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A thought struck me today for some odd reason. I've always been "afraid" that what if the internal combustion engine (ICE) wouldn't start up when I needed it. In an attempt to figure out a scenario where it wouldn't, this popped in my head.
Let's say I've travelled up to the top of the highest peak, and have totally drained the battery that drives the electric motor. If I understand the car correctly, the ICE gets started by the electric motor, which gets its power from the "big" battery. The small battery in the hatchback is strictly for running the 12V accessories (including the A/C?), and is not used to start the ICE. (Right?)
So if at the top of this hill I have to stop at a stoplight, will the ICE stop like it always does, or will it take the opportunity to charge the battery?
If I stop at the top of the peak to get out and take pictures and turn off the car, will the engine be able to start back up, and how? I assuming that the car will turn off the ICE when I press "Power," or will it be smart enough to say, "Heck no, buddy! I gotta charge the battery a bit. I'll turn off after that."
As I'm driving up the hill, will there always be guaranteed a certain amount of ICE driving the generator to keep enough of a charge to start the ICE up if it stops?
Any of you super technical Prius folk have an answer? I'm just looking for that one instant where I would push on the pedal and the car would just laugh at me... (Not that I want it to happen, but I want to prevent it from happening.)
thanks in advance!
Let's say I've travelled up to the top of the highest peak, and have totally drained the battery that drives the electric motor. If I understand the car correctly, the ICE gets started by the electric motor, which gets its power from the "big" battery. The small battery in the hatchback is strictly for running the 12V accessories (including the A/C?), and is not used to start the ICE. (Right?)
So if at the top of this hill I have to stop at a stoplight, will the ICE stop like it always does, or will it take the opportunity to charge the battery?
If I stop at the top of the peak to get out and take pictures and turn off the car, will the engine be able to start back up, and how? I assuming that the car will turn off the ICE when I press "Power," or will it be smart enough to say, "Heck no, buddy! I gotta charge the battery a bit. I'll turn off after that."
As I'm driving up the hill, will there always be guaranteed a certain amount of ICE driving the generator to keep enough of a charge to start the ICE up if it stops?
Any of you super technical Prius folk have an answer? I'm just looking for that one instant where I would push on the pedal and the car would just laugh at me... (Not that I want it to happen, but I want to prevent it from happening.)
thanks in advance!