It seems like a combination of two things: it cuts out the regen smoother, and because the engine has sealed valves, it doesn't have a lot of engine braking, so shifting it out of gear doesn't make as much of a difference, meaning no lurch.

More variation is probably a good thing, it means the computer is probably keeping the engine load a bit more level while using the motor to "feather" it, which should make for better mileage over rolling terrain for a "normal" driver.

 

Very Interesting and Congrats to your Mom.


Terry

 

i give up on the % / degree grade
it just has a sign saying, STEEP SLOPE

the AUX-in right under the 12V lighter is also very useful. There's also a ledge right next to it that holds an ipod very nicely. Sound system is pretty decent; better than 04 stock. however, i put in kenwood speakers and an aiwa head unit on my 04 and both systems (04 upgrade, 06 stock) are comparably the same in quality. 06 puts out a little better bass however.

just a small detail, but on the 04, you could hear the whine of regenerative braking pretty well, esp at 100% regen. on the 06 i can't hear that whine at all.

 

to resurrect this thread:

just noticed something today while setting cruise control at 35 mph on the 06 hch

the cvt will adjust with shorter gear ratios (engine braking kicks in) with regen if the car's speed exceeds the set cruise speed by 4+ mph. i was going down a very slight decline when the revs shot up temporarily to 1600 from 1100 rpm as the car's speed hit 39 mph, and then returned to 1100 rpm after the speed stabilized again at 35 mph.

didn't see this happen on my 04 hch which only used regen to slow the car down during cruise control.

can anybody verify?