remote engine starter installed on their PRIME. They may chime in to answer your specific questions.
     
    heiwa likes this.
  4. EyePrime

    EyePrime Active Member

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    If it's to cold or too hot the remote climate will not work

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  5. SydneyNJ

    SydneyNJ Junior Member

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    During Winter months, I simply want to warm up the car for about 5-8 mins before I go out. I don't
    need to preheat the cabin. Though I do want to defrost the windshield but not 100% needed.

    So has anyone successfully have a remote engine starter installed on a 2018 Prius Prime?
     
  6. SydneyNJ

    SydneyNJ Junior Member

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    By the way, one of the professional installers said to me that he could program the module to send a signal
    which is equivalent of me pressing the "EV/HV" button to trigger the gas engine. As I said before, for the 2018
    Prime, when you "Push Start" -> car starts in EV by design (unless your battery is close to empty). Then if you
    push the "EV/HV" button -> it goes into hybrid mode. If temperature is low, gas engine will kick in. He said he
    could program the module to simulate these events.

    Anyone heard of this? True/False?
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if you leave the heat and fan on, the engine will come on and heat up the cabin, regardless of the mode.

    however, as sk mentions above, it will only work if you're not plugged in. the car will not start with the cable connected for safety reasons.

    there is a member here who is trying to figure a workaround, but so far, after looking at wiring and software and asking a million questions, he has not had any luck.
     
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  8. SydneyNJ

    SydneyNJ Junior Member

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    bisco: i never have my charging cable plugged to the power inlet on the car overnight.

    So from what you're and SK are saying, sounds like it will work as long as I leave the heat/fan "ON"
    when I shut off the car. Then next morning, when I remote start the car (regardless of EV, HV or EV AUTO)
    I had it when I shut it off. Right??
     
  9. Washingtonian

    Washingtonian Senior Member

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    To clarify things, the Prime has a gasoline engine and a DC motor. So the OP wants to remotely start the engine and not the motor. Is that correct? If so, why? If I were to do that, it seems like I would have an excellent chance of filling my garage and eventually my house with carbon monoxide.
     
  10. SydneyNJ

    SydneyNJ Junior Member

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    My car is parked on the driveway outside.

    I want the gas engine to start when I remote start it during winter months.
     
  11. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    I think this is the case for too cold only. There is no hot limit that I am aware of (the A/C is designed to work up to very high temperatures - i.e. Phoenix in August). The 2018 owner manual (page 511) mentions only that "the system may not start when the outside termperature is very low", with no similar note for high temperatures.
     
  12. SydneyNJ

    SydneyNJ Junior Member

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    Seems like there are difficulties or technical challenges for this 2018 Prime when it comes to starting the car vai a remote engine starter.

    Of all the cars I've owned, I always had remote installed (2008 Nissan 350z, 2009 Lexus RX350, 2008 Lexus CT200h (hybrid)
    and 2017 Lexus RX350). This is the first time I bought a PHEV - 2018 Prius Prime). I still have my CT200h. During winter months
    when the temp outside is cold, it starts the gas engine when I remote start it. The car automatically determines the outside
    temperature. After the car is "warmed up", the gas engine shuts off but the car is still "ON". So i'll go out; get in and go.
    That's it unless there's ice on windshield, then I have to scrape it.

    I am going to stop in at the dealer and talk to the techs and see what they say.
     
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  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    perhaps the o/p's car is parked outside
     
  14. SydneyNJ

    SydneyNJ Junior Member

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    Sorry what's "o/p's"? :)
     
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    original poster, you!(y)
     
  16. SydneyNJ

    SydneyNJ Junior Member

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    Maybe one option is never charge the traction battery during the winter months. That'll definitely
    fire up the gas engine when I remote start it. In addition, charging may take longer when temp is low
    and the battery gets "discharged" when parked outside at night. Not sure what the right technical term
    is but you're probably know what I mean. So it's isn't efficient to use the traction battery in winter season.
     
  17. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Are you saying you want "warm-up" the engine (ICE) but don't need to preheat the cabin? Why??? Modern car's engine needs no warm-up, especially PRIUS. If it's not for pre-heating the cabin, you would be just wasting gas.
     
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  18. SydneyNJ

    SydneyNJ Junior Member

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    Oh, really? I didn't know modern cars don't need the initial warm up even in frigid temps.
    I know, on my 2008 Lexus CT200h, if I start the car and drive away without letting the
    engine run for say at least 5 mins in cold temps, I can feel the car is working "harder" and
    i can feel it on my foot while stepping on the gas pedal. It's hard to explain.
     
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    better to drive gently until it warms a little if you can. if you have a charge, you can drive ev while the engine warms up.
     
  20. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    There is no need to start the engine to preheat the cabin. The Prime uses an electric heat pump to heat the cabin.