Not a dumb question at all. I was very confused when I first started reading all these Prius posts. Check our acronym glossary in the Knowledge Base. Let me know if you come across something that's not listed in there, I'll be happy to add it.
okay, here's another one for you techno geeks/motorheads. If the engine starts and stops, wouldn't that be bad for the engine? I mean the oil will be all over instead of the oil pan. So won't lubrication be a problem? All that starting and stopping of the ICE can't be good...right?
They way the prius is started is much better. It's not slowly cranked with unburnt fuel splashing around, rather it's instantly spun up to ~1000rpm under no load before ignition occurs.
I have also read that by the time the computer injects gasoline and produces a spark, oil pressure is at normal levels in the engine. It is neverthess unsettling to see (feel) the ICE stopping and starting so frequently; it must happen dozens of times during each of my daily 40 mile trips.
Shoot! I know I saw an article over the last two weeks that expanded beatifully on htmlspinner's comments, and explained why the Prius engine should actually last longer, and wear better, than a standard ICE. Drat. Keeping track of the internet is a pain.
