Hybrid in the cold... battery preservation mode?

[evlfred]

I'm 90% certain that when the truck is in cold weather (below 30f) the the hybrid system is in some kind of battery preservation mode. I notice less gas mileage and in driving I very rarely get the engine shutting off at stops or when going slowly. The last week has been in the teen's or 20's and coming back into my neighborhood (where the truck previously ran without gas the whole way to my house, which is about a 3rd mile) it's run the gas engine the whole way. Today the truck was nicely warmed up and it was in the mid 30's. It ran most of the way to my house in electric mode and my trip economy was back to where it was before it got cold. Anyone have any info on this?

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[32spoke]

Batteries are less tolerant to hot and cold weather. Some EVs heat the batteries before the batteries can take a charge. Some EVs reduce cooling the cabin to divert cooling for the batteries in hot weather. I sell automotive batteries, regular lead acid/AGM/and Lithium… I can tell you what the weather has been like based upon the month and battery sales…. Hot and cold weather= I sell batteries. Hopefully Toyota has some explanation for you and possibly some solutions, too.

 

[Baltimore]

I suspect you're also running cab heat, be it the cabin heat, seat heater, steering wheel heater. These all increase energy demand, which can trip the draw level of engine vs battery alone.
When it's warmer, your running them minimally or not at all

 

[Gear_yyc]

I've experienced the same this winter, and it's very common for hybrids to run the engine more when the temperature drops. If it's just above freezing, it still runs on electric fairly frequently, but below freezing it's much more intermittent, and if it gets down to about -10C, it basically never shuts off. I expect it's managing the temperature of not just the battery, but also ensuring the coolant and oil temperatures stay within a range where it's not causing additional wear and tear.

 

[WKTJR1]

I suspect you're also running cab heat, be it the cabin heat, seat heater, steering wheel heater. These all increase energy demand, which can trip the draw level of engine vs battery alone.
When it's warmer, your running them minimally or not at all

This right here.
The system is operating as designed in that it will prioritize battery health over other functions.

 

[CurryBob]

One nice feather with our trucks, the pack is under the rear seat with ventilation. So cab heating and air condition is circulating around the pack which is a good thing.

No doubt extreme cold effects things but longer drives with cab heating going, it will reduce the effect.

 

[MustardTiger]

Does anyone know if the "EV mode" works on the Tacoma? Apparently you you hit the start button 2x (no brake), then foot on the brake and hit start a third time...then you can move the truck slowly in electric mode only. Also...if and when you are slow speed driving (parking lot, etc), and the engine shuts off...does it emit an artificial "presence sound" to the exterior?

I would try these things myself, but it's too cold right now for any of the hybrid features to truly enable normally

 

[TacoFreak]

I never tried to get mine into EV mode - not sure if it is even possible.

Any time the ICE is off and you are under 20 mph it emits that presence sound, which in the US is required by the government.

 

[SnowmanJPS]

Does anyone know if the "EV mode" works on the Tacoma? Apparently you you hit the start button 2x (no brake), then foot on the brake and hit start a third time...then you can move the truck slowly in electric mode only. Also...if and when you are slow speed driving (parking lot, etc), and the engine shuts off...does it emit an artificial "presence sound" to the exterior?

I would try these things myself, but it's too cold right now for any of the hybrid features to truly enable normally

I was reading that earlier in the manual, isn't it to turn off hybrid mode instead?

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