Morning cold startup for hybrid motor

[tom_tucker]

I know I need more than 3 minutes to defrost with Maine winters no matter the car lol. I'm not driving without clear windows.

Frost/ ice on the exterior is a scrape off. I'm sure that could be a hell of a scrape off in Maine.

If there is frost on the inside, that is avoidable (I think) by purging the cabin. I started opening my windows before shutting down in winter. Get all the warm moist air out and get the cold air back in. That way when you start up the next day, it's mostly cold dry air and less condensation. Even if it's raining outside, that new cold air is less humid than your warm cabin air.

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[sprubs]

So now that it's actually cold I'm a little concerned about getting up to full operating temperature to drive off moisture. For instance, this morning my commute was 10 miles and it took me 25 minutes. I barely ever made it past the first line on the temp gauge and when I arrived at work I was well below that because closer to my work I go down a hill and the ICE turns off and the cold temperatures really start to cool it back down. I'm not sure how often one needs to get up to full operating temperature but with this engine being so efficient I might have to make some special highway trips or something.

 

[BluegrassNbass]

So now that it's actually cold I'm a little concerned about getting up to full operating temperature to drive off moisture. For instance, this morning my commute was 10 miles and it took me 25 minutes. I barely ever made it past the first line on the temp gauge and when I arrived at work I was well below that because closer to my work I go down a hill and the ICE turns off and the cold temperatures really start to cool it back down. I'm not sure how often one needs to get up to full operating temperature but with this engine being so efficient I might have to make some special highway trips or something.

Wouldn't sport mode or Tow mode keep ICE running? Just a thought. Sport mode plus L button?

 

[sprubs]

I'm not yet familiar with what those modes will do with regards to the ICE. All I know is sport mode feels peppy.

 

[BluegrassNbass]

I'm not yet familiar with what those modes will do with regards to the ICE. All I know is sport mode feels peppy.

Welp....better start learning your truck.

 

[sprubs]

Welp....better start learning your truck.

I'd say it's more enlightening and fun to have a conversation but that manual is looking pretty good right now. Thanks!

 

[BluegrassNbass]

I'd say it's more enlightening and fun to have a conversation but that manual is looking pretty good right now. Thanks!

That's why the trucks come with it. Welcome

 

[MinntoMich]

In a normal car, you start the motor and let it run to allow the oil and lubicants to flow around the engine before getting under way. At least I do, especially on cold mornings. The hybrid however doesn't start until it is needed. When I first take off it's on battery only and then the motor kicks in.

Is it a problem for the motor to start under load without first circulating the oil and such?

If this is an earlier thread I couldn't find it.

I've had frosty mornings and park outside. I also have a block heater but so far I'm not impressed with it although I'm sure it helps. Jaybird is right about switching the defrost to the max setting and my experience was that the engine came on immediately and stayed on until I switched it off. My commute is short and I know that unless your driving at highway speeds for an extended time the motor and the cabin never really get warm.

 

[sprubs]

Wouldn't sport mode or Tow mode keep ICE running? Just a thought. Sport mode plus L button?

I see no indication in the manual that any of those are true. We're you actually asking this question or were you saying that's how it is?

Also, cruising at lower speed in sport mode or low seems less than ideal.

 

[BluegrassNbass]

I see no indication in the manual that any of those are true. We're you actually asking this question or were you saying that's how it is?

Also, cruising at lower speed in sport mode or low seems less than ideal.

When you stated heat was cooling down on your commute. It was a suggestion that this behavior could keep ice running and not blowing cooler air before you arrived at work.

 

[sprubs]

When you stated heat was cooling down on your commute. It was a suggestion that this behavior could keep ice running and not blowing cooler air before you arrived at work.

I'm not trying to heat myself

I'm worried about the engine getting fully warmed up for a period of time. It's not great to run an ICE again and again while never getting up to full operating temperature to drive off moisture in the oil.

 

[JP4AZ]

This is my 1st Hybrid. Glad I live in Phoenix and park in a garage. Not much to worry about here as far a warming up. I just wish the Hybrid had a tachometer so I can tell when the ice kicks in. My truck is soooo smooth that most of the time I cannot tell when the ice engine kicks in.

 

[sprubs]

This is my 1st Hybrid. Glad I live in Phoenix and park in a garage. Not much to worry about here as far a warming up. I just wish the Hybrid had a tachometer so I can tell when the ice kicks in. My truck is soooo smooth that most of the time I cannot tell when the ice engine kicks in.

What would you do with information?

 

[JP4AZ]

What would you do with information?

Two things.....I would know when it kicks in and I would like to know the RPM of the 2.5.

 

[sprubs]

Two things.....I would know when it kicks in and I would like to know the RPM of the 2.5.

I can usually tell when the engine kicks in at low speeds because the fake engine sound doesn't sound too much like an engine.

as for rpms i think the reason the Mav (as well as my Rav 4) has the power meter is that this transmission is constantly doing a lot of balancing of engine rpm, using some EV, regenerating, etc. during normal operation. Instead of showing you one thing (rpm) they instead show you something that is more of a summary of it all. Is your concern that the engine will rev too high when it's cold?

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