2018 Prius Prime - Remote Engine Start

Hello,

I'm new to this forum.

I recently purchased a 2018 Prius Prime Advanced. I have been shopping around for a remote engine starter. The local (NJ) Toyota dealers do not provide this service. I called around and was quoted between $250 - $450 to get one installed. Per the manual, the car starts in EV mode if battery level is sufficient. Otherwise the gas engine will kick in. Here's my question: has anyone in this forum who has a remote engine starter installed and when you start the car, it starts in gas engine mode? I'm getting mixed answers and some professional installers said, however your car starts, that how the remote starter will start as well. Ideally I want the remote starter to start in EV mode all year around EXCEPT in winter months.

Anyone can share some experience with what I'm looking to do?

Thanks

 

During Winter months, I simply want to warm up the car for about 5-8 mins before I go out. I don't
need to preheat the cabin. Though I do want to defrost the windshield but not 100% needed.

So has anyone successfully have a remote engine starter installed on a 2018 Prius Prime?

 

By the way, one of the professional installers said to me that he could program the module to send a signal
which is equivalent of me pressing the "EV/HV" button to trigger the gas engine. As I said before, for the 2018
Prime, when you "Push Start" -> car starts in EV by design (unless your battery is close to empty). Then if you
push the "EV/HV" button -> it goes into hybrid mode. If temperature is low, gas engine will kick in. He said he
could program the module to simulate these events.

Anyone heard of this? True/False?

 

bisco: i never have my charging cable plugged to the power inlet on the car overnight.

So from what you're and SK are saying, sounds like it will work as long as I leave the heat/fan "ON"
when I shut off the car. Then next morning, when I remote start the car (regardless of EV, HV or EV AUTO)
I had it when I shut it off. Right??

 

My car is parked on the driveway outside.

I want the gas engine to start when I remote start it during winter months.

 

Seems like there are difficulties or technical challenges for this 2018 Prime when it comes to starting the car vai a remote engine starter.

Of all the cars I've owned, I always had remote installed (2008 Nissan 350z, 2009 Lexus RX350, 2008 Lexus CT200h (hybrid)
and 2017 Lexus RX350). This is the first time I bought a PHEV - 2018 Prius Prime). I still have my CT200h. During winter months
when the temp outside is cold, it starts the gas engine when I remote start it. The car automatically determines the outside
temperature. After the car is "warmed up", the gas engine shuts off but the car is still "ON". So i'll go out; get in and go.
That's it unless there's ice on windshield, then I have to scrape it.

I am going to stop in at the dealer and talk to the techs and see what they say.

 

Sorry what's "o/p's"?

 

Maybe one option is never charge the traction battery during the winter months. That'll definitely
fire up the gas engine when I remote start it. In addition, charging may take longer when temp is low
and the battery gets "discharged" when parked outside at night. Not sure what the right technical term
is but you're probably know what I mean. So it's isn't efficient to use the traction battery in winter season.

 

Oh, really? I didn't know modern cars don't need the initial warm up even in frigid temps.
I know, on my 2008 Lexus CT200h, if I start the car and drive away without letting the
engine run for say at least 5 mins in cold temps, I can feel the car is working "harder" and
i can feel it on my foot while stepping on the gas pedal. It's hard to explain.