I just purchased a 2004 White with Pkg.#7. I picked up the car from a Toyota dealer in Texas. I live in Nevada, and flew to the Texas dealer and drove the car back home.
During that portion of my trip which was driving through New Mexico, the speed limit was 75mph! I set the cruise control and everything was fine. I had been steadily climbing all day and by the time I reached New Mexico, I had already gradually climbed some 4000 feet during the previous 300 miles.
I had the A/C running as well as my headlights (since there are no longer DRL on the 2004 models). As I drove, I noticed that the Hybrid battery level was gradually dropping. When it dropped to showing only 1 bar remaining, I got worried as I didn't know what might happen if the last bar disappeared.
This scenario is not covered in the Owner's Manual for the 2004. So what would happen? I didn't wait to find out! I dropped my speed to 65 mph and switched OFF my headlights and turned down the fan to LO on the A/C.
This helped, and within about 15 minutes, the battery level had risen to 1-2 bars, so I felt OK for the time being.
The following day, I stopped by a local Toyota dealer and spoke to their Prius specialist. He said that if the bar had gone to zero, I would get a "Turtle" light and the engine would split its power to 50% to the battery charging function. He said I wouldn't be able to go any faster than maybe 50mph until the batteries were charged to at least 2 bars or so.
I checked the Owner's Manual and it makes no mention of a "Turtle" light, nor does it cover the scenario I have explained above.
Can anyone give me some reliable information as to what happens if the Hybrid Battery level drops below 1 bar showing?
I spoke to a Customer Service person at Toyota and he said the car would cease to operate. So, as you can see, I am getting as many different answers as people I ask.
Would appreciate any feedback on this issue as I plan on driving the car on open road trips covering many 1000's of miles every month, and I really am concerned, especially when the temps heat up to over 110 degrees in the Summer and I have mountain passes to go over and A/C use will be a necessity.
Thanks.
During that portion of my trip which was driving through New Mexico, the speed limit was 75mph! I set the cruise control and everything was fine. I had been steadily climbing all day and by the time I reached New Mexico, I had already gradually climbed some 4000 feet during the previous 300 miles.
I had the A/C running as well as my headlights (since there are no longer DRL on the 2004 models). As I drove, I noticed that the Hybrid battery level was gradually dropping. When it dropped to showing only 1 bar remaining, I got worried as I didn't know what might happen if the last bar disappeared.
This scenario is not covered in the Owner's Manual for the 2004. So what would happen? I didn't wait to find out! I dropped my speed to 65 mph and switched OFF my headlights and turned down the fan to LO on the A/C.
This helped, and within about 15 minutes, the battery level had risen to 1-2 bars, so I felt OK for the time being.
The following day, I stopped by a local Toyota dealer and spoke to their Prius specialist. He said that if the bar had gone to zero, I would get a "Turtle" light and the engine would split its power to 50% to the battery charging function. He said I wouldn't be able to go any faster than maybe 50mph until the batteries were charged to at least 2 bars or so.
I checked the Owner's Manual and it makes no mention of a "Turtle" light, nor does it cover the scenario I have explained above.
Can anyone give me some reliable information as to what happens if the Hybrid Battery level drops below 1 bar showing?
I spoke to a Customer Service person at Toyota and he said the car would cease to operate. So, as you can see, I am getting as many different answers as people I ask.
Would appreciate any feedback on this issue as I plan on driving the car on open road trips covering many 1000's of miles every month, and I really am concerned, especially when the temps heat up to over 110 degrees in the Summer and I have mountain passes to go over and A/C use will be a necessity.
Thanks.