Gas Engine Starts too soon?

[mcontrols]

I tend to think my wife's 05 Prius gasoline engine runs too much. The engine cranks up when just backing out of the garage. It starts backing up totally on electric motor but when I stop to make sure the garage door closes the engine starts. I see the same thing driving through the neighborhood, driving a steady 35 mph with batteries well charged 50% of the time the engine will run. She is getting average 45 mpg. Is this the way the care is supposed to perform?

I have seen an aftermarket devise that will prevent the engine from running at all until you reach 40 mph or the batteries get low. The manufacturer claims that the software to accomplish this is already in the computer and that cars sold in Japan have this as a standard feature.

Comments? Feedback??

Thanks,

MC

[Boeing Nut]

Originally Posted by mcontrols

I tend to think my wife's 05 Prius gasoline engine runs too much. The engine cranks up when just backing out of the garage. It starts backing up totally on electric motor but when I stop to make sure the garage door closes the engine starts. I see the same thing driving through the neighborhood, driving a steady 35 mph with batteries well charged 50% of the time the engine will run. She is getting average 45 mpg. Is this the way the care is supposed to perform?

I have seen an aftermarket devise that will prevent the engine from running at all until you reach 40 mph or the batteries get low. The manufacturer claims that the software to accomplish this is already in the computer and that cars sold in Japan have this as a standard feature.

Comments? Feedback??

Thanks,

MC

Yours sounds exactly the way mine acts. I believe this behavior to be totally normal. We get nearly exactly the same overall average as you, so don't sweat it.

I assume you have seen the devise on this site, http://www.coastaletech.com/electric_only_mode.htm I got one a while back, but I haven't had time to install the thing yet even though it looks incredibly simple.

Regards

[speediva]

Originally Posted by mcontrols

I tend to think my wife's 05 Prius gasoline engine runs too much. The engine cranks up when just backing out of the garage. It starts backing up totally on electric motor but when I stop to make sure the garage door closes the engine starts. I see the same thing driving through the neighborhood, driving a steady 35 mph with batteries well charged 50% of the time the engine will run. She is getting average 45 mpg. Is this the way the care is supposed to perform?

I have seen an aftermarket devise that will prevent the engine from running at all until you reach 40 mph or the batteries get low. The manufacturer claims that the software to accomplish this is already in the computer and that cars sold in Japan have this as a standard feature.

Comments? Feedback??

Thanks,

MC

Do you have the heater on during these times that you are describing? My parents looked at a Prius today (2005 model) and the salesman said that Toyota designed it so that when the car is "just" started and the heater is on that the gas motor turns on so it heats up faster. Toyota started this "feature" on the later generations of Prius because customers complained that the heat took too long to get going in the 1st generation models. Just a thought.

As for the 35mph part, I would guess that the gas engine might kick on during that time because the speed is consistent, which has better fuel economy than during accelleration. Again, I'm no expert, so I'm speculating here.

[mcontrols]

Yeah Boeing Nut I just got the Electric Mode Kit today. Looks pretty easy to do. Will do this weekend and let you know how it goes.

Saturntangerine - I think you are correct. The literature that came with the EM Kit says that the car will run in Electric only mode "after the engine has completed its warm-up cycle" Also says when car is below 34 mph.

Thanks for your comments guys.

MC

[Boeing Nut]

Originally Posted by saturntangerine

Do you have the heater on during these times that you are describing? My parents looked at a Prius today (2005 model) and the salesman said that Toyota designed it so that when the car is "just" started and the heater is on that the gas motor turns on so it heats up faster. Toyota started this "feature" on the later generations of Prius because customers complained that the heat took too long to get going in the 1st generation models. Just a thought.

As for the 35mph part, I would guess that the gas engine might kick on during that time because the speed is consistent, which has better fuel economy than during accelleration. Again, I'm no expert, so I'm speculating here.

Yes and no on having the heater on. The engine will start and run for a short time soon after the intial start. Obviously it will keep running longer if the heater is on.

I'm not to certain on the 35 mph barrier, but your speculation sounds logical. I have been able to get ours up to 42 mph without the gas engine kicking in though. Not ever time mind you, but sometimes.

I just saw the 2005 models at the St. Louis Auto Show yesterday and I must say that I, in a fun way, am a bit peeved with Toyota now as the Prius now has Charcoal interior. It looks real sharp.

Regards

[mcontrols]

My wife has the charcoal interior. Looks great with the silver exterior and dark tinted windows.

MC

[speediva]

My parents just picked up their 05 in the blue color... as for the interior, I am pretty sure it's beige.