Dumb simple question, re: hybrid engine and starting/stopping

[b407driver]

Still waiting on my LC, but curious if the LC will shut the engine off when sitting 'idle' in Park. When you first start it, does the engine start, or does it wait until it is put into gear? Curious about hooking up for towing, if I'll need to start/stop the engine repeatedly when getting trailer leveled/sorted. The TFL guys were bitching about the exhaust in their face being right near the 7-pin hookup, and all I could think was "why is exhaust in your face if it's a hybrid"? I do know it's a 'different' type of hybrid implementation, but I thought I read that the vehicle will occasionally power itself solely via the hybrid system momentarily in parking lots, etc.

Thanks for any clarity!

 

[EOD Guy]

To partially answer your question........
Yes 99.99% of the time the ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) will start when you push the button. Depending on the charge state of the hybrid battery (AKA Traction battery) the engine only runs until the traction battery is topped off, then shuts off. In my case just a few minutes. I am able to move under electric motor in the driveway and through the neighborhood with a feather light touch on the accelerator pedal. Any requirement for acceleration and the engine starts etc......... On back country roads, I have been able to maintain speeds of 50-60 MPH for a few miles at a time under pure electric power, but that has come with practice and learning how to take advantage of the system......... ie.. easing off the accelerator on flat to slight downhills and maintaining a firm position, while easing off and easing back on the pedal. Get greedy and the engine will start etc........ So far I'm liking it.

 

[handy]

As EOD guy said.. I can move around my driveway under electric only. I have had a issue with this though. Because it's so quite I left the vehicle on and forgot to press the Start/Stop button twice now. There is a message that pops up asking if you want to shut the car down after an hour and it didn't hit me as to why it was asking me that.

 

[EOD Guy]

As EOD guy said.. I can move around my driveway under electric only. I have had a issue with this though. Because it's so quite I left the vehicle on and forgot to press the Start/Stop button twice now. There is a message that pops up asking if you want to shut the car down after an hour and it didn't hit me as to why it was asking me that.

Yes sir, that happened to me as well......LOL

My solution is to leave the AC running and it reminds me to shut it off.

 

[FarooqMCSE]

Still waiting on my LC, but curious if the LC will shut the engine off when sitting 'idle' in Park. When you first start it, does the engine start, or does it wait until it is put into gear? Curious about hooking up for towing, if I'll need to start/stop the engine repeatedly when getting trailer leveled/sorted. The TFL guys were bitching about the exhaust in their face being right near the 7-pin hookup, and all I could think was "why is exhaust in your face if it's a hybrid"? I do know it's a 'different' type of hybrid implementation, but I thought I read that the vehicle will occasionally power itself solely via the hybrid system momentarily in parking lots, etc.

Thanks for any clarity!

Hi b407driver, to my understanding and to my observation. I think at idle, major part of engine gets killed. After idling at a long red light, it is super quiet. At start engine does start with full noise, before a gear is engaged. Exhaust is little curvy and little downwards, so it is not at your face.

 

[ferrari1898]

Still waiting on my LC, but curious if the LC will shut the engine off when sitting 'idle' in Park. When you first start it, does the engine start, or does it wait until it is put into gear? Curious about hooking up for towing, if I'll need to start/stop the engine repeatedly when getting trailer leveled/sorted. The TFL guys were bitching about the exhaust in their face being right near the 7-pin hookup, and all I could think was "why is exhaust in your face if it's a hybrid"? I do know it's a 'different' type of hybrid implementation, but I thought I read that the vehicle will occasionally power itself solely via the hybrid system momentarily in parking lots, etc.

Thanks for any clarity!

When you start the Toyota up, the gas engine will run for a moment. At a stop light most of the time the gas engine will turn off (unless the battery is low). When the light turns green, the electric motor will engage but unless you are VERY gentle with the pedal, the gas engine will fire up almost instantly. The electric does help provide some movement off the line as the gas engine restarts.

We store our camper a few miles away due to HOA, and as we get through the gate, it is using electric only. While lining up and hooking up, I can do this all under electric only. What is nice is even with the AC on (toddler in the back seat), you have a few minutes as an EV. I really like the hybrid aspect of connecting and disconnecting the camper.

The 7 pin is not ideally located, but you get used to it. There are many vehicles that make connecting the harness easier, but to Toyota's defense, the Land Cruiser is more for off road and a conventional 7 pin would compromise the angles.