The one and only Prius Plug-in FAQ!

If the warranty hasn't changed from 2012 to 2013, here is the link to the warranty book:

http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/omms/T-MMS-12PriusPHV/pdf/2012_Prius_PHV_WMG_lr.pdf

EDIT: I found the 2013 one:

http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/omms/T-MMS-13PriusPHV/pdf/2013_Toyota_Prius%20Plug%20in%20Hybrid_WMG_lr.pdf

Maybe that can go in the FAQ next to the manual link.

 

Hello,

It is my first participation in this forum. I am from Quebec Canada an I'm owner of a PIP that I have bought in february 2013. I am worried about the fact that after a full charge , it indicates a maximum of 9.3 miles of EV autonomy. I drive slowly in normal condition whitout even use the heater. Normally, it is supposed to indicate a minimum of 11 miles... I know all the things indicated in FAQ about the history of driving etc but i am not satisfied by this explanation condidering my very cautious style of driving.

Thanks

Christian

 

A few things to try.
Set tire air presure to 40 psi front 38 psi rear.
Turn air cond system off, no heat or cold air. Set fan to off!
Now go find as flat as a road as you can one with a max speed of 25-35mph as few stop signs or lights as possible.
If the temp. out side is 45 degreesF or above, on a full charge, you should be able to get about 12-15 EV miles.
Hope this helps. ​

Read more: http://priuschat.com/threads/confused-why-does-estimated-ev-miles-keep-dropping.117423/page-12#ixzz2Q6mjuzXF​

 

This link is my channel on YouTube.

Wait for upcoming videos. I've been filming throughout the winter. Now as the daily temperature begin to warm, EV miles are increasing. You'll be able to see me drive the same routes the same way but getting different results. The improvement spring brings is great. I experienced the same thing last year.

 

ok . . . it's 5 pages later now . . . time to show some love for the poor slobs who are still wondering what the heck TFS stands for. You really don't want to build a FAQ on a missing FAQ ... right?
I do like to pick me some nits


You may also want to elaborate some within the FAQ about out-of-state maintenance, since you mention buying a PiP out of one of the roll out states ... and whether or not Podunk Idaho is going to be able to work on possible large traction pack issues. Not a huge issue ... but worth considering.
.

 

toyota financial systems?

 

thank you.

 

I have driven my plug-in one year and the following is my experience with the "B" gear position: Normal regenerating position is still the gear handle's "D" position when you either slow down, generally with your foot off the gas, or when going down a hill. For comparison reason you can liken that to doing the same on a car with stick-shift set to 2nd gear. The plug-in, in the "D" position, now generates a given amount of charge to your battery.

Once you engage the "B" position for slowing down or coasting down a hill, the regeneration is much sharper. It is like putting the stick-shift car in 1st gear.

I drive down a long fairly steep hill whenever I leave my house. During this downhill mile I get one mile added to my battery capacity when the car is in “D”, i.e., it may go from 7.4 miles on top to 7.5 on the bottom of the hill. With the "B" engaged I get two-to-three miles back, i.e., 7.4 to 7.6/7.7. In the "D" position I have to use my brakes a little, but not in “B”.

If a hill is not steep enough for the "B", you will find that the car slows down more than you want, and you will roll back to the "D". A friend of mine also has a Prius Plug-in, but he does not "bother" with the "B". He averages 3-4 mpg less than I do. I now use the "B" without even thinking about it. Ditto with shifting from "B" back to "D".

The Owner’s Manual suggests you don't use the "B" for other than coasting or slowing down. When you get ready to hit the gas, shift to "D".

Good luck,
Fred M

 

Hi Christian,
I have driven my pip for a full year and my experience is like yours. It is seasonal. The charge shows 11-12 miles during May-October and 9.1-9.3 during the winter half of the year. I have had it explained to me that it is not that I get a higher charge during the summer, but rather that I get more miles per charge in summer driving. I still love the car!

Fred M.

 

If you arrive home (to your charger) after having run the car partially on gas, but with juice left in the battery, you have used gas whereas you should have used electricity. Consistently plan on getting to your charger with the least charge left in your battery.

Fred M

 

Last night I was at .1 mile left on EV and had not quite a quarter mile to go to get home... Uphill as well. I somehow managed to creep into my driveway before the ICE started! Feels good too!

 

When I do that, it annoys my wife to no end.

 

Mine to, arn't they all like that!

 

ditto, and causes me an ulcer until i hit the off button.

 

mine just laughs at me like I'm a kid with a toy
I'm no tree hugger just a cheap bastard playing a game

 

If you arrive home (to your charger) after having run the car partially on gas, but with juice left in the battery, you have used gas whereas you should have used electricity. Consistently plan on getting to your charger with the least charge left in your battery.​

Read more: http://priuschat.com/threads/the-one-and-only-prius-plug-in-faq.118566/page-5#ixzz2Rx1vLMnL​

I certainly seek to use the EV, but there are days when I drive almost all highway miles and some EV remains when I get home. There are other days when the EV juice gets depleted even out on the highway. I can't explain the difference. I have definitely noticed that the MPG has improved with the warmer weather, as has the EV longevity. My last two fillups exceeded 50 MPG for the first time! I am seeing occasions now where EV might be depleted, but at fairly slow speeds I can drive without ICE kicking on. It's not EV, but it's electric instead of gasoline. Bonus time.

 

i think you're getting the hang of it. as john1701 always says, it's not a pure ev but an ev assisted hybrid. the idea is to increase mpg's and decrease pollution.