I'm glad you're happy with your HCH. Good for you!

But I must say, your mechanic friend's view (with regards to repair histories) may not be so "informed" as he says....maybe you should take it with a grain of salt.

Videian,

if you have a chance to get some details from your friend the mechanic, it would be highly appreciated. From my own experience and from what I heard, the Prius is very reliable, even more reliable than regular cars. I'd like to know if there is something I should expect to happen... :unsure:

Johan Erlandsson

See mileage data for my 00 Prius.
See my environmental performance (still in swedish only, feel free to ask).

This is so true.
I've read articles from "experts" that say since the HV power cables run through the car doors so EM personnel know not to cut through doors in a rescue:
That Hybrids need to be COMPLETELY disassembled to change the battery:
That to change any hybrid battery envoles HAZMAT for the deadly materials used:
That in a rollover accident you can be burned by leaking surfuric battery acid
etc etc
All from "Experts in the know"
Steve

Efficient drivers do it better.
1003 miles a tank personal record. 74MPG calculated. HCH1 CVT

OK, I found an article that calmed me down too:

Full article

Johan Erlandsson

See mileage data for my 00 Prius.
See my environmental performance (still in swedish only, feel free to ask).

Are you kidding me? I find this the single most useful thing with my Prius! Unlike your Insight, the engine actually turns off while driving, which means by controlling when this happens I can control my fuel economy. It isn't a simply matter of watching the economy bar. That is useless for a Prius driver! I assure you Different strokes for different... um... cars.

Visit my newly-acquired website, Volconvo Debate Forums!

Hi Jason:

___I control when the ICE shuts off with both the key at high speeds > 20 miles per hour and with the speedometer and tach at 20 miles per hour and below. We have a small light that says we are in Autostop or the tach falls to 0 with the clutch engaged. For fuel economy driving in the Prius, the power flows add zip because you can control when the ICE shuts down without it. Watch your speed and feel your acceleration. The power flow meter doesn’t tell you when the ICE is going to shut down, it tells you the ICE shut down after the fact I believe. It is a rear view mirror kind of thing.

___As for the instantaneous gauges in the Honda’s, I think the fuel economy of the Honda hybrid’s speaks for themselves … Look at the Graham Scanner for the Prius I. Without it, you are practically flying blind. With it, you have an idea as to how to drive with load and the mileage numbers speak for themselves. Rick Reece’s recent post about the scanner should speak volumes about what the Prius I and II display should have displayed for maximizing fuel economy instead of a power flow diagram in its place. Some of the more detailed real time data from that scanner would work well for us Insight pilots as well!

___Finally, it appears by the few screen shots I have seen of the Ford Escape Hybrid, it is spec’ed to show the Power flow diagram as well? Why not the various instantaneous load, fuel use, and fuel economy segment meters to learn how to drive for maximum fuel economy instead?

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net

Wayne,
In answer to your question: because hybrids will no longer be fuel economy vehicles. They will be economical alternatives to non-hybrids. That's the demand of the market.

The power display shows things after they happen - yes - but there are also signs that things are about to happen. For instance, during full acceleration all arrows point into the tires. Press less, the engine remains on with no arrows from the battery. Less yet, the engine on while charging the batter. Then, just the battery runs the car. Keep going, and you're "deadbanding" without arrows. Lastly, the battery gets charged.

So, everything you see has already happened. However, by knowing the "steps" you can predict how long it will be before something changes and adjust accordingly.

Visit my newly-acquired website, Volconvo Debate Forums!

Hi Jason:

___The MDX which is basically a performance non-Hybrid SUV has an instantaneous game gauge and without it teaching me what was going on in real time, I wouldn’t have had a clue how to achieve the mileage I have learned to receive from her. Today with the tens of thousands of miles of game gauge experience, I can approach maximums in non-game gauge equipped automobiles as well but it is a guesstimate at best. Sure at the pump it works out but if I only had the real time feedback, I could probably squeeze another 3 - 5 mpg from them. It is a lot easier when you have real time feedback to adjust your accelerator over a fraction of a second then to guess time and time again over 600 + miles to see the results of the thousands of accelerator inputs you presumed were correct only at one instant in time. While at the pump which is really looking back into the rear view mirror so to speak … This works in SUV’s, Economy cars, performance sedans, and whatever else you or I might drive. This includes hybrids and non-Hybrids alike.

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net

I don't use the power flow meter for controlling fuel economy, the instantaneous and segment fuel use meter I personally like better. It tells you when the engine has shut down too, at least in the Prius I.

But when having people in the car for the first time, it's great! Just switch to the power flow view and they understand almost immediately (Wow, it changes all the time!).

Johan Erlandsson

See mileage data for my 00 Prius.
See my environmental performance (still in swedish only, feel free to ask).