HCH '06: Lousy performance when battery is empty
 

When the battery in my '06 HCH is drained to one or zero bars, the performance just totally goes in the toilet and it doesn't seem to charge properly. It takes about 4500 RPM to get the car moving and it keeps a steady two or three bars of charge regardless of what I am doing (uphill, downhill, or even stopped). Anyone else have this problem? Should I take it to the dealer?

Thanks!

Re: HCH '06: Lousy performance when battery is empty
 

From what I can determine with No battery available, no electric motor assist advailable. Since the electric motor is connected to the crankshaft of the gas engine your preformace is reduced over 25% and if the engine also is trying to charge the batteries more loss of preformance, Thats why you don't want to run the batterys all the way down (back off the right foot)

Re: HCH '06: Lousy performance when battery is empty
 

That's probably just the engine charging the battery. These cars have complicated algorithms for their hybrid systems. Just remember: it's a Honda. There shouldn't be (many) problems.

Re: HCH '06: Lousy performance when battery is empty
 

Vyncynt, that is normal but I wouldn't call it lousy. The car is still drivable, it just doesn't have the boost that we're used to.

A/C with long waits at traffic lights is the biggest drain on battery, it seems to me.

Re: HCH '06: Lousy performance when battery is empty
 

I have been down to zero in the mountains on a few occations and the car moves along well without any noticable drop in power. RPM is up somewhat, but the car pulls fine. No regen bars showing until over the top. Must be something to do with stop and go driving in the city?H

Re: HCH '06: Lousy performance when battery is empty
 

I've been at 0-1 bars in the city before (traffic jams) and there is a big difference in off-the-line performance without assist. It's by no means unsafe. I can't say that I've ever been without assist on an open road.