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Battery Life and Outcome

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Fuel Economy' started by Vic, Apr 21, 2004.

  1. Vic

    Vic New Member

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    Car runs great!! Yesterday I experieinced a situation that I have not come accross over the 4 months that I have had my Millenium 04. There was a major traffic accident / jam that basically had traffic at a stand still for 30-45 minutes. I noticed that the battery level continmued to decrease while stopped (A/C and Radio weree on). I turned both items off and battery drain slowed. :cry:

    My question and concern is will the vehicle still be able to run if the battery goes to 0 if it is running and there is plenty of gas to power the gas engine to recharge the battery. Have not ben able to locate in manual this situation or discussion.

    Thanks :eek:
     
    #1 Vic, Apr 21, 2004
  2. bookrats

    bookrats New Member

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    Take a look at this PriusChat thread -- it's fully discussed there.

    Basically, no worries -- the engine will figure out that the battery is too low, and the ICE will be started and the battery charged. It's a smart engine!
     
    #2 bookrats, Apr 21, 2004
  3. Wolfman

    Wolfman New Member

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    Vic, I've been in that very situation. The car will not allow the battery to die, and will run the engine as necessary to keep it charged, if the SOC drops below the threshold that it deems "safe."
     
    #3 Wolfman, Apr 22, 2004
  4. twindad

    twindad New Member

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    Next time your in that situation, make it a game and see how long you can go without your ICE coming on. Feel good about the fact your not idling away a tank of gas.
     
    #4 twindad, Apr 22, 2004
  5. Wolfman

    Wolfman New Member

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    Yup, when conditions have allowed it, I'll actually shut off the headlights when I'm sitting in traffic. I don't know how much I'm saving, but I figure, why not.
     
    #5 Wolfman, Apr 23, 2004
  6. rflagg

    rflagg Member

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    I do believe though that since I have the HID lights in my '04, I don't think this would save energy since it takes quite a bit (compaired to normal headlights) for the initial turn-on...I could be wrong on this though, not sure. Anyway, would work with regular headlights. :)

    -m.
     
    #6 rflagg, Apr 23, 2004
  7. n3ok318

    n3ok318 New Member

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    Can't u just put the gear in "b" and drive? It'll somewhat recharge battery even tho it's very small
     
    #7 n3ok318, May 16, 2004
  8. eak354

    eak354 Member

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    no need to worry, just trust in the technology! :clap: when i first got my car that's one of the first things i tested (other one was steep hill climbing), left it on with aircon and stereo, last 2 purple bars then ICE kicked in. works like a charm! :wink:
     
    #8 eak354, May 17, 2004
  9. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    No, don't use "B" in stop-and-go traffic. That would reduce the amount of energy recovered. Just leave it "D" and let the car take care of itself (which it does perfectly well).
     
    #9 richard schumacher, May 17, 2004
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