Is there a way to turn off EV mode?

Yes, PRIUS "area" luggage is larger, though I think Corolla boot space has more height - which would only be useful for tall skinny dogs who didn't lie down. My 2 Mini-Poodles sit on the back seat on a waterproof mat/blanket - but not often - with them on the (otherwise empty) seat, I've still got the boot to put stuff in.

I wasn't going to go bigger in my illustration - Corolla is "roughly" the same size - and only uses nearly double the fuel in a journalists hands.

 

We knew we were going to get a medium sized dog. We tried the proper sized dog crate in the back seat of my 2008 Corolla and determined a Corolla was likely too small for our needs. My son has a 2015 Prius v for his dogs.
Since I got the Prius, we have done a couple long trips, one with 2 crates.
We now ave added a Miniature American Shepherd dog to our family so we are glad we got the Prius.
Miniature American Shepherd Dog Breed Information - American Kennel Club.

 

The hybrid system draws from the battery as much as it sends, keeping the charge-level within the "longevity" zone.

What you see shouldn't ever happen. Something is wrong with your Prius... unless you're driving without A/C in very hot conditions.

 

agreed, i don't understand the cooling battery running on high full time, full battery and cabin heating up at 60 mph.

 

It's worth noting that an engine is less efficient at very light loads than it is at moderate loads.

This means that at light loads, it sometimes makes sense to shut off the engine, use the battery, and then start the engine back up and charge the battery, instead of keeping the engine running.

 

I live in the tropics, my outdoor ambient temps can be as high as 35 degree Celsius(95F). My aircon setting is 24C Auto/ECO+Driver only boxed mode.

Also this Prius is used for long trips and long hours of driving. It's a rented vehicle so I have no much choice on what car I can drive with, it's either this Toyota or a Hyundai(which makes it obvious on which one I rather be driving with).

This high speed fan kicking in does not happen all the time, it does happen from time to time when the battery gets charge up at or above 80% levels(e.g. after a long down hill with braking) or when the car experience higher weight loads and have to climb a hill and still maintain constant 60mph after that.

Not sure if this is the right eco driving strategy for long sub-urban drives(between 60km/h to 70km/h), I tend to keep the prius inside the EV range until the battery gets drain to 20% and the EV symbol automatically goes off(ICE kicks in) and only to re-enage "EV"(by fully releasing and reapplying pedal) after the battery gets charged to 80% range by the ICE. Maybe an expert here could give his opinion on this?

 

With respect, I suggest you use normal driving mode and set the A/C to normal or fast to help get the interior cooler faster.

 

It looks like it would be better to keep the interior cooler for the hybrid battery as well? I shall try that when I drive the prius again next week and see if it stops the fans from kicking into high speed.

 

Clearly, it's heat related. A cool battery is a happy battery.

The only time I have ever experienced the fan coming on is when the temperature outside is in the 90's and the interior is warm.

 

We've had some 35+ days recently, but I've not heard the battery fan ever. But I often turn ECO A/C off & set to approx 24 - I like being cooler.

I do wonder if forcing EV (pressing the EV button) actually improves fuel use - when I've done that regularly, it hasn't seemed to make any measureable difference.

Using POWER Mode might help if you're using RADAR Cruise (DRCC). I prefer the accelerator response of ECO or NORMAL. But if I'm using the DRCC, it seems to work better with POWER mode. In ECO, it takes longer to respond and catch up to speed when it hits a hill, whereas in POWER it responds quicker and smoother - and doesn't affect fuel use.

 

Perhaps what Alan said is what CC was banging on about when he was in his POWER ranger phase???

 

Yes, I suspect so - his comments got me experimenting, thanks, CC!!

 

Yes, using POWER with DRCC (& presumably C/C but I've never used it) seems to be more economical - I suspect because it reacts to changes in speed quicker and then doesn't have to react so aggressively to make up lost velocity.

But if I'm driving without DRCC, I prefer the throttle response of ECO or NORMAL - it's easier to drive smoothly. And if I were to hypermile, the smooth throttle response of ECO (or NORMAL) would likely achieve better/easier results. But - I generally use DRCC.

 

Correct. My Gen.IV has a top EV speed of 74 MPH. (In the photo, I was going 72 MPH in EV). I'm surprised how much it kicks into EV on the highway! Even if I'm cruising at 60-70 MPH, it still switches to it pretty often

 

I think Mendel meant EV mode not EV use I have seen EV use at highway speeds on my son's Prius v based off Gen 3.

 

I'm referring to the car's propensity to shut the engine down under light loading, not intentional pushing of the EV button. Third gen cut-off for this behaviour is around 73 kmh (45 mph)