EV Mode Uses

jraynor196 · 09-09-2009, 11:25 PM

I actually employ EV mode a few times during my commute now.

EV mode drains the battery very quickly, I got too greedy one day and went into forced regen

, but for the most part I have been able to use it without draining it. I usually use the battery screen when attempting EV mode as it is a little tricky to engage it.

When coasting, I have found that if you are on a downhill grade EV mode can accelerate the car depending on how steep the grade is will determine how quickly the car will accelerate. On a flat or uphill grade, EV mode looses power and cannot maintain acceleration.

So, I've only been engaging EV mode on downhill grades as needed provided I have many opportunities ahead to "refill" the battery.

One scenario I have been using it more is as I approach Hartford CT, Traffic slows down from 65 to 10-20 and then fluctuates from 10 to 30 MPH. In this scenario, I am doing a lot of coasting, so I have been employing short stretches of EV mode (going downhill) to accelerate the car as needed to increase speed, essentially "pulsing in EV mode" and then gliding since the traffic is going slow (sometimes stop and go). For example I might be doing 25 MPH and then pulse in EV mode to get up to 30 MPH and then glide again to 25.

Sometimes I can go quite a bit with no gas, provided there is a grade advantage. Also maintaining a "gap" in regards to the car in front also smoothes out the accel/braking needed.

Cobb · 09-10-2009, 12:06 AM

Yupper. Its a trick to engage. I havent found it much use yet and just focus on not causing a force regen by taking it easy on acceleration so it uses less assist, then upshifting to peg the charge indicator and charge the batteries faster.

I also accelerate enough to hear the low growl of the electric motor, but no cause an rpm increase.

eastkosta · 09-10-2009, 10:15 AM

I found that its not that hard to engave EV. All you have to do is let go of the gas pedal and then tap it lightly enaging electic only. I also found it usefull for coasting round parking lots looks for spaces since it can easily maintain the speed of 15MPH. I also found that Ev can accelerate you if you are going 10MPH and kick into EV it can get to 17MPH on a flat surface. Downfall it cant maintain your speed if you are going above 30 so its only usefull for small roads.

Cobb · 09-10-2009, 10:43 AM

Ill try that, as I do idle or creep around parking lots. When I come home I go down a dip in a 25mph zone. Its almost like clock work when I approach the dip I let off the gas, then gas near the botom and watch the asist meter max out and boom th engine turns back on.

In the parking lot it cuts out, but as I make a turn to park it pops the engine back o. I am driving the metro this week, will try that later.

Yeah, seems you get the most out of the hybrid system at lower speeds. Many cases when I am on the interstate I see gas only or gas off and regen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastkosta

I found that its not that hard to engave EV. All you have to do is let go of the gas pedal and then tap it lightly enaging electic only. I also found it usefull for coasting round parking lots looks for spaces since it can easily maintain the speed of 15MPH. I also found that Ev can accelerate you if you are going 10MPH and kick into EV it can get to 17MPH on a flat surface. Downfall it cant maintain your speed if you are going above 30 so its only usefull for small roads.

eastkosta · 09-10-2009, 12:20 PM

I also find that using the energy flow screen makes it easier to monitor ev and transitions.

jimash · 09-10-2009, 12:53 PM

In my limited experience I have found most of the same things.
When in stop and go, using the energy flow screen helps to manage it, and I too left a "gap" in front and got pure EV at about 17 mph on the flat .
I'll have to watch for those other instances, to maximize them.

**Moviemike** · 09-23-2009, 07:17 PM

Ditto to all the above.

The energy flow screen was my training on how to get it into ev mode. By noting various needle movements of the asst - charge gauge while looking at the energy flow screen, I've been able to figure a way use the gauge only, and keep the MID on instant mpg most of the time.

What is great fun is to hit the top of the NB bridge at 33 mph in engine only configuration. Then maintain engine only on the initial down grade. When speed hits about 38 mph (its a 35 mph limit) then take foot off the gas, and lightly tap the brake. Continue tapping the brake as the battery charge gauge max-s out, and hold till speed drops to 33mph. Then take foot off brake. Then lightly tap the gas and watch the gauge slowly move to and hold a slight assist position (the energy flow screen will show ev mode). Hold that gas pedal position and watch the speed increase to 40 mph at bottom of bridge. Its a flat-slight downgrade 2/3 mile to first traffic light after the bridge. Holding the above pedal position I can hit the light at around 34 mph. If the light turns red ....I can use braking regen to stop the car AND refill the battery! That's the fun part, using ev mode to charge up the battery.