OK - I'm sure this is a stupid question, but i was taught growing up that it's a strain on the car to turn the engine on too much (on and off, on and off, on and off = a no no).
Anywho, with my new TCH (love it, by the way!) i have become obsessed with staying in EV mode as much as possible (I'm sure this behavior will fade over time, but for now I'm driving no more than 40MPH!). I have realized that in the course of my day to day drive the engine turns on and off a couple times, as is normal... but sometimes its just turnin on and off like no other, several times a minute depending on traffic conditions... over time, will this not effect my TCH? Did they build safe guards for this?

 

Toyota is way ahead of you on this one. Don't worry!

Their HSD (Hybrid "Synergy" Drive) system doesn't start the ICE (internal combustion engine) the way a "regular" car does.

A regular car uses a starter to spin the motor at perhaps a few hundred RPM. The starter motor doesn't have any real speed control. So it just tries to spin up as quickly as it can. Then the ICE gets spark and fuel. Eventually it fires and then immediately wants to go to an idle. Which is typically at a much higher RPM. This is definitely not a smooth process. That is why most cars really shudder while starting.

The HSD gradually spins the ICE up to its idle speed with the electric motors. This is smooth as the electric motors have very sophisticated speed controls. Then the ICE is feed fuel and spark. It then just runs. At the speed it was already spinning at. So most of the time you can hardly feel the ICE starting.

This smoothness is what makes it possible to make this constant starting and stopping tolerable to passengers and also makes it very reliable.

 

I spoke to a toyota tech a while back. I asked about the VVTi. He said, thats short for variable valve timing with intelligence. The cam retards and advances to increase the gas mileage. The intelligence means it also can vary the lift of the valves at higher rpm if needed.

The ability to lower the valves for shorter duration could be the reason for the smooth startup of the engine.

I forgot to ask if the variable is on both the intake and exhaust cam or just the intake only.

My TCH only has 3000 miles on it so far. I'm considering changing to the toyota full synthetic 0w-20 oil at 4000 miles. That could help my mileage a little and may help the engine stop a little smoother at red lights.

 

The significant percentage of time the engine does NOT run (where a conventional car's engine runs all the time) adds a lot to the longevity of the engine.

 

Intake only. Dual VVT-i is on both.

 

On the Prius, it's 1000rpm (so basically idle) before the engine's started. Might be similar on the Camry.

 

Rburt07, I don't know if going to the 0W-20 synthetic is necessarily the best option for protecting your motor during the on/off cycles. Someone I know through work owns an oil lab and has been advising me against going to 0W-20 oil, even in winter. He said they are putting it in cars to get better gas mileage, but the amount of protection it gives over time is unproven. I'm not an expert, that's just what I got told.

 

The 0w is when the engine is cold and aids it in starting. The 20 is after the engine has warmed up. It gives the protection of a 20 weight oil. Synthetic has a very high film strength. The good part of the 0w synthetic is the wide range of operating temperatures especially in cold climates.

Synthetics are used in all forms of racing, NASCAR, INDY, NHRA, Formula One and etc. These racing oils are designed for racing.

Synthetic offers longer drain intervals at 7500 miles. I only go 5000 due to living in a sometimes dusty southern new mexico desert. The 5000 mile oil change seems to be popular with lots of owners.

I'm sure toyota feels safe with this oil or they would not offer it on as a option to the 5w-20 oil.

I doubt I will keep my TCH over 100,000 miles anyway. Driven right, it should go well over 200K.