1. The CVT seems better, still flares when reapplying throttle after braking down to an almost stop but not fully stopping.
2. The battery recals I think have been happening alot more than I thought after researching what they can be like. My car loves to use SOC bars 7&8 very very fast, then uses bars 5&6 for what seems like a very long time. Once it hits 3-4 bars it take alot to get it to assist and starts force charging again until the SOC shows at least 7bars. It has done this about 70% of the time I have had it. The question is do I start grid charging now and try and save it or do I let it go and pray I get an IMA light by the end of the 8yr 100k my IMA is covered by???
3. Per tank results are below: The tanks that show below 40 were when my friend was driving, she basically said screw it and was driving 72-77mph but never used cruise and let it slow down on hills and never revved her much over 3k. The tanks in the 42 range was me driving highway with cruise set, I typically was driving with it set at 65 (5under the normal posted 70) My max speed driving was 72mph. The 44mpg tank was 130 miles of 65mph+ which showed 37mpg on the trip, and the remaining 200miles was all 45-50mph EASY driving roads which was showing 54mpg on the trip.
4. I think these numbers are acceptable, however I am learning the civic hybrid is not capable of being driven anywhere close to "normal" on the highway and still achieve EPA estimates. By normal I mean the speedlimit, which in most of the 2500miles and multiple states seems to be 70mph. A very similar trip 2 years ago in my tdi beetle yielded an average of 43mpg with cruise set at 75 and it didn't struggle up hills while absolutely wearing the driver out trying to manage a normal speed. My friend HATED it and she drives an 09 focus with a bad throttle body and still thought this was miserable to drive. Im okay with the numbers and driving it gives me something to focus on, but I can say in a year or so she will be traded in on a tdi jetta when I pay her down some. Fair warning don't buy a silver 2010 HCHII in the columbus ohio area in about a year lol
5. I appreciate your help and insight so far! I really thought I would not be on the forums for this car, but its great to see that there are people out there to help! Also if anyone has a tutorial or something similar to build a low budget grid charger and how to use it that would be great!
   Date Miles Gallons Price/gal MPG Total fill up
   316.8 7.574 2.42 41.83 $ 18.33
   310.5 8.371 2.11 37.09 $ 17.66
   376.5 9.394 2.12 40.08 $ 19.92
   393.8 10.099 2.099 38.99 $ 21.20
   330.7 7.387 2.479 44.77 $ 18.31
   310.4 7.65 2.159 40.58 $ 16.52
   429 10.091 2.549 42.51 $ 25.72
   2467.7 60.566 40.74 $ 137.66

 

Well that graph did not come out as planned:

 

1. It sounds like it's close to normal.
2. Recals can give a big hit to mileage. It's hard to say what to do. Certainly avoid disconnecting your 12V because that will force the BCM to force charge the battery to full SoC and can mask an IMA light Now that I think about it, I think the '09 is the last year they gave the warranty extension to, so your '10 may be out after 80K miles. If that's the case, grid charge pronto.
3. Really not bad for highway driving, particularly if any hills or wind is involved.
4. EPA mileage for highway simulates 60mph max.
5. Happy to help. Here's a link for the grid charger parts:

http://www.mouser.com/ProjectManager...sID=2192666ce4

 

Just pulled my owners manual and warranty booklet and and it shows IMA battery and most systems covered 8yrs or 100k miles. So I've got about 16,000 miles to go, what are the chances?? I keep weighing back and forth in my head to start grid charging now or to wait until 101k

 

Ah... that makes sense. The warranty extension only applied to 06-09 because they had a lower warranty than 2010+.

If you start grid charging now, I can almost guarantee that you won't get an IMA light/new battery before the warranty period expires. Given that you're probably going to be done with this beast in the next year, I'd take your chances on getting a replacement battery under warranty.

 

UPDATES (Big ones)

Car is now at 91k. I have started getting a recal everytime I drive the car. (on way to work, lunch break, on way home etc..) I have learned to drive through them and still manage averages around 45mpg however it has become difficult for anyone else to drive it.

I have been in contact with several dealerships all have said the same "its normal for the HCHII) I call bullshit on that and finally a dealer said bring it in we will look at it. I take it in and the next day I get a call saying it has failed their test but honda is requiring them to update the software (even though when I called and gave my vin they said it was up to date) The service writer informed me to day they are prepared to put another battery in it as they do not think the software will fix it. They have not been very descriptive with much of the "processes" so far.

Big news for all though!!! When he ran my VIN it shows my IMA system warranty to be 10yr 150k... My response is how the hell??? I am in ohio. He said that it wasnt for all 2010's just certain vin numbers so YAY for me on that one. If they replace this one, this HCHII will be on its 3rd IMA battery before 100k.... shame on honda for this as our 04 prius just failed at 198k and it was bought new.

 

California gets 10yr/150K. I'd contact Honda America Corporate and inform them of the multiple recalibrations and the significant hit to mileage that correlates to the increased # of recals.

Additionally, run your AC on Lo and at full blast with fresh air instead of recirc. The added strain of the A/C should accelerate the onset of the impending IMA light. When it comes on, go straight to the dealer.

According to Consumer reports, the 09 and 10 are the worst with 30% of cars having their batteries replaced in the first 3-4 years. They redesigned the pack, and Prime Earth restructured with less ownership by Panasonic. The general consensus is that the cell quality dropped off around that time.

Prius battery is better designed, more expensive, less abused and better managed.

Good luck,

Steve

 

The dealer said they observed about 5 recals in the 24 hrs they had it and agree it is not okay. They are making me pay for the software upgrade which I think is wrong but whatever. The service writer has told me based on the tests that this software patch will only temporarily mask the issues and that they will have to put a battery in it whether it is this week or in a month or so when the recals come back.

Funny you mention the ac as I have probly used it for about 100 miles out of the last 5000 because it seems to really **** the car off.

As far as the warranty goes I knew California was 10yr 150k so not sure how my car now shows that as well since she's been an Ohio car all her life. He said it could have something to do with the battery being replaced at 47k as well.

This summer my commute has only been around 450 miles a week but starting Monday that goes back to about 1300 so hopefully honda will get it taken care of sooner than later.

 

The software upgrade is purely to squeeze more life out of the battery. The good news is that once you have a new pack, it should manage it a little better and likely last longer. Your performance after the patch with frequent recals will continue to deteriorate, but will improve when you get a new battery.

Maybe it was coded for CA, but got shipped to OH. No idea. Just enjoy it.

Good luck!

Steve

 

Thanks Steve and 1977busman - I learned much from this discussion... i am currently driving my 2008 HCHII at 175k miles and have been getting 35 mpg mainly due to recals and a weak 2nd Honda warranty replaced IMA battery... I am pretty religious in changing 0-20w oil and CVT fluid, new brakes, PSI, new tires, new 12v battery... I am on the fence on putting $2400 on a new IMA Battery (Bumblebee) or saving up for a used 2013 Chevy Volt when it the 2016 comes out. Ofcourse the Chevy Volt has their own set of problems on the GM volt forums. I just putting it out there, do you guys know how long the CVT will last?