hill climbing, taking a trip up to northern AZ

[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

While we are discussing the effect of cold on the car, it should be mentioned that when the battery pack is frozen, assist and regen is severely limited until the pack core temp is over 40F.
This is the primary reason for the 12V start, as a frozen NIMH battery cannot output the high current to start the car with the IMA MG.
The car uses a special sawtooth signal to warm up the pack, until it is over 32F.
Since the pack is cooled/heated by cabin air, one must balance engine warmup, cabin warmup, and battery warmup.
The pack is most comfortable when the passengers are comfortable.

[kcarson]

We take ours to Show Low quite often and just couple hills require second gear. (and can make it back and forth on one tank - perfect)

[ibjeff]

Well I finally did it! I drove my insight to Payson. All went great, only averaged 57.8mpg , but was a lot of climbing . I left the car up there as I needed to bring my retired parent's Avalanche down here to the shop. I'll be going back up this evening to return their truck and drive my insight home. Its downhill so I can't wait to see the mpg

[psuinsight]

I take my 06 5 speed Insight up the Allegheny Front for a steep climb of about 1000 feet up switch back country roads. I sometimes see my battery indicator go down to 1 or 2 bars and the electric motor decides to take a little vacation. So 3rd or 2nd gear are a necessity.