Just bought the 2012 Prius C

I don't have a C but I assume things are the same. The instrument cluster should have a ready indicator, whether the engine is running or not that light indicates the car is ready to move. The engine doesn't need to start every time you turn the key, as it may be in ev mode.

SCH-R530M ?

 

welcome to priuschat! the engine comes on by itself when needed. otherwise, you're running on an electric motor and battery power, no gas! all the best!

 

congrats. with no arm rest, sounds like you got the c1.

 

Congrats.

As bisco & jzchen said - gas engine runs when needed.

When you turn the key a lighted notice will say "Ready" on your instrument panel - this indicates that the car is ready to go. The gas engine does not need to be running to start driving as the car will often start out running on the electric motor. As you drive faster the gas engine will come on - usually when you hit about 15+ mph. The gas engine runs when it is needed and shuts down when not needed - does takeing some getting used to.

My friend is a long time professional mechanic - does not drive a hybrid but says they seem to be very reliable. Said the first time he drove a Prius he was startled when the gas engine shut down at a stop light. Being a mechanic he thought the car had died.

 

Easiest way to tell is Prius C1 has the headrest incorporated into the seat - all one piece, no removable headrest. The C1 also has no split seat in the back, meaning it all comes down in one piece, you cannot fold them down 60/40.

 

Sounds like you have a C1. The seat base is the same shape in all models and all can take three people in the back (though it is a squeeze for the third person and they will sit higher).

Some of the key differences the C2 has over the C1:

• 60/40 foldable rear seat (the C1 seat is also foldable, but only as one piece)
• Cruise control
• Centre console with armrest
• Cargo area tonneau cover

Just look for the READY light and you're good to go. In North America, the ICE (internal combustion engine) will start a warm-up cycle after a period of time if it isn't already warmed up. If it is warmed up, the engine may not come on until the first time you press the pedal past a certain point. When people try to really optimise their fuel consumption they sometimes have different approaches to what they do while the car is warming up, but you don't have to worry about it, especially when you're new to the car. The car will normally feel sluggish during the initial warm up, but this is normal.

Initially the ICE coming on and off will be a bit disconcerting - sometimes it won't come on when you expect it to, sometimes it won't stop when you expect it to. You'll get used to the car's ways in time... it's a different exeprience, but it knows what it's doing.

 

10 mph when it's from a cold start.