Feedback about not using Prime's engine

I'm a bit confused, and perhaps ignorant as I'm still learning to use my plug-in Prius, but you mention you take a 1000 mile trip and only use the ICE for the first 28 miles... are you saying that the remaining 972 miles are run exclusively on the electric motor? Would appreciate a clarification. Thanks!

 

Please read it again. It says "Once a month I drive it on a 1000 mile trip, using the ICE for all but the first 28 miles." This means that the first 28 miles are on battery, the rest is hybrid mode.

When I reach my destination, I plug in the stock level 1 charger to a normal 120V outlet so that I'm starting each day with a full battery. The electric rates there are low enough that it's more economical than gas and (being generated by hydroelectric power plants) it's ecologically sound too.

 

No! Sounds like a PHEV is a great fit for your usage.

 

My apologies... I had read it wrong and misunderstood it. Have had my Prius for a year now and am still learning new things about it every time I take it out for a spin. Thanks for the clarification!

 

I have the same driving habit as you and it works great. I’ve had my car for 8 months and have burned maybe 4 tanks of gas (road trips) but otherwise completely electric for daily driving. I love my Prius!

How do you see what percentage of your driving is on EV vs HV (ICE)? There is so much data that the car can display that my brain starts to explode when I scroll through the options. Thanks!

 

From my recollection:
1. Press trip button till you see the total milleage you have driven
2. Then to the info screen, scroll down till you see the drive monitor like the picture.
The EV percentage is a bit inflated cause it also includes the EV in hybrid mode.

 

Thank you!

 

"Currently flirting with $1.70 (per liter) on west coast Canada."
CDN$1.70/L = about US$5.15/gal with the Canadian dollar worth about 80 U.S. cents. High gas taxes. Also, for the U.S. west coast, there are no connecting pipelines to the fuel rich mid-west. The west coast is dependent on the west coast refineries, and they are optimized for profit.

Mooney, there is no problem letting an engine sit for long periods of time. If it was many months between runs, yes, a regular run maybe monthly for a half hour or more would be wise--a very short run where the engine doesn't get fully warmed is harmful. Otherwise, enjoy the economy.

 

And for California anyway, we have to use a blend that is only produced by West Coast refineries. So even if there WERE pipelines to the oil wells, we would still be stuck. Regularly scheduled outages for "maintenance" guarantee regular price hikes.

 

Were you maybe quoting me? Currently $1.53 CDN at nearest self-serve, a Chevron:

Best Gas Prices & Local Gas Stations in Port Coquitlam, BC

Converts to roughly $4.65 USD per US gallon

 

Prior to purchasing, I researched this issue. Youtube has a mechanic that talks about this and what he says sounds logical. He stated that people have brought Primes into his shop that haven't used the ICE in a year and a half. He suggest running the engine occasionally and filling your tank with ethanol free gasoline. His main concern was the engine developing internal rust and the EF gas would help with that problem.

 

I can't imagine anything inside the engine rusting. All the oil lubricated parts will retain the oil film for many, many months. The engine antifreeze coolant has corrosion inhibitors. If any parts of the fuel system are bare steel, there isn't any way for moisture to get there. If the gas tank is steel, yes, it might eventually rust internally, but is it plastic?

Do run the engine periodically. Do use a stabilizer in the gas if you run the engine very seldom (Sta-Bil or equal), and consume the tank of gas no longer than 6 months. Change the oil yearly if not sooner. Follow the owner's manual for coolant changes. Don't fall for the myths about ethanol in gasoline--yes, it does absorb more moisture than pure gas, but engines built for it have little trouble.