livesmith

Does anyone have the part number for the GPS module that needs to be replaced?

I'm assuming it's the same one for an Energi.

Mine is drifting and after a couple days at the dealer I've been told it's not covered under the SYNC warranty and that "there is no problem with the GPS module" based on the fact that they don't see any error codes.  Apparently what it's actually doing is irrelevant.  They are also insisting that I need a $188 map update before anything else.

So at this point I'm just trying to find out what the actual item is that needs to be replaced.

Thanks!

Levi

That electric heater drains a lot of energy. I know a lot of folks who forgo heat and just use an extra coat and the seat heaters. Me, I use it when I need to.

yeah, that's pretty much what I do.  I tend to just be cold down to around 20F, more likely to use the heater below that.  And I'll use it once the car is warmed up if the ICE needs to run anyway.

Just for information, another Energi owner here. The hybrid runs like the Energi in EV Later mode. Or if you run out of EV Only battery, it will then be exactly like the Hybrid. If you want to try it, just don't charge the car for a couple of days.

 

However, there is one important difference. When the hybrid HVB gets full, it will run the engine without gas going downhill. The Energi will do this also, but first it will just put the energy back into the HVB. It will eventually get to the "full HVB", but it takes a lot longer.

 

The only other major differences are that the Energi has a dual heater system, where it provides electric heat when the ICE is not warmed up, and the Energi has a different final gear ratio for the transmission - a little higher geared than the hybrid C-Max.

 

Sorry it intrude into the hybrid discussion, but maybe folks over here will like the information as well.

Oh, I'm familiar with hybrid mode.  I generally use it for around 7 miles per day after the plug in portion runs out.  I don't think I've ever taken a trip and made it back home still in EV mode. (Work is 13 miles away,  no real place to recharge other than home and there are hills)

I just didn't know if it had different operating parameters than the C-Max Hybrid when in that mode.  It sounds like it should be about the same with some minor differences given the final drive ratio and possible electric heater use.

I have driven my Daughter's 2011 Prius and I found it was very difficult to accelerate from a stop to 25mph and above that it would go to ICE.  The bottom line is the Prius uses a different strategy of the ICE running most of the time and the CMAX in my case the ICE is down to a low of only 28% of the time.  The important thing here is the ICE at best 30% efficient and the Electric Motor is 70% efficient so the more time EVing the better your MPG's. :)

 

Paul 

My C-Max is an Energi so I'm not quite sure how it's "hybrid" mode compares to the C-Max hybrid model, but from what I've seen, I would definitely agree that my Prius is much more likely to run the ICE.  The Prius definitely requires a gentle touch and prefers to have well over half the battery to allow such things.

Actually the biggest thing I've noticed is that the C-Max seems as though it allows the engine to turn off before it's fully up to temperature whereas the Prius seems to almost require the water and/or cat temps to be kept up near operating temperature.

With my Energi I'll fully agree that running on EV is more efficient.  It just gets a bit muddier in hybrid mode since that power to run on EV has to come from gas unless you're doing something like pushing your car via foot power up hills instead of using the ICE...  So you're using the inefficiency of gas and electric...  The sweet spot seems to be along the lines of keeping the ICE in it's most efficient rpm(not sure what that is with the C-Max) so that it's generating the most power(whether that's direct to the wheels to move forward or to charge the battery) per gallon of gas.

Levi

Thx for posting that.  Interesting. 

 

There has been a lot of talk about this car in general.   I have seen few times now that they are stating that the Prius can now drive up to 25 MPH on electric only and can do so for up to a mile.   Funny I just drove to my voting location and back the other day on all electric.   It is not that far, less than a mile round trip but I was going more than 25 MPH doing so.  Not the first time I have done this.   My record is about a mile on all electric on main roads. 

That's kinda weird.  I haven't followed the Prius C, eco or newer models much but my 2004 Prius can do 35MPH on electric only.  IIRC, it would have a couple mile range if the battery was fully charged.  The newer models have only had higher limits as far as I recall...

I know from personal experience that I've definitely done more than a mile at 30mph with no ICE in the Prius more than a few times...

It happened again the next night!   Now I'm wondering what is the effective range of the transmitter/fob....?  I haven't experimented, but am thinking that if I am say 3 meters from the car (in the house), and a cat passes by under the back of the car, will that cause the lift gate to open? 

I believe for the power liftgate foot functionality the  key needs to be within a couple feet of the hatch.  So inside wouldn't be a problem that way.

However, if you got the button pressed in your pocket, then inside the house seems like fair game.  I've not yet come out to an open hatch but I have come out to find all my windows down at least once so far.  Pluses and minuses to having longer range...

With your driving patterns, a Toyota Prius or Prius V hybrid wagon, or C-MAX Energi plug-in Hybrid MIGHT have been a better choice for you purely based on fuel mileage. This is a C-MAX Forum, so I'll let you research the Prius and Prius V hybrid wagons on your own.

 

The C-MAX Energi Hybrid can be pre-heated or pre-cooled while attached to an electrical outlet (a feature not offered on the C-MAX Hybrid SE or Hybrid SEL). The up-to-20-mile maximum range in full-electric mode of an Energi Hybrid might cover most of your trips on one charge per day. The major disadvantage of the Energi is the larger battery, so greater weight (3900 vs 3600 pounds), and a higher rear 'floor' over the larger battery, resulting in  decreased storage in the rear of the car.

I had the same "WTF MPG" sort of feeling a month ago when I was used to my 2004 Prius which would generally only get as low as 35mpg on some really lousy circumstances in the dead of winter up and down hills WITH the heat on all the time.  Highway MPG never really went below 40 that I can recall and was generally mid to high 40's.

Well, I drove home my 2013 C-Max Energi 450 miles and got... 27MPG...  I've gotten that sort of mileage out of our 5000lb AWD Toyota Sienna minivan...(yes it would be more like low 20's under the same conditions)

I knew not to expect 40's.  I was thinking maybe low 30's.  

From the sounds of it, I would definitely think you'd be better off with a Prius.(heck, I've got a 2004 for sale with trailer hitch if you want!)  (:

As for my Energi, I've grown to come to an understanding with it more, but that's really only because of the plug-in portion which yours lacks.  With that I can get 160MPGe on my way to work as long as I don't mind freezing.  But then return trip is about 34MPGe with only about half the trip on EV before I'm out of juice.

So on the above bits regarding getting an Energi, please note:

Pre-heating on 120V will only get you about 11F from what I've heard. I've not measured, but that sounds right.  If it runs for half an hour it feels like there's slightly less chill in the air, but the cabin is definitely not warm.

If you have 240V in your garage and get a L2 charger then you can get about 40F of heat.  It's on my list of things to do.

20 Mile range is completely subjective and WAY more dependent than what you're experiencing now as far heat, hills and speed.  

-If I head to work on an 18F degree morning and cruise at 45mph with no heat I can just make it there on 50% of EV left.

-If I turn on the heat to like 67F and cruise at 55MPH then I'm down to about 7% left.

Same 13.7 mile trip.  But the heat will suck out almost half of the charge.

That said, if you're in town and only driving 30mph and not using heat there are people who have gone more than 30 miles on a charge.

Levi

I recently got a 2015 C-Max Hybrid with a bit over 14,000.  I soon noticed an intermittent pull to the right.  I drive the same route to/from work, so I have a feel for the road grade.

 

At first I only noticed the pull (always to the right) during low speed braking.  I'm still not sure 100% sure if it's only during regenerative braking.  When it pulls, the steering wheel can move as much as 10 - 20 degrees!

 

Then I also started to notice that if I'm coasting (at any speed) and go over a bump I'll frequently get a small pull.  I have not yet noticed it pulling during acceleration.

 

I took the car to the dealer for a Check Engine Light and asked them to look at it.  Their response was that hybrid braking causes a pull.  That doesn't sound right to me.

 

So, does your call pull during regenerative braking?  If so, how much?

 

Thanks,

Ron

I'm amazed at some of the crud these dealerships try to get away with.  That's completely false.  

Mine doesn't pull under any circumstances other than maybe accelerating to the point of slipping the tires.

Why would hybrid braking make it pull?  Pretty sure you wouldn't want to release a vehicle that pulled every time you slowed down or coasted...

I'd check tire pressures, brakes and suspension components.