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Hill driving

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Gicu, Apr 10, 2012.

  1. Gicu

    Gicu Junior Member

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    Hi all,

    My daily route includes the following road segment:
    5 km steep climb (30mph, 50kph)
    3 km fast downhill (60mph, 100kph)
    4 km fast climb (45mph, 70kph)
    6 km steep downhill (40mph, 65kph)

    The speed between parantheses is the traffic flow speed for each segment.

    Even though I tried varying the driving speeds and styles, a constant problem I have is the following: Before starting the final descent, my battery is almost full. Half way down the hill the battery fills up and the engine brake kicks in, which means energy is wasted. I have the following 2 questions:

    1.Will the battery be affected in time by the fact that it fills up to 80% repeatedly?

    2.If I drain the battery on the last climb by slowing down and switching to electric and then fully recharge it on the descent (and avoid engine braking), will this reduce the battery's life span?
     
    #1 Gicu, Apr 10, 2012
  2. Politburo

    Politburo Active Member

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    #2 Politburo, Apr 10, 2012
  3. Gicu

    Gicu Junior Member

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    Jan 16, 2012
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    Romania, EU
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
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    N/A
    Thank you. It's pretty clear that I should find an alternate route :)
     
    #3 Gicu, Apr 11, 2012
  4. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    You can probably reduce the stress on the battery slightly by switching to "B" mode right at the start of each descent. Though a steep 6km descent is going to fill the battery pretty much whatever you do.
     
    #4 uart, Apr 11, 2012
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