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Newbie questions: charging, EV mode, noises.....

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by MarkOlin, Dec 24, 2019.

  1. MarkOlin

    MarkOlin Member

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    Newbie here (Silver LE with black interior). I must admit I am a bit overwhelmed by the technology of this car.
    So a few basic questions:
    - In the manual I see in a couple places it mentions to refer to Multimedia guide. I did not get anything other than "owner's manual". Am I missing the multimedia guide? Also didn't a quick start guide (which I got with our Sienna)
    - Unfortunately I will parking this car outside. Can the car be charged in snow or rain?
    - My charge cord is about 5 feet short. Anyone have a suggestion on a 10 ft cord? When I search for a cord that meets our requirements they all seem to be 25 ft or longer.
    - When I charged the car for the first time everything went normal until fully charged, then all of the indicator lights when out. Normal?
    - Drove the car first time after charging. It would not go into EV mode for a while (maybe a mile or 2). Does it need to warm up first?
    - My first hybrid, I'm noticing a lot of strange noises coming from the car (humming, slight buzzing....) hoping this is normal.
    - I'm struggling trying to make my way through the owner's manual but does anyone have a suggestion for a good place for "how-to" videos?
    Thanks in advance.
     
  2. schja01

    schja01 One of very few in Chicagoland

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    Your charging cable is weather resistant.
    Primes make noises. Some happen even hours after turning the car off. It’s never really off unless you disconnect the 12V battery and even then I’m not so sure. :)
    My guess on not starting in EV mode is the dealer may not have charged it. If the EV portion of the traction battery is depleted the car will operate as a conventional hybrid with a propensity to run the engine. Once you charge it or run a while in Charge Mode it will usually run on EV mode unless it’s cold outside or you run the defroster.
     
    #2 schja01, Dec 24, 2019
    Last edited: Dec 24, 2019
  3. MarkOlin

    MarkOlin Member

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    Thank you! I picked the car up yesterday and kinda feel the salesman was in a hurry to get me out the door since they were closing early for the holidays.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    congratulations!
    prime should start in ev mode unless it is below 14 degrees, or front defrost button is pushed.
     
  5. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    You should ask your dealer for hard copies of those manuals. Chances are you will never use them, but you are entitled to them. If you don't need them, you can sell them on eBay.

    No problem. The only time I don't plug in is when a lightning storm is imminent. I want to be safe from any damage to the car if the lightning hits.

    Use the shortest 10 gauge pure copper extension cord you can find. I could not find anything shorter than 25 feet, but so far it is working fine. Protect the box and plug with a weatherproof box like one suggested above.

    If you are talking about the indicator on the right front of the dash, then yes when the charge is completed it will shut off the indicator.

    The car should start in EV mode by default if you have any charge remaining in the battery. It does not need any warm-up. Did you have the heater on and it was very cold (below ~14F)? Or did you use front defroster? Both of which will cause the gas engine to come on.

    Yes, it is normal. It sometimes makes noise hours after you park.

    There are many Toyota videos and other posted videos on the internet. Do the search.
     
    #6 Salamander_King, Dec 24, 2019
    Last edited: Dec 24, 2019
    dig4dirt likes this.
  6. MarkOlin

    MarkOlin Member

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    Salamander_King likes this.
  7. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    I have had the same problem looking for 10/3 10 ft pure copper extension cord. Chances are the Life-Supply USA extension cords are all CCA (Copper Clad Aluminum), not pure copper. I actually e-mailed their customer service and asked about their 10/3 extension cord, and their answer was it is CCA. I have used thinner 12/3 pure copper 25 ft sjoow extension cord for almost two years without any heating up observed. But I recently changed it with 10/3 pure copper 25 ft sjtw extension cord by Coleman Cable just to be safe. Of course, I observe no heating up with this thicker cord even though it is a bit longer than I need. The problem is that in winter sjtw cable tends to become very stiff. That was the reason I was using the thinner 12/3 thermoplastic jacket (sjoow) which stays very flexible even down to sub-zero temp.

    If you really want 10 feet pure copper extension cord you can ask @Rob43 to make you one.
     
    #8 Salamander_King, Dec 24, 2019
    Last edited: Dec 24, 2019
  8. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    #9 Rob43, Dec 25, 2019
    Last edited: Dec 25, 2019
  9. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    The Quick Start Guide is the only place I was able to find the location of the Jack. I couldn't find it in the manual when I got a flat. It's under the back seat, on the driver side. There is a plastic cover over it, near the floor.
     
  10. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    FYI, It is shown on page 610 on the 2017 User Manual. I knew where it is, and I checked it one time. But I could not get it out of the under the seat storage. Didn't try hard at that time, but was kinda stuck.

    Edit: Now come to think of it, the jack must be turned a bit to rise up to lock it in place so it does not rattle under the seat. I will have to try again to lower the jack before removing it from the storage.

    Screenshot 2019-12-25 at 8.03.22 AM.png
     
    #11 Salamander_King, Dec 25, 2019
    Last edited: Dec 25, 2019
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  11. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    When you slide the jack back into it's holding space,
    the jacks long threaded bolt can be turned a half turn or so to secure the jack in the space and keep it from rattling in there.
    It wouldn't slide out of that space until that jacking bolt is turned back a half turn.

    I'll have to take a look at the DIY section of the manual. Thanks for the location.
     
    Salamander_King likes this.
  12. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Yeah, I just realized that after posting the picture, and edited my comment. I was not going to use it, just checking the location at that time. The only time I will use it is when I have to change a tire on the road. That has not happened in my lifetime.
     
  13. MarkOlin

    MarkOlin Member

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    I've been searching for a couple days now and have not found a 10 gauge, 3-conductor, 10 ft (or 25 ft) Copper extension cord with a 15 or 20 amp rating. If you know of one please post a link. Actually I only need a 5 footer but I'll never find that.
     
  14. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    I use a 12/3 flat 10ft from walmart $10 that works fine for me at 120v
    yeah, copper is better.
     
    #15 vvillovv, Dec 26, 2019
    Last edited: Dec 26, 2019
  15. MarkOlin

    MarkOlin Member

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    Rob43 and bisco like this.
  16. m8547

    m8547 Senior Member

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    See my post here. The one from Lowes is good, and I'm sure the ones from McMaster would be great.
    WARNING: Extension Cords | Page 2 | PriusChat

    Also, Monoprice has 14 gauge, 15A rated, indoor only, UL listed cords in 3, 6, and 10 foot lengths if you just need a very short cord. I used one for several months and it was fine. I have a pile of them, so I could sacrifice one and see if I can tell if it's copper or CCA if anyone wants me to check.
    Monoprice Extension Cord - NEMA 5-15P to NEMA 5-15R, 14AWG, 15A, 3-Prong, Black, 25ft - Monoprice.com
    I'd slightly prefer a 10 or 15 foot 12 gauge cord for a little extra durability over a 6 foot 14 gauge cord.

    I doubt any reputable store would sell a CCA extension cord, except maybe for the cheapest lamp cords. But if anyone has any examples otherwise, let me know. Amazon and their third party sellers are NOT a reputable store in my opinion. The problem with CCA from what I understand is that aluminum work hardens and fatigues, so it is not an appropriate material for a cord that's designed to be flexed.
     
  17. snakeshoes

    snakeshoes Junior Member

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    Is a rating of 15 amps sufficient? of should I look for 20 amps? Also, this cord doesn't mention material, should I look for "pure copper"?[/QUOTE]

    This is what I ended up going with as a temporary solution as a contemplate hard wired.
    https://www.lowes.com/pd/Southwire-25-ft-10-Gauge-3-Prong-Outdoor-Heavy-Duty-Lighted-Extension-Cord/1001462922

    25ft, 10/3, pure copper per manufacturer's site and packaging. Ordered from Lowes online and it took 2 weeks to arrive being shipped directly from manufacturer. It's $75 for an extension cord, but my philosophy here is that I"m not taking chances with both my car and my house with a cheap extension cord (both thin gauge and poor construction) and this was the one that gave me the most confidence of having a good cord.
     
    Rob43 likes this.
  18. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    Yep, that's a very nice cord. I just made a forum member a 30 ft long version of what you bought for about the same money, good quality costs a bit more.

    Your new extension cord will give you virtually a lifetime of service, my only recommendation would be to clean those brass contacts every few years.


    Rob43 (y)
     
  19. MarkOlin

    MarkOlin Member

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    I have about 300 miles on my car. I've noticed a grinding noise when touch the brakes. Really noticible when I am slowing rolling in my driveway and touch the brakes, happens in both drive and reverse.
    So, is this normal?
    If I were in any other car I would think the pads are gone and there is grinding on the rotors.