Camry HybridDiscussion area for the Toyota Camry Hybrid. Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving Americas favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
Just finishing off my second tank of gas (5.2L/100km = 45.2mpg), and I've noticed that when coasting down a hill the TCH gains speed/freewheels like I've shifted into neutral. This is an AMAZING feature, and allows me to coast a ways up to or on level ground once I've descended. Great for regen, and FE! Did Toyota design the car to respond like it was in neutral?
Also, 'break in' period has now passed (1600km) - is there any + benefit to continuing to 'baby it' for another 100km or more, or should/can I start driving the highway speed of 110km/h (though I'm getting amazing mileage driving as conservatively as I have)?
Something must be wrong because I am getting 30 mpg in the city. What can I do to get to that 45 range.
My TCH takes 5-10 minutes in our FLA summers to "warm-up" and during this period my MPG is in the 20-30 range but after this warm-up period it will stay in the 40 mpg or better range (not including E-mode) doing the posted speed limit. So if your daily drive is less than 10 minutes I can see where you might have a low average.
Otherwise one trick is to let off the gas in city driving which "can" force the ICE into E-mode when your speed is under 41 mph and using cruise or very light pressure keep your TCH in E-mode until 42 mph...
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2009 BRM/Bisque TCH : UT w/Nav,LA,SR,CQ with PV50 and RX60. CoverCraft Evolution and UVS100; FormulaOne Pinnacle 35/15/15 Tint; LLumar Paint Protection; Vinguard; Mudguards; Silverstar Ultra 9005 & Silverstar 3457A. AMSOIL SS 0w-20 w/ EaO10 ; Shell V-POWER 93
Just finishing off my second tank of gas (5.2L/100km = 45.2mpg), and I've noticed that when coasting down a hill the TCH gains speed/freewheels like I've shifted into neutral. This is an AMAZING feature, and allows me to coast a ways up to or on level ground once I've descended. Great for regen, and FE! Did Toyota design the car to respond like it was in neutral?
Thanks.
On short hills I brake the car to keep it under 60kmh and get some regen. The CVT does not provide much friction so you won't be able to get good engine braking effect going down hills even if you use B mode vs conventional autos
I would wholeheartedly agree with you that downhill regen. does not live up to full expectation, when topping up the battery (recharge) is considered. But I would argue that it's still better energy recovery than most vehicles out there...The HSD is actually TRYING to convert that energy into something useable...
What I have noticed during these 'dog days' of summer (which topped out yesterday at about 34 degrees Celsius - over 90 F), is that my ECO drive level stays hovered around 7-8L/100km, which was one of the most disconcerting things I have noticed. Sure, I could drive in EV mode, but the engine, I think, was desperately trying to keep cool enough to function...
It's, I guess, like driving during the winter up North - when the weather gets to the extreme lows (or highs), the FE struggles to keep up...
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Like being in Neutral?
Linear Mode
