How long does it take?

I do not have the technical answers for you. I just got my 2006 Prius a week ago. I live in San Diego and the engine seems to be warmed up fairly early on in most drives I take. To go anywhere, I drive up a short, somewhat steep hill and stop at a stop sign at the top before turning onto a major road. The ICE only shuts off there if I have already driven somewhere recently. By contrast, if I have to stop at the second or third light down the major road (.5 and 1 mile away, respectively, downhill), the ICE often does shut off even on the first drive of the day in the morning. I believe I read here that the ICE only shuts off at stops once it is warmed up, but I could be mistaken.

I know there are tons of topics that address fuel efficiency elsewhere in PC. Maybe try a search?

Best Wishes!

 

I doubt you have to wait long for the ICE to "warm up" in sunny, funny CA. Unless the temps are below freezing, a block or two should do it.

This morning, on the drive to work, it was -34 C. Last winter I just about froze my fingers off, the Prius is very efficient, so very cold blooded. No heat at all -30 C or colder.

This winter I have a winter front that blocks the lower grille and upper slits, and it makes all the difference. I actually get HEAT out of the vents now, and the ICE will actually shut down at red lights.

My fuel economy is better too. Last winter, I was lucky to get 9.8 l/100km in city driving. Maybe it's a combination of winter front and Mobil 1 0W-20, but this winter in the same temps I'm averaging 7 l/100km.

 

I live in Los Alamitos and park my Prius in a subterranean parking structure below our condo complex, so it's warmer in there than it would be if I parked it in the parking lot or along the street. Not that temps outside are freezing, but it has gotten into the low 40's outside these last few nights. I find it takes maybe a block or 2 tops before my car is fully 'warmed up' and starts getting higher mpgs than when first starting out.

 

I live in eastern Pennsylvania. I commute on back roads.

In the summer, the first 5-minute bar on the consumption screen usually ends up being about 35 MPG. All subsequent 5-minute bars are between 50 MPG and 70 MPG. So, I would assume it takes some time less than 5 minutes during my commute in the summer time, during which I've probably gone about 2 or 3 miles.

In the Winter, the first 5-minute bar on the consumption screen is usually around 25 MPG and the second 5-minute bar is usually around 35-40 MPG. All subsequent 5-minute bars are around beween 45 and 60 MPG. During that first 10 minutes, I've probably traveled 5 to 7 miles.