Leaving a running vehicle

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(toad @ Jan 27 2007, 09:08 AM) [snapback]381681[/snapback]</div>

Right, most of time my Prius is off when I'm not in, but when I'm at the bank and using the ATM 10' away, I leave it running. It's a very short time and I don't have to deal with the startup. Plus, I don't have to re-establish the BT connection.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(toad @ Jan 27 2007, 12:08 PM) [snapback]381681[/snapback]</div>

Though you have knocked the electric load as low as you can, the hybrid battery will still slowly discharge and eventually the ICE will kick in. Plus, if you are in a cold area, if the engine cools off, it will start just to warm up again.

For those that think when it is sitting idle using the hybrid battery to run the accessories that it does not lower your mileage, you are wrong. Though the ICE is not running, you are still using energy from the batteries that will need to be replaced.

When driving and the ICE is running, the electricity that charges the hybrid battery is not "free" or "extra" that would otherwise be wasted energy. The generator adds an extra load to the engine that will require more fuel.

Best way to get the best mileage is to shut it off....

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveG @ Jan 18 2007, 10:39 AM) [snapback]377157[/snapback]</div>

Seems like Toyota could have easily incorporated this feature into the Prius. Wouldn't it have been a simple matter to program the Prius to lock-out the gear shift so it couldn't be taken out of 'Park' if the car were left running but the SKS wasn't present?

The only loop-hole with this scenario would be the situations where someone drops off their SO with the key but does not shift out of 'Drive'. Still, such a feature would seem to significantly reduce (if not completely eliminate) the risk of the vehicle being stolen if left 'On', in 'Park', and unattended.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rudiger @ Jan 30 2007, 09:44 PM) [snapback]383109[/snapback]</div>

And in addition to this, allow the lock and unlock buttons to work when the SKS is not found to be inside the car.

 

I leave my car run with the A/C set on 70 degrees for 8 to 10 hours a day in very hot climate because my dog goes with me on days when I have a lot of estimates or parts calls. I take the mechanical key with me and lock the door which locks all the doors.

The biggest problem I have is it's a 100 degrees outside and he is in the car with it running. People walk by and do not know that my car is running because the motor only runs when the battery needs charged. People leave me notes on my windshield and call the police. I stopped two deputies who had called it into central to break my window. I always park where I can see my vehicle and monitor my dog. I went out immediately and asked them to look at the frost on the windows where the vent blows directly on the side windows, and look at the water leaking under the car from the A/C. They said Sir, your car is not running. I advised them it was an electric car and open the door so they can feel the cold air inside....which makes my dog go into a frenzy anytime someone gets in my car.

My wife is going to make up a sign for my dash so people will know it is an electric car and the dog is in Air.

Leaving it run does not really affect my gas mialage that much and is a lot cheaper to run than my diesel truck.

I love my Prius and just wished I could cut out the gas engine all together until the battery got down to about 10 percent.

 

Nobody wants a dog to be killed by leaving it inside an unattended car in the sun. Most people have no idea that the Prius can run the air conditioning even though the engine is not running.

In order to alleviate their fears, a simple note on the windshield should work. Something like

<blockquote>"Dog is OK. Air conditioning is turned on. Engine will run occasionally to keep the air conditioning running".</blockquote>
Even more convincing would be a large thermometer visible from outside the car.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(toad @ Jan 27 2007, 01:08 PM) [snapback]381681[/snapback]</div>

For short stops (I´m guessing for up to 15 minutes) this seems to be a good way to spike up on MPG. Make sure everything is turned off (I even turn off the display to keep it less obvious for passer-bys).
I´ve never been able to lock it, but some suggestions above seem doable. Thanks guys!!
;-)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(berlin_j @ Apr 4 2007, 05:31 AM) [snapback]417534[/snapback]</div>

Why haven't you been able to lock it? Is something wrong with your mechanical key and/or lock?

Dave M.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(berlin_j @ Apr 4 2007, 08:31 AM) [snapback]417534[/snapback]</div>

To take Dave's question/subtle advice one step further, here's a tip: Roll the window down before you get out, get out and close the door, reach in and lock the door with the armrest button, then close the window with the button (and get your arm out quickly!). When you return you can unlock it with the mechanical key. Therefore, make sure you take the key fob with you!

I've been using this routine recently for stops less than 10-15 minutes where I need to lock the car. It prevents the need for the initial startup routine where the ICE decides it has to run for at least a few seconds (even if it's warm.)

 

I´ve just been preoccupied by all the high tec in the Prius, that I´ve never even taken notice of the mechanical key... gotta run now, cause I left my Prius "running"... seriously (window option)


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dmckinstry @ Apr 4 2007, 09:27 AM) [snapback]417559[/snapback]</div>

 

Quick question, a little off topic (sorry). Can I leave the car running (just the battery, not the ICE) while I'm pumping gas? In my old car I would leave the battery on so that I could get inside and listen to the radio while pumping gas. Can I do that with the Prius, or do I have to turn it off completely? Thanks!

 

Pardon me, but are you female?

There have been many stories about fires at gas stations, usually tied to urban legends about "turn your cell phone off! It'll start a fire!". But studies have shown that women tend to be the victims much more so than men--and further investigation shows it to be because women slide out of the car (cloth on cloth = static eletricity), slide back in the car to "stay warm" or whatever (more static electricity), slide back out (more static eletricity), and if they don't ground themselves until they're near gas fumes--bam.

Men tend to get out of the car and stay out. Less static eletricity.

Anyway, you don't have a choice of whether the ICE runs or not. In your case, are you talking ACC mode instead of "Ready" mode?

ACC mode should be fine, but do beware of the dangers of getting in and out of the car like that while you're fueling.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cc9150 @ Apr 13 2007, 03:14 PM) [snapback]423021[/snapback]</div>

Yes, I am female
Pardon my ignorace (as merely a female), but what is ACC -- what I am asking is if I can have the car idle, right after I press PARK and not turning it off. Is that what you mean? Thanks!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qleaper @ Apr 13 2007, 08:37 PM) [snapback]423049[/snapback]</div>

Oh, sorry. ACC is Accessory mode. On a normal car, it's a position of the key switch, right before ON. ACC, ON, START. Start is the spring-loaded position that engages the starter. When you let go, the key springs back to ON.

ACC powers up electrical acessories like the radio, but not the actual ignition system of the engine.

The Prius is different, but Toyota gave it the same modes as a normal car: ACC, IG-ON, and READY. ACC is just like a normal car--accessories on, but the "engine on and running" part is shut down. IG-ON is just like ON with a normal car--the actual ignition system is ON. But if you go there without going through the starting procedure, the car won't go anywhere--just like a normal car. All the dash lights go on but the thing that makes the wheels turn isn't running.

The Prius has READY, which is the same thing as a normal car that's been started, is running, and the key switch is ON. Only in READY can the car be taken into Drive and driven.

If you simply stop and press the Park button on your Prius, the car is still in READY--which is like any other car being ON with the engine system running. The computer decides when to run the gas engine. You talked about being out of the car with the radio running but the gas engine not running--well, hitting PARK and getting out of the car won't do that. The gas engine will run as the computer decides it needs to in order to charge the battery.

You can turn you car off with the Power button, then simply hit the Power button again with your foot off the brake. This will turn the car to ACC and allow the radio to run, but the drive system is not powered up, the car is not READY, and the engine will never turn.

All this is in the manual. You should read up on this stuff and try it out while you sit in the car.

The biggest reason for not having the car ON and READY while you're pumping gas is so the computer doesn't see the gas cap off and turn on the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL).

The safest thing to do is to stop the car, power it OFF, get out once, pump gas, pay, get back in, then go. You elminate the static electricity issue, you eliminate the car seeing that the gas cap is off, and you follow the station regulations (and possibly state law) by not having your car running while you pump the gas.

Besides, it's a Prius--you're only pumping 5 or 6 gallons! Barely enough time to get back in before you have to get right back out!