Hi. This is my first post here.
I have had an 06 HCH for 3 or four months now and I have been lurking here or a while. I think that most of you are crazy, but that's okay.
I've been wondering about the software that runs the HCH, particularly whether it manages the engine(s) in a 1-size fits all way or whether it adapts to an individual driver/car's situation.
I ask beacuse, due to the joys of Atlanta city living ,my typical driving profile goes against everything that is needed to get good mileage:
- I have a very short commute (2 miles) so the car never really gets warmed up.
- It is very hilly (both home and office are atop hills)
- I usually drive in very heavy stop and go traffic.
- I rarely go more than 1/4 mile at a time without stopping,
- I rarely get above 15-20 MPH.
- I rarely get on the freeway (but when I do, I get Mpgs in the 45-50 range)
- I try to be clever about my accelleration and braking but theres only so much I can do.
- I am somewhat ... um... portly (210 lbs, all muscle.)
- I usually haul around a speedboat on a trailer. (Okay. Just kidding on that last one.)
As a result I have averaged only about 33 mpg over 1,200 miles or so, and my battery charge guage never goes above or below 6 bars out of 10. I have never been able to get it into EV mode, despite reading all the instructive posts. (But despite all this I still love my car.)
It seems to me that it would make sense for the software in my car to be able to adapt to maximize the economy based on this profile. (eg. I would love to see the car bravely use up all the battery going up the hill at night, knowing it could recharge it on the way down the hill in the morning.
Does anybody have any knowledge or speculation on:
1) whether the software is calibrated to be optimized for the most average driving pattern
2) whether the car can recognize and adapt to its own typical driving conditions
3) Whether there will ever be any official Honda or black-market software upgrades or hacks to allow drivers to optimize their engine management software?
Thanks for your "insights".
-Twiggy