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A way to keep ICE from turning on below 30F?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Jimbo69ny, Jan 20, 2020.

  1. Jimbo69ny

    Jimbo69ny Active Member

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    Hey Guys,

    I owned a Prius Plug in way back in 2012 when it was new. I kept it for 2 years and then went to a full EV. I am thinking of getting another 12-15’ for a second car.

    However, my big annoyance with the car was that the ICE turned on at temps below 30ish. That is half of the year here in upstate NY.

    Has anyone modified the car to keep the motor off? I know in the gen1 regular Prius there was a way to add a push button switch for EV only mode. I’m wondering if anyone has done something similar to keep the gas motor off at low temps.
     
    #1 Jimbo69ny, Jan 20, 2020
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Does it happen if the cabin heater is off?
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Jan 20, 2020
  3. Jimbo69ny

    Jimbo69ny Active Member

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    It’s been years since I’ve owned a PiP but I think it turns on below 30 regardless of heater being on or off.

    When my commute was only 6 miles and I could make it in ev mode but the gas motor turns on anyway I was getting super low MPG in the winter. It was so annoying. I might as well have been driving a truck. (Has motors are very inefficient when they are warming up)
     
    #3 Jimbo69ny, Jan 20, 2020
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  4. Pluggo

    Pluggo Senior Member

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    In cold weather any further charge on a full battery may engage ICE. Besides not turning on the heater, try not to use the brakes very much until you’ve driven a mile or so. Consider turning on full headlights and the seat heater to drain off some of the full charge. All of the above will keep you in EV mode well down into the 20s F.
     
    #4 Pluggo, Jan 20, 2020
    jerrymildred and Jimbo69ny like this.
  5. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Probably NOT a good idea.
    The ICE comes on for a reason......and probably a good one, even if you can't figure out what it is.

    Hasn't the PIP been replaced by the Prime ?
    If so, might want to ask those owners.
     
    #5 sam spade 2, Jan 20, 2020
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no, no one has modified it.

    however, i don't find 30 degrees to be an absolute cut off point. usually, a downhill stretch will kick the motor on with a full cold battery, but otherwise, i can drive at any temp on reasonably level ground at moderate accelleration and speed without starting the ice.

    windshield defrost can be a bigger issue though, depending on my personal humidity, and if i'm singing while driving.
    best thing i've found is to drive the car a couple miles on flat ground around 30mph, then charge it back up, and the motor never kicks on after that.
     
    #6 bisco, Jan 20, 2020
    jerrymildred, Jimbo69ny and Mendel Leisk like this.
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