Engine always starts up

I think part of the reality is that the Prius is designed not only for gas efficiency but also for emissions efficiency.

So it is designed to run the engine as efficiently as possible, not exclusively from a fuel useage standpoint, but from an emissions standpoint as well. A cold engine is not efficient for either.

Therefore, I think to meet it's own emissions standards, the engine is designed to run, when some owners would rather the silent sound of fuel not being used.

I wouldn't sweat it. As long as your gas mileage is falling within acceptable range, just enjoy that you are driving one of the most efficient fuel burning vehicles available.

 

my prius stalls at every stoplight. damn. luckily it starts right back up when i press the right pedal. all kidding aside, Prius does ALOT of weird things in the name of clean emissions, MPG, longevity of battery life, etc. Hang around here and you will learn that it isn't just a car, but a computer on wheels. Prius will baffle you most of time, then wow you when you learn 'oh, that's why it does that'.

 

I see this is your second post and already calling something about the Prius stupid. If you will take the time to peruse this forum you will be surprised at how much you can learn about your new car and why it does why it does

Search for Prius Warmup Stages if you are really interested in why the engine comes on when it does.

Prius was designed with these two main priorities and in this order:
1) Lowest possible emissions
2) Fuel efficiency

 

I've started putting it in EV mode right away before backing out of the garage Until I'm ready to start driving. sometimes I have to wait in the drive for the rest of the gang.

Maybe this will help.

 

Yes, put it in EV mode and your Prius will run on electric, if certain conditions are met. I find that in just the time it takes me to buckle my seat belt, the ICE will start up. So I've learned to buckle up, then press the Start button and get under way in EV mode. does it save me any gas? Probably not, but I like to pull out of my driveway in "stealth mode".

 

loginwaste,
Try this.
When you come to the stop light and the ice is running turn off the fan for the heater/AC.
$1 says the ice stops and does not come on until you hit 38mph depending on how hard you press the gas of course.

I drive everyday with an effort of never turning on the heater fan as long as the outside temp permits it.

With this I'm able to see the ice stop running all the time, even just coasting down hill. The tach option on the scangauge tells me so.

my2cents.

 

Actually the Customer Care person who said it was a government regulation was sort of correct. The car needs to run after it cools down for a short time to warm up the catalytic converter. Since emissions are definitely regulated by the government(s) she was right.

Try what JDCollins suggested and read the warming up stages thread,

 

I've also stopped using my fan and noticed the engine stops more frequently.

 

This will be more of a problem if the majority of your trips are short ones of only a few miles because the car never gets a chance to fully warm up. An engine block heater can help, if you are only stopping at a store for a couple of minutes leave it on to avoid the warmup cycle repeating, using the Eco mode will shut down the engine more frequently too.

 

I bet you have have the temperature set above low/lo as well.

If you demand cabin heat (via fan in a position above off and temp above the minimum), the ICE may run to provide you cabin heat. You can discover the magic temperature thresholds if you have something like ScanGaugeII : Linear Logic - Home of the ScanGauge.

 

Remember that this is a gasoline powered car, not an electric car nor a plug-in hybrid.

As others have pointed out, there are things you can do with the climate controls, ECO button, and EV button to delay engine start under some conditions. But as a gasoline powered car, it needs to have both the engine and the catalyst up to certain temperatures. Under some conditions the engine start simply cannot be prevented or even delayed, regardless of battery level.

 

I find this behavior annoying. When the car is fully warmed up and you stop it for 5 min and when you start it again you get annoying warm up cycle with draining battery when you accelerate.
If you leave it ON for 5 min the engine will never start and when you start driving you don't get annoying warm up cycle again.

Why does it do that, I bet the temperature of catalyst is the same in both conditions, but when you start a warm engine it does a warm up cycle, WHY, just to be sure? This just burns gas and drains battery (when you accelerate in upper ECO region), in this condition I just floor it to wake up the engine (when I know it's already warm).

 

In the 2012 I don't have this issue at all. It seems purely based on engine temp and battery SOC. If it's warm after I come out of the store I can drive in EV for a while.

 

You're right about the ICE running to provide heat. Which is why I don't use it. Or A/C for that matter. At current temps it's not an issue.

 

My mom's 07 NAH also seems this way as well. Perhaps Nissan's more aggressive about not firing up the ICE and/or cares less about cold ICE emissions?

 

This is true. Emissions first, MPG second. I guess it's a reminder ever day that you are doing a good thing for the planet. However it does piss me off too. I like the mpg numbers and starting out at 18 mpg takes the fun out of the drive. Oh well I guess you just have to make up for it along the way. As in life it is what you get at the end that truely matter.

 

Well, it's not stupid. Car have no ability to read driver's mind yet. Prius does the warm up routine in case you are going to enter hwy and gun it at 90 mph. If you are planning to do another short trip, try EV to avoid ICE start. Unfortunately, it often fails, as EV use is much restricted in US as opposed to Europe (not sure why).

 

Different emission control requirements most likely. I find EV unusable most of the time I would like to have it.

 

First, Toyota's employee or subcontractor is clueless.

Second, the ICE spins up to warm everything up. Warm is > 180F. If you are going to be parked for a few minutes keep the car on & manually lock the doors. The car doesn't know what's in your mind so, yes, I'd like an override button for the situations where I know I won't need the ICE.