Has anybody been able to override the defroster to not use the A/C in the HCH? I tried the hack code for a civic but it didn't work. Anybody else figure this out?
Has anybody been able to override the defroster to not use the A/C in the HCH? I tried the hack code for a civic but it didn't work. Anybody else figure this out?
If it's like the Insight, turn the A/C mode to "off" after setting the defrost. A bit of a hassle, but it works.
Lars covers this question well. The only other aspect I am aware of is increased wind resistance, due to the denser air. E10 will knock off around 1.5 MPG.
I have just completed my first four seasons in the Prius. I gained 15 MPG *average* from winter to moderate summer. The absolute killer was short trips. Even 30 minutes with the engine off was enough to turn the engine block cold. Combining errands is a good idea year round, but it is critical to maintaining decent MPG in the winter.
R2-E2, 2G Prius.
Highway/City/Husband/Wife MPG: 56.5, as of 12/2005, 26K miles
Jac Nasser, Ford President: "We are planning to launch a hybrid version of
this car [P2000] within this year [1998]. We will also make FCEV available in
2004."
My guess is colder weather inhibits lean burn. I would not be suprized if lean burn never activates in sub-zero weather.
On conventional ICE engines, the fuel mixture was enriched well above stochiometric ratio during cold days. Please note that I say conventional ICEs. On the hybrid powerplants they may not enrich the fuel mixture past the stochiometric ratio, but nevertheless enrich it enough that the engine is no longer operating in the lean burn mode.
Another thing.... batteries. It is a well known fact that electro-chemical reaction slows down with lower temps. Also, electronic circuits operate best at 25_C. (77_F)
So far, I've gone 330 miles with 73.7mpg. In the last day it has gone down from 74.4mpg, so I'm saying it's the cold front that's doing it.
I think it's time to cover the radiator grill...
sorry, up here on the soon to be frozen plains, i have a hard time featuring texas as cold...........we had a hard freeze last night, but my car held it's current mileage well, even with me experimenting with cruise control on the way to work.
Yes, I realize going from a 75F to a 50F morning is not Artic, but my Insight noticed the difference. About a month from now, I wonder what the FE will be when I'm driving and it's 30F?
If it's like the Insight, turn the A/C mode to "off" after setting the defrost. A bit of a hassle, but it works.
Nope, it's always on.
When I had the S2000 and hit defrost it too would turn on the A/C but I could then disable it... which is fine.
On certain civic (not hybrid) there is a combination of keys that you can press that will allow you to disable the A/C manually when in defrost mode. As it stands, there is no way to turn off A/C when in defrost mode.
40's in the mornings on my 7 mile commute gives me about 60 mpg with the hot air mod in my Insight. Evening commutes at about 65 degrees still are up in the 70's for mileage. Didn't even get one tank in yet on the car and my mileage is already dropping!
When I had the S2000 and hit defrost it too would turn on the A/C but I could then disable it... which is fine.
On certain civic (not hybrid) there is a combination of keys that you can press that will allow you to disable the A/C manually when in defrost mode. As it stands, there is no way to turn off A/C when in defrost mode.
If you can't get defrost without the A/C, then you might want to try one of these two things:
Get some RainX at the auto store and see if that minimuizes the need for the defroster
(more work) Find the fuse box and pull the A/C fuse. Check if the the fan will still blow in the defrost mode. If so, someone electrically inclinded at stuff like installing car stereos, could splice the A/C line going into the fuse with a toggle switch. Most cars (including mine) have little punch outs for adding toggle switches.
Re: How Much of an FE Hit Does Cold Weather Make?
sorry, up here on the soon to be frozen plains, i have a hard time featuring texas as cold...........we had a hard freeze last night, but my car held it's current mileage well, even with me experimenting with cruise control on the way to work.
