Hi everyone.
Just got my new 2013 Highlander Hybrid and I have already one issue.
Last week I was stuck in traffic for more then two hours. Outside temperature was just about freezing point. Moving very slow in traffic, the gas engine start cooling off as the electric motor was running most of the time.
After a while I started feeling cold. The ventilator was blowing only cold air. No wonder why. The engine was too cold to provide any heat as it was not running most of the time.
It took a long time till the batteries charge level got so low, the engine finally started.
Is it there a computer logic where a demand for cabin heat automatically turn on the engine so it will warm up the car? Or maybe manually run the engine when need it.
I'm am getting worry already if i will get stuck somewhere in a snow blizzard for many hours. I can't even keep the engine on idle to keep my family warm.
Is this can be a big issue?
Thanks,