> wrote in message
oups.com...
> The other day, I had an opportunity to drive a 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid
> from Albany, NY to Watertown, NY and back...about 360 miles total. My
> personal car is a 1998 Honda Civic sedan, so the cars were quite
> similar in size and feel. This is the first time that I have ever had
> an extended ride in a hybrid, and the first time I have driven one,
> with the exception of a quick run around the block in a friend's new
> Toyota Prius.
>
> The Civic hybrid is identical inside to the standard Civic sedan. In
> other words, for a compact car, it offers substantial comfort and room,
> including more legroom in the back seat than many mid or full sized
> cars. The trunk remains fairly roomy, though some of the space is taken
> up by the hybrid battery pack.
>
>
> The car accelerates wonderfully with the battery assist...much better
> than my conventional Civic, which in turn accelerates well. There is no
> hesitation, slowing or increased RPM on upgrades, as the battery
> assists kicks in to maintain speed without taxing the engine. In local
> traffic, the car shuts off while stopped and then accelerates instantly
> with the battery assist when you hit the gas. In short, it was a
> pleasure to drive, with Honda's wonderful handling along with excellent
> acceleration.
>
>
> On the dashboard, there is a gage that deals with the hybrid details.
> It indicates the level of battery charge and indicates whether and how
> much the battery is charging or assisting. The latter is with an
> electronic dial that swings one way then the other...fascinating to
> watch. There is also a toggle between two different trip mileage
> settings and the car's odometer. You can reset either trip mileage
> setting at any time and the car will compute the average miles per
> gallon since the reset.
>
> The car is advertised to get about 48 miles per gallon. The trip
> mileage calculator started low as the car took a little time to charge
> up the battery, and then took off. While on the Thruway to Utica, it
> told me that I was averaging about 38 miles per gallon. While on the
> slower Route 12 to Watertown, the average eventually went up to 41
> miles per gallon. It does better at lower speeds than at 70, and
> better still in stop and go traffic.
We have a 2003 Civic LX 4dr 5 spd nonhybrid as a 3rd car which gets about
the same mileage. Last weekend I took a short 330 mile highway trip and got
right at 41.5 mpg. Last Summer with the a/c on usually got between 37-38.
Run about 75 or so. Can't see much advantage.


>
> But I wonder about a few things associated with the calculated trip
> mileage.
>
> I thought the mileage should have been better. A few thoughts on that.
> One, the entire trip was in wet windy weather. The headlights,
> windshield wipers, heater and radio were on at all times. That may have
> decreased the battery load running the car. Plus the windy day may have
> knocked down the gas mileage. Second, the car had 60,000 miles on it so
> perhaps the battery is not as efficient as it ages.
>
> An alternative explanation is that the average miles per gallon read
> out may not have been accurate. I did not refill the gas tank upon
> returning the car...fleet management takes care of that. So I didn't
> have the opportunity to actually calculate gas mileage. After 360
> miles, the gas gage still registered a quarter of a tank. And a Civic
> has about a 12-gallon tank. So the actual mileage may have been higher.
> Though 9 gallons for 360 miles still averages 40 miles per gallon.
> There has indeed been talk that actual hybrid mileage rates are
> somewhat lower than advertised. I certainly have a topic of
> conversation when I get together with my friend the Prius owner later
> today.
>
>
> One other thought. While cruising down the Thruway at 70, I expected
> the battery assist to take over periodically. It didn't except for when
> accelerating or on upgrades, even though it was fully charged. When
> coasting down a downgrade, the meter would go into "charging" mode. I
> don't know if this is normal, if it simply doesn't register cruising
> assistance from the battery, or if perhaps this is something that
> changed with the aging of the vehicle.
>
> Still, it was a very enjoyable car to drive and when it's time to
> replace my 98 Civic in another four years, I'll certainly consider a
> hybrid.
>