Very specific situation question (about heat and charge level)

Just thinking out loud, but as soon as you turn on the heater fan, you'll loose enough charge to not worry about an overcharge. I'd charge up as usual and just drive. You'll get the benefit of EV-Boost to help with the poor mpg while the ICE is constantly trying to heat up the coolant.

 

Agreed but the EV range drops when you turn on the fan.

 

i would fully charge it. the software will use the battery for propulsion whilst the ice is warming. by the time it starts using the ice, the battery will be so low in that kind of weather, you'll wish you had completely charged it.

 

Your concern appeared to be overcharging the battery while stopped which you mitigate by partially charging the car before driving. If you fully charge the car, turning on the heat to keep those passengers warm will prevent the ICE from overcharging the battery while sitting at stop lights.

And I still think you're better off using the EV-Boost to improve the mileage, especially in NE where temps will be single diget or less in the coming weeks.

 

The ICE will not recharge EV miles, so go ahead and fully charge the car. The only time you ever recharge EV miles, except from the wall, is through braking regeneration, so the only time you would want to charge less than full is if you start your trip from the top of a big hill or mountain.

 

right, the ice does recharge the battery when it's running and the software decides it won't use gas to do it. except when you hit hv and it uses the ice to make up the lost ev miles while ice was warming up.

 

What happens in that scenario with a full charge and additional regenerative braking?

 

The ICE starts to burn off some electric, no room to store it.

 

Actually, it will. When the engine runs for heat, there's excess power. That energy is directed to the generator to create electricity. EV-BOOST consumes the electricity though, which is used during engine warm-up and while you drive. So, there's no worry about exceeding the "full" level.

Just turn on the heater and don't worry about it.

Also, keep in mind that the coolant threshold for the heater adjusts with the temperature you set. A higher cabin setting will result in a higher threshold... which could use more gas than what's needed. It depends upon outside conditions and speed of travel.

65 works well for providing heat. You'd be surprised. If that's not enough, try 72. With an aftermarket gauge, you can fine tune your preference.

 

The comment about the ICE not recharging the battery refers to the general policy in the software that the ICE will not be run for the specific purpose of increasing the battery charge. There are several cases where the battery will be charged, but only as an alternative to wasting energy. For example, regenerative braking, and while warming up the ICE.

 

Is there a variation in how warm your passengers want it? If there is try putting the one who wants the hottest in the front passenger seat with the seat warmer. You might be able to cut the heat setting.

 

90 miles drive from Jersey Shore to Norh Jersey, heat on, 23 degrees out side 25 mph winds gusting to 40 mpg, only averaged 45 mpg, in stead of normal 57-60 mpg.head wind all the way!

 

going up a mountain, and coming down the other side, i find all the passengers colder on the second leg. not sure if it's the wind or the altitude change.

 

Its simply fear that make them cold, shear fear...

 

what is the hv battery level? my car does not have that. did they add it to the '13?