T8 XC90 ICE starting in pure mode despite gentle throttle

[Volvocano]

This is something that has bothered me for ages but I can't seem to pinpoint what's causing it. When I drive off in the morning sometimes the ICE starts - even though the battery is fully charged and I'm barely touching the throttle. This really bugs me as the OCD in me means I have to warm the engine up fully (drive a couple miles in AWD mode) wasting fuel before I allow it to shut down again! What other than big throttle inputs will cause the ICE to fire up in pure mode?

[S90]

Id be speaking to the dealer as sounds like a software issue. What MY is it?

I know my 23 V90 Recharge in pure mode will only fire the ICE if I floor it hard.

[Cull06]

Someone on here before did say it’s clever enough to work out when the engine needs a bit of a run once in a while…

[Philip Fisher]

Mine has always done this occasionally, but it is reasonably rare. It annoys me too, but not too much.

[Philip Fisher]

Originally Posted by Cull06

Someone on here before did say it’s clever enough to work out when the engine needs a bit of a run once in a while…

Yeah I remember that being said too. In my case it can't be that causing it as it gets a run almost every journey (trips are nearly always greater than my battery range). So I don't know why I just accept it as one of those things....

[rhd443]

Originally Posted by Volvocano

This is something that has bothered me for ages but I can't seem to pinpoint what's causing it. When I drive off in the morning sometimes the ICE starts - even though the battery is fully charged and I'm barely touching the throttle. This really bugs me as the OCD in me means I have to warm the engine up fully (drive a couple miles in AWD mode) wasting fuel before I allow it to shut down again! What other than big throttle inputs will cause the ICE to fire up in pure mode?

I'm assuming its a Sensus based model here:

There are other factors, do you reverse out into a slight dip when you then start driving forward to find the ICE starts? There is a suspension sensor which can predict the need for extra power to push up inclines etc from standstill which causes ICE to start.

Extra load, i.e. rear demister, heated seats, heater steering wheel, full blowers and lights, sometimes can trigger the ICE to start,

Also, other times, such as temperature or if you have set a longer distance in the sat nav, i find it starts early to pass the choke stages and get some basic oil flow, then stops again.

I wouldn't worry personally, just enjoy it, or if you want the engine to never start, buy a Nissan leaf.

[Philip Fisher]

I have just thought of another possible cause.

If I reverse uphill onto the drive on pure electric, then just as I am manouvering, if I release the brakes and the car inches forward whilst still in R, it always immediately starts the engine.

Don't know why, but if I repeat those circumstances it always starts the engine without fail.

[baggy798]

These cars that lug an ICE engine around, does it not start each time to get reasonably warm for when it's needed?

So in most circumstances when you put ya foot down, the stone cold ICE starts up and immediately starts boosting to provide umph?

That's doesnt seem like it would be good for longevity.

[S90]

My car always starts in EV mode. Pretty sure with the newer models it’s much better managed. Only if I switch to Power or AWD does the engine fire up, although it’s now so well insulated you really can’t tell.

[Volvocano]

Originally Posted by Philip Fisher

I have just thought of another possible cause.

If I reverse uphill onto the drive on pure electric, then just as I am manouvering, if I release the brakes and the car inches forward whilst still in R, it always immediately starts the engine.

Don't know why, but if I repeat those circumstances it always starts the engine without fail.

Thanks for your responses everyone - this one sounds like it might be a winner, my initial reverse is a little up hill, I'll try putting the handbrake on between selecting reverse and drive - see if this stops it.