Engine runs most of the time 2012 PiP

We have 2012 Prius Plug In, 21,500 miles. Starting several months ago it would upon start up have the engine kick in after initial start up, usually about 5 feet in reverse out of our heated garage with a full charge. It runs at I guess 1200+ rpm as if auto choke is on. Even at stops engine still runs, then after awhile rpm drops but engines stays on. At some point with miles still on charge it drops into electric only mode. You can park, shop come out 10+ minutes later, repeats the issue. This happened once then several months everything okay, By early December 2014 it started doing this everyday. We have a Leviton 220 Charger in the garage.

Took it to dealer and was floored when their "Hybrid Expert" said this was normal in cold weather (avg. winter mid 30s to mid 40s), Showed me in manual where when running in cold weather in EVO the engine "might" kick in. I said BS. Car ran fine for 2 years even when we went to Great Falls, MT at -15 (we had bought new 2007 Prius put 85,000 miles on it when we traded for this, 2007 ran flawlessly) !

The regional "expert" is coming 1/14 and will review. Has anyone any experience with this? Thanks. Brad

 

We have had this car for 2+ years. Several months ago, the engine started up within seconds of start up even in our heated garage at about 1200 rpm as if auto chke is on. It runs when the car stops as well. This can go on for several minutes as you drive or stop. At some point it drops into elec. only mode. Go shopping, come out 10+ minutes later, it will repeat the issue. All this activity takes place with charge on the car. We have a 220 Leviton Charging unit in the garage.

I took it to the dealer and their "Hybrid Expert" said this was normal winter behavior. I said BS. The car ran fine for over 2 years. It ran fine even when we were in Great Falls, MT. at -15 F. We had a 2007 Prius put 85,000 miles on it and it ran flawlessly. The regional Technical support will be here 1/14/15. Has anyone heard of this problem?

 

First of all - Thank ALL of you for your responses! We love the car.

We purchased the car with 86 miles on it at the dealer in early 2013.
There was literally no change in characteristics till about 5 months ago when the first of these episodes happened.

Engine speed. The two things we never experienced was 1. hearing the engine this loud, Running at higher rpm I am guessing around 1200 rpm. Shocked us the first time we heard it. And it has always performed in EV with available charge on it and only went to engine under stress of hills or sudden acceleration.

Charging habits: Every time we get home we plug in the charge unit.

The comparison to the 2007 Prius was only to state we understand the fundamental characteristics of Prius cars. The PiP runs very pretty much the same, except for when available charge keeps it in EV mode. Stop, start etc.

Don't know what "lift back engine means". When I start the car and reverse out of garage, it has a charge available and normally always just runs in EV mode.

We live in Walla Walla, WA. Climate control stays 100% in EV/EVO positions.The climate is always in Auto mode, temp at 68 F.

Warm months Battery will charge to average 11 and in winter 9.3 -9.6 miles available

Interested to know what your different cold weather operation is from rest of year. My key frustration is it ran fine till recent. If it did what it does now when I took delivery I would have taken it back.

To the Fiat comment. If this was a regular car and you start it the engine would initially run at higher rpm even if only for a short time than drop down to it normal rpm range usually 800 - 900 rpm. That is exactly what this car is doing now. I had Healys, Triumphs and MGBs back in the day (I am 67) and the only car more difficult to get electrical work done on was a Fiat.

 

When I took it in to dealer in early December they ran a diagnostic scan. Said these scans are done in Torrance, CA and watched by the pros and seemed everything was okay. When I picked up the car. It did exactly what I told you. I drove around to the Bay doors in front, got the Service Mgr.,& the Expert out side and with 9.6 miles on the charge and the car sitting there in park and the engine running like a singer sewing machine, the expert pulled out the service manual and showed me the statement that cold weather driving in EVO with auto on could cause this to happen. I was slack jawed.

 

I will put the car into LO and see what happens.

To the question of fuel efficiency.... I have not seen a noticeable drop. It appears about the same. I assumed it would drop, had to quantify. Thank you.

The car goes out of warranty in March.

 

will try that. Thank you!

 

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