Hi I am a full time college student and just started a part time delivery job. My friend told me that leaving on the car is preferable to turning it on and off during deliveries. Is this true of the gen II Prius as well or will I be just as fine starting it frequently? Thanks a lot, Marcus
The Prius doesn't grind a starter. However, once turned on, it will want to go through the warm-up cycle even if the engine is already warm from running deliveries. I would just leave it on although it would technically be running and unlocked. Those are two dice you might not want to roll.
Thank you! that is the one risk I certainly do not want to take. Especially during night shift. I'm sure the stops wont be shorter than 2-5 minutes so not much heat will be lost. Thanks again, Marcus
Well, what Tony said is the Prius goes through the warmup cycle each time it is put in "ready" (what you're calling starting). This means the engine will run for about 20-40 sec. whether the car is warm or not. It's no big deal though, as you would most likely be driving anyway, which would usually force the engine to run. It's just that for those trying to get the best mileage, it can be frustrating to have the engine running for no apparent reason. As far as extra wear, no it wouldn't be a factor.
The startup process Prius uses is profoundly less stressful than traditional vehicles. Rather than barely getting the RPM to a speed where combustion is possible, the much larger electric motor & battery are able to not only spin up to idle speed they also holds it there until oil pressure is established. And to make the start even easier, the components within the engine itself have been enhanced for less stress... something not realistic for engines relied on exclusively for power. Being a full hybrid means an easier life for an engine. .
Another solution if you're comfortable with it is to leave the car on and lock the car with the mechanical key while you make short deliveries. If you turn off the display, the ICE runs so infrequently that no one will even notice the car is on while you're away from it. Good idea to doublecheck you're in park and the parking brake is set too. Leaving it on avoids the repeat warm up cycle.
This seems a pretty common practice. You can get a copy of the emergency mechanical key made with a standard Toyota key blank, for better leverage. Turn off the MFD and leave the combination meter covered, then no one will know the car is on unless they recognize the hum of the inverter coolant pump.
I had a mechanical key made long ago that I leave in the center console and then lock and leave the car on frequently (especially in the winter months) as I make many short trips. Going through the warm-up cycle after each stop makes my already relatively poor winter mileage (because of short trips) even worse. Just be sure to turn the Auto/AC off or the ICE will run more than necessary to add comfort to an empty cabin. I can be out of the car 20 minutes or more and the ICE will never have started.
Yep. When I lived in N.D. I needed to warm up the car in winter. I'd lock it with the mechanical key. Problem solved.
