So, from what I've read, the Prius has different operating stages... Apparently it needs to remain stationary for 10 seconds to enter stage 4. Could someone describe the operational stages of the car and their significance?
There is an article here on the stages. But I find they don't exactly apply as stated with the new code update on my car. There are still stages, but I do not always have to stop to get to stage IV! Stage IV is where the economy gets good, which is why it is important to know about.
If you get in and go without stopping anywhere, it seems like you get into an *almost*-stage-4 state as long as you request shutdown by backing off the accelerator while you're above, what is, 34 mph? Then if you get down under that with the ICE running it stays annoyingly running until you finally stop and do the stage-4 dance -- this can be *miles* from where you started, but apparently it still has to happen. The "four stages" document notes this as an unknown bit of behavior/logic; I hope it gets cleared up someday. . Oh, and this is without the additional factors of running the heater or a/c, battery at nominal SOC, etc etc.. . _H*
