New Tricks or Tips for the Civic Hybrid.

[bluetwo]

With this thread lets talk about anything you think you've figured out about the Civic Hybrid that other people might not know.

I didn't see another thread like this one so I hope there isn't one.

I'll start with what I've found:

When you're sitting a stop light with the Auto Stop engaged and lets say you wanted the engine running so you could take off quicker yet you still need to hold the brakes.... well you can just hold the brake with your left foot and tap the gas (quickly and lightly with your other foot) and the engine will start up and stay running until you're ready to go.

[bluetwo]

What? Nobody else wants to play? Oh well, I'll keep it goin.

As I'm sure other Hybrid drivers have noticed the amount of charging that takes place as well as the amount of energy that's released or used with the electric motor is directly related to the charge left in the battery. It seems to be linear and by that I mean with a low battery charge of only one or two bars you'll only see one or two bars representing energy going to the assist motor. Likewise the amount of regenerative charging that takes place is directly related to how much charging is needed. Regenerative braking will even cease completely if you have a full charge which makes braking different, since you're relying on the discs and drums.

So what's the trick then? If you're cruising up a lot of hills on the interstate or any road trip you can save what charge is available to you by holding Acel on the cruise control instead of mashing the gas. It's not an exact thing but I've found the cruise control is a Lot less likely to use the electric motor in accelerating, although it will use up to three bars at times especially at low speeds with plenty of charge left.

This trick is really for long rides up a lot of hills like the ones I saw in Wyoming. It's extreme hills like these, that start at about two or three-thousand feet and peak at near seven-thousand. You have to assume Honda never thought people would use the Hybrid to climb hills like that very often which is why their claim that the battery is completely self sufficient isn't 100% accurate.

[spinner]

Auto climate control, particularly with summertime air conditioning, drains the charge in crawling, slow-moving traffic. In a situation like this you can continue to drive in D and let the system manage itself but you'll probably have no IMA assist. The better way is to select S (for Second), which will keep the engine running, acceleration will be better, and there will be a lot of positive regeneration. This recommendation is in the manual but it is easy to overlook.

[bluetwo]

Oh yeah, you can use "S" to get more of a charge when slowing to a stop. Likewise if you take off in Second you'll get more output from the engine and usually you'll use less of the electric motor, but the higher RPMs make you use more gas. It's just one of those tradeoffs, if you happen to need more charge in your battery.

Another thing I've found with the AC is (in non-auto climate control) you can just switch the AC off whenever you're going to be stopping. If it's really hot outside, use the AC as much as you have to because just turning it off part of the time will decrease the amount of charge used.

[Osager]

One trick I have learned is with ACC off, pushing the mode button will allow air flow through the vents but the fan will not run. Push the mode button repeatedly to change which vents open. On a cool day, this maneuver is enough to keep some fresh air in the car without using any extra power. I don't know if the manual describes this maneuver.

One trick I will never do again is to brake just enough on a steep downhill to engage autostop, but let the car keep rolling and pick up speed to ~ 15 mph. Riding my brakes yes, I know, not smart, but there is more. This trick completely confused the transmission, and when traffic started moving again MY CAR WOULD NOT. I had to turn the engine off then back on again to get the car going. Do not do this. Yes I can be pretty stoopid sometimes.

Another trick I am sorry I tried is adjusting the windshield washer nozzles. They can be adjusted, with a small screwdriver, but if you can improve upon their original positions you are more skilled than I am. Ever since I tried to adjust them, they are worse off, and I can't them back to the way they were.

[GoHuskies]

I've found you can accelerate with only assist and no engine. It's slow but after hitting the gas a second just ease off then slowly reapply. On a flat surface or downgrade you'll slowly accelerate off the assist motor alone. Works well in parking lots or traffic.

[bluetwo]

Originally Posted by Osager

Ever since I tried to adjust them, they are worse off, and I can't them back to the way they were.

Hmm... I think, that if our cars are covered like I think they should be, you can get free wiper blades until the warranty runs out. It can't hurt to take the car in for that and just ask a tech if while he's at it if he would mind terribly adjusting the sprayer again for you. It's possible you'd get that done for free, you'd get the free wiper blades and walk away from the dealship with some satisfaction.

[DanLexani]

Originally Posted by bluetwo

With this thread lets talk about anything you think you've figured out about the Civic Hybrid that other people might not know.

I didn't see another thread like this one so I hope there isn't one.

I'll start with what I've found:

When you're sitting a stop light with the Auto Stop engaged and lets say you wanted the engine running so you could take off quicker yet you still need to hold the brakes.... well you can just hold the brake with your left foot and tap the gas (quickly and lightly with your other foot) and the engine will start up and stay running until you're ready to go.

actually u can also keep it in the lower gear than drive and that would keep it from turning off at the stop light as well