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New 2010 PIV EV mode dissapointment

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by pkrog, Apr 7, 2010.

  1. pkrog

    pkrog New Member

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    Sold my 08 and purchased new 2010 PIV today, I had not read much on the 2010 but was very surprised to find out that the EV mode was so lacking in ability. somewhere I thought that I had read that in EV the Prius would go 25 to 40 miles on the battery. What a surprise to find out that it was only capable of 1/2 mile.

    Am I confusing this with something else or someones mod?

    Still very happy with the car but really surprised that they even put the EV switch in the car.

    Paul
     
    #1 pkrog, Apr 7, 2010
  2. ljbad4life

    ljbad4life New Member

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    you might be confusing things. Gen III prius can be put in EV mode and travel up 25 mph for up to a mile. Or you can run silently/stealth on electric (just like a gen II) at up to 42/46 mph for short distances
     
    #2 ljbad4life, Apr 7, 2010
  3. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Toyota is testing (not mass producing) Plug in Hybrids with 13 mile EV range.

    The current EV mode is great for relocating your Prius somewhere else in a parking lot, without having to warm up the ICE.
     
    #3 JimboPalmer, Apr 7, 2010
  4. Malarkey

    Malarkey New Member

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    I've played with it a few times - there's a very woodsy back road near my house that an ICE seems almost vulgar on, I use it there. It's up and down but mostly down, I've been able to go about 1.5 miles between that road and some adjacent side roads. I could go more but at that point I exceed 25MPH every time.

    The 2010 can run in EV mode on a cold engine which, as JimboPalmer says, can be useful.
     
    #4 Malarkey, Apr 7, 2010
  5. pkrog

    pkrog New Member

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    Thanks for the reply guys.
    This forum has so much good info on the Prius it is hard to but down the laptop.

    Paul
     
    #5 pkrog, Apr 7, 2010
  6. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    It can? I have never been able to get into EV on a cold engine. I have never been able to get up to 25mph either (hot engine, going downhill).
     
    #6 spiderman, Apr 8, 2010
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    coolant has to be above freezing for a cold start.


    hmmm, I've done 35km/h before on a warm engine. Haven't tried the top speed yet.
     
    #7 Tideland Prius, Apr 8, 2010
  8. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    So you are saying that even if the engine is cold, EV is possible if the coolant is above 32/0? Even last summer once the engine was an hour or two cold, I could not enter EV. The engine took longer to start up, yes but I was still not able to get into EV mode. Guess I will have to try that more this summer.
     
    #8 spiderman, Apr 8, 2010
  9. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    IIRC from this site.

    EV Drive Mode has to be activated before the engine starts. Once the engine starts (and it's a cold start), you can't enter EV Drive Mode until the engine's warmed up.

    Edit: Clearly I didn't remember correctly LOL.

    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...e-mode-in-warm-climate-areas.html#post1024799

    That's kinda high.... IOW, it's only useful in the summer. If you want to move your car in/out of the garage in the fall-winter-spring, it won't work???
     
    #9 Tideland Prius, Apr 8, 2010
  10. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    As others have implied above, keep in mind that EV mode is not terribly useful. It's mostly a gimmick used to impress friends, so don't stress about it. It can be useful for repositioning a car in a parking lot, or for holding off the ICE while hypermiling, but most people will never really need it or use it effectively.

    Tom
     
    #10 qbee42, Apr 8, 2010
  11. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Ha, I didn't see Ken's last email in that post. Explains why I was never able to get EV cold... we rarely get 68+. Ha.
     
    #11 spiderman, Apr 8, 2010
  12. garygid

    garygid Senior Member - Blizzard Pearl

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    After overnight in the garage, even in warm So. CA, I usually get the "EV not available" message.
    Now, knowing about 68º, I will try EV mode again after a "hot" night (or after driving a bit).
     
    #12 garygid, Apr 8, 2010
  13. vegasjetskier

    vegasjetskier New Member

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    I've tried EV mode many times. I usually get kicked out by about 15 mph with the message that I'm going too fast. WUWT?
     
    #13 vegasjetskier, Apr 8, 2010
  14. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    The lower limit is 10mph until the engine is fully warmed up, then it's 25mph.


    Surprised at how long it takes for the engine to warm up??

    LOL
     
    #14 Tideland Prius, Apr 8, 2010
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