Honda Car Forum

In article <Cnkdd.12090$JS4.8914@twister.nyroc.rr.com>, Brian <spam.is@ikilling.invalid> wrote:

>There's an article here that talks about what's going on with testing
>for hybrids. Not very in depth, but a good start:
> http://www.wired.com/news/autotech/0,2554,63413,00.html

This is a fair article, but it doesn't address the Q asked about
state of charge correction. I think it misleadingly implies that
the EPA tests give hybrids an advantage. Again, from an actual
automotive expert I know, the answer is that this correction is
done, ie there's no hybrid "cheating".

There's a lot of whining (not saying anyone here) about
cars, especially, hybrids not hitting EPA numbers. The EPA tests
really are just a guideline. A correction is already done to make
it more closely match real-world numbers. That was added over a
decade ago. Perhaps they should add another to make people happy.
But frankly, no matter what test is used, your results will vary.
It is absolutely true that it will depend on your particular
routes, your particular driving style, whether you have a/c on
(not on in the test), windows open, jack-rabbit start, you have a
digital throttle (I mean you constantly are up and down on the gas
rather than smooth) ...

Certainly these tests will be more askew for super-high mpg
vehicles where even a small deviation in any of the above will
have a bigger effect on the final mpg number. But there's no
conspiracy out there. But I do suspect that if they used a
different test, they would certainly tune the hybrid strategies
differently. This is a fair and reasonable thing to do. They've
got to tune it for something, why not the accepted test?

well maybe it does.

your point is that the hp ratings for the gas engine and the electric
motor are combined.........

I was thinking of the rating of the gas engines alone.

Elbert



On Tue, 19 Oct 2004 18:25:13 -0700, Dick <LeadWinger> wrote:

>It makes perfect sense to me. You start with a 240 horsepower Accord
>and add to it an electric motor to assist the V-6. Why would that
>combination not yield more horsepower? As far as cost, there is a
>great deal more equipment involved. Dual A/C compressors as an
>example. Unless the hybrid Accord is produced in significantly larger
>quantities than the standard Accord, I don't see how the price is
>going to come down in the near term.
>
>I just returned from the Honda dealer for the transmission recall on
>our 2003. Picked up a brochure on the 2005 hybrid Accord. Anxious to
>read it.
>
>
>
>On Tue, 19 Oct 2004 19:27:24 -0500, Elbert
><elbert.clarke@**adelphia.net> wrote:
>
>>
>>yea I know its 15hp........
>>
>>I wouldn't think the production volume of the hybrid
>>would justy any real differences.
>>
>>Just seems kind of funny that the hybrid makes more HP
>>even though its just by a small amount.
>>
>>Guess we'll see how well the hybrids run.....I don't think
>>I'll buy one anytime soon.

----
elbert.clarke@**us.army.mil
remove the ** to email

On Wed, 20 Oct 2004 10:55:02 GMT, dm@nospam.com (Dave) wrote:

>In article <s7fbn09kvm1h5eailig2tkdtdj9jgi7pmh@4ax.com>, Dick <LeadWinger> wrote:
>>Dual A/C compressors as an example.
>
>They really use two compressors? One electrical and one off the
>shaft? I'm surprised.

From the Honda website.

"The hybrid air conditioning unit uses two air compressors, one
connected to the gasoline engine and one connected to an electric
motor. When full cooling is needed, as when a car is first started on
a hot summer day, the HVAC control unit relies on both to create
maximum cooling power. Under normal conditions, cooling is provided by
either the belt-driven compressor attached to the 3.0-liter V-6 or the
electric magnet driven compressor powered by the IMA battery. This
allows the air conditioning system to work at virtually all times,
even when the car is at idle-stop."

You can read the full specifications here.

http://automobiles.honda.com/info/pr...rDetected=True

Dick

I just bought an Accord Hybrid in Bishop, Ca.. The first trip was
coming home to Los Angeles. I averaged 35mpg by the trip computer at
79 MPH. The odometer MPG said 31.5.
For the last couple of days city driving I am showing on the trip
computer 23 and 22.1 on the odometer. I only have a total of 500 miles
so I am expecting much better and you can bet I will be squacking if
things don't improve.
The dealer of course is saying that 10,000 miles of breakin is the
magic number. Time will tell.
I really dig the car though and it is a rocket off the line and a
cruiser at high speed.

On 3 Jan 2005 17:58:36 -0800, "stillsman" <stillsman@yahoo.com> wrote:

>I just bought an Accord Hybrid in Bishop, Ca.. The first trip was
>coming home to Los Angeles. I averaged 35mpg by the trip computer at
>79 MPH. The odometer MPG said 31.5.
>For the last couple of days city driving I am showing on the trip
>computer 23 and 22.1 on the odometer. I only have a total of 500 miles
>so I am expecting much better and you can bet I will be squacking if
>things don't improve.
>The dealer of course is saying that 10,000 miles of breakin is the
>magic number. Time will tell.
>I really dig the car though and it is a rocket off the line and a
>cruiser at high speed.

That is impressive, especially so in that you seem to be driving it
enthusiastically. I would expect that the mpg range achievable in
this car is highly dependent on the weight of your right foot.

Please keep us updated.