Hi all -

I have had my 2005 HCH since Decemeber and for the most part it's been great. I could be getting better mileage, but I am taking a cue from many of you about tire pressure - I will check that out ASAP.

I am writing to see if you've noticed a roll-back issue with the car. I went from a regular Civic (2001) to this one and my old civic had few rollback issues. I don't even have to be on a hill necessarily to feel like I am going to roll when I take my foot off the break. I find that I often have to put the car into S on the most minor of inclines. I worry when I get on really steep hills - if I am stopped, I have to pull the parking brake before I hit the gas, or I will surely hit a car behind me.

Also, I have begun to notice a high pitched sound emanating from the engine when I start to pick up speed. Anyone else have that.

thanks!

ally

The rollback is normal especially since the engine is off. I have notice that on the last few Hondas I have owned and think it is normal for the Honda transmission.

The whine you hear is also normal. I hear it quite often, especially when accelerating. I feel like it is the electric motor making the sound, but we see what other folks have to say.

Your gas mileage will get better. Read the forums and try some of the hints.

Billy

Seems like every small car I ever had had the roll back thing happening!

the roll back thing is normal for my hch, and experienced manual car drivers use that handbrake maneuver on hills all the time.

another way to deal with this rolling problem is to use both of your feet, not just one.

when you come to stop at the top of a hill, switch your right foot with your left foot to hold the brake pedal down (without letting go of the brake: put both feet on the pedal, remove the right foot). then, when the light turns green, gently push the gas with your right foot to 1200-1500 rpm (or whatever rpm holds the car on the hill) while still holding your left foot on the brake pedal. Then release the brake and accelerate firmly - now you won't roll back. this process should take less than 2 seconds from when the light turns green, if you do it right.

generally if you're fast enough you can just switch from the brake to the gas pedal and only roll back at most two or three inches. if you can still see the headlights of the car behind you in your rear mirror, this distance is fine. if you just want to be safe, use the above method and perfect it over time; then it will become automatic for you.

(the handbrake method is good too but i think it wears down the handbrake over time)

yes, and the high pitched whine is from the electric motor. you might not be used to this if you never drove a hybrid before or if you have never listened to a high-powered electric motor run. it sure whines, but it should be a good sound to hear, because you're getting electric boost

Thanks everyone -

I knew I would get responses right away - I love this forum. People are so helpful.

I definitely want to avoid the hand brake thing, so thanks for the tips.

Also, very good to know that others have had roll back issues and the high-pitched sound is common. I figured it was the engine, but wanted to be sure.

I do wish I was getting better mileage, but in stop-and-go LA traffic, it's tough.

thanks again!
ally

I understand your situation with stop-and-go traffic (even in LA); but I'd possibly say "cheer up", because I have gotten very good mileage (over 50mpg) in traffic such as that.

I think that the general rule would be to 'dampen' the hard stops and the fast starts a bit, if you are not already doing so. The stop-and-go allows you to accelerate a bit using the electric motor assist, then cruise along getting great mileage until the next slowdown. You aren't going so slow as to annoy people behind you, and you end up moving through town at the basically the same rate as the jackrabbits.

In the handful of driving experiences like this that I've had, I've been pleasantly surprised by my mileage.

I don't hear a whine when I'm accelerating under boost (unless I really hit it), but I do hear the (i assume it's a) generator whenever it's charging, especially at low speeds when there's less road noise. Of course you can feel when the regen kicks in too.

I did a lot of driving the other day and got my battery fully charged enough that when I hit the brake regen didn't kick on. boy that was weird- actually using brakes! you don't realize how much you get used to the regen slowing the vehicle.

sorry! off topic. I do get more rollback than my automatic explorer, but not enough for me to feel the need to 2 foot it or use the handbrake. usually just a few inches before the car goes forward again.

KLC
2005 HCH CVT 'Verdigeek'

yes thats a different kind of whine, when the electric motor becomes a generator to recharge the batteries. you hear it a lot actually if you use regen whenever you can