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Accessory mode question

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by eej5, Feb 28, 2007.

  1. eej5

    eej5 New Member

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    I've had my 07 package 2 for about 4 months now and love it. Here's my question.

    When the car is running, is there a way to go to the accesory only mode without shutting the car off?

    For example, if I'm on my way home and a minute before I get there a great song I haven't heard in ages comes on the radio... can I pull in my driveway and switch to accesory only so I can finish listening to the song before I go in?
     
    #1 eej5, Feb 28, 2007
  2. bogeybob513

    bogeybob513 rtc513

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(eej5 @ Feb 28 2007, 11:05 AM) [snapback]397830[/snapback]</div>
    I just push the "PARK" button and the radio still works.
     
    #2 bogeybob513, Feb 28, 2007
  3. eej5

    eej5 New Member

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    Sure, I could do that, but then the car is still running and would potentially waste gas -- especially if it's a particularly long song -- if the engine kicked in to keep the battery from draining.

    I also realize I could shut the car off and turn back on the accesories, but that would interupt the song. Minor issue, I realize, but I figured if there's a way to do it, someone here would know.
     
    #3 eej5, Feb 28, 2007
  4. KMO

    KMO Senior Member

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    No way that I'm aware of. An annoying little hole in the user interface design. Can anyone come up with any useful suggestions for how they could enable this?

    Maybe pressing Power while on could put it in ACC mode, if the brake pedal wasn't depressed. Then pulling the key out would turn it off (as it already does). That's no use for cars with the smart key though.
     
    #4 KMO, Feb 28, 2007
  5. Ichabod

    Ichabod Artist In Residence

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    I'm trying to think of a real reason why I'd want to switch to ACC mode... I think the issue is that if you're worried about using gas to charge up the battery, then don't sit around in the car running accessories at all because if the motor doesn't start now, it will still have to start later to recover that juice.

    I think it's a perfectly reasonable method to just put it in "park," and turn off auto A/C, headlights, anything else that pulls from the battery while you sit around, but leave on the stereo, or just leave on the car so your SO can make a dash into the store and you don't have to interrupt your nice comsumption graph or worry about cycling through hybrid modes again.
     
    #5 Ichabod, Feb 28, 2007
  6. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(eej5 @ Feb 28 2007, 11:17 AM) [snapback]397877[/snapback]</div>
    What I suggest is this.
    1)Very short stops, just long enough to listen to your long song or maybe 3-4 songs just leave the car in READY mode. The ultimate energy cost as you go back through the start-up cycle will likely be higher than the energy cost of sitting in Ready even if the ICE fires up momentarily....which it's not likely to do if the stop is short.

    2)Medium stops....15minutes....I think these are the harder ones. Frankly I usually shut down then would go back into ACC mode for anything I know will be longer than 10-15 minutes...if it ends up being 20-25 minutes I think I'm energy ahead....

    3)long stops...definately shut down...but be careful b/c there's no way to recharge the 12v when in ACC mode and since the battery is small it can get drained in prolonged stops.
     
    #6 efusco, Feb 28, 2007
  7. jamarimutt

    jamarimutt New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Feb 28 2007, 03:17 PM) [snapback]397965[/snapback]</div>
    A friend drained the battery by listening to the radio for one hour in ACC mode. I never use it. :unsure:
     
    #7 jamarimutt, Feb 28, 2007
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    There isn't a way on the Prius. I did hear about a way in the Camry Hybrid but I've tried it and it doesn't work on the Prius.

    If you're listening to a song before you go in, just shut off the A/C and lights. 2 mins won't drain the battery. It takes about 5-8 mins per "bar" if you have everything off except the radio.
     
    #8 Tideland Prius, Feb 28, 2007
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