2010 Prius Grill Blocking strategy

He has a Plug-in Prius. The ICE can remain off at speeds up to 62mph in the right weather conditions or when coaxed to do so by the driver.

 

Pump your tires up to sidewall max for the front and sidewall max - 2 or 3 for the rear and see if that doesn't change.

 

Hopefully you mean that if it is extremely cold or you accelerate way too fast then the ICE may come on before you reach 62.

 

Well, I think so. Did you read my response before firing off yours?

 

My tires are pumped to max all the time. I guess my engine will just stay on and burns gas at anything over about 20mph.

 

You made it sound like it has to be perfect weather and you used the word coax. To me, coax sounds like you have to baby it to get it up there.

 

Have you watched the great video of hypermiling on these forums?

 

Those videos provided examples of what the ODB-II devices can deliver. My best filmed footage is with the 2012 PHV, since I've had lots of opportunity to refine technique. For examples from my 2010, you have to page back to older videos.

AS for your ICE not turning off at higher speeds, it should. 46 mph is the upper limit for the 2010, which I saw every time I drove. Simply slowing down after warm-up is complete will trigger the shut off. Notice the drive through town on this video with my 2010:

 

Yes.

 

I will watch that display when I drive today. I have been watching the SGII and the RPM is always displaying the low 900's when I think the ICE should be off. SO I will check the display and see if there is a disparity between the SGII and the Prius display. Thanks!

 

I guess I still don't understand. Is the problem that you are not sure when the ICE is turning off or not?

 

According to the SGII the ICE is not turning off until I get under about 20mph or put on the brake.

If the ICE is supposed to turn off when I back off the gas pedal under 46mph, (given sufficient battery charge and no power demand) then something is not right.

 

The easiest way to tell if the ICE is running or not on the 2010...
If you are under 46 mph and are giving it just a little bit of acceleration (but not enough to go over the half way line) and still see your instantaneous MPG at 100+ then you know the ICE is off.

 

Thanks! I will keep an eye on the instant mpg too.

 

The system must be warmed up for the engine to shut off.

With the 2010, that means coolant must reach 145°F before that will happen.

In ECO mode, it will remain off until the temp drops below 114°F or you request power beyond the GREEN range or you exceed 46 mph.

 

Yes, got that! Thanks!

 

If the weather is less than ideal, and you don't coax it, the ICE will come on. In warm weather (above 65 F), you can almost floor it in EV and the ICE stays off. In very cold temps (30 F and below), depressing the accelerator beyond 2/3 on the HSI will almost always fire the ICE. Certainly you must be seeing this behavior in NE with the cold weather. I see it here and we've only gone below 32 F three or four times this season.

 

My observation today: SGII shows ICE RPM's even with ICE off, but not all the time. ICE off state on MFD to me means no ICE power going to drive train or battery, and instantaneous MPG showing 100+.

So, now I dont know what to think of the SGII. Except it is wrong, unless the ICE is turning without sending power to the drive or generating power for the battery.

 

The RPM gauge in Scan Gauge will register ~960 when it's turning to prevent MG overspeed. It's not using any fuel but just sort of free-wheeling.

 

Good to know! Thanks!