The Drive-a-Toyota Act
in [Toyota]
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From: Jeff on 5 Jul 2007 23:17 Elmo P. Shagnasty wrote: > In article <5f5jddF3ahqvdU1(a)mid.individual.net>, > Bill Putney <bptn(a)kinez.net> wrote: > >> Still, it might be interesting to see what >> mileage the car gets in a controlled test (with the hybrid configuration >> as a baseline) on the existing IC engine but with the weight and >> complexity of the batteries and its control paraphernalia removed. > > I've often wondered that, as I watch the car get 50mpg on long drives on > flat freeway with apparently zero help, or very very minimal help, from > the electric motors. > > I bet that engine as it sits is a dog off the line, though. I think the car has other things for fuel efficiency, like harder tires for less rolling resistance, better aerodynamic shape, and, I guess, no alternator, all of which save energy. Plus it has a continuously variable transmission, which is more efficient that automatic and manual transmissions. And it has aluminum hood (bonnet for those of you in the UK) and hatch instead of steel, to save weight. Cars can also have electrically powered water pumps, power steering pumps, valves, and compressors for the air conditioners, although I don't know if any do, yet. Plus, the Prius uses an Atkinson cycle engine than a regular (Otto) gas engine, which is more efficient. Jeff
From: dh on 5 Jul 2007 23:21 "C. E. White" <cewhite3(a)removemindspring.com> wrote in message news:468cd4de$1(a)kcnews01... > "Mike Hunter" <mikehunt2(a)mailcity.com> wrote in message > news:QoWdnadvktkiNRfbnZ2dnUVZ_uSgnZ2d(a)ptd.net... >> According to "Automotive News" Honda may not offer the Civic hybrid in >> 2008. It is more apparent to Honda customers, unlike Toyota buys how do >> not thing to compare the Pruis to the Corolla, that the hybrid is not >> worth the premium price charged by dealers ;) >> >> mike > > The Honda system is just not as good as Toyotas. > > Ed I have no doubt Honda's working to correct that. -- Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
From: Tomes on 6 Jul 2007 00:05 "Elmo ... > Bill Putney : >> Still, it might be interesting to see what >> mileage the car gets in a controlled test (with the hybrid >> configuration >> as a baseline) on the existing IC engine but with the weight and >> complexity of the batteries and its control paraphernalia removed. > > I've often wondered that, as I watch the car get 50mpg on long drives on > flat freeway with apparently zero help, or very very minimal help, from > the electric motors. > > I bet that engine as it sits is a dog off the line, though. > The electric motor really helps out the mileage upon speed up with its assist to the gas engine, and has much less of an effect in the more steady state of a flat 50 MPH cruise. Actually, if flat, one can use the electric a bit with a bit of foot tricks, and not lose speed. Tomes
From: Tomes on 6 Jul 2007 00:10 "Jeff" ... > Elmo P. Shagnasty >> Bill Putney : >>> Still, it might be interesting to see what mileage the car gets in a >>> controlled test (with the hybrid configuration as a baseline) on the >>> existing IC engine but with the weight and complexity of the batteries >>> and its control paraphernalia removed. >> >> I've often wondered that, as I watch the car get 50mpg on long drives >> on flat freeway with apparently zero help, or very very minimal help, >> from the electric motors. >> >> I bet that engine as it sits is a dog off the line, though. > > I think the car has other things for fuel efficiency, like harder tires > for less rolling resistance, better aerodynamic shape, and, I guess, no > alternator, all of which save energy. Plus it has a continuously > variable transmission, which is more efficient that automatic and manual > transmissions. And it has aluminum hood (bonnet for those of you in the > UK) and hatch instead of steel, to save weight. > > Cars can also have electrically powered water pumps, power steering > pumps, valves, and compressors for the air conditioners, although I > don't know if any do, yet. > > Plus, the Prius uses an Atkinson cycle engine than a regular (Otto) gas > engine, which is more efficient. > The Prius uses the electrically driven AC. When sitting in traffic on a hot day and using the AC, it makes the engine run a lot to keep the battery at a relatively even charge. When 'normally' driven (meaning on roads without jams), the normal electric generation that the car does from engine waste and slowing makes AC usage close to 'free' as far as I can tell. Tomes
From: Ray O on 6 Jul 2007 01:54
"Edwin Pawlowski" <esp(a)snet.net> wrote in message news:l%gji.45345$5j1.22846(a)newssvr21.news.prodigy.net... > > "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message news:db6f0$ >> This probably does not count as "proof," but here is some information on >> Prius battery life. >> >> Here is a story about a Prius in taxi service with over 200,000 miles: >> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8839690/ >> >> According to this page on Toyota's web site, Toyota has not sold a single >> battery pack replacement due to wear and tear since the Prius went on >> sale in 2000: >> http://www.toyota.com/about/environment/technology/2004/hybrid.html >> >> Here is Road & Track's take on whether it is cost-effective to replace >> the battery pack in a worst-case scenario where it has to be replaced >> after 8 years when the warranty expires: >> http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=19&article_id=1183 > > Thanks Ray, it was very interesting. I'd have to conclude it is sound > engineering and a reliable product. Well on its way to long term > viability in a car. If replacement gets down to $1000, it truly is in > reach of replacability for an older car. You're welcome! -- Ray O (correct punctuation to reply) |