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2018 Prius Prime - Remote Engine Start

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by SydneyNJ, May 23, 2019.

  1. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    What SOC range is required to force a start in gas mode? 0%, it appears.
     
  2. SydneyNJ

    SydneyNJ Junior Member

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    In my tests, it appears to mirror the Toyota default < 0.5. Leaving the remote start out of the picture, when
    my traction battery drops to < 0.5 while driving in EV mode, gas engine kicks in. I'm seeing the same behavior
    with the remote start.
     
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  3. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    What units are you using here? Is 0.5 equal to 0.5% or 50%. On my Prime, the car will run in EV mode right down to an indicated 0% charge, then the ICE runs.
     
  4. SydneyNJ

    SydneyNJ Junior Member

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    The unit is in mile. I don't look at the % battery screen. I prefer to look at the 'estimated' miles 'left'.
     
  5. SydneyNJ

    SydneyNJ Junior Member

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    Now I can't tell you what the range would be in the winter (ie < 30F). I would imagine the gas engine will kick
    in even when it says 1 'mile to go' since the heat will be needed "ON" when I remote start it.
     
  6. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    In exchange for a remote start capability, you can't use any of the PHEV capability of the car and need to run it as a Gen 4. Is this correct?
     
  7. SydneyNJ

    SydneyNJ Junior Member

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    The remote is only for the harsh winter months. I'm still using PHEV. In addition, I don't like the OEM fob.
    It's useless because of the range.
     
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  8. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    But not in the winter?
     
  9. SydneyNJ

    SydneyNJ Junior Member

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    I didn't make myself clear. I am using the remote all year around. For the winter months, I want the gas engine
    to start and don't plan to charge the car that much if at all.
     
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  10. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    Got it. That explains it well.
     
  11. SydneyNJ

    SydneyNJ Junior Member

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    I know it has been a while since I started this thread. My remote starter has been working great on my 2018 Prius Prime
    since I had decided to get it installed in Summer/2019. During winter months, I remote start the car and let it run for
    about 5-8 minutes before I drive to work; In summer months, I remote start the car to let the AC run while parked at
    the train station after 8+ hours in the scorching heat. By the time I get in, it has cooled down vs. get in a 95-100F inside. :)

    When I started this discussions, some weren't sure if remote starter would work on Prius Prime. Yes it
    does work! Glad I made the $280 investment! :)
     
  12. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Thanks for the update. Just to be clear, it has been known that remote start can work on PP just like on regular Prius. But the whole point was that it will not start the engine as long as it is plugged in. Is that your observation?

    Also, if it is not plugged in, does your remote start have EV/HV switch module? What I mean is that when the remote start put the car in READY mode, the car automatically goes into EV mode if there is traction battery charge left. Can you override that EV mode to change it to HV mode to force start the engine using your remote starter?
     
  13. SydneyNJ

    SydneyNJ Junior Member

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    In my case, in order for the remote start to work, there's one requirement which I omitted to tell is that the battery can't be fully charged or plugged in. So during winter months, i never charge my hybrid battery. Furthermore, charging the battery isn't very efficient in cold temps. For example, the digital display tells me I'm only getting about 29 miles when fully charged. In contrast,
    I get about 35+ miles in summer months. Note and as you know, the battery is never at 0% (or completely depleted). It will
    always have about 15-18% by design.

    My remote (Viper) does not have any wiring/connection to EV/HV switch. It just doesn't touch it. I always have Drive Mode = Power
    and EV selected. I never touch these settings regardless of seasons. The rest is handled by the car.

    Hope this clarifies stuff ...
     
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  14. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Yap... Basically, you are driving Prius Prime just like a regular Prius. For people who want to have a full EV range year-round on their PP, a remote engine starter still would not work then. Thanks for clarifying it.
     
  15. SydneyNJ

    SydneyNJ Junior Member

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    Just for my knowledge, is that true when in low temps (ie < 20 or 15F) and you have the heat in 'ON' position and fan in 'MAX' position when you exited the car the night before?
     
  16. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Is this a question? If so I am not exactly sure what you are asking???
     
  17. SydneyNJ

    SydneyNJ Junior Member

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    Sorry for being unclear. You mentioned remote start will not work if you use full EV all year long. I was just wondering if anyone out there had remote start installed and used EV all year around and not a single user reported success. Basically that's what i was asking. I guess I could wait until the temp is < 20F in my area; charge the battery; set the inside temp to "MAX"; then try to remote start it one morning just so I could witness this. The result is either 1) gas engine running or 2) EV running.
     
  18. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    I have not read anyone reporting specifically on PP and the remote starter on a very cold day. But my guess is if the ambient temp is below 14F, and the A/C is set to AUTO 70F or similar (you don't need to put to MAX temp for ICE to come on) and the car is not plugged in, then remote start should start the ICE even if the traction battery is full. The function of the remote starter is to put the car in READY mode. On those cold days, the PP automatically starts the engine if you put the heater on. However, if you keep the remote start on for 10 min, it may switch to EV mode and start using the traction battery and heat pump if the temperature inside of the cabin gets warm enough and the car decides to shut off the engine.