New HCH-II software updates (Winter 2008)

I had promised a few months ago that I would send notice of new software updates for owners of 2006, 2007 and some 2008 models. I have not confirmed if one or all of these updates apply to newly produced 2009 models.

This is it folks. We have a new batch of software updates that are purported to address some of the issues experienced by owners of the said model years.

Since at the moment I can only mention part numbers and a description, I am hopeful that this will be enough when you request the application of the updates from your dealer. If this is not enough then please let me know and I'll fetch additional info on these part numbers.


Part# 19301PMX306
Desc: PGM-FI Update + additional update

Part# 37820-RMX-A53
Desc: Battery Initial Calibration

Part# 1K100-RMX-A06 (S/B# 01-084...)
Desc: Battery Update + additional update

Part# 1K100-RMX-A06 (S/B# 03-002...)
Desc: Motor Update + additional update


I will be scheduling an appointment from my local dealer to have these updates applied to my two HCH-II's and hopefully some of you will be able to do the same at some point.

Perhaps these updates will offer an improvement for some of the issues concerning the community over the last year or so. ;)

The Honda Civic Hybrid (HCH-II FAQ) Frequently Asked Questions

This one has taken me a fair amount of time to complete... you know, in the priority list of things to do some of those things end-up taking a bit longer.


Anyhow, this FAQ article is a must read by any HCH-II owner as well as anyone else looking to purchasing one.

The Second generation Honda Civic Hybrid FAQ

Enjoy.

A Hybrid Owner’s winter survival guide

Yes, after almost 14 months it is complete and you may find it here:



A Hybrid Owner’s winter survival guide

My hope is that this article will help Prius and HCH-II owners overcome the fuel economy hit due to winter time driving. As with anything else in life, a bit of knowledge and upfront preparation can do wonders for your emissions and fuel economy.


Highlight: Temperature transition table for the Prius-II


Highlight: Temperature transition table for the HCH-II


You'll find a lot more detail in that article.

Enjoy :)

Finnally, hypermiling to be taught in Driver's Ed... Well not quite there yet

Well, the ball is in motion and I may have found a level of receptiveness with some at MPIC (Manitoba Public Insurance). There is a general agreement that including references to eco-driving principles in the Driver's ed handbook is a good thing. What concerns me is the level of detail (or lack of) as well as the lack of driver testing in this particular area. I sure would like to see the word "hypermiling" used in the literature but given that this is something of a first, I will understand the reluctance and the rather timid approach.

In any case, smaller steps forward are better than no steps at all... but despite this the effort forward continues.

For furhter details on hypermiling and eco-driving please visit us at WWW.CleanMPG.COM

What if I need to service my hybrid vehicle ?

It is a fact of life that nothing lasts for ever, but when it comes to manufactured goods of increasing complexity it is only a matter of time before some form of technical servicing and/or repair is required. Since today's cars are nowhere near as disposable as other less expensive technology goods, the only way to ensure a lower cost and sustainable vehicle ownership is to perform regular maintenance and hope to avoid major costly repairs.

Inevitably, this brings us back to the question about hybrid vehicle serviceability and what owners must know and do, in order to avoid complications and a higher cost of ownership. Let's face it, while maintaining a hybrid vehicle is generally affordable, repairing is entirely a different matter altogether.

Lets see what advantages hybrid vehicles have over their conventional counterparts:

• Less engine and power train wear-and-tear. Thank the "live-for-ever" electric motors along with their simpler transmissions for this.
• Less brake pad and shoe replacements/repair. Thank the "live-for-ever" regenerative braking for this.
• Most systems are electrified such as Power Steering and climate control. This renders these operations more reliable and efficient.
• For many hybrids there are longer lasting oil change intervals.
• Battery packs have long warranties and the vast majority have proven to last the useful life of the vehicle. This is something hybrid detractors do not like to hear.
  

Yes, since their entry into the market almost 10 years ago, hybrid electric vehicles have been found to be more reliable than their gas powered counterparts. In fact, hybrid vehicles have become the models of reliability across manufacturers and even across vehicle classes to such an extent that many industries have adopted HEV's in their fleets not only because of the gas savings but also because of the significantly lower wear and tear incurred.

But as we said before: nothing lasts forever. And it is on this note that we will once again delve into the intricacies of maintaining and even servicing your HEV.

Maintenace: What is it and why?

Maintenance relates directly to the preventative servicing we perform on a vehicle. The long standing wisdom is that any maintenance we perform on the basis of a recommended schedule, the greater the assurances of trouble free operation. The typical maintenance items that we can all relate to range from the usual oil and other fluid changes, tire rotations and replacement, brake checks, to tune-ups, and so on.
On this matter hybrid vehicles have proven to be very frugal and therefore very enticing and one of the reasons they have such a good TCO index in this industry. Sure, some hybrids require special fluids and even special maintenance procedures that are more expensive than that of a traditionally powered vehicles, and there not denying this helps reduce (but not eliminate) the cost benefits of hybrid vehicle ownership.

Nevertheless, you should keep the bigger picture in mind especially when picking among your options. We perform maintenance so that we can avoid the possibility of a serious failure which more often than not, will be far more expensive to repair. So, regularly scheduled maintenance is good, repairing a is preventable problem is bad. Agree?

Repairing your Toyota or Honda hybrid vehicle:

In the event that a repair is required then you must ponder carefully about your options.

1. Where to repair your hybrid vehicle. You may or may not like going to your dealer for repairs but so far they are your best option. They are the only ones who are expected to have the training and service support needed to safely and successfully perform the repairs. If you already have a good and trustworthy dealer then you have a great deal of good will at your disposal that may even pay you back in the form of lower repair bills and other warranty accommodations. If you don't have a good dealer then start looking for one if you have that option. Independent shops may want your business and even offer you a price to match but very few will actually be able to do the work with the knowledge and safety your vehicle requires. But if the statistical evidence is of any comfort, then as the owner of an HEV you are already less likely to face a repair bill than the average person. Just make sure you have your vehicle properly maintained and up to date with the latest control software.
2. How much will it cost. It depends primarily on what is broken. But as we all know, it also depends on the shop and the pricing they offer you. In any case, always seek a second opinion if you suspect the price is too high. Better yet, visit any of the online forums for your particular vehicle and ask the question. Chances are that someone will quote the nominal cost of the repair procedure and that should be all you need to move forward with a particular service department. Also, do not forget to look for the significance of this repair. If the repair bill is high but it will give you another 100K miles or more then maybe that's not too bad. It becomes another story entirely if this becomes a frequent and recurring expenditure.
3. Can I drive with a broken sub-system and postpone the repair to a later date? Only do so, if and only if, your qualified technician says it is safe and harmless. But, chances are that if a system is off-line or broken, a warning has been issued and likely to be important if not critical. Again, do not compromise your safety and that of others by delaying a critical repair.

We should always remember that while mileage varies for person to person, so does wear and tear and the need for proper maintenance for your hybrid vehicle.
In any case, if you already have a good service relationship with your service department then maintain it well. It may actually serve you well if you ever need it as leverage for warranty or even post-warranty work. This is called "good will" and it is amazing how many folks ignore it even dismiss it.
If for whatever reason you do not yet have a good dealer, then I suggest you do some research and locate one just in case you ever need it.
If you prefer to use the services of an independent shop, then I suggest you ask them for confirmation and proof that they are not only trained to service advanced hybrid platforms but they also have access to the same technical resources and parts the dealers use. If an independent service shop cannot comply with your request then look elsewhere.

You certainly would not go to a witch doctor if what you really need is a brain surgeon, now would you?

What is a bad driver ?

This issue often comes up in discussions among the ecodrving and hypermiler communities. These two groups of people are often at odds with the rest of the motorists on our roadways on a variety of controversial aspects. Let's tackle just a few in order to gain the appropriate perspective:

• Most motorists speed. They regularly exceed the posted speed limit and only come to their senses at the sight of law enforcement personnel by the road side or on a marked vehicle.
  
• Many motorists are oblivious to proper and safe driving protocol. Using anticipatory driving, using the turn signals as prescribed by most DMV's and exercising caution in the proximity of emergency or construction personnel is rare.
• Aggressive driving and occurrences of road rage are too frequent and often the cause of accidents.
• Distracted motorists are frequently noticed on our roadways performing all sorts of tasks ranging from the consumption of food, chatting on the cell phone, applying make-up and even texting.
• Quite often vehicles are found traveling at higher speeds with visibly under inflated tires. Under inflated tires are the main source of catastrophic tire failures at highway speeds (tire blow-outs) and these failures often cause serious accidents potentially involving many vehicles sharing the same road... sadly, whether traveling in the same direction or not.
• Failure to observe recreational, pedestrian and school signs. Many motorists not only speed in these zones but also perform aggressive and sudden maneuvers that exacerbate the danger factor.
• Tailgating. This is a systemic and often un-enforced violation. Tailgating (the act of following another vehicle too close for the speed) is being performed by motorists of almost every vehicle class and can last anywhere from several seconds worth, to longer time spans. Oddly enough, several automotive support groups (such as the AAA) have accused hypermilers of tailgating large trucks in what is often described as "drafting" but this is obviously false and ill informed. Hypermilers' main creed is to adhere to their DWB technique (Driving With Buffers) which effectively excludes any drafting activities. No reason to tailgate is good enough to risk anyone's safety.
  

Wow. Quite a list, is it not?

So, what defines a good driver then? For starters, consider yourself a good driver if you can honestly state you consistently do none of the above. If you can admit it to yourself that you engage in one or more of the above activities then I humbly urge you to reconsider.
Any change or improvement no matter how small, is always welcome and much needed to reduce fatalities on our roadways, reduce emissions and reduce fossil fuel use.

If you need to take it one step further then consider adopting one or more hypermiling techniques. You'll not only be an even better driver but you'll be safer, more aware of danger and the impact of your presence on the road.
You'll also be more environmentally friendly and responsible, and maybe even save a lot of money in the process. All good things for sure and the kind we can all benefit from. :)

Cheers;