Problem - Can't get out of EV mode

I think people are confused because you said "EV mode", which is usually associated with the ICE being off. What you are experiencing is normal. For a little less than a minute or so, the ICE is on, but it is not being used to move the car. This has lead some people to wonder if it's worth waiting this period out, as you can see in this other Gen2 thread here. PCer 2009Prius had some interesting comments in that thread. I just take my sweet time for the first minute or two of starting the car (back out of the driveway, crawl along at 5-10 mph around the neighborhood). If I do that, the ICE seems to be available just as I exit my neighborhood.

 

Hey that's a bit harsh. The guy was only asking why his car behaves in what he thought was an unusual way. As he can see from the variety of posts that it is just a strange, but normal warm up cycle.

 

Agree with GrumpyCabbie 100%. Lets be patient with people trying to learn about the Prius and its operational characteristics. Seems like I learn something new about the car every week.

 

Many posts here and in the owners manual have described your situation as perfectly normal. The recommended procedure is to drive a cold Prius a bit conservatively for the first 30 seconds. If you are radically draining your battery twice a day, you may be shortening its life a bit.

 

I bet the OP never had a hybrid before. When I got my Prius, I question everything that was different from my Tacoma. Why isn't there a key hole, why does the engine shut off but the car still drives, why do people say the Prius makes no sound when I can clearly hear the high pitch squeal even at a few feet away, why do I hear electric motor running when I open the door, why do I hear vacuum sound after the engine's turned off. After a few months of driving, all these noises have become the norm. Now, when I open the door of a regular gas car and I don't hear the electric motor noise, I start to think ohh shit there's something wrong with this car.

 

Agreed. Let's reserve being harsh with mwok, who can't seem to learn anything even over time.

 

Haha, there's -lots- wrong with a normal petrol car!!

 

OK - so I am just a crotchety old curmudgeon.
I apologize for the rudeness, and understand that the Prius is quite different than the usual automobile. I just get to the point that I cannot tell the difference between ignorance, stupidity and deliberate chicanery.
I wish that the Toyota dealers had a better means of educating buyers.

 

I do not know if I'd use the word "twit" for somebody who (I presume) is just trying to get used to driving a new type of vehicle, and trying to find out whether or not what they are experiencing is "normal" for the vehicle....

I see others beat me to it......

 

That's very good of you to apologize, i think you win the internets!

The never ending barrage of trolls -is- annoying, and i like your suggestion of Toyota spending more time helping new owners understand how their vehicle operates. Everyone i've spoken to about the HSD has been really interested.

 

Your SOC meter will settle down a bit after a while, most batteries tend not to hold charge as well and flatten quicker when new. Mine used to go from 7 bars to 2 in half a mile from cold when I first got it, it now seems to only drop from 7 to 4 for the same journey.

 

The salesmen are generally useless, especially with the Prius. Mine called the engine braking B mode "battery mode". The only information you need from them is the price. Don't believe anything else unless you've confirmed it with a more reliable source.

 

My salesman gave me the key to take it for a test drive and didnt explain a thing.
I didnt even know how to start it. I almost got killed pulling out of the lot in "eco" mode.
After buying my Prius last week Ive learned almost everything from reading the post on this site.
Thanks to all who give input it is very helpful to this newbe.