Went out to check the traction battery Heater setting, make sure it's "ON" since temperatures have finally dropped. Car was still plugged in from last charging. Couldn't get any useful information to appear on the MID though, tried the steering wheel's MID control buttons, but none of the usual screens would make themselves available. Would just like to confirm: to get the MID to a useful state, the car's charge door must be closed and the vehicle "ON." If not, what can I do to get the traction battery setting screen up (for instance) if the charge door is open?
You will have to put the car in READY mode, or at the least on ACC or ON mode to see the information on the MID. However, you can not put the car into READY mode while the charge cord is attached. I think you can still put the car into ACC or ON mode while plugged, but you will risk draining the 12v battery if you keep the car in that state for too long, so be careful. BTW, the manual cautions to unplug the charge cord as soon as the charge is completed, and not to keep plugged in for a long time. Doing so also drains the 12v battery quicker. Moreover, keeping the traction battery fully charged is not good for the longevity of the traction battery either.
You are right. I've done it. I think it's the 2 press version which is IG On. (The display will say, "Ignition ON.") And, as you said, don't forget to hit the start button one more time to shut it off. And don't dawdle. Carl, with most cars (all the ones I've have before my first Prius, in fact), the manual is just a kneeling pad. With the Prime, it's essential reading if you want to avoid frustration.
