Prime may start ICE in EV mode if Windshield Defogger switched on

I am perfectly OK in sub zero temp, I just need to be able to see through the windshield in front of me.

 

when the temperature reaches -14 degrees F or below ICE will definitely come on. Last December or January it was -7 degrees and ICE kicked in for me.

 

minus 14 F can happen, but it's rare. I may be OK for most part of the winter.

 

Using the Remote Climate if you have the Advanced model comes in handy because both the front and rear defroster come on without engaging ICE. But sometimes it's a losing battle when it's that cold out.

 

agreed

 

Got my car in April, so don't know yet. Coldest I drove it in was about 12 degrees F. Ev only.

 

Could I make the case for just driving as usual, no special tactics, don't sweat the engine running more. It's maybe healthier for the car overall, in particular the engine?

I'll brace for the barrage now, lol.

 

Go visit the ice climbing in Ouray in February. That'll be a good test.

 

well, I do have a full tank of gas that needs to be used up

 

Thanks. I will give a try when the time comes. I can still see some instances when defroster is must, like when freezing rain is on the windshield. One of my current project is to clear our shed/garage which is now being use for storage, so I can keep my car inside before winter. By the way, -40 temperature is the same temperature for you in Canada -40C and for us in US -40F. I experienced that temperature only once in my life when I was living in North Dakota.

 

All trim levels have that feature, and it actually works, on my Plus

 

So how did the windshield washer fluid work out for you?

 

yup, it's a cr*p shoot on whether or not you're going to make it all the way before the windshield washer fluid runs out and the window refreezes.

 

don't know, have not had the need for heat here in SoCal
And, looking at the pic made me shiver ...

 

Yes, remote AC works for both heating and cooling.

Remember, you can defrost without the ICE too if you don't use the defrost button and just direct heat at the defrost vents. The difference is you'll get little or no dehumidification that way. But for frost on the outside, that's what you want.

 

I hope I never have to leave home when outside is -40. Although where I live now, most of days in month of Jan and Feb, the temperature does not get above freezing, the lowest we had were maybe -10F or -23C, certainly not -40. I didn't pay much attention on how I drove my Gen3 during winter, and not having climate prep in my previous Prius, I always blasted with defroster. After window was sufficiently defrosted, I used 12v plug-in seat cover heater and kept heat in the cabin minimum for my morning commute. Even without much attention, my Gen3 kept about ~45mpg during winter compared to ~54mpg in summer. I was happy then, but I want more from PRIME now.

Shown below is my record of calculated mpg for 2.5 years of Gen3 Prius ownership. As most of you know, the mpg displayed by the car was always higher than calculated mpg by "full-tank method" by about 8%.