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Driving Prius Prime 80% on electric

Discussion in 'Prime Plug-in Charging' started by Jay1900, Jul 3, 2019.

  1. Jay1900

    Jay1900 New Member

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    Plug-in Base
    Hi Members,

    I have 2018 Prius Prime plus, I have driven 13000 miles, 80% of those on electric, my questions are:

    1) Is 80% EV driving bad for my battery and will it violate battery warranty in any way?
    2) Can I do oil change only once a year(or less frequent that 1year) since car is driven mostly electric?

    I drive optimally so my practical range is around 36mile on a full charge and so far it is keeping up, fingrse crossed
     
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  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    1. No. The Prime is meant to be driven in EV mode and charged each day.

    2. Isn’t that the scheduled maintenance? I thought the oil change interval is once a year or 10,000 miles whichever comes first.
     
    Jay1900 likes this.
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!
    i've debated going more than a year in the pip, but i'm too chicken to try

    all batteries degrade with use and time to some extent, but prime is definitely designed to be driven ev, so i wouldn't worry in the short term.
    long term, everyone is going to be in the same battery boat at one point or another, there's no knowing when though.

    i have 43,000 miles on my 7 year old battery, and it still gives me 14 miles range in mild conditions
     
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  4. Jay1900

    Jay1900 New Member

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    is your Prius battery LiON battery? what was the range when you bought Prius? also, what % you drive electric?
     
  5. Jay1900

    Jay1900 New Member

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    Plug-in Base
    Yes that is scheduled maintenance, I would hate for mechanic to touch my car unless necessary, scheduled maintenance is based on some % driven on gas engine, I am not sure what assumption, Since I drive 80% electric, should I wait longer for oil change may be 20K miles?
     
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    If you want to keep your warranty, I would suggest following the scheduled maintenance until you’re out of warranty.
     
  7. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    Follow this advise.

    Once you are off warranty, you can do it your way, which certainly could extent out past 1 year or 10K miles...


    Rob43
     
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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yes, li-on. i'm at a total of 43k ev and 21k hv, around 67%. but the ev is climbing since i retired. i drive around 90% ev without my former commute.
    i was getting about 16 miles the first summer. it declined in years 2 and 3, the leveled off.
     
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  9. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    As others have already chimed in.
    1. No. There are plenty of Prime owners who are doing near 100% EV driving.
    2. Oil change is every 10K miles or 12 months whichever comes fist. If you drive less than 10K miles/year, once a year oil change is perfect. If you drive more, then stick with every 10K miles.

    You could do DIY oil change and other minor maintenance to avoid having a mechanic touch your car, but you will be forfeiting the free Toyota Care for the first 5 visits to the dealer. It's totally up to you.
     
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  10. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    As has been said, it's meant to be driven in EV mode. That's considered normal wear for the Prime. Except for vacation trips, I drive 90-95% EV.

    As to the oil, do what the manual says if you want to keep your warranty. Keep the receipts if you change your own oil.
     
    Arctic_White, Jay1900 and jb in NE like this.