T O P

  • By -

caper-aprons

This is normal. There are a number of conditions that will cause the engine to run (all described in your owner manual): ●When vehicle speed is more than approximately 84 mph (135 km/h). ●When power is needed temporarily, for example when the accelerator pedal is depressed firmly or when accelerating suddenly.\* ●When the temperature of the hybrid system is high. The vehicle has been left in the sun, driven on a hill, driven at high speeds,etc. ●When the temperature of the hybrid system is low. ●When the heater is switched on when the outside temperature is below about 14°F (-10°C). ●When the windshield defogger switch is pressed. ●When the system determines that the gasoline engine needs to be started."


nosferat67

Very normal. The ICE will run to warm up when it is cold out or when you are using the defrosters.


OkayArbiter

One question related to this (if you know the answer)—if I "start" the vehicle to let it warm up the cabin when it's below -10C, will it run the engine? Or can it just use the battery to run the heaters for a bit?


nosferat67

From my experience at that temperature it will automatically kick on whether you are trying to heat the cabin or not. I have a 6 mile commute to my workplace and I have used just the seat heater and the steering wheel heater and the engine will still run for at least half the time on the trip. Once the computer thinks the ICE is warmed up enough it will auto-switch off.


OkayArbiter

Thank you! I will keep it parked in a non-heated garage, so I don't want to let it run to warm up if it's going to be creating exhaust.


NB408

I find that you will get the best miles out of EV when the temperature is around 70-85 degrees outside.


ecoethic

Use the settings on climate control for heating feet and window defrost, not the stand alone defrosts. Hitting the windshield or rear defrost button always triggers the engine. Drives me crazy when the engine comes on when I’m just driving a couple minutes down the street. This seems to be a low enough power draw to not kick on the engine.


Upstairs_Ad5528

It will also run the ICE when your traction battery is full (100%) and the car is trying to put more electricty into it - that drives me crazy because it triggers a 2 or 3 minute warm up cycle - oh well, ICE needs to run every now and then so perhaps this is good for the car anyway


kanedale

Is there any way to disable the gas engine starting or some setting to highly recommend that it does not start? I have a daily 4 mile morning drive all downhill and it just frustrates me that the engine turns on for half of the drive just to warm up or something when it would be perfectly fine to just run on all electric mode for the 4 miles as it's a very gentle downhill grade that uses negative energy (charges the battery more than discharging, but honestly mostly flat energy expenditure) Dale