Not all hybrids created equally

[PaleMelanesian]

Scangauge will monitor while the engine is off if you set the fuel type to Hybrid.

Putting it in neutral is usually a good thing - the engine is turning at idle rpm, below 1000, instead of much higher and burning extra gas just to keep itself turning over.

I don't know how your CVT likes EOC. Check the manual's instructions about towing.

It's not dangerous if you're not foolish. Obviously, try it out in a quiet place first. Hybrids like yours have electric power brakes and steering, so those work just as well with the engine off.

[MasterAlex]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

It's not dangerous if you're not foolish. Obviously, try it out in a quiet place first. Hybrids like yours have electric power brakes and steering, so those work just as well with the engine off.

Mine doesn't, brakes and steering go when the power is cut.

Also, just so I know what to look for, when talking about towing, i should see if it will allow it to????

[PaleMelanesian]

Here's an example from my 2004 Odyssey. 4 wheels on the ground towing is allowed below 35mph and for up to 50 miles. Anything below those marks is fair game for EOC.

Some will simply say you must tow it on a dolly, or only at "low speeds for a short distance". In that case, you don't want to EOC, except maybe rolling up to a stop.

Originally Posted by MasterAlex

Mine doesn't, brakes and steering go when the power is cut.

Ah, sorry about that. I must be thinking of the 06+ version, then. I believe the Insight has electric as well.

That said, they do both work, it's just a matter of being harder work on your part. Some are worse than others. My civic's steering is almost the same, while my Odyssey has Incredible Hulk steering with EOC. Brakes on both are good for 3-4 applications, then they start going the Hulk path themselves. I make sure I don't get into that situation by leaving myself a reserve or by restarting if I start running low.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

2) coasting in neutral, engine idling;
3) regenerative coasting (hybrid vehicles)
4) regenerative braking (hybrid vehicles)

I disagree. #3 should be more efficient than #2, under most circumstances. If you are coasting in neutral with the engine idling, you are still using fuel. If you're doing regen, you usually (unless it's cold, when the ECU tries to keep engine temps up) will be in fuel cutoff mode, using no fuel AND getting some charge in the battery.

Of course this may vary depending on terrain, too. Even with full regen, a 6% downgrade will put me over 60 mph.

[PaleMelanesian]

Well, a 6% downgrade is pretty severe. The nearest one of those to me is a good 1000 miles away!

You also have to balance out the lost momentum from regen against the power reclaimed. On the much more common flat-ish land, coasting comes out ahead for this very reason. You do use a little fuel idling the engine, but it's more than counteracted by the momentum not lost to engine braking.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

Well, a 6% downgrade is pretty severe. The nearest one of those to me is a good 1000 miles away!

Which shows the problem with a general statement like that list. Maybe true in the flatlands (I don't have enough experience to say), but most definitely not true in these parts :-)

[MasterAlex]

I was doing some tests and I found that with the HCH1 the regen only occurs when the engine is on and in drive. IF the engine is on it will find the correct gear for that speed. So basically putting it in neutral is good unless you are going slow enough for the car to realize that it was going slow to put it in neutral.

Does that make sense?