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Remember that an overall ratio of any transmission at any given time is (simplified) the number of turns of the input shaft over the number of turns of the output shaft. When you get right down to it, MG1 actually controls the ratio through the power split device. If you have access to the Camry Hybrid New Car Features document (same set of documents that contains the Body Electrical document from Tundrasolutions.com) The Chassis document has about 12 pages that describes some of this, and the THS II document has even more info on how the Hybrid system controls the transaxle and how it is design to respond at different loads and conditions, including nomographic charts. This is the only place I've seen that accurately explains how the planetary split device works. Under "Function of Main Components" in the THS II document, in the description for MG1, it says "MG1 operates so that the gear ratio of the power split planetary gear unit will optimally suit the driving conditions of the vehicle."
I do thank you for all of your input on this forum. You have put out some very useful information.
Actually that's a very good question. I've seen lots of responses but not I consider definitive and absolute. I still would like to know from someone that has the literature to fully explain it. I've seen graphs but a simple one liner from a knowledgable person would be of benefit to all of us.
The only time I have used it is in traffic, downhill when I wanted to slow down without touching my brakes. I often find myself on steeper slopes "riding" my brake pedal lightly to expedite charging the battery (I assume that this actually provides more charging than simply lifting my foot from the gas (perhaps that's another good question)
For the sake of not wanting to tick everyone off that is following me at 75 while I ride my brakes downhill, B seems like the only reasonable safe option.
I think I know that it's for engine braking and thus I never could see how B necessarily has the opportunity to charge the battery.
Perhaps camyg has this info?
http://techno-fandom.org/~hobbit/cars/b-mode.html
One of the reasons that the Toyota HSD doesn't overstress the batteries is that they never are fully charged nor are they fully discharged. Regenerative braking can send lots of charge back to the batteries in normal stop and go driving. But the risk is that in a long steep downhill riding the brakes or even just being on/off with the brakes will send too much charge back to the batteries.
Therefore to avoid this situation they implemented an 'engine braking' system to slow you and not send so much back to the batteries.
That is the only time that the B mode should be used. It can be used other times but it's not all that effective. Just ignore it if you're driving in flat conditions.
http://www.ecrostech.com/prius/original/Understanding/PowerSplitDevice.htm
http://eahart.com/prius/psd
Oh well, just hope she doesn't do it again!
tom
There are many reports from owners who left the car running and took the FOB and the car ran continually until they got back.
What makes you think the car will shut off on it's own?
You probably remember the dash vacuum guages they sold with economy color zones on them. If every car, hybrid or not had mpg guages most people would get better mpg.
I got 44 on my tch holding it down to 50 and using you driving tips when practical
Everyone squawks about gas prices but they flew be me like I was standing still.
As consumption is up 2% imagine and driving the speed limit saves one 20%... we would not have the current gas crises. I use to drive 80+ and now, for the first time in my 50 odd years, hate going over 70 unless it's a downhill and more often than not, get 40+ mpg. I am also more relaxed and arrive about 5 minutes later than driving at 80.
I've found if I stay out of the left lane (where most Americans seem to want to stay) it's less crowded and if I drive 5mph under the limit I seldom have to pass and most people have no problem passing me. Every once in a while a "glob" of cars will catch up and the idiots (wouldn't be in a glob in the first place if they weren't) act like they don't know how to pass.
I refuse to speed up when some idiot that has seen me for a half mile in front of him refuses to get to the left.
In heavy traffic I've also found that I can usually find a large truck in the right lane to follow and easily be seen as a slow vehicle without hampering traffic any more than what the truck is doing anyway.
Then again I don't live in LA or NYC
My wife says she heard something about Toyota oil gelling and causing engine damage.
Synthetic makes sense to me because of low friction and the fact that it doesent break down like the additives that breakdown and come out of solution because of excessive heat.
Hoping to hear from wvgasguy or any other informed person on this topic
Remember too that many of the "fanatics" are indeed running synthetic but they also are running 45 to 50 psig in their tires, using premium fuel, running with no A/C and windows up. I take their opinions for what they are, free advise.. Many people have been running synthetic for years and swear by it. Then again there has been issues posted where the synthetic has caused problems in some engines.
Synthetic is definately a better oil. However todays oils are more than good enough to protect your engine, especially for "normal" driving and if changed on the frequencies recommended.
Yes I read that info after I bought my TCH. I believe that was an issue Toyota addressed and I have no heard of it as a problem with any of the newer Camry's. There is a lot of info posted on that as well. I just can't remember the details since that discussion took place a while back and I dismissed it as not applicable to my TCH.
For me, the bottom line is if there is a problem (and it could happen to any brand) who's most likely to step up and help me correct it. I'm betting Toyota will better than their competitors
Penzoil, nothing like putting wax in the engine (paraffin, that is).
As for me, I like the beeps. It tells me that someone else can drive away the car if I dont power it off. And yes, despite others claiming otherwise, you car is completely free for all when you leave the power on. Again, that's how mine is programmed. Its completely possible yours is programmed otherwise.
P.S. WV, great post man. I have learned lots from your input here!!! Thanks.
Thanks
But i use Napa auto parts own brand. Unlike the 6.95 per quart, its 3.95, barely more than regular oil and you can change it urslef if you like or take it with you tyo ur local oil, lube n filter place
Good luck
Once up and running (and maybe after the break-in period) push the pedal to the floor. Both power sources will kick in and, surprise, there's some real acceleration in the car after all.
The speed up and slow down method you describe will indeed occur if you try to P&G on an uphill grade. If there is no traffic behind you the willingness to drop 5 or 10 mph will pay off over time. But don't be a traffic hazard.
This is indeed a learning process and just about everyone who bought a TCH complains about their FE the first couple of tanks and are sure there is something wrong with their car. There is a better than good chance there is nothing wrong with their car.
Weather, especially if it's cold may put a bigger draw on power as the engine needs to run from time to time to heat the catalitic converter.
It takes time and once learned it is not the hassle it appears to be when first starting. Like any habit it takes repetition.
I live in the hills of West Virginia and after 38,000 miles am averaging 37.8 mpg. I was well over 38 when I finally quit worrying about it. I now get 36.5 on the interstate knowing the car can indeed get me 39 to 40 in the same situation. I get 38 just driving around where I used to get 40+.
I think I lost interest (feel guilty) knowing my other car (a Ford Expedition) only is getting 14 mpg ;o(
Keep up the great work:-)
2. 3900 miles on car now.. 1 oil change at 2500 miles. Probably not needed but hey 12 bucks later
3. Still getting 34 mpg city and about 39 on hwy
4. Definitely on short trips the MPG is less due to the battery discharging over night and then the engine needs to run more to get it charged and get those ions moving in the right direction :-)
5. Car still drives like it was new. No rattles, shakes or hums. Passengers still comment about how quiet it is,
6. My wife seems to get less MPG than I. When she drives a full tank she runs in the 32MPG range. Short distances for her, but I also think heavier foot from the Starting Line! (Good thing it will not burn rubber or I will be broke from new tires! )
7. Car has been and always will be sluggish when going from a standstill if you push the gas pedal down like a conventional car. But if you need to move fast as somebody else said--- push the pedal all the way down and then watch and feel how much torque you get. It will move! Just depends if you want torque and speed or MPG.. Your choice- the beauty of this car!
8. Personally I wish the seats were a tad bit softer.. but life goes on.
9. The lighter by the shifter turns off when the engine is off. This sucks! Charge the cell phone in there. Like to leave the cell phone in there sometimes to charge while working inside and leave the car off.. This was the wifes complaint today. Have to see is there another lighter in the car behind that flip open door.... Check that another day.
10. Still happy with the car.. Especially as gas prices go higher....
Ed :P
8.
Actually the battery will hold it's charge for a long time. The problem with short trips is that the system is programmed to provide minimal emissions, so it will attempt to warm up the ICE as quickly as possible rather than save fuel. Combine short trips and have the first leg be the longest for best economy.
Unfortunately posters are from all over the country and that can confuse the new readers. Fortunately though I've been watching since may 06 when I got my TCH and can sort through the comments quickly. I was discouraged some at first when I was only getting 38mpg
I soon realized many posters were in Arizona and some warm flat states. To understand the TCH you need to know the background of the posters. While I live in the hills of WV, there is also very little traffic to contend with. My idea of an interstate is much different than some who deal with a 6 lane full of traffic. If I want I can usually drive the limit on a 125 mile trip south without touching my brakes. On that trip I can get 41 mpg even though there are some steep grades. Driving the 4 lane to a town 30 miles away it is easy to get 35, a little effort to get 37 and if I try hard I can get 39. I've settled lately for the 37 effort. It is natural for me now.
City milage is the tricky one. I live in a rural town. I can drive around it completely without the ICE even kicking on. That's even stopping at several lights and stop signs. However there is usually no one behind me or they can simply pass me. Even short trips don't (or have not) hurt me as it's 3 miles into town and by the time I get there I can be hitting 44 mpg.
Rural driving is the "sweet" spot for the TCH. On a 2 lane road without a lot of traffic and driving 50 mph I can get 44+. I have not seen where the small hills hurt as for every hill I go up at 20 mpg I go down with hitting the 60 mark or E mode depending on speed.
However heavy traffic city driving can be difficult for some I'm sure when the traffic is stop and go during rush hour. But anytime other than rush hour can be rewarding. I recently drove for an hour of so around Baltimore and just looking around at the sights (mostly lost, even with Nav) I was able to get 42.
Cold weather with wet roads or wind hits you at least 7 to 10%. Doesn't sound like much until you figure 10% of 40 mpg is 4 mpg.
At 65mph FE is outstanding, at 75 mph it is difficult to get what you're expecting. many folks just won't give up their life style and that's OK because they still get 32 to 34. Only problem is they compare that to mileage they used to track and most people only track their vacation or trip milage. I've kept records for years and my average on just about every car and truck I've owned was at the low EPA city estimate. They are getting a lot better FE I believe than they ever did.
I hear people all the time telling me about getting 35 mpg in their car. They are driving Buick's and other mid size cars and frankly I don't believe them. Yes on a trip in a 4cy camry you might get 32 but in everyday driving as an average it is probably more like 25 or less.
Bottom line is you can probably do better than you are with practice but there will always be people getting better and even more people claiming to get better.
I get 38 to 41 on the highway (in warm dry weather)
I get 37 to 44 in the city depending...
I get 39 +/- on rural highways.
When I have time, my most frequent trip, a 25 miles round trip on back roads to my church I can P&G and do all sorts of things and my best yet is 52 mpg. Sort of like golf, if you're good you know what your score will be but you still try for better
LOL, I gave up an Infiniti FX45 for the TCH. I loved to roll down the windows to hear it wind up. What a sweet sound. Lifetime FE of 16.2mpg ;(
Not only has my driving style change but while saving gas (and $'s), I looked at my lifestyle and I've started getting out of debt; planning for an "in the near future" retirement. With the tax credits, less fuel, lower payment and maintenance, I've saved $15,000 already over keeping the FX. I never used to worry about that but lately I've been able to realize what I can do with an extra $15,000
I believe Dino oil is pretty good stuff these days. I'd simply follow the mgfr recommendations.
I believe Dino oil is pretty good stuff these days. I'd simply follow the mgfr recommendations.