What triggers the engine-oil refresh mode?

[Jared]

Does anyone know what triggers the engine-oil refresh (constant gas operation) mode? I mostly drive short city distances and try to stay in electric mode, so I’m curious if it’s based on miles driven in electric or the number of full charges. When it activates, I have to burn through about a quarter tank of gas before I can switch back to electric drive only...

 

[kazzie]

AFAIK, the car uses how much you drive to decide when to change the oil. The more you drive on electric and less you use gas, the sooner it will change the oil. Don't fill the gas tank too full if you're using a lot of electric power. This helps the car change the oil and also keeps the engine lubricated.

 

[Jared]

You're right. It seems like driving mostly in electric mode can lead to sooner oil changes, and keeping the gas tank less full can help with lubrication.

 

[CrazyinEV]

So, if you are frequently in electric mode, it might be the engine management system's detection of stale gas over time. If the fuel stays too long without being used, the car might prompt the engine oil refresh mode to keep the engine lubricated and the fuel system from getting gummed up. Just stretch the interval between these refresh cycles by keeping the gas tank less than full and letting the engine run periodically.