Battery question

[SADTW]

I just test drove a 2010 Insight. Love the car, mpg was great, but,


1) what special needs are required for a new Insight owner?
2) what is "regen" and how should I take care of the battery?
3) can you drive the Insight on "electric only", like a Prius, and how do you do that?
4) any other info you can provide


Thanks in advance for your help.

John

[Willie Williford]

ALL your questions can be found here at ICN with a leisure evening of reading useing the "search" function. It might be a little harder to use than the "answer" way, but is entertaining and worth the effort.

HTH
Willie

[SADTW]

I have been searching. Maybe my requests are too broad but, I really dont have the time to comb every topic hoping to find a needle.

I will continue. I was hoping for a quick answer as I need to decide today.

My biggest concern is understanding the battery function and charge.

[Ehetleos]

Originally Posted by SADTW

1)what special needs are required for a new Insight owner?

Patience to get to know how everything works. This car can be driven like any other "normal car" yet it can also be driven like a gas/money saving instrument. Many tricks, loads to learn.

Originally Posted by SADTW

2)what is "regen" and how should I take care of the battery?

Regen means the IMA battery is being charged by braking or by gasoline engine function. The IMA battery does not need any care (unless it fails, of course) for many years.

Originally Posted by SADTW

3) can you drive the Insight on "electric only", like a Prius, and how do you do that?

Yes you can but only for a short while (i have managed 1,5 miles) on level ground, and low speeds. It needs right foot practice.

Originally Posted by SADTW

4) any other info you can provide

Do multiple forum querries. I am afraid it is the only way to learn more in detail.

[SADTW]

What special care does the car need as far as battery maintenance?

I can do the oil changes (have seen this mentioned a lot).


John

[Ehetleos]

[QUOTE=SADTW;190943]What special care does the car need as far as battery maintenance?[ /QUOTE]

None

[mrkcohen]

What special care does the car need as far as battery maintenance?

No special care is required for the battery or anything else on the Insight.

Like any other vehicle you just have to make sure you keep up on the scheduled maintenance. The Insight has a handy maintenance reminder to let you know when it's time for service.

[amorris]

The EV mode for the I2 is much, much inferior to the Prius. You cannot creep through parking lots, stop and go almost always drops mpg in I2, but it improves mpg in Prius due to EV mode. There is really no comparison in EV modes -- the I2 is just not in the same league.

[jcbesq]

Originally Posted by amorris

The EV mode for the I2 is much, much inferior to the Prius. You cannot creep through parking lots, stop and go almost always drops mpg in I2, but it improves mpg in Prius due to EV mode. There is really no comparison in EV modes -- the I2 is just not in the same league.

inferior? or different? and certainly cheaper to produce and consume

[amorris]

Originally Posted by jcbesq

inferior? or different? and certainly cheaper to produce and consume

Sorry, but I have to stand by inferior, much inferior. The I2's EV mode is difficult to enter, and very difficult to maintain. In my Prius I can drive up and down my street in EV. Heck, there is even a button to put it into EV. Don't get me wrong, I love my I2, but the Prius' EV mode is far superior.