Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - slipping clutch in 2005 second generation Prius

RedDevil · 07-14-2013, 05:33 AM

This is normal behavior for a relatively heavy car with a small engine and a CVT of any kind.
You have reached the point where all its power is needed.
At first the hybrid battery will aid, but its resource is not unlimited and will deplete quickly going uphill. From there the ICE is on its own.
A conventional auto would kick down once or twice and run out of revs at some point. A manual would force you to shift down.

The good thing about the CVT is that it will use all the power the engine can provide no matter what speed you go. If the speed drops when the grade gets too steep, the revs remain optimal while the gear ratio matches the speed and the force on the wheels rises, until that matches the steeper grade.

Every once in a while in the mountains you'll have situations where you cannot maintain or get to the speed you'd like, but that is the price you pay for having a car that gets great FE in luxury and safety.
Just keep your foot down. You will get there even if it takes a few seconds extra.

07-14-2013, 05:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
RedDevil Master EcoWalker Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Nieuwegein, the Netherlands Posts: 3,999 Red Devil - '11 Honda Insight Elegance Team Honda 90 day: 53.96 mpg (US) Thanks: 1,714 Thanked 2,247 Times in 1,455 Posts	This is normal behavior for a relatively heavy car with a small engine and a CVT of any kind. You have reached the point where all its power is needed. At first the hybrid battery will aid, but its resource is not unlimited and will deplete quickly going uphill. From there the ICE is on its own. A conventional auto would kick down once or twice and run out of revs at some point. A manual would force you to shift down. The good thing about the CVT is that it will use all the power the engine can provide no matter what speed you go. If the speed drops when the grade gets too steep, the revs remain optimal while the gear ratio matches the speed and the force on the wheels rises, until that matches the steeper grade. Every once in a while in the mountains you'll have situations where you cannot maintain or get to the speed you'd like, but that is the price you pay for having a car that gets great FE in luxury and safety. Just keep your foot down. You will get there even if it takes a few seconds extra. __________________ 2011 Honda Insight + HID, LEDs, tiny PV panel, extra brake pad return springs, neutral wheel alignment, 44/42 PSI (air), PHEV light (inop), tightened wheel nut. lifetime FE over 0.2 Gigameter or 0.13 Megamile. For confirmation go to people just like you. For education go to people unlike yourself. Last edited by RedDevil; 07-14-2013 at 05:39 AM..