Strategy of Driving the PiP Effectively

Quick question to anybody who knows. Is there any advice from Toyota that a PIP should not be used in EV mode continuously from year to year without ever using the ICE at all.

 

Remember there is only 10-15 miles of range in the PiP. Not too many people can do all their trips on just that range. Also, don't forget the ICE comes on every 124 miles to do a warmup cycle.

 

The fine for speeding is generally more than for running a red light. If you're willing to risk one ticket, why not the other? What about the drivers that aren't speeding getting trapped by the other guy?

There's a light on a major road along my commute on a 6-second cycle (no exaggeration). I tried reporting it to the traffic department, but they ignored me. After a couple of months I just started to ignore the light, as do a lot of other drivers now. The short of it is that if a light gets ridiculous, people just start running it.

 

From Toyota Manual
■

Notice about fuel


For plug-in hybrid vehicles, fuel may remain in the tank for a long time and
undergo changes in quality depending on the how the vehicle is used.
Refuel at least 5.3 gal.(20 L, 4.4 lmp.gal.) of fuel every 6 months (refuel a
total of at least 5.3 gal. [20 L, 4.4 Imp.gal.] over a 6-month period), as this
may affect components of the fuel system or the gasoline engine.

 

Thanks for your answers. Very informative. Does anybody know what is the size of the electric motor in a PIP in kW (kilowatts). Maximum RPM and torque?

 

60 kW, the same as regular Prius. The difference is, more electricity comes from the battery rather than the generator.

You may not notice but at low speed, most of the power and torque come from the electric motor even when the ICE is running.

 

I'm not sure if this post belongs here, please feel free to move it to a more appropriate place if not. I am a complete NOOB. A friend showed me her Prius and I fell in love, and until I went to the dealership to buy one I didn't even realize it was a hybrid!!

Anyway, I've noticed that at times when I drive a certain speed, say 50 mph my display says less than 50 mpg, but other times it maintains at 100 mpg at the same speed. What is the difference? I haven't been able to find a rhyme or reason to the fluctuations.

 

This doesn't really belong here but the basic answer is, depending on environmental conditions and how much power you require by pressing on the gas pedal, the gas engine could be running or not. That gives you the difference in mpg.