Turn on the ICE while driving

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by frockey99, Aug 19, 2025 at 9:03 PM.

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  1. frockey99

    frockey99 Junior Member

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    Jun 24, 2024
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    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius
    Model:
    XLE
    I've got the 2019 Prius. I want to install a switch to run the ICE when I want to. Nissan just came out with this option on one of their new hybrids and I want to do it on mine. example: I go to the airport and I'm going to have to wait in line for a while before I pick someone up and before I get there I'm driving on a city road at 40mph on battery. I want to run the ICE so the battery charges instead of sitting in the arrival line and the engine keeps turning on and off to charge the battery just enough to turn off. With my switch I can run the engine while driving so I can sit still on battery and not turn off and turn on the battery every 5 minutes. Telling me to change driving habits doesn't help. Also, I know the Prius has a maintenance mode but that's not what I need. I need an actual capability to turn on the ICE and then a way to switch the car back into normal mode.
     
    #1 frockey99, Aug 19, 2025 at 9:03 PM
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Mar 30, 2008
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    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I've seen a definition of 'engineering' as "the art of making what you want out of what you can get".

    In a Prius, what you can get are things like the "engine runs in P when you hold the go pedal depressed" feature, or the "charging is forced when you hold the brake and go pedal together in gear" feature.

    Can you make what you want using any of those things you can get?
     
    #2 ChapmanF, Aug 19, 2025 at 10:23 PM
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