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Battery charging question

Discussion in 'Prius c Technical Discussion' started by mister164, Feb 2, 2019.

  1. mister164

    mister164 New Member

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    I noticed yesterday that if the car is not using the battery it is charging it. Is that normal? The battery hasn't used more than 2 bars and it's charging.
     
    #1 mister164, Feb 2, 2019
  2. mister164

    mister164 New Member

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    Drove past a dealer so I stopped in. They said it was normal.
    I've never watched that screen before and thought maybe that was the reason for my bad mpg.
     
    #2 mister164, Feb 2, 2019
  3. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    The real answer depends on the precise situation at the moment.
    But in general, if the engine needs to run for some other reason.....like to keep it up to good operating temperature......then the battery will be charging too.

    What do you consider "bad MPG" ??

    That depends on a lot of things too.
    My C's have varied from a low around 40 to a high of maybe 65 but both of those extremes are pretty rare. I think my long term average might be somewhere around 50.
     
    #3 sam spade 2, Feb 2, 2019
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Pretty much. You can feather the throttle to a no use no charge situation.
    If you want mpg help, post a detailed write up of your experience
     
    #4 bisco, Feb 2, 2019
  5. mister164

    mister164 New Member

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    I was getting 48 mpg all of 2017. Then in 2018 it steadily decreased all year. I was getting 42 mpg in december.
     
    #5 mister164, Feb 2, 2019
  6. pdforever

    pdforever Member

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    I read somewhere that you should have the 12V DC Battery checked (not the HVB), because that has a life of about 3 years, and an early indicator of that is a lowered mileage.

    There's a post on it right on this forum:

    Weird stuff happening? MPGs dropping? Test The Battery
     
    #6 pdforever, Feb 3, 2019
    bisco likes this.
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Did you buy it new?

    How many miles on her?

    Regular maintenance?

    Tires pressure?
     
    #7 bisco, Feb 3, 2019
  8. mister164

    mister164 New Member

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    Left over 2016 off showroom floor.
    38,000
    Regular maintenance
    Tire pressure is what's on the door plus a couple of lbs
     
    #8 mister164, Feb 3, 2019
    bisco likes this.
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    I never use that charging screen. One thing: it's VERY distracting: worse than texting.
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Feb 3, 2019
    michael.sfo likes this.
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    has your driving situation changed at all?

    are you tracking mpg's by the tankful figured manually at the pump?

    might be worth testing the 12 volt battery
     
    #10 bisco, Feb 3, 2019
    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller likes this.
  11. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    But.....have you checked that lately......and regularly through out the year ??

    Has your driving route changed around Jan. 2018 ?

    Have you changed where you buy gas ?

    Have they started using ethanol in the gas in your area recently ??

    Does the gas engine EVER shut off in normal driving and stopping ?

    I suggest a shop visit because something might be going on that needs attention and it MIGHT still be covered under warranty.
     
    #11 sam spade 2, Feb 4, 2019
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