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Old 03-19-2012, 03:54 PM   #163 (permalink)
MetroMPG
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
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Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 54.46 mpg (US)

Appliance car Mirage - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 57.73 mpg (US)
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I suppose it depends on how well balanced the cells/subpacks in the battery are. If they're new and have similar self-discharge rates, then you could leave it sitting for a much longer time before it caused any problems, since the car itself would re-charge the subpacks to a similar level on its own when you resume driving.

The problem is when the subpacks begin to drift away from one another in capacity & self-discharge rates. (Like this car's old pack. Have a look at my refurbishing data spreadsheet: Columns W & X give you an idea of how much my subpacks self-discharge over 1 & 7 days respectively: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...hl=en_US#gid=0 )

I can't find the reference now, but I thought I read somewhere that Honda recommends starting/driving its hybrids at least once every month for 30 minutes. I suspect even that's too long for one with a tired pack.

Grid charger required for proper care & feeding of elderly packs.
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