Charged PiP seems to be using gas?

Hi Tony
You will know at any given time if the gas engine is on via the EV symbol on the Hybrid System Indicator. You might be trying to accelerate too fast in just EV. This could cause the engine to come on.

 

You would hear the engine come on. If you want more proof get a scangauge and you can see your Rpms and actual consumption.

 

there are a host of reasons for the engine to come on. however, with some reasonable techniques, you can usually prevent it. check out the faq's in the sticky at the top of the forum. all the best and welcome to the pip club!

 

Hi Tony,

This information is from the manual but also posted on the FAQ thread. Do you see anything that you can relate to?

Why is ICE turning on when there's still battery left?
There are any number of factors that can cause this. The manual outlines them on page 40:
●The heater etc. is in use.
●The temperature of the hybrid system is high: The vehicle has been left in the sun, driven on a hill, driven at high speeds, etc.
●The temperature of the hybrid system is low: The vehicle has been left in temperatures lower than about 32°F (0°C) for a long period of time etc.
●Power is needed temporarily, for example when accelerating suddenly.
●Vehicle speed is more than approximately 62 mph (100 km/h).
●The accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or the vehicle is on a hill etc.
●The outside temperature is low (less than 14°F [-10°C])
Bullet points 4 & 6 refer to accelerating so hard that the HSI progress bar reaches into the PWR zone.
In addition, it will also turn on when
●You have driven in EV mode with no ICE usage for 200 km (~124 miles)
●When using the front windshield defogger and coolant temperature is too low (more on that below)
●When you are braking/"coasting" and the traction battery is full (see question regarding the B drive mode below)

Read more: http://priuschat.com/threads/the-one-and-only-prius-plug-in-faq.118566/#ixzz2VvFgQpeE

 

I've had it ICE come on within a minute of navigating around a parking garage on the first drive of the day. None of the conditions matched that in the FAQ. Weird, but doesn't happen often.

 

probably the 124 mile thingy if it doesn't happen often.

 

Sure seems often!

 

I vote accelerating too hard. The best screen on the MFD is the HSI ( Hybrid System Indicator ) which shows the power bar. Don't push the power bar too far to the right into the POWER zone which will cause the ICE to turn on and augment your acceleration. In other words … stop using your lead foot. You can also just leave the car in ECO mode which helps prevent you from accidentally going into the power zone in EV.

Word of advice.. when you start accelerating into 50 mph area, you might want to go ahead and use HV.. it's more efficient.

 

you're right, the hsi is a powerful tool. i thought my wife's new hycam would have it, but no such luck. i guess they figure tmi for camry drivers.

 

I see the debate continues. So, this morning I needed to pull around a corner quickly to stay ahead of traffic. Given the low end torque in EV mode, there's no reason the engine had to turn on to accomplish that maneuver. And no, I did not floor it. The software could obviously be a bit smarter.

 

It's actually the software being very smart protecting the battery. I personally have yet to have the ICE come on when I've been in EV.

 

Yes from what I've read pulling too much power from the battery at once can cause degradation.

How does the Volt handle accelerating hard to get on the freeway?


iPad ? HD

 

The pedal mapping in EV Eco mode allows precise control. You'll have to press further to get the same power and may feel sluggish but I like the precision.

 

Mine never fires unless its too cold out like winter, but now summer its been great and would have to press into POWER mode on HSI to get ICE to fire. IMO always use the HSI indicator, watching the little arrows and which way they are moving is nowhere near scientific LOL.

One day last week, i was at my cottage which is on a steep hill, I have never drove my PIP anywhere but flat roads where I live. But my cottage is very hilly terrain. When I left cottage with a full charge you need to step on brakes due to going down our steep hill decline. I was shocked to hear the ICE fire up! This was something I did not know. As i read above, the car must bleed off the regen charging as the battery is already at full charge. Glad i dont take this car to cottage often.

Is there a way to brake down this hill with a full charge and not REGEN? I think neutral stops the regen brakes correct?

thanks
Dan

 

Correct -- I've also posted on another entry that you can fire the AC and fan full blast to stave off some of the electric and the car will allow you to take a bit more battery. Nobody has told me exactly how much the battery will take.. based upon the hill I have to drive down from work and watching the SG2, the battery will get up to about 86% soc. But I haven't had the ICE fire on me yet using this trick.

 

great to know about the fan/ac! The hill is very steep but only 500ft long then im on a flat road. So i only need to slow down for a short period before flat road. Im not certain about stopping regen though with NEUTRAL, does this work?

thanks
Dan

 

Have you watched the HSI screen and seen how much foot pressure it takes to get into the power zone? Once you get a feel for this you should have a good idea if your acceleration caused the ICE to come on...or not. My guess is that this is what you are doing.

Do you drive in ECO mode, normal, or power mode?

Mike

 

yes, but wears down your breaks faster