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Question about startup?

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by Tonyzenmaster, Jan 6, 2013.

  1. Tonyzenmaster

    Tonyzenmaster New Member

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    Hi everyone, been wanting to ask the forum this question. When I bought my Prius c a couple months back, the dealership salesman instructed me to always depress the gas pedal first and wait till the sound from the traction battery stops before starting car with the key. He said this technique saves the traction battery from draining & wearing out. Anyone know if this is true? Just curious
     
    #1 Tonyzenmaster, Jan 6, 2013
  2. CMJAnew

    CMJAnew Junior Member

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    There is nothing in the manual to that affect. However, there is this (realizing you are referring to depressing and letting off);

    "Do not depress the accelerator pedal while starting the hybrid system under any circumstances.
    Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury"
     
    #2 CMJAnew, Jan 6, 2013
  3. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    No! Shows how little some salespeople know about the Prius. When the car is off the traction battery is disconnected by relays for safety reasons. Pressing the gas pedal while off accomplishes nothing.

    Part of the power on sequence is to close the relays and connect the traction battery to the MG's.

    So just press the brake, hit the Power button and you are ready to go. The car takes very good care of everything else.
     
    #3 jdcollins5, Jan 6, 2013
    Dylan Murphy likes this.
  4. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    What sound from the traction battery? Is he referring to the sound of the power brake accumulator charging up? (I'm asking from the perspective of a different Prius model, not the 'c'.)
     
    #4 fuzzy1, Jan 6, 2013
  5. Tonyzenmaster

    Tonyzenmaster New Member

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    Fuzzy, it's a sort of like a mild buzzing sound. I do hear this sound when I depress the brake after stepping inside the car with the key not in the ignition. I have a c1. So no smart key or start button for me
     
    #5 Tonyzenmaster, Jan 6, 2013
  6. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Does the noise come from in front, under the hood? Does it last roughly 10 seconds? Does it not always happen if the car has been turned off only a short time?

    If so, I suspect it is the same power brake charge-up that we Liftback users get just by opening the door. It is driven solely by the 12V battery, not the traction battery.

    If it doesn't fit this description, then you'll have to wait for other C owners to chime in. But the sales critter's warning sounds fishy.
     
    #6 fuzzy1, Jan 6, 2013
  7. vincent1449p

    vincent1449p Active Member

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    Hi Tonyzenmaster,

    I believe what you describe is the brake accumulator sound. I have the SKS but the brake accumulator should be the same. If you depress your brake several times, you should hear the same sound again.

    Vincent
     
    #7 vincent1449p, Jan 6, 2013
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  8. Rob.au

    Rob.au Active Member

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    The famous "robot cow" noise! (y)

    Noises while driving and stopping? | PriusChat
    What is the source of this sound? | PriusChat

    It's all good. Don't press the gas pedal. Just get in, press the brake and start the car. If you want to wait for the noise to stop you can (and to be honest, I do most of the time), but you do not have to. If you listen carefully you'll hear the noise from time to time while driving, when using the brake (but not every time you do).
     
    #8 Rob.au, Jan 7, 2013
  9. BrunoPuntzJones

    BrunoPuntzJones Member

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    I just push down the brake pedal, start the car and as soon as it says "READY" on the screen I drive off.
     
    #9 BrunoPuntzJones, Jan 8, 2013
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