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Cold Morning Warm Ups

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by djlen, Dec 7, 2011.

  1. Fred Guerin

    Fred Guerin Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2013
    16
    8
    0
    Location:
    Mtl Qc Ca
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Believe block heater & grill block would be ideal for you, works like a charm for me in cold Quebec.
    Forget about idling, just get in & get out & be gentle with the machine.
     
  2. HybridPastor

    HybridPastor Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2012
    6
    2
    0
    Location:
    Hamden, CT
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I think the car is smarter in cold weather than we give it credit. I live in Minneapolis, and on -20 degree days I start it and then begin slowly to move out of the garage (which is usually about 10 degrees warmer than outside). Without grill blocking or block heating the car is up to temp within 1.5 to 2 miles of city driving. (I think the thermostat blocks off the radiator and the system heats up quickly even without grill blocking). With the HVAC in auto, it waits until the coolant is hot before it ramps up heater fan speed, so I don't fiddle with that at all. Within 4 miles it is shutting down at traffic lights and the EV light is coming on, even with the heater on. I guess I could go through all the hoopla of managing all the switches as folks indicate above, but the thing just starts, goes, heats up and gets into EV mode quickly without me doing anything. I could micromanage the computer by manually adjusting things, but I can't see what I would really gain as winter mileage is down into the 35-39 mpg range anyway. All I know is the seat heaters are life-savers...
     
  3. HaroldW

    HaroldW Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2012
    716
    95
    0
    Location:
    Grand Forks BC Canada
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    The gen3 actually pipes the cooling fluid through a part of the exhaust piping too help warm the coolent? This would help warm the ICE faster.:) H