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2018 HyCam amateur review and ongoing blog

Discussion in 'Toyota Hybrids and EVs' started by CamryDriver, Jan 22, 2018.

  1. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    Not really. I started out years ago wanting an Insight with a manual but my local dealer kept pushing the CVT. I wanted a Prius for years when the gen 2 THC came out with 200hp and 40 mpgs I wanted one and in fact planned to buy a gen 2 when the gen 3 came out but the gen 2 sold out in our area before I could buy one. When I saw that Toyota had once again significantly raised the mileage and increased the horsepower for the next generation I kinda had to have the gen 3 Toyota Camry Hybrid. 208 horsepower and 52 mpgs override the other concerns.
     
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  2. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    The semi-direct injection could change the engine sound.
    Difference in sound insulation is also a possible factor. The stuff does add weight to the car.
     
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  3. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    With all my fussing and nitpicking you might think I don't like the car so much. Let me tell you a quick story. I just recently drove 3 other vehicles for various reasons. These were all vehicles I liked a lot at one time or another but I couldn't wait to get back to driving the Camry! The Camry is by far the nicest vehicle I've ever owned. It does have some annoyances but it is still a great car IMHO.
     
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  4. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Hey, no car is going to be a perfect match when you factor in the realities much of us we face. I miss things about the Sonic, but the Camry is a better car for my needs now.
     
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  5. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    It was a little warmer today so the mileage was up pretty good on the trip home from work. The MPG displayed in the picture is for the 16 mile trip, not the whole tank. The tank is running in the mid fifties and the lifetime is still around 46. I work late so there is no traffic on the way home. It is also a bit downhill and typically with the wind to come home so the return leg home always has higher figures than the trip to work. The trip to work has more traffic, is usually done at higher speed, and it typically a bit uphill and into the wind. Still I managed mid fifties on the way to work and 69 on the way home today.

    69 resized.jpg
     
  6. Spindifferent

    Spindifferent Member

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    What tire brand and model did the LE come with from the factory, and what tire pressure do you keep them at?
     
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  7. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    As for putting on alloy wheels, this results in reducing fuel economy, but most of the time people are also upgrading to a larger wheel. This increases weight, and may increase the tire width.

    Stick to the original wheel size, and pick a replacement wheel that is no heavier than the OEM steel one, then MPG drop should not happen. Go lighter, and you might improve the fuel economy.
     
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  8. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    scangauge.jpg

    ScanGauge found as well as tire pressure gauge and pump. Where is the OBD2 port on a 2018 Camry Hybrid? EDIT: OBD2 found left of steering wheel underneath dash in plain view (not covered).
     
    #28 CamryDriver, Jan 26, 2018
    Last edited: Jan 26, 2018
  9. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    ugly.jpg

    The aerodynamics of the wheel might matter as well (I don't know by how much). Hyundai is putting ugly but aerodynamic wheels on the Ioniq.
     
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  10. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    Firestone FT140 dealership aired up to 36 PSI.

    205/65R16
     
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  11. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    Note to self, next time getting Yokohama AVID Ascend is Yokohama's first mass-produced Grand Touring All-Season tire line in the United States using Yokohama's Orange Oil technology and branded with their BluEarth eco-friendly identification.

    Currently one of the cheaper tires, long tread-wear and "eco" whatever that means...
     
  12. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Aerodynamics is also a factor in the Prius wheel designs.

    Increasing your tire pressure will help fuel economy. I found 44psi to be too much for my taste on a 2016 SE, and am trying 42 now.

    The AVIDs will be on my list when it is time for replacement.
     
  13. amped

    amped Senior Member

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    You'll need to consider whether an additional 4 lbs. per corner and its effects on acceleration, braking, handling and NVH is worth it.

    Firestone FT140 | 205/65R16

    Yokohama AVID Ascend (H- or V-Speed Rated) | 205/65R16
     
  14. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    I kind of expect the LRR aspect of the tire to eclipse any weight issues. My first hybrid came with those B381 and they made a huge difference. My mileage tanked immediately when I put normal tires on the car. The difference was much larger than I expected, like 25-30%!!!
     
  15. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    The MPG will drop with any new tires. The outer layer of new rubber has higher rolling resistance. EPA tests address how much wear the tires can have on the cars.
     
  16. amped

    amped Senior Member

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    Could be, although a 26% penalty in unsprung rotational mass seems like a lot to overcome.

    Tire Rack has related articles that estimate a 4%-7% reduction in rolling resistance comparing same spec LRR tires to others and the auto industry estimates that LRR tires could improve fuel economy 1%-2% amounting to 1-2 tanks of gas per year for the average driver.

    The first thing I do to almost any new car is to upgrade the tires in size and construction with the aim of improving dry and especially wet grip where I drive. The added safety margin is well worth the fuel economy and durability penalty in my experience.
     
  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Likely doesn't exist. I had the same qualm at first with my Prius, but the more I thought about the more I came to realize it was kinda pointless, on an automatic with computer controlled transaxle. I really would like to see a coolant temp gauge.

    Amen! And not minor at all: same story on the Prius: pain-in-the-butt single button you push (once you find it), repeatedly, to cycle through the wee LCD icons. Go too fast, you get to repeat the exercise. Rivals texting using a cell phone, in my opinion.

    It's a cheap cost-cutting measure by manufacturers. I would much prefer a manual slide or dial, with distinct detents, so with a bit of practice you adjust mode without even taking your eyes off the road, at all.

    Is there a few seconds of grace at startup, say 10~15, where the car will run EV? With our Prius I'm very adept at getting into the driveway in one pop, or parked on the street in 2 or 3 pops. Just start the car, count seconds in your head, maneuver as best you can, shut down around 10 second mark. Repeat as needed. It would be REALLY nice if Toyota would increase that grace period to say 60 seconds.

    Lessee:

    upload_2018-1-27_10-38-32.png

    Oh yeah...
     
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  18. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    Yes, the B381s were great for mileage but had noticeably reduced grip. I enjoyed the super high MPGs of the B381s but I also enjoyed the better traction of the later tires. It must be the way I drove (hyper-mile style) because the difference in mileage was much greater than any LRR marketing claims. Much, much greater. I figure most people's biggest gas eater is wind resistance at high speeds. The way I was driving the rolling resistance must have been a bigger factor.
     
  19. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    Yes exactly!


    My previous car had a dial which was good because you could see where you were and more importantly where you were going.

    My favorite style is to have 3 buttons, one for each of the 3 levels where the air comes out. Push one and the air comes out there. Push 2 for bi-level. Buttons should be big enough for gloved hands, like this:


    Starion Climate control photoshop outlined.jpg
     
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  20. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    Maybe? I've not figured out how to get it to move in inch in EV when cold yet. Someone advised pushing the EV button within 5 seconds of the power button. That didn't seem to work...

    This is especially frustrating because there is no physical reason the car should not be able to do this. It is just a software thing for no reason. I mean I know they don't want you draining the battery but I just want the car out of the garage.