Is something wrong with my Prius?

congrats and welcome!
unlikely. the system can be quirky. best bet is to track your mpg's and post them here.

 

In itself, that is insufficient information to suggest a problem. For example, the ICE needs to maintain a minimum operating temperature, and when cold or cooled will fire up to reach such temperature. The catalytic converter may also have a minimum operating temperature.

Note also that each Prius model has a maximum speed at which the ICE can be halted. Above that threshold speed, the ICE must spin to protect MG1 from overspeed damage. The threshold speed varies by generation and model type (liftback vs 'c' vs 'v' vs plug-in) due to differing gear ratios and other factors. For my Gen3 Liftback, it is 46 mph, I don't recall the 'c's speed. But just because the ICE spins to protect MG1, doesn't necessarily mean it is burning fuel. It can be spun electrically.

My model doesn't have the same ECO meter, so I can't give pointers from that.

I won't declare that you don't have a problem, only that additional clues are needed before we have good reason to start suspecting anything.

 

lol

Not a whole lot of info to go on here. But with what little you described I'd have to say it's most likely operating normally. I say that as my own C's engine starts even when lightly pressing on the gas pedal and trying to maintain it under that "line" on the ECO meter. Over time I've come to realize it generally will do this to either maintain engine temperature, maintain the cabin temperature if the heat is on, or to put electricity back into the battery.

But a recommendation here. Don't pay much attention to that battery meter. Unlike the regular Prius, the C has a smaller battery. You'll notice when it goes into EV mode, it'll drop real fast then the engine fires up to keep it at a minimum charge. If you let it, that battery meter will drive you crazy. lol

 

If you aren't noticing any other symptoms, it's probably fine. As others have mentioned, the ICE will come on periodically to keep the engine and cabin temperature up. Taos can get fairly chilly this time of year so you can test this by setting your cabin temperature lower to see if the ICE doesn't engage as often. Also, in my 2012 C, I can't go over 44 mph without the gas engine kicking in, regardless of how I'm driving or ECO being on. Yours should be the same.

 

If you have codes then something is wrong with your car take to autozone In taos NM and let them but a code reader on it for no charge

 

33k miles over 8 years = a lot of sitting around, which isn't great for those hybrid batteries.

Mind you, it's excellent for most of the rest of the car, just means that it's a bit of a mixed bag like every used car.

That said I don't think you're describing a problem. If the car is getting around, not presenting alarms on the dash and giving you normal MPG then you're fine. If the hybrid powerplant has a problem, one or more of these factors will change.

 

Read up on Prius warm up stages

 

i only let my car sit for 4 days then I drive if I’m out of town

 

NO. That's just the way the C works.
It is almost impossible to purposely keep it in "electric" mode with driver actions.
With the C, the electric motor(s) only help the gas engine along, they don't actually run the car by themselves.......except in an EXTREMELY limited set of circumstances.

My family has had 4 of them. They all did that since new.

 

Congrats...
Good choice!

As mentioned above, there are a number of things that will cause the ICE to light off even when the battery is at 80%
Ignore the ECO meter for the first 1,000 miles or so while you get used to the car.

Nope.
Again over the next 1,000-2,000 miles you're going to develop a sense of WIN-WIN......What Is Normal, What Is Not.
The 'symptoms' you describe are normal.

You're welcome!
Just relax and enjoy the car.

 

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