Yes, expected behavior.I triggered the ICE for the first time with acceleration. I was surprised that the engine remained on until I turned off the car a short while later. Plenty of battery left - about 50%. I was in normal mode. Is this expected behavior. If so, why?
Yes, expected behavior.
Why? "Because that's the way the engineers designed it." I suspect that one factor is that once the engine starts they want to let it get warmed up completely before shutting it down. But anything we speculate is . . . speculation.
A major issue with hybrids in general is the engine doesn't get hot enough, leading to oil sludge. Honda works around this by saying if the engine starts, it has to get fully warmed up before turning off. If it starts a second time it should turn off quicker. Basically, if you start the engine it will be on for 5 or 10 minutes. Maybe less in hot weather, more in cold weather. Use Econ mode if you want to avoid accidental engine starts (it will still start in certain situations).I triggered the ICE for the first time with acceleration. I was surprised that the engine remained on until I turned off the car a short while later. Plenty of battery left - about 50%. I was in normal mode. Is this expected behavior. If so, why?