coolslug Posted September 21, 2017 Report Share Posted September 21, 2017 Hi. I just bought a 2016 C-Max and am very ignorant about how the system works. I have been told by a couple people that the drive battery only charges by applying the brakes but that doesn't make sense to me. Doesn't the battery also get charged anytime the gas engine is running? If I leave my car turned on with the air conditioner turned on will the air conditioner be powered by the battery until the battery drains and then the gas engine will turn on to charge the battery for a few minutes? I am hoping this is the case because I'd like to be able to leave the car running with the AC cooling. I'd like to be able to stop somewhere for a coffee and leave my little dog in the car even on warm days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plus 3 golfer Posted September 21, 2017 Report Share Posted September 21, 2017 (edited) .. Edited September 21, 2017 by Plus 3 Golfer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plus 3 golfer Posted September 21, 2017 Report Share Posted September 21, 2017 (edited) The Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) almost always charges the High Voltage Battery (HVB) when it is running. Yes, if you leave the car turned on, the AC will run off the HVB and when the HVB gets to low, ICE will start to recharge it. I have left my dog in the car many, many times when on trips when stopping for a bite to eat. Edited September 21, 2017 by Plus 3 Golfer coolslug and kyledamron1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fbov Posted September 21, 2017 Report Share Posted September 21, 2017 Welcome! This car's hybrid system is very similar to Toyota's "Synergy Drive" found in the Prius, but with larger engine and battery. Anything you find on Prius drive train likely applies, with only slight modification. Note those differences amount to a big deal, but that's the stuff of test drives. Have fun,Frank coolslug 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obob Posted September 21, 2017 Report Share Posted September 21, 2017 If I were to leave the air on with the dog in the car I would put a sign on the window explaining that. I have had two instances of dog loving women stalking me out to dump on me for leaving the dog in the car with the windows cracked open after sunset, including informing me about how fortunate I was that the police were not called. (I'll spare you to irrational details.) coolslug 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markd Posted September 21, 2017 Report Share Posted September 21, 2017 Yes, to answer your question. If you shut your car off and restart it it won't effect your mpg's. coolslug 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestevens Posted September 21, 2017 Report Share Posted September 21, 2017 With respect to the citizens concerned for the dog I know the engine doesn't always run but you'd think the obnoxiously loud noise that the A/C compressor makes while it is running would be a clue to others that something is going on with the car.. Yes, it does charge while the engine is on, in stop and go traffic when the battery is low sometimes it only charges when you put your foot on the throttle, until it finally gives up and idles for a few seconds on its own. It was one of the more unnerving things about driving the Prius too - if the battery is depleted in stop and go traffic then the engine comes on with every push of the throttle and shuts off when you take your foot off the gas. I guess it's very environmentally friendly that way but just sort of alien to the way the car normally operates. coolslug 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plus 3 golfer Posted September 21, 2017 Report Share Posted September 21, 2017 If I were to leave the air on with the dog in the car I would put a sign on the window explaining that. I have had two instances of dog loving women stalking me out to dump on me for leaving the dog in the car with the windows cracked open after sunset, including informing me about how fortunate I was that the police were not called. (I'll spare you to irrational details.)I worried about this when I would leave my dog in the car. So, I always parked as far away from the restarurant as possible where there were virtually no cars around and no foot traffic. I'd also go out and check at least once or maybe twice if service was slow. My dog generally just lays on the seat and I have fairly dark tinted side / rear windows. So, some one would have to go out of there way to walk up very close to the car to see the dog and to hear the compressor or engine running when it ran to recharge, Besides the dog issue, in most states it's illegal to leave your car running unattended. coolslug 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolslug Posted September 21, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2017 Thank you all for the quick responses to my query. I'm so happy to hear that the C-Max has this type of generation system. I will make a couple signs to put in the windows if I leave the dog in the car on warm days while going for a coffee unless I can keep him hidden in the back of the car in his little kennel. It's not that often that I will need to do this but it's good to know that I have that option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowStorm Posted September 21, 2017 Report Share Posted September 21, 2017 It also works nicely in winter for heat. I have set in the car waiting for some time with heat on and the engine runs only a small percentage of the time to generate heat for the cabin. Of course using recirculate helps a lot in this scenario. coolslug 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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