This was the original version of the FAQ.

This post has been edited and the full content is in a new thread for version 2.0.

Please click here to see the new (and cleaned up) FAQ.

Thanks!

 

1 -- out of most minds now, but extreme heat also drops FE as does use of the air conditioner.

4.1 -- this is explained in this thread how-come-i-cant-go-into-ev-mode-sometimes in the third post.

5 and 8 are wrong -- engine braking doesn't regenerate (the energy is lost). If you coast or use the brake pedal, the energy is regenerated, recharging the hybrid battery. People have reported decreased FE using "B".

7 is limited to only the small 12 volt battery. The hybrid battery can only be jumped at a dealer.

 

I edited items #1, 4.1 and 7.
I can't assess 5 and 8, one way or the other.
I edited #5 to remove reference to regeneration. On #8 I added a disclaimer due to the disagreement on this topic.
If there is a definite answer on this one then I will edit the post. I am not an expert and don't know, one way or the other.

 

For 4.1, EV mode is what you refer to right afterwards as "driving in the blue"--EV mode means (at least I assume, as it means this in other areas) "electric vehicle" mode. This is what you're in any time you're traveling purely on battery. The "mode" you're referring to, that you can get into after an ~8 second stop while the ICE is fully warmed up, is often referred to here in the forums as "full hybrid" mode, which just means the car is primed to switch freely between EV mode and ICE driving while the speed is under 40 mph. Any time you're not in this "full hybrid" mode, the only ways to switch to EV/electric driving is to slowly accelerate from a full stop, or to come down from 40+ mph. And if not in "full hybrid" mode, if at any time you trigger the ICE firing up by accelerating, you will not be able to switch back to EV without doing the 40+ or cold start again. In "full hybrid" this isn't a problem as it switches instantly from EV to ICE as needed.

 

Edited 4.1 to link the term EV Mode to your post.
Thanks!

 

If anyone has any other items to add in (especially #10) let me know and I will edit the post.

 

ECU is the Engine Control Unit. This is the computer "brain" for the entire Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive system (HSD) and controls all of the energy utilization and recovery.

HSD is Toyota's trade name for the electronic continuously variable drive system currently used in all of Toyota's hybrid vehicles.

MG1 is the smaller motor generator mechanically connected to the Power Split Device (PSD) sun gear. It is utilized by the Engine Control Unit to provide what is the equivalent of a "gear ratio" for the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive system (HSD).

MG2 is the larger motor generator mechanically connected to the driven axle (axles in the Hylander AWD) and the Power Split Device (PSD) ring gear. It is utilized by the Engine Control Unit for electrically driving the vehicle, assisted electric power for the ICE when required and for recovery of excess energy when coasting and braking, sometime called regenerative energy or simply regen.

PSD is the power split device -- it replaces the transmission in the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive system (HSD). Look here to see how it works.

 

Thanks!
I edited #10 to include a link to your post.

 

Thank You All>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

I asked the admins here if they would consider making this thread a sticky.
I got this reply
So...if anyone wants to help me clean up this thread, or add in extra info, I think it would be a great tool for any new or prospective TCH owner.
Thanks!