Are you letting your RX 450h warm up
04-19-12, 05:48 PM
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Are you letting your RX 450h warm up
Hello all,
This is my first go with a Hybrid. I happen to own the 450h AWD. From what I am reading it seems that the car is very dependent on being warmed up. Of course most cars are. It seems there is more to it on this type of engine arrangement. My goal is to save gas. With this in mind, what are others doing as far as allowing warm up time? I live in South Florida so it's warm here. I hope this makes sense.
I do notice that the engine stays running continiously when first starting out in the morning. It also starts everytime you thumb the starter and then goes off. I had the non AWD unit for about a week prior to this one and did not observe this sort of thing. After the FWD unit was warm it only ran after it hit the middle of the Economy scale.
I guess what I want to know is if there is some fuel savings to be had by allowing an extended warm up time.
Thanks.
Ed
This is my first go with a Hybrid. I happen to own the 450h AWD. From what I am reading it seems that the car is very dependent on being warmed up. Of course most cars are. It seems there is more to it on this type of engine arrangement. My goal is to save gas. With this in mind, what are others doing as far as allowing warm up time? I live in South Florida so it's warm here. I hope this makes sense.
I do notice that the engine stays running continiously when first starting out in the morning. It also starts everytime you thumb the starter and then goes off. I had the non AWD unit for about a week prior to this one and did not observe this sort of thing. After the FWD unit was warm it only ran after it hit the middle of the Economy scale.
I guess what I want to know is if there is some fuel savings to be had by allowing an extended warm up time.
Thanks.
Ed
04-19-12, 06:40 PM
#2
I too own a 450h and mine operates much differently from what I believe you are saying here. After pushing the power start button, everything is electric. The gasoline engine does not engage until you begin acceleration.
04-19-12, 08:25 PM
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Once you pus the power button, it should be silent. As you start rolling the engine will start up. It will continue to remain on and wont go into full electric until the temperature needle hits the "two ticks" mark. After that point, it will function pretty much like normal. Before that, it wants to warm up the engine as much as possible.
There is really nothing you can do at this point to get it to warm up faster. Some people put block heaters so that the engine will warm up faster in the winter, but seeing as how you are in florida, you probably dont need it.
The worst thing for a hybrid and for mpg numbers is to do short distances in cold starts.
There is really nothing you can do at this point to get it to warm up faster. Some people put block heaters so that the engine will warm up faster in the winter, but seeing as how you are in florida, you probably dont need it.
The worst thing for a hybrid and for mpg numbers is to do short distances in cold starts.
04-20-12, 11:01 AM
#5
Toyota (and Lexus) hybrids have a special, elaborate warm up cycle. It is recommended that you start driving within about 30 seconds of starting the car to get the best efficiency. Additional idling time will only reduce efficiency and warm the cabin.
The prius and RXh use similar warmup cycles and I've copied them over from PriusChat user Ken1784.
The prius and RXh use similar warmup cycles and I've copied them over from PriusChat user Ken1784.
A famous Japanes Prius enthusiast, White_EPV@Yokkaichi (his handle), introduced these stages on his BBS. (Japanese only)
The Stages:
S0:
The Stages:
S0:
- it is from power on until the ICE starting for warming up (approx 12 seconds)
- you can enable the EV-Drive Mode during this S0, if the conditions are allowed so (refer to your owner's manual)
- the EV-Drive Mode can not be turn on when (1)the temperature of the hybrid system is high (ie; the hybrid battery is above 46C), (2)the temperature of the hybrid system is low (ie; the hybrid battery is below 0C), (3)the hybrid battery charge level is low (three bars or less), (4)the windshield defogger is in use or (5)the engine coolant temperature is below 0C (maybe 20C on the US Prius)
- when the start coolant temperature is below 40C, the warming up starts and continues for approx 50 seconds after S0.
- you can not enable the EV-Drive Mode during this S1a.
- the ignition timing is very late, after the top dead center. therefore the engine does not have enough power to drive Prius or charge battery.
- basically, Prius can not use the engine power when you drive. Prius is driven by battery power and the battery is discharged.
- it is good idea to drive slowly or stand still warming up in this stage.
- when the start coolant temperature is between 41C and 60C, Prius is in this stage, but the engine does not start automatically.
- when you press the accelerator (including driving), the engine starts and runs for approx 50 seconds or until the coolant temperature reaches 65C. the ignition timing is very late too.
- this is an extended warming up stage.
- you also can not enable the EV-Drive Mode during thisS1b on Gen3. (you can enable the EV-Drive Mode on Gen2)
- the ignition timing is now normal, and the engine is able to provide power and charge battery.
- you are now ready to drive without any penalty of battery discharging.
- ( A ) if the the coolant temperature is still below 40C after S1a, the warming up continues until 40C.
- ( B ) if the the coolant temperature is between 40C and 50C after S1a, the warming up continues until 50C.
- ( C ) if the the coolant temperature is between 50C and 60C after S1a, the warming up continues until 65C.
- after the S1a or S1b, Prius goes to this stage.
- Prius acts as normal until the coolant temperature becomes 70C (going to S3).
- The EV mode speed is limited below 10 mph on the NA Prius.
- when coolant temperature becomes above 70C, Prius goes to this stage.
- Prius acts as normal, but Prius requires an "idling check ceremony".
- The EV mode speed is now allowed up to 25 mph on the NA Prius.
- the "idling check ceremony" is done during an accelerator off gliding for several seconds on Gen3. (on Gen2, Prius needs a complete stop or very slow walking speed for the ceremony)
- the engine continues to run during the several seconds ceremony.
- after the ceremony, Prius goes to the S4.
- Prius now completed the warming up stages and in a full normal condition.
- if the coolant temperature is above 60C on power up, Prius is already in this stage.
04-20-12, 07:03 PM
#7
Lucas has provided a thorough start up cycle. Two questions, what are the temperatures of the tick marks on the temp gauge and does the energy display of the nav truly represent what is happening with the ICE, battery and drive train?
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04-20-12, 08:21 PM
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I think the nav display does a pretty good job at describing what is happening.
I dont think anyone can tell you each tick's temp. Mercedes always uses actual numbers on the engine temp and my needle always hovers around 90 degrees C.
I dont think anyone can tell you each tick's temp. Mercedes always uses actual numbers on the engine temp and my needle always hovers around 90 degrees C.
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