Gas enging coming on at startup suddenly

[Kingfish]

Pretty much every time I start my 22 hybrid only the electric motor comes on (it's super quiet).

This morning I noticed the gas engine came on at start up. I had the AC on from yesterday, so thought maybe it needed the power?

So I turned off the AC and drove a few miles. It was hard to tell but I don't think the gas engine turned off at red lights.

I turned the truck off and on a couple times after driving and gas engine came on each time. I let it idle and after several minutes the gas engine shut off. Then on start up, gas engine came on.

For context, it's about 70 degrees this morning. I got about 33 mpg on the short drive. A little low, but not way out of norm.

It's not a huge concern in general. But since it's a new thing after a year of driving I thought I'd mention it here.


Anyone else notice this change in operation? Could it be a sign of something else going on?

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[Clarkdonbran]

This has happened to me before. Hot morning after running the AC a bunch. Damn heat messes with my MPG average!

 

[BAScott62]

Guessing your battery was at a low state of charge and you didn't do enough breaking on that short trip charge it.

 

[TheWizziard]

The gas engine is started and stopped by a control module.
It comes on if the battery needs charged and/or if more power is needed to the wheels.

 

[Kingfish]

Thanks for the info!

Just as you all predicted, a few more miles of driving (and breaking), and it's back to normal.

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