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2012 plug-in basic gets lower miles after full charge in summer

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by PriusPlug, Aug 25, 2013.

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  1. PriusPlug

    PriusPlug Junior Member

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    Hello Guys

    I live in NJ and in summer i am getting a full charge of 8.1 miles. In winter i used to get almost 11 miles. I thought in summer the charge will be even more?. Am i missing something?. Any body run into similar issue?.

    I have 2012 Prius Plug-in Hybrid Basic.

    Thanks....
     
    #1 PriusPlug, Aug 25, 2013
  2. jnet

    jnet Member

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    Are you parked outside? Maybe your car is getting too hot
     
    #2 jnet, Aug 25, 2013
  3. PriusPlug

    PriusPlug Junior Member

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    No it is always parked in the garage. Charging happens between 1 AM and 4 AM in the morning. We check the status at around 8 in the morning. So heat is certainly not an issue.
     
    #3 PriusPlug, Aug 25, 2013
  4. jnet

    jnet Member

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    Is your system shutting off prematurely? Make sure you're not using an end timer. Another poster said his end timer is not giving him a full charge.
     
    #4 jnet, Aug 25, 2013
  5. rcf@eventide.com

    [email protected] Member

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    Possibly your charging voltage is lower in the summer and three hours isn't enough for a full charge. Did you try charging without using the timer? (I have the same model and year and get 11+ miles regardless of season.)

    Richard
     
    #5 [email protected], Aug 25, 2013
  6. PriusPlug

    PriusPlug Junior Member

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    There is a end-timer (4 AM). Starts at 1 AM and supposed to end at 4 AM. Why will this be a problem now when it was not a problem in winter?. I have not changed the settings since I bought the car and set it once.

    Should I increase the timer to may be couple of more hours? like 6 AM?.
     
    #6 PriusPlug, Aug 25, 2013
  7. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Ar you driving with the AC blasting?
     
    #7 JMD, Aug 25, 2013
  8. jnet

    jnet Member

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    Like the other poster said, the voltage could be lower in the summer. Yeah, I would give it more time and see what happen. The battery is over 200v, so if you're using 120v, the system will have to step up the voltage.
     
    #8 jnet, Aug 25, 2013
  9. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    That's what I'm thinking.
     
    #9 El Dobro, Aug 25, 2013
  10. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    Here is the million dollar question....

    Does your battery on the dash look full after you are done charging?
     
    #10 markabele, Aug 25, 2013
  11. PriusPlug

    PriusPlug Junior Member

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    Yes battery is full but it says only 8.1 miles. As for AC goes, no it is not running when the car is parked in the garage in the nite and is being charged. So I don't understand the relevance of that to the full charge miles in the morning before the car is driven out to work.
     
    #11 PriusPlug, Aug 25, 2013
  12. PriusPlug

    PriusPlug Junior Member

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    Problem is that after a supposedly full charge in the nite, in the morning i see 8.1 miles in console. it used to be much higher during the winter.
     
    #12 PriusPlug, Aug 25, 2013
  13. jnet

    jnet Member

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    if adding more time doesn't help, bring it back to the dealer. Also, if you have a meter, maybe you could log the outlet voltage and compare it with what you get in the winter.
     
    #13 jnet, Aug 26, 2013
  14. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    The readout on the dash is an average for EV use, so if you use the HVAC while driving the car, it's going to be reflected in the average.
     
    #14 El Dobro, Aug 26, 2013
  15. 3PriusMike

    3PriusMike Prius owner since 2000, Tesla M3 2018

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    The number shown is some kind of a moving average over some number of past trips and or EV miles driven minus some penalty (maybe 10%) if the heat, A/C or even just the fan is on. Toggle the fan on and off to see the immediate change in the estimate.
    Mike
     
    #15 3PriusMike, Aug 26, 2013
  16. Flying White Dutchman

    Flying White Dutchman Senior Member

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    its not about the ac running during charging but during driving.
    maybe the prius calculated the ac running into the ev range? and so lowering it
     
    #16 Flying White Dutchman, Aug 26, 2013
  17. PriusPlug

    PriusPlug Junior Member

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    Possible. In summer, the AC will be on for some time during the day. So if the EV range isan estimate taking into consideration potential AC Usage then i think its alright. But then the advertised EV range should mention that too :).
     
    #17 PriusPlug, Aug 26, 2013
  18. pwp1943

    pwp1943 PHEV Afficionado

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    Have you checked to see how closely the estimate agrees with the actual number of miles driven in EV mode? If not, then try to drive in EV mode on some 30-40 mph roads without any electrical drain on the system (no headlights, no AC, etc.). See how close the estimate comes to what you see on the odometer.
     
    #18 pwp1943, Aug 26, 2013
  19. Chazz8

    Chazz8 Gadget Lover

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    Check for engine oil overfill, tire pressure, and 12 volt battery. These things can affect EV miles. Also, if you want to see a bigger number for EV miles (estimate remember) try this trick. Start car, observe EV miles, turn off AC and fan and watch you EV number shoot up (assuming AC and fan were on at last shut down).

    What is your overall mpg and driving style and how fast are you going for those 8+ miles in EV?
     
    #19 Chazz8, Aug 26, 2013
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    see my reply in your mirror post.
     
    #20 bisco, Aug 26, 2013
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