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taxi drivers do you switch car off while waiting for fares??

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by j5nsr, Aug 24, 2011.

  1. j5nsr

    j5nsr New Member

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    Hi I am a taxi driver in solihull Birmingham UK I was just thinking should I switch my prius off while waiting for fares or is it ok to leave at ready while waiting sometimes it could be an hour or two is it safe to leave in ready mode??
     
    #1 j5nsr, Aug 24, 2011
  2. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    It is safe to leave your Prius in Ready indefinitely. It will burn some gas, but it won't hurt the car.

    Tom
     
    #2 qbee42, Aug 24, 2011
  3. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    My fear would be having it in AUX ON and draining the 12v but that's a concern with any vehicle.

    I know that at many Prius and Hybrid get-togethers, some owners will have their car ON for the entire day. They have converters and are powering stereos, coolers, etc. Like Tom said, it just burns a little gas but causes no harm whatsoever.
     
    #3 TonyPSchaefer, Aug 24, 2011
  4. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    When my Prius is idling, it uses 0.6 hp from the HV battery.
     
    #4 usbseawolf2000, Aug 24, 2011
  5. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

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    Have you measured the cars power consumption in ready with the ICE not running, lights and accessories not in use?


    Thanks for all the instrumentation work you are doing and sharing with us.:usa2:
     
    #5 xs650, Aug 24, 2011
  6. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    I never switch mine off in a 10 hour shift - unless I am going to leave it unattended.

    If I'm going to be sat a while I might switch the a/c off and open a window or in winter I will turn the heating fan down to the lowest speed so as to keep the chill away without burning excess fuel.

    One of the benefits of leaving the car in 'Ready' is that it keeps the 12v always topped up. I have a two way radio, despatch computer (Auriga system), taxi meter and Tom Tom always running when working. Be aware the 12v on the Prius is weak and probably wouldn't last too long if you keep powering down between jobs.

    p.s. I'm now upto 55k miles since November 2009.
     
    #6 GrumpyCabbie, Aug 24, 2011
  7. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    You are welcome. I enjoyed working on the custom PIDs on Torque app with very knowledgeable people here.

    You are asking for the minimum consumption in Ready mode right? I will try it and let you know. I think Gen3 has lower idling loss than Gen2.
     
    #7 usbseawolf2000, Aug 24, 2011
  8. Corwyn

    Corwyn Energy Curmudgeon

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    In other words, the same as the sustained power of two human beings.
     
    #8 Corwyn, Aug 24, 2011
  9. j5nsr

    j5nsr New Member

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    Thanks everyone for the quick reply!!
     
    #9 j5nsr, Aug 25, 2011
  10. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

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    a prius sitting in ready mode with just the radio on will consume a gallon every 10 to 12 hours....
     
    #10 V8Cobrakid, Aug 25, 2011
  11. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Remember, don't leave it in Neutral, and don't leave it in ACC or IG-ON. Have it entirely ON and in Park, or entirely OFF. Under any other condition you'll drain one or both batteries for sure.
     
    #11 richard schumacher, Aug 28, 2011
  12. Sergiospl

    Sergiospl Senior Member

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    I agree with possibly only burning a little bit of gas. I had to go back and read again a good story, slightly different than what the OP's question, but nonetheless interesting.

    Power to the People: Run Your House on a Prius - New York Times
    http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/23/prius-its-not-just-a-car-its-an-emergency-generator/
     
    #12 Sergiospl, Aug 28, 2011
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