1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Did I screw up wifey's Prius?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Stevewoods, Sep 5, 2016.

  1. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2014
    650
    1,002
    0
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I drove to a store and used her car because the streets are quite hilly and I have a manual tranny Camry.

    I went into the store, came out and got into the car and started to drive. The traction battery bar was down to purple, the second from the end.

    I drove around a bit on side streets, coasted a lot down hills (I know the area well) and applied the brake when needed and got it back to FULL pretty quickly (10 minutes).

    All I can think of is I pushed the power button, but not quite enough and it was still on when I exited the car.

    Does this make sense. Has been a couple of weeks and no issues and no check/warning lights.
     
    #1 Stevewoods, Sep 5, 2016
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    109,381
    49,725
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    two purple is normal. you may have left it on, but it doesn't matter. prius takes care of itself, you don't have to go through any gymnastics to try and control battery charge.
     
    #2 bisco, Sep 5, 2016
  3. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2007
    10,096
    4,810
    0
    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Your kidding right?
     
    #3 edthefox5, Sep 5, 2016
    fotomoto and bisco like this.
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    109,381
    49,725
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    he isn't familiar with prius idiosyncrasies, it's his wife's car.
     
    #4 bisco, Sep 5, 2016
  5. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2014
    2,492
    2,153
    49
    Location:
    Top RH Corner of RH Coast on L side of The Pond
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    If you'd left it "ON" and with the A/C running (on a hot, humid day), the SoC might get down to 2 Purples in pretty short order! A couple of trips around the block would have sorted out things, but you (or wifey) might want to keep tabs on things (…just in case!) (…and it might behoove you to read up on Grid-Charging (…see Prolong Battery Systems. Extending the life of your hybrid. – Hybrid Automotive ) - hope this helps - Wil
     
    #5 WilDavis, Sep 5, 2016
  6. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2014
    650
    1,002
    0
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Bisco is totally right. I hardly ever drive this thing and when I do, I keep (more than I should) an eye on the battery bar, always try to keep it in green. And, I could "almost" swear when it was parked it was in blue?

    Well, if as you all say, it is O.K., I am fine with that. Me, I much prefer driving the manual Camry (except on those downtown Seattle streets that have a grade that is, well, not really straight-up, but seems like it is).
     
    #6 Stevewoods, Sep 5, 2016
    bisco likes this.
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    109,381
    49,725
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    trying to keep it green is bad for your mpg's. have your dw teach you how to drive it.:p
     
    #7 bisco, Sep 5, 2016
  8. 09Prius2

    09Prius2 Member

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2016
    201
    88
    0
    Location:
    FL
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Correct as previously stated, 2 bars is part of the normal cycle. If you are stuck in heavy traffic, the engine will start cycling on and off at 2 bars to recharge the battery even if the car is not moving.

    The only time it will intentionally go under that is if you run out of gas, which I accidently did again last nite. I had to make an unexpected trip across town at 3am, and when I went to get back on the freeway my gas was empty but the gas station there was taped off by police officers. Crime scene.

    I got back on the highway and it started chugging as I approached another exit. Fortunately by then I had over a half charge in reserve. There wasn't a station right at the exit, but I made it another 2 miles with full dash lights lit up before it shut down on one bar as I coasted up to a gas pump.

    After I filled up it started right up, got back on the freeway and it took about 5 miles to move off one bar. By the end of the 10 mile highway, I was up to a full solid green charge, and a 51 mpg rating on the fresh tank.

    A truly amazing vehicle I tell you.
     
    #8 09Prius2, Sep 5, 2016
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)