I wanted to compare how Honda's adaptation of Hybrid, compared to Toyota's, so found a Honda dealer selling an '03 HCH. My wife, son and I took it out for a test ride. We stopped at several traffic lights, bit only once did Autostop kick-in and the tachometer drop to 0. Is that normal?

I realize the '06 HCH uses a new 3-Stage i-VTEC + IMA (which I found a great video on at: http://world.honda.com/HDTV/news/200...05b/index.html), but I see a big fuel savings by not having the ICE running when sitting at a red light. Did the '05 regularly stop the ICE? Also, from the video, it seems the new ICE goes into a "cylinder idle" mode where the ICE keeps rotating, but the Intake nad Exaust values remain closed, so no fuel is being burned. Is that considered "autostop" ?

 

Yes, as long as no gas is burning it's considered autostop. Nice upgrade to allow the A/C to function during autostop.

Once the engine is at normal operating temperature. and the A/C unit is not in it's heaviest mode or defrost, autostop activates when the car stops. Execpt for the 2006 HCH of course.

 

is the "cylinder idle" mode lkewin mentioned a new feature for the hch, or was this on 03-05 hch models as well?

 

It's an HCH 2006 feature.

Honda is trying to say instead of shutting down the entire engine, the gas engine is off, but the ICE is still on to allow the A/C to function at stops.

 

i'm curious as to how the ice keeps rotating if intake and exhaust valves are closed. what keeps the pistons moving?

 

Delta Flyer, Help me understand the difference between the '06 and the older HCH's when it comes to Autostop. Did the ICE actaully stop rotating on the older HCH?

From what I understand of the '06, during periods of "low speed crusing" (Not sure what defines Low Speed) and deceleration, the ICE continues to rotate, however the valves do not open and close, so no gas is being used.