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Originally Posted by WebG
I have the nav, but I haven't cared for the "energy" screen as I find the graphic too busy to get a good read on with a quick glance. I leave it on "consumption" and watch the graphs to monitor my MPG over time about 80% of the time I'm in the car -- radio/air/map take the other 20%. (or is it vice-versa? I like the graphs, hate the engine graphic). I leave the dash display on the battery/engine graphic almost 100% of the time.
What specifically should I look for on the engine screen other than no lines moving from the engine to the wheels? Is there that significant a difference between that display and what's on the dash display?
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I usually keep the nav on the energy screen. It may seem a little busy, but once you get used to it there really aren't that many things you are looking for. Here is something to look for. When you are accelerating using the engine, what is happening to the power that is split to the electric motor? Is it going back to the wheels or is it charging the battery? Or, is the battery providing assist back to the electric motor? In general, you want to avoid the electric motor assisting when the engine is running. These are all good for helping you manage your battery state of charge (SoC).
Also, at the bottom of the energy screen is an instantaneous fuel economy readout that goes all the way to 99.9 mpg. This is more useful than the 60 mpg meter on the chart page. Without a ScanGauge, 99.9 mpg is more helpful to determine if the engine is on or off. Even if your engine is idling and you are coasting, the fuel economy will easily be greater than 60 mpg at pretty low speeds.
Quote:
Originally Posted by WebG
When rolling downhill, you're saying I should shift into neutral. When I reach the bottom of the hill and need to accellerate upwards, what type of engine reaction time should I worry about with regards to timing the shift back into drive and then pressing the accellerator?
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I'm not really sure on this, but I have never had any issues. I imagine electric assist would be very fast and the engine power may take a second or so. This is probably no different than if you have it in D and need the engine to kick back on.
Quote:
Originally Posted by WebG
an additional observation: when I come to a stoplight, the dash display will still display the battery sending power to the wheels unless I press more firmly on the brake. Is this expected activity?
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A couple of things here. The brake and accelerator combo are meant to simulate a traditional gas only vehicle. At higher speeds, when you let off the accelerator, you get charging. This is analogous to engine braking. When going very slow (as when approaching a red light), assist is occurring to simulate an idling vehicle in gear. The brake has to be pressed harder to stop this assist.
Also, if you come to a stop while your engine is on, I've noticed that the arrows may still be moving for a second or so after coming to a full stop.