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Is this normal?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Tinbolas, Sep 28, 2009.

  1. Tinbolas

    Tinbolas New Member

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    2009 Prius
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    Hi
    I just got my prius about 2 weeks ago. I'm not sure if this happens since i bought it or not, i just noticed it about 3 days ago. When i start the car in the morning, the gas engine (ICE?) starts right away and my screen shows 99.9 l/100km, as i pull out of the garage the screen starts showing smaller numbers but still pretty high 50l/100km or so. When i come to the first stop which is right next to my house, i completely stop the car and the gas engine stops but it shakes quite a bit when it does... it freaks me out (this doesn't only happen in the first stop, it happens in a few stops during the ride), is this normal? I also notice that for a while even though im going downhill with only green arrows, the gas engine is still running.. im not sure if this is because the engine needs to heat up or what...

    Also something else im kinda worried about is that normally halfway through my daily 25 mile commute, theres a faily long downhill road, during this part of the ride i just let the car run downhill without touching the gas, but sometimes when im going downhill the gas engine kicks in for like 2 seconds then shuts down again, im not sure why this happens..???

    btw the car is new... thanks..
     
    #1 Tinbolas, Sep 28, 2009
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Hello and welcome to PriusChat!

    As far as I can tell from your post, the car is acting normally.

    Depending on the temperature, the ICE may start up immediately. It may also start up immediately if the battery SOC is at 2 bars or less (maybe 3 bars but I don't remember).

    The shaking part at the first stop, yes, I remember that but I thought they've smoothed it out for the later generations. I remember my 2005 would shake quite violently when it shut down the engine when the car was new. It's a lot smoother now. Give it a year, it should smooth out. If it doesn't, then I'd be worried.

    Lastly, that bit about the engine coming on briefly then shutting off. Do you go past 65km/h on that downhill stretch? whenever you cross that speed threshold (and you're not accelerating), it will exhibit the behaviour you describe. The engine is "running" when it's above 65km/h but no fuel is being used (i.e. the engine is simply pumping). My guess is that when it goes from off to pumping (or vice versa), the engine needs to be fired up just for a split second to get the pistons moving (or to properly shut down the engine). One of the more technically-inclined members can probably give you a better answer.
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Sep 28, 2009
  3. PoulStaugaard

    PoulStaugaard Now a PriusOwner

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    Your observations are quite normal. The first minute or so, it will run the engine to warm up the catalytic converter for reducing emissions. Mileage improves for the first 15 minutes after warm up. The shaky stopping of the engine is because it will insist on stopping the engine in a specific position, to ease starting it again. It will get better with time. When it runs the engine after a long descent, that's also intentional. It does this to 'throw away' excess energy when the battery is full.
     
    #3 PoulStaugaard, Sep 28, 2009
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