rgilyead said:
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Well I am not much of a child anymore as I am now retired and have driven several cars with a manual choke in the past. Still doesn't answer the question of why using the "Charge" button is any different from the ICE running normally under computer control. Isn't the speed of the engine the same whether it is running to charge the batteries normally or when the "Charge" button is pressed? Why woul it be any different?
I think the point that greendwarf is making is that in any conventional car, you would not be stationary with the engine at anything more than a tickover. In the PHEV in Charge mode, this is not true - you could easily be sitting stationary for long periods with the engine running at a couple of thousand rpm - hence producing additional heat. Also, it will be producing exhaust fumes and, if the wind is in the wrong direction, these could be carried round to the climate control air intake.