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Burning smell when driving Prime in Charge mode

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by Caleb302105, Jan 11, 2017.

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  1. Caleb302105

    Caleb302105 Junior Member

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    Hello everyone, we just purchased a Prius Prime Advanced yesterday and I've been testing out the different driving mode buttons. Anyway, when I put the car in recharge mode (by holding down on the HV/EV button) this ghastly plastic burning smell starts pumping through the HVAC system. I can also smell it quite distinctly from outside the car. When I've been running these tests of the charge mode it has been either when moving on neighborhood streets under 35 mph or while stationary. Does anyone have any idea what this could be? Thanks.
     
    #1 Caleb302105, Jan 11, 2017
  2. Mister MMT

    Mister MMT Active Member

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    Charging produces a high current, and therefore heat. On a new car, this may produce some smell which may fade away with time. I would contact the dealership or Toyota and ask whether it is normal.

    Few people so far have reported how hte car behaves when charging, and what the net incidence on mileage is.

    I would be interesting to have all information in one thread.

    Jan
     
    #2 Mister MMT, Jan 12, 2017
  3. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    I did charge mode both times I test drove. No smell at all, inside or outside.

    Take it back.
     
    #3 Lee Jay, Jan 12, 2017
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sounds like a trip to the dealer, and don't use charge mode until it is diagnosed and repaired. i wouldn't fool around with anything in a car where burning is mentioned.
     
    #4 bisco, Jan 12, 2017
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  5. Caleb302105

    Caleb302105 Junior Member

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    Alright, thanks everyone for your replies. I'll call the dealer today.
     
    #5 Caleb302105, Jan 12, 2017
  6. Caleb302105

    Caleb302105 Junior Member

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    Alright, after many phone calls (non of which were with the service department because they were claimed to have been too busy) I am going to take the vehicle in tomorrow morning but they are saying that I'll have to leave it all day in hope that they are able to find some time to inspect it. The Sales rep I spoke with claimed that it was likely oil that they applied to the outside of the engine (to protect against corrosion while shipping) just burning off. I'm not so sure. :-(
     
    #6 Caleb302105, Jan 12, 2017
  7. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    Does it do it in Hv mode as well?
     
    #7 Lee Jay, Jan 12, 2017
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  8. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    They apply wax to the engine and other things underhood. But yes, it does make a smell when heated well. Smells to me like cross country skiing (hot wax time!!). ;)
     
    #8 David Beale, Jan 12, 2017
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  9. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    It isn't wax, it's Cosmoline.
     
    #9 Lee Jay, Jan 12, 2017
  10. Caleb302105

    Caleb302105 Junior Member

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    I'm starting to realize that we basically never ran the engine except perhaps a few minutes each day. We've been "EVing it" all over the place. I suppose it follows then that engine hasn't been getting properly broken in. Therefore, I've just started running the car in HV mode and will continue to do so (at least) for the first 200 miles. Also, before I posted into this thread (most recently) I ran the car again in charge mode for 15 minutes and eventually the smell went away for the most part. I'm hoping the wax idea is what it is. Thanks everyone for the responses. :)
     
    #10 Caleb302105, Jan 12, 2017
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  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i hope that's it. i've never smelt anything burning on a new car before.
     
    #11 bisco, Jan 12, 2017
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  12. civicdriver06

    civicdriver06 Active Member

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    Didn't people complain about a burning smell in gen. 3 Prius while going up steep hills ?
     
    #12 civicdriver06, Jan 12, 2017
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  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yep, what was the outcome, don't go up hills?
     
    #13 bisco, Jan 12, 2017
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  14. huskers

    huskers Senior Member

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    It's that new car smell.

    We should send you a service bill for the excellent advice given out. LOL
     
    #14 huskers, Jan 12, 2017
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  15. priuscatprimeguy

    priuscatprimeguy Senior Member

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    #15 priuscatprimeguy, Jan 12, 2017
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  16. OMAR SAYEED

    OMAR SAYEED Junior Member

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    Sounds like (or smells like) your new car is breaking in. every vehicle has funny smells while things are getting broken in. Catalytic converters, new exhausts, etc... I just discovered the CHG mode myself and noticed this smell prior to reading this post. It goes away after some time. I really need to read about all the cool new features of my new prime!!! :)
     
    #16 OMAR SAYEED, Jan 13, 2017
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  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    and change your info, congrats!(y)
     
    #17 bisco, Jan 13, 2017
  18. OMAR SAYEED

    OMAR SAYEED Junior Member

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    oh dang! thanks!
     
    #18 OMAR SAYEED, Jan 13, 2017
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  19. Neohippy

    Neohippy Active Member

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    That's really sad that you bought a brand new car from them and they don't have the time to look at it. I would be very unpleasant to the person that told me that to be honest.
     
    #19 Neohippy, Jan 13, 2017
  20. Caleb302105

    Caleb302105 Junior Member

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    Okay, I drove the car to the dealership this morning in EV mode and then got a technition to go with me on a test drive (with CHRG Mode enabled). The car didn't make any burning smells but I'm still having them check it out today. I also asked if they could check into changing the reverse beep to a single beep. Hoping for the best. Again, thank you everyone for your replies.
     
    #20 Caleb302105, Jan 13, 2017
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