I've had the car a little over a month. First 1000 miles were smooth (55mpg), but I have noticed that the ICE kicks in a lot more frequently now. I might be driving it incorrectly, but I've noticed my mpgs drop to under 50 for the last 800 miles driving the same commute. For an extreme example of the revving: I go to the store. Get out of the car for as little as 10 minutes after the car has been driven 15 miles or so — and even though the battery is more than half way charged, the ICE kicks once I start moving from my spot. Even if I'm just moving from one part of the parking lot to another going less than 10 mph. When I let off the gas, the ICE continues to run even after I come to a stop. Now I know it's getting colder (highs in the lower 50s these days), so I expect this in the morning after it sits out all night. But I don't remember this happening when I first got it (granted, it was warmer in mid Sept here). Am I nitpicking here? Do I need to learn how to drive this car better?
I think its the weather. Look up grill blocking. If its cold out, the heat really gets sucked out. I could be wrong, but in the high 30's my ICE came back on after driving 1.3 miles at 45mph after I sat at a light for 1 minute.
I'd go with weather being the reason as well. Now that it's high 50s and low 60s in the morning here, I notice the ICE does stay on longer or come on more frequently.
