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2022 Hybrid EV mode issue

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#23 ·
CasperJordaan said:
Good day guy.

I know, the title of this topic is not really right, but here goes anyway.

I have a 2022 2.5 4wd Hybrid. Now, it has 16 000mi on it. I have an issue with the EV mode. EV Mode itself I never use, I mean the portion of the Hybrid that works electrically. Previously I would for example drive to the office (only about 4mi) and it will say when I power down the vehicle, that my Hybrid Ratio was about 48%. Now, it is always 0%. The ICE is ALWAYS on. It never shuts off, or rather, almost never.

Let me just also say, um........ it has a major impact on my fuel consumption! I now get less than half what I used to get. Here's the thing, there is no loss in power or performance. The little "Info" screen (pruis like animation info) shows how the electricity is moving however, I can always hear the engine.

IF and only IF it now and then (maybe once in 3 days) shows EV on the dash, when I am stopped at a traffic light and the ICE turns off, it will IMMEDIATELY start the engine the moment I touch the accelerator, even if i physically not even push it 1mm in.

I've tried Eco, Normal and Sport mode, no change. I should maybe just mention that I use ECO mode 99.9% of the time.

Can you maybe share something I can try to resolve without booking it into a dealership?

Thanks guys!
Click to expand...
Hi There.

I Googled this issue and have the exact same symptoms as CasperJordaan. I have a 2109 Camry (done 80,000km) which shares the hybrid system with the Rav4. I live in Australia so cold weather is not an issue.
The car appears to be doing more to protect the battery than it did when it was newer. In mild weather, even after being parked for hours in the shade, the engine doesn't switch off. The battery wouldn't be hot, the heater is not on, EV mode is "unavailable" Sometimes the battery will go to within one bar of fully charged, yet the engine keeps running. It was never like this in years past. Even if it drops into EV mode, the slightest press on the accelerator pedal starts the engine.
This post is a year old. Can I request an an update? I'm a mechanic and am pretty up to speed with how the system works. A description (or discussion) of the software programing theory is not readily available, so I can only guess what the software is up to. The car in Australia has a five year warranty (mine ran out in April) and the hybrid battery has an eight year warranty. The cynic in me says the car is doing everything to prolong the battery life, even it it means burning more fuel.
I'm hoping someone can add to this thread who has had this issue and had it looked into. Thanks. Greg R. Australia.
 
#25 ·
Yes, the filter is clean and unobstructed. I've had it out a few times and have never found much on it. We don't often travel on unsealed roads and no pets travel in the car. I was in the car yesterday and it dropped in and out of EV mode as it should. It seems to get a bee under its bonnet sometimes, and is fine at others. I've got a very basic OBD tool. I'll plug that in and see if it shows battery temp. I'm betting I'll need something worth many more $ before I'll see battery temp (if at all). Thanks. Greg R.
 
#26 · (Edited)
CasperJordaan said:
My car and the AC is always in Eco mode. Without fail

Oil is full. Yes, I actually blew out the coolers filter with my compressor about 2 months ago, it looked brand new even before is blew it out.

Guys, in the morning with my travels its not at 32C, when I posted this thread is was about 2pm and then it was 32C, in the mornings its about 22C and very pleasant.
Click to expand...
Had a similar problem with my Prius, years ago.

I would recommend you do the following: (1) Check if the traction battery cooling duct intake vent is obstructed, (2) Check if the filter is clogged, if these do not solve the problem, see if you are able to check if the fan is running .... sorry I don't have a RAV4 Hybrid so don't know the specifics of where the things are.
 
#27 ·
Thanks Dimitrij.
Yes, I have checked the fan, filter and grill for obstructions. All seem OK. Mine is a 2019 Camry and the battery is under the back seat. The vent intake is near the RHR footwell. The issue seems to point to the car protecting the battery. I might place some temp probes on or near the battery and see if there is a trend. Perhaps the fan is not running every time? The temp probes will confirm that.
 
#28 ·
CasperJordaan said:
Good day guy.

I know, the title of this topic is not really right, but here goes anyway.

I have a 2022 2.5 4wd Hybrid. Now, it has 16 000mi on it. I have an issue with the EV mode. EV Mode itself I never use, I mean the portion of the Hybrid that works electrically. Previously I would for example drive to the office (only about 4mi) and it will say when I power down the vehicle, that my Hybrid Ratio was about 48%. Now, it is always 0%. The ICE is ALWAYS on. It never shuts off, or rather, almost never.

Let me just also say, um........ it has a major impact on my fuel consumption! I now get less than half what I used to get. Here's the thing, there is no loss in power or performance. The little "Info" screen (pruis like animation info) shows how the electricity is moving however, I can always hear the engine.

IF and only IF it now and then (maybe once in 3 days) shows EV on the dash, when I am stopped at a traffic light and the ICE turns off, it will IMMEDIATELY start the engine the moment I touch the accelerator, even if i physically not even push it 1mm in.

I've tried Eco, Normal and Sport mode, no change. I should maybe just mention that I use ECO mode 99.9% of the time.

Can you maybe share something I can try to resolve without booking it into a dealership?

Thanks guys!
Click to expand...
I have a 2022 RAV4 Hybrid. When it's cold outside I know the ICE kicks in to condition the traction battery. My MPG is over 50. Can you check your tire pressure ? I run my Michelin Primacy tires at 36psi. What tires do you have and what's the air pressure ?

I would check air pressure first. Post what kind of tires you have as well.

When you accelerate, go light on the pedal. Throttle up slowly. Don't take off like you are checking 1/4 mile time. I use ECO mode. What is the state of charge on your traction battery ? Does it make it to at least 5 bars ? The engine will be on all the time if the charge is low.. like 2 to 3 bars. If the state of charge is always low I would bring it in, that means there's something wrong.
Good Luck
 
#29 ·
jnormandin63 said:
I have a 2022 RAV4 Hybrid. When it's cold outside I know the ICE kicks in to condition the traction battery. My MPG is over 50. Can you check your tire pressure ? I run my Michelin Primacy tires at 36psi. What tires do you have and what's the air pressure ?

I would check air pressure first. Post what kind of tires you have as well.

When you accelerate, go light on the pedal. Throttle up slowly. Don't take off like you are checking 1/4 mile time. I use ECO mode. What is the state of charge on your traction battery ? Does it make it to at least 5 bars ? The engine will be on all the time if the charge is low.. like 2 to 3 bars. If the state of charge is always low I would bring it in, that means there's something wrong.
Good Luck

I run Primacy's at 35psi. This isn't a tyre pressure issue though. That only makes a small difference to the overall load on the vehicle. The battery charge is fine and runs between about 3 bars and full.
I run in ECO mode. I originally thought the battery cooling fan was not operating, but discovered it turns off when I open the RHS passenger rear door to check it. The battery has three temp sensors according to my OBD2 reader. If the battery temp gets above 45 deg C the software starts to protect it by running the ICE. The filter is clean and the fan runs. Whether the fan runs at full speed is an unanswered question. My Camry is 5.5 years old and possibly the battery is deteriorating. The battery has an eight year warranty. The older hybrids such as the Prius looked to run much larger battery cooling systems. Perhaps Toyota didn't have the space or didn't want the noise of a larger cooling fan? There is an old saying..... "Fix questionable hardware with more software". It's only my guess but the car seems to struggle keeping the battery temp under 45 deg C. I drive the car like most Camry's are driven. In Australia we joke about Camry's having boxes of tissues or bowls hats on the parcel shelf. I have neither, but that's the way the car is driven.
Click to expand...
 
#31 ·
I haven't pursued it lately as the car hasn't been driven much. I also have a 2008 Corolla which I prefer. My investigations show it is related to battery temperature. I plugged in an OBD scanner and noticed when the battery temps were high (around 45 deg C from memory) the system took steps to protect the battery. Leaving the ICE running seems to be the main strategy used. The battery cooling systems on the earlier Prius cars were much larger. I suspect Toyota have compromised battery cooling in order to cut the space required, the fan noise, and possibly cost. Specifications and operational parameters are deliberately vague and don't appear to be publicly available. As the components age, efficiencies will drop off. The fan works when all the doors are closed. The filter is clean.
 
#32 ·
Thanks - I have an appointment to bring it in on Monday so I'll keep you posted.

We're running at 14L/100 km now which is almost double my average over the last couple of winters. If this is what it's going to be like going forward then this isn't the car for me.

Interestingly enough, my cameras just started coming on when I brake for a stop sign and stoplight - first time that's ever happened (no warning chimes, nobody around and nothing in front of me)
 
#33 ·
Greg R said:
I haven't pursued it lately as the car hasn't been driven much. I also have a 2008 Corolla which I prefer. My investigations show it is related to battery temperature. I plugged in an OBD scanner and noticed when the battery temps were high (around 45 deg C from memory) the system took steps to protect the battery. Leaving the ICE running seems to be the main strategy used. The battery cooling systems on the earlier Prius cars were much larger. I suspect Toyota have compromised battery cooling in order to cut the space required, the fan noise, and possibly cost. Specifications and operational parameters are deliberately vague and don't appear to be publicly available. As the components age, efficiencies will drop off. The fan works when all the doors are closed. The filter is clean.
Click to expand...
So today the car seemed to behave more as I've been used to. The ICE cut out and the EV mode kicked in as expected and my L/100 km started to drop. Not sure what's going on but I talked to the service rep and we decided to hold off on the service call until it starts doing it again. In the meantime, he's noted our discussion in my file.

The only thing that's changed is that the outside temperature has gone up (-12 deg C a couple of days ago and 0 deg C today)
 
#34 ·
Dhodson said:
So today the car seemed to behave more as I've been used to. The ICE cut out and the EV mode kicked in as expected and my L/100 km started to drop. Not sure what's going on but I talked to the service rep and we decided to hold off on the service call until it starts doing it again. In the meantime, he's noted our discussion in my file.

The only thing that's changed is that the outside temperature has gone up (-12 deg C a couple of days ago and 0 deg C today)
Click to expand...
I think you have your answer, it’s temp related.
 
#35 ·
I'm with you. The only thing I can't follow is that this is my third winter and the first time I've noticed it. Also, you'd think it's something that we'd have heard more about by now. Hybrids have been around for a while and Toyota is/was somewhat of a leader in the field.
 
#36 ·
Discharging or charging traction batteries at low temperatures can damage and decrease battery longevity. Toyotas battery logic minimizes charge/discharge cycles by running ICE more often at low temperatures in an effort to maintain battery health. Battery operation improves and ICE cycles less when cabin heat increases battery operating temperature or ambient temperature is within normal parameters. Our 2020 with NiMH battery and 2024 with Li-ion battery both operate this way at low temperatures.
 
#38 ·
RobertB said:
Discharging or charging traction batteries at low temperatures can damage and decrease battery longevity. Toyotas battery logic minimizes charge/discharge cycles by running ICE more often at low temperatures in an effort to maintain battery health. Battery operation improves and ICE cycles less when cabin heat increases battery operating temperature or ambient temperature is within normal parameters. Our 2020 with NiMH battery and 2024 with Li-ion battery both operate this way at low temperatures.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info and it makes a lot of sense, especially when the car has been parked outside for an extended period.

We have a heated garage though and I'd expected the ev assist to work at least for a short period after we'd pulled out of the garage. Last winter it was working okay but it wasn't happening a few days ago when I first posted this. It seems to be working now though.
 
#39 · (Edited)
I have the same issue as op. 2024 rav4 efour. Took it to dealers they say it's fine. ICE runs constantly at 80+ percent charge. If its below 80% it's behaves fine. Did anyone fine a solution? My fuel economy has gone down from 800km+ on a tank to less than 700km
 
#40 ·
Movo said:
I have the same issue as op. 2024 rav4 efour. Took it to dealers they say it's fine. ICE runs constantly at 80+ percent charge. If its below 80% it's behaves fine. Did anyone fine a solution? My fuel economy has gone down from 800km+ on a tank to less than 700km
Click to expand...
Do you have the plug-in-hybrid? If so you need to post in the Prime forum section. I ask because my 2023 Hybrid does not have any indicator showing battery charge %.
 
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