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Warming up the car in winter

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by mikenancy1, Dec 15, 2012.

  1. mikenancy1

    mikenancy1 2012 PiP (Base), '10 Highlander Hybrid, '05 Prius

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    It takes about 15 minutes of driving in EV mode before I can turn on the heater and not have it engage the ICE and adversely affect my 999/mpg all-electric mileage.

    It seems logical that I could turn on the car in the garage in the morning, 15 minutes before I'm planning on leaving for work, and with it plugged in, let it warm up so that I could then use the heater when I start driving without it engaging the ICE. Has anyone tried this, and if so, does it work?
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    huh? you can turn on the heat without the ice firing? where does the heat come from?
     
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  3. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    +1
     
  4. mikenancy1

    mikenancy1 2012 PiP (Base), '10 Highlander Hybrid, '05 Prius

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    Said differently: If I turn on the car 15 minutes before I start driving, will I be able to then start driving and engage the heater, without ICE turning on to assist the heater?
     
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there is no heat without the ice, unless you got the super deluxe model not available anywhere else.:p
     
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  6. mikenancy1

    mikenancy1 2012 PiP (Base), '10 Highlander Hybrid, '05 Prius

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    Then I guess I have it partially wrong. When I turn on the heat less than 15 minutes into my first morning drive, my mileage decreases immediately. If I wait to turn on the heat until at least 15 minutes into my first morning drive, my mileage is not affected. I'm looking to be able to turn on the heat when I first start driving in the morning without it decreasing my mileage, hence my question about starting the car 15 minutes before actually driving it.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i hear you, but i'm not understanding. i wish someone else would jump in here. mileage decreases because the ice comes on and burns gas. i can't understand how your getting heat after 15 minutes if your ice isn't firing.
     
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  8. Big Dude

    Big Dude Member

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    If there is heat the ICE is on. I just don't think the OP is reading the information correctly. Where is that post with the pictures of the different modes?
     
  9. jmlarence

    jmlarence New Member

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    Worse part of this car, the heat. I've got a second cord going to a small space heater on top of the dropped back seat. Gently close the hatch on the cord. Let this run for 30 minutes before leaving the house. That and Long Johns...no need for "heat."
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    cool, what are you using for a heater, and how long does the cabin stay warm after you leave?
     
  11. mikenancy1

    mikenancy1 2012 PiP (Base), '10 Highlander Hybrid, '05 Prius

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    ICE is firing, but if I wait 15 minutes after starting before I turn on heat, mileage does not go down as a result of heat turning on.
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    okay, but it can't be 999 before you turn the heat on. 999 is only ev with no ice.
     
  13. jmlarence

    jmlarence New Member

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    It's a smaller cube ceramic type with a fan. It also defrosts the glass from the inside (which is awesome). The heat in the cabin is good for the whole trip - 9 miles. Toyota should have allowed the cabin heat to run from the charge cable...let us warm the inside from the land AC before leaving. Oh well, two cords going to my PIP these days!
     
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  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    thanks, i'm going to have to try this. my commute is 7 miles one way. a lot of us have said an electric heater that ran while the car was charging would have been sweet.
     
  15. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    In a nutshell, no ICE, no heat. The regular GenIII is another story. It has a heating element in the HVAC system.
     
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    ya, but you don't really feel it.
     
  17. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    Use seat warmer and blanket over legs. No ICE required.
     
  18. dmaxwellh

    dmaxwellh New Member

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    The car can't be started while the charging cord is connected.
     
  19. Adam Leibovitch

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    I have had the experience of being able to turn the "heat" on without the ICE coming on, but the air wasnt actually being warmed. I was in eco mode and had been driving at least 15 minutes. But no matter how high I set the temperature the air coming through the vents was not heated at all. Does hot air come out when you have the heat on without the ICE on?

    It was actually kind of annoying, I needed to defog my window.
     
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  20. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    If the ICE didn't run at all, you won't get any heat. The ICE is the only source for heat in a PIP.