What should you expect when driving a Hybrid Car

When the vehicle is moving off from a stationary position, and when travelling at low to moderate speeds, the main electric motor/generator drives the vehicle. At these speeds the internal combustion engine operation is less efficient and is normally used only to charge the battery.

During normal driving, the combustion engine starts and drives the generator & the power divider. Power from the generator is used to drive the electric motor. The motor control unit controls the power divider so the drive remains at its most efficient.

When accelerating, as well as using power from the combustion engine, the control unit draws power from the battery and directs it to the electric motor/generator, providing more power to the wheels than the combustion engine could supply on its own.

During deceleration and braking the combustion engine is <  Read More >

What does President Obama Drive ?

2008 Ford Escape Hybrid

President Obama tossed his Chrysler aside for a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. Is this a sign that he needs more head room, he supports Union workers, or maybe he just likes the extra cargo space? The 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid receives a bolder, rugged design, higher beltline, raised hood and a new front fascia with headlights that sweep up toward the front corners of the vehicle to short side marker lights. The interior features seating surfaces comprised of 100 percent post-industrial materials, a revised dashboard with “a top of dash” display, Electric Power Assisted Steering system, and Ice Blue interior lighting. Also, the improved center console is large enough to hold a laptop computer and it can also be removed and hung from the front passenger side and rear of the console for additional storage. A number of updates have been made to reduce noise, vibration and harshness levels inside the SUV including changes to the roof panel for a better airflow, a new acoustic laminate sandwiched between two glass panels in the windshield and new carpeting.

2007 Toyota Prius Window will not work after Battery Change

2007 Toyota Prius TSB #PG0003-06 If the battery terminal has been disconnected, the “one-touch open and close” and “jam protection” functions of the driver’s door power window will be inoperative due to loss of the driver’s door power window position memory stored in the microcomputer. Initialization of the driver’s door power window will be necessary after the battery is reconnected. NOTE: Any time the battery terminal has been disconnected, the power window MUST be re-initialized. Initialization Procedure 1. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position. At this time, the power window switch for the driver’s door window should be blinking. 2. Push down and hold the driver’s door power window switch to completely open the window. 3. Pull and hold up the driver’s door power window switch until the window closes. Continue holding the switch for approximately one second until the switch changes from blinking to a constant illumination. 4. Check for proper operation of the “one-touch open and close” by fully pushing the switch “DOWN” once and fully pulling the switch “UP” once. NOTE: Jam protection function becomes effective through the above initialization procedure.

Hybrid-Only Repair Shop - San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO -- The nation's first auto repair shop specializing in hybrids has opened in the city's trendy SOMA district. Luscious Garage, owned by mechanic Carolyn Coquillette, is part of a small but growing movement. A number of independent mechanics nationwide are now servicing hybrids, but Coquillette's shop is the first aiming to build its core business around hybrids.

"There's a critical mass of hybrids in the Bay Area, enough to support a shop like this," she said. "You could have opened it three years ago but there wouldn't have been enough cars, and I don't think enough public interest to really have fueled it."