Got a new UFO*: 2000 Honda Insight 5-speed (ailing IMA hybrid battery pack)

[MetroMPG]

Back from an impromptu sailing trip , first order of business was getting plates and insurance on the UFO.

It's legal!

And on a drive today to a cottage I've done many times in the heavily modified Firefly that would have returned about 70-75 mpg (US), I netted 98 mpg US (2.4 L/100 km) in this unmodified Insight.

(That's not entirely true: it's currently modified, in the sense that the hybrid system is disabled - main switch thrown on the battery pack).

Main driving technique used: driving with load, on quiet rural roads, at moderate speeds. Average was likely ~70 km/h (44 mph). Engine-off coasting to stops and some turns.

To get that kind of mileage from the Firefly, I would have had to pulse and glide the entire distance, and at a considerably slower average speed.

After I get a few hundred unmodified kilometers on the car to get a baseline... let the mods begin!

Lean burn stumble?

The violent "herky jerky" problem remains cured.

But I believe the transition to lean burn mode is still fairly evident: The instant fuel consumption drops noticeably on the FCD (fuel consumption display); throttle response becomes somewhat deadened and uneven; and there are occasional "stumbles" from the engine.

Anyone care to comment if this is normal? It would be interesting to have driven a brand new Insight to compare.

[orange4boy]

Nice!

[bwilson4web]

If I had just gotten off a salt-water boat, I would still be wobbly from the waves and the seat-back could drive a crankshaft.

Welcome back and to the world of hybrids. <grins>

Bob Wilson

[MetroMPG]

Hi Bob - we definitely had wobbly legs upon climbing onto the wharf in Lunenburg! Had a good laugh over that.

But I never really left the world of hybrids - the boat was a 2-mode wind/diesel machine, and we used both modes at different times.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Hi Bob - we definitely had wobbly legs upon climbing onto the wharf in Lunenburg! Had a good laugh over that.

But I never really left the world of hybrids - the boat was a 2-mode wind/diesel machine, and we used both modes

Welcome back. Have been reading your Metro site. The pic of the Kamm makes the Kamm look professionally made. Nice lines. I imagine the Insight will be a great new challenge for you. Cheers,james

[Dunkler]

I would like to say that I am way jealous of you guys with older Insights. If I knew where I could find one that would be in a decent price range for me that ran, I would probably jump on it.

Tell me about the hybrid system in these cars and what do you mean by the hybrid system is disabled in the one you achieved 98mpg in. Are these cars considered headaches? Also... Why did Honda release the new Insight without rear fender skirts and less mpg!?

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by Dunkler

Why did Honda release the new Insight without rear fender skirts and less mpg!?

It looks so much more like a Prius that the changes are probably a marketing choice? The original Insight never sold like the Prius. But I would rate the 1st Gen Insight one of the most beautiful cars ever mass produced. ...but one day more of that shape probably has to come back... ?

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

But I believe the transition to lean burn mode is still fairly evident: The instant fuel consumption drops noticeably on the FCD (fuel consumption display); throttle response becomes somewhat deadened and uneven; and there are occasional "stumbles" from the engine.

That's all normal, except for the stumbles - at least, I've never noticed that. Lean burn is very evident on the instant FCD. If you cruise on a level road, you'll notice that it automatically goes out of lean burn for a few seconds every couple of minutes, in order to purge the secondary NOx catalytic converter, and you see mpg drop from 100+ to 50-70. Sometimes you need to play with the throttle just a bit to get it back into lean burn...

[MetroMPG]

jamesqf, thanks for that. I did notice the periodic drop out of lean burn (when load was otherwise constant) and wondered if it was the NOx purge.

As for the mild engine stumbling, I believe when the IMA system is enabled, it may help to smooth over this. Will test to confirm. I will also check other tune-up items - e.g. I wonder if the local dealership installed the indexed spark plugs properly (have my doubts).

Originally Posted by California98Civic

Welcome back. Have been reading your Metro site. The pic of the Kamm makes the Kamm look professionally made.

Thanks! I wish the finish looked as good - it's peeling/flaking in several spots now. Detail work, I'm not so good at!

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Dunkler

I would like to say that I am way jealous of you guys with older Insights.

I was also a member of that club until recently! Just keep your eyes open and cheque book at the ready.

what do you mean by the hybrid system is disabled

There's a big ON/OFF switch on top of the battery pack:



From: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...html#post33132

Because the UFO's battery is compromised (read about it earlier in this thread), I have switched it off to avoid further damage. With the switch off, it operates like a "normal" car in nearly every way. There are no hybrid functions:

- no electric assist
- no regen
- no idle-stop
- no "quiet" 144v starter motor (car reverts to its "backup" regular 12v starter)

Are these cars considered headaches?

I don't think so. Not enough to prevent me from jumping at the chance to get one!

Also... Why did Honda release the new Insight without rear fender skirts and less mpg!?

My guess: they wanted to try to make money from more of a mass market car that would (hopefully) sell in higher numbers than the "extreme" fuel economy machine that the 1st gen car was.