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Hybrid Vehicles Hybrid Vehicles - Archived Discussions How do Hybrids work? Newbie questions encouraged! 
139 messages, Last post on Aug 02, 2007 at 5:38 PM
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I am looking into buying a HH. I currently have a 4Runner and a preschooler with alot of stuff. Can you tell me anything about the car. How it drives, stops (I read about the breaking problem), anything you feel could be helpful to me. Also if anyone knows of a better car. I want a Hybrid for the green factor and to hopefully save a few pennies. I would like to hear from people who love their car and why. I also want to know what you hate abouy it. Are the cupholders in a good place. I am still a woman and we like to know these trival things. THANK YOU all in advance for any help,ideas.
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Replying to: melski (Jul 26, 2006 7:26 am) You can get tons of feedback on this vehicle in our Toyota Highlander Hybrid discussion. Lots of current owners participate there. |
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Having just recently purchased a Toyota Prius. I find it amazing that when the ICE starts it is so seamless, less noticeable than a typical automatic transmission shift! I was wondering if the ICE internals where always moving with the CVT therefore no spinup time is required? 
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Replying to: enrolb (Aug 22, 2006 12:15 pm) The quick answer is for speeds below 42mph you'll find the engine is fully stopped quite often. It is always fully meshed with the drive train same as an auto transmission. However the similarity ends there because there are no slipping clutches or hydraulic torque converters employed here. What there is is just this differential gear that the engine feeds to. A small but powerful servo feeds this differential gear system also. Power takeoff to the wheels is through a third gear. It is this gear which drives directly to the wheel axle with a 4:1 stepdown. If the wheels are turning and the engine is not required then the Prius computers will instruct the small servo to rotate precisely at the right speed so that the crankshaft can remain stationary. But how does it do it is a whole other question ! If you want to know more, first take a look at the line dwg on Post #470 on the Toyota Camry Hybrid board. That top drawing is your car. See the planetary gear in the centre ? Well it's not clear from the drawing, at least not as clear as it could be, but the crankshaft of your engine is connected to the planetary carrier which supports the planet gears which race around the sun. The sun gear itself is driven by a hollow shaft from the smaller servo (if you can call 30kw (42Hp) small ! ) commonly referred to as MG1. Now here's the tricky part. In order for the crankshaft to meet the planet carrier it has to go through the hollow center of MG1 and its shaft and then proceed through to the other side of the side of the planetary assy where it can then join rigidly to the carrier. The third part of a planetary gearbox is the outer ring gear. This is the internal tooth gear the planets run around inside. It also connects directly to MG2, your main 67Hp traction motor. And eventually the wheels as the diagram shows. T2 |
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I'm thinking about buying a Camry Hybrid. I'm in sales and during the summer, in between sales calls, I will sit in my car for 1/2-1hour, with the airconditioner running. My question is, will I be able to do this in the Camry Hybrid, or will it ruin the battery?
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Replying to: ellen4 (Feb 19, 2007 9:32 pm) No, the engine will come on to charge the battery when needed. You will use up gasoline, of course... are you sure you will have enough cargo room for your sales stuff? I actually think the Prius may be a better choice for carrying cargo.
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Replying to: stevedebi (Feb 21, 2007 1:25 pm) 
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| I recently test drove the Nissan Altima, Toyota Highlander, and Lexus RX400h hybrids. On the Lexus (which was very quiet usually) I noticed a marked increase when decelerating which the salesman said was due to the regenerative braking. I didn't notice it in the other hybrids, and he didn't think it was excessive, or that it would lessen as the car is broken in. What should one expect with the sound of regenerative braking, particularly with the RX400h (the one I will probably buy)? Thanks. | |
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Replying to: mojavegreen (Apr 18, 2007 2:07 pm) |
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Replying to: mojavegreen (Apr 18, 2007 2:07 pm) You cross shopped a Nissan Altima with a Lex RX400h ? And didn't try the 2007 Camry hybrid when it's been out a lot longer than the Altima ? The Camry is less complex than the Lexus but more advanced than the Prius. T2
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