Hello, A few months ago I bought a certified pre-owned 2010 Prius. I really love it and everything but I just have a quick question about the mpg indicator next to the speedometer. Recently I have been noticing that even when the hybrid system indicator says I'm only using electric, the mpg indicator is sometimes displaying at about 20mpg. No heat, ac or anything is on and the battery is near full. When I first got it it always displayed at 100mpg when only using electric. Is there are reason for this? I am concerned that something is wrong or I am not understanding something. Thanks for the help!
welcome to priuschat! there are instances when the ice will run for various reasons. nothing to worry about unless you notice a severe drop in mpg's over a couple tankfull's. all the best!
Thanks for your reply! I expect it to come on sometimes but its been a LOT more frequent in the last few weeks than in the months before. Are there any possible reasons for this, or am I just being paranoid? Thanks
Sometimes the ICE runs after you've been driving in EV for a while, simply because the engine has cooled off. It depends on what stage the system is in. Bottom line is the average MPG for the day, the tank, etc. If that starts to drop then you can worry if you wish.
and with temps dropping, as rd says above, that means more often and for longer duration to stay at operating temp.
If you are saying that the EV light on the system indicator is on and the engine is also running, then that is something I have never seen. If the engine runs to warm the engine or charge the battery, the EV light will go out. I have a 2012, and it may be different in a '10.
Get a scanguageii from advanceautoparts.com and you can monitor when the ice come on by watching gas flow, rpm, and temperature. Use code DOW40 to get $50 off.
What area of the country do you live in? The engine always needs to be above a specified operating temperature, and will run more often to maintain this temperature as it gets colder outside. The farther north you are, the more noticeable this will be.
