Run on Electric Only?
#21
Re: Run on Electric Only?
OK, does the Auto Stop light flash when the car goes into EV mode while driving? Or is there really no indication at all that it has stopped using gas...
And another quick quesiton, when accelerating from a stop, Sometimes I try and accelerate like a grandma, really slowly, but what I have noticed is that the instant mpg bar just stays at like 15 mpg for a long time (and only uses a couple bars of assist), whereas if I accelerate quickly, it is only at 10 mpg for a short period of time (and using full assist), and then once it gets up to my desired speed i can slack off from the accelerator and the instant mpg goes back up to about 50 or so.
So which way is better? Slow, prolonged acceleration, or harder, but shorter, acceleration?
And another quick quesiton, when accelerating from a stop, Sometimes I try and accelerate like a grandma, really slowly, but what I have noticed is that the instant mpg bar just stays at like 15 mpg for a long time (and only uses a couple bars of assist), whereas if I accelerate quickly, it is only at 10 mpg for a short period of time (and using full assist), and then once it gets up to my desired speed i can slack off from the accelerator and the instant mpg goes back up to about 50 or so.
So which way is better? Slow, prolonged acceleration, or harder, but shorter, acceleration?
As far as acceleration goes, it is best to accelerate moderately. Too slow or too fast, and you won't be getting optimum FE. If you have not already, I would reccomend reading Tarabell's article. (I think I need to re-read it, as it's been a while )
#22
Re: Run on Electric Only?
Just thinking aloud... did HONDA designed the ECU to read just the digits 50 (be it 50 km/h or 50 miles per hour) to allow shift into ASST mode? If so, then I believe, the non metric models will be able to electric run at higher speed. 50 miles per hour is approx. 80 km/h.
I think it's important to not get hung up about electric mode. Our other hybrid is a Mariner with the Aisin eCVT (nearly identical to the Prius') that can drive without the engine on below 40mph. While that car is really good in stop and go traffic (when warm), the ability to achieve 0 G/Mi only happens below 40, and you have to know the tricks to get the engine to shut off.
With the HCH, I can hit 0 G/Mi whenever I want to, at whatever speed I'm going--all I need is some momentum and the right foot pressure. I think it's an easier to control system, and it is a lot more versitile. I would never trade the ability to glide at any speed for the ability for the engine to shut off at low speed (although I do wish the HCH had about 70hp of electric power and could creep in auto stop just a little).
#23
Re: Run on Electric Only?
While that car is really good in stop and go traffic (when warm), the ability to achieve 0 G/Mi only happens below 40, and you have to know the tricks to get the engine to shut off.
With the HCH, I can hit 0 G/Mi whenever I want to, at whatever speed I'm going--all I need is some momentum and the right foot pressure.
With the HCH, I can hit 0 G/Mi whenever I want to, at whatever speed I'm going--all I need is some momentum and the right foot pressure.
I'm surprised to see the MMH is different.
Ken@Japan
#24
Re: Run on Electric Only?
How does this work in the Prius?
#25
Re: Run on Electric Only?
A slight touch of accelerator pedal is good for no or very little engine braking.
However, we need a certain amount of energy to spin the engine, so we see the 42 miles per hour barrier for fuel economy.
It is impossible to see more than 100 mpg average on highway, but we can see it below that speed.
http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1793
Ken@Japan
#26
Re: Run on Electric Only?
I seem to see something different in my 06 HCHII, when I am very careful with the throttle (no sharp movements) and on either a flat road or a slight downhill my car seems to go into some kind of coast/electric mode. My mpg's actually slowly go to zero in a about 6 seconds, I am guessing the electric motor is just being used to counteract the friction of moving the engine components. I usually can't keep this up for very long before I either have to slow down or speed up, making the car go back to normal.
#27
Re: Run on Electric Only?
Chris: For some reason, when you are gliding in the HCHII and are using no regen/acceleration, your iFE display will go down (and sometimes back up and down...). No one is really sure why. It does not affect your average MPG, and when you are doing it, you are using no gas. Do a search on this forum about it. Many call it the iFE "Samba".
#28
Re: Run on Electric Only?
I seem to see something different in my 06 HCHII, when I am very careful with the throttle (no sharp movements) and on either a flat road or a slight downhill my car seems to go into some kind of coast/electric mode. My mpg's actually slowly go to zero in a about 6 seconds, I am guessing the electric motor is just being used to counteract the friction of moving the engine components. I usually can't keep this up for very long before I either have to slow down or speed up, making the car go back to normal.
I also noticed that if I drive at around 50 ~ 70 km/h ( approx. 30 ~ 45 mph) on a relatively flat road, iFE could reach and maintain at around 37.5 km/l ( approx 85 mpg ) or higher.
Currently able to run on Electric only at speeds 50 km/h and below ( approx. 31 mph ). I am trying to run on electric only for speeds above 50 km/h. Why? because driving at speed between 50 ~ 70 km/h, ICE still drinking 37.5 km/l. In Electric mode, no gas needed.
I understand that the batteries need to recharge somehow... either from ICE or REGEN. And I get it REGEN instead of burning gas. I find it relatively easy to get into REGEN mode in urban areas ( on city & highway as well ) driving. As soon as my right foot is off the accelerator pedal, iFE shows 50 km/l ( approx. 117 mpg ), which means all valves are closed, no fuel used - please correct me if I'm wrong. And CHRG meter bars lights up ( if batteries are NOT fully charged ).
I managed to get 52 mpg for my last tank - not bad considering URBAN driving with 40% city highway. However, I am trying to improve that as I see many are getting much better mileage than 52 mpg... of course noting that there are so may parameters like driving on different terrain and driving style. I believe that if the CIVIC hybrid could run on ELECTRIC only at slightly higher speed ( say 70 km/h = 43 mph ), it would benefit many urban customers that do city driving.
I hope HONDA will have a software upgrade to cater the needs of customers.
#29
Re: Run on Electric Only?
Folks,
I believe we're still mis-understanding where the FE advantages of the HCH-2 come from. Many of us are somehow convinced that the secret to getting great fuel economy is to drive the car in electric. Not so at all.
This is not true for the HCH nor is it true for the Prius... or any other existing high FE hybrid.
The key to great FE is to kick the HCH-2 into its most efficient speed/RPM regimen WHILE minimizing the hits on the battery pack. In other words, keep the battery pack SoC as high as you can. Avoid riding on the electric at all times... unless you can significantly extend your gliding distances to compensate for the extreme SoC loss.
This is true for the HCH-2 as it is true for the Prius.
Steady state driving at the optimal speed range (see Tarabell's article) is where you produce monster FE.
The HCH-2 is already a pretty well balanced system and operates within its intended design profile and because of this, Honda will not release any software updates to increase it electric prowess. Doing so would interfere with many of its design objectives including the life of the battery pack.
Sorry. Such is life.
Cheers;
MSantos
I believe we're still mis-understanding where the FE advantages of the HCH-2 come from. Many of us are somehow convinced that the secret to getting great fuel economy is to drive the car in electric. Not so at all.
This is not true for the HCH nor is it true for the Prius... or any other existing high FE hybrid.
The key to great FE is to kick the HCH-2 into its most efficient speed/RPM regimen WHILE minimizing the hits on the battery pack. In other words, keep the battery pack SoC as high as you can. Avoid riding on the electric at all times... unless you can significantly extend your gliding distances to compensate for the extreme SoC loss.
This is true for the HCH-2 as it is true for the Prius.
Steady state driving at the optimal speed range (see Tarabell's article) is where you produce monster FE.
The HCH-2 is already a pretty well balanced system and operates within its intended design profile and because of this, Honda will not release any software updates to increase it electric prowess. Doing so would interfere with many of its design objectives including the life of the battery pack.
Sorry. Such is life.
Cheers;
MSantos
Last edited by msantos; 02-25-2008 at 08:55 PM.
#30
Re: Run on Electric Only?
msantos,
thanks. I guess I got carried away thinking that I could get batteries charged through regen braking. I fully agree with you that the battery life could be compromised if we drain and re-charge repeatedly.
really learn a lot from you and Tarabell. Thanks again!
Cheers.
thanks. I guess I got carried away thinking that I could get batteries charged through regen braking. I fully agree with you that the battery life could be compromised if we drain and re-charge repeatedly.
really learn a lot from you and Tarabell. Thanks again!
Cheers.