2025 hybrid questions

why so little faith in toyota's hybrid systems? you need something to be broke to feel good? the truck does weird things and has weird feels. just because you do not like it doesn't mean its broke.

 

I was referring to the starter battery.

 

I have no issues with the hybrid system and battery. I’m confident Toyota is one of the leading manufacturers that specializes in this tech. My issue is the transition from electric to gas motor isn’t as smooth as others believe it to be.

 

THIS.

 

For the record, Toyota's hybrid system does NOT use the ICE starter after the vehicle is readied. Engine starting when ready is performed by the hybrid motor/generator (MG1), which also functions as an alternator to charge the 12v battery, and all power delivery is from the hybrid battery. The smaller battery is only used to close the system main relays to ready the vehicle on and power the low voltage 12v systems, like the lights and door locks.

I do imagine the smaller starting battery hybrids typically have will prove an issue for the overlanding folks that use that battery to power accessories while the vehicle is not readied, but that will never apply to me.

 

Yeah, I was a Toyota tech when this came about. The first gen Prius was almost silent when moving under electric power and it quickly became apparent this was a significant pedestrian safety concern!

 

They were ninja silent. I almost got hit by one in Pacific Heights when I was jogging one morning. It literally just crept up behind me, you couldn’t even hear the tire noise.

 

It was fun to scare shit out of other techs and sales people with them! Not that I would ever do such a thing, mind you....

 

I noted on the hybrid thread thread that another member mentioned prior to the breakin period the transition from electric to gas motor was abrupt and you can feel the vibration. Until after the breakin it was noticed that the transition was smooth and seamless. I’ll report back after my 2,000 miles. Currently at 600 miles.

 

at 9500 still there

 

For me the noise is pretty damn mild. Love my hybrid. The electric motor will run the truck under super low load like when you’re moving slowly in traffic. But where it shines is when you need torque and it kicks in to assist the ICE.

I’ve noticed it adds a solid 2-3 MPG when I’m able to coast on electric in low load situations.

 

well there goes my theory

 

I'm assuming the vibration is temporary, just during the transition? Abrupt? Compared to a non-hybrid with auto stop/start, the hybrid transition is so much smoother. Non-hybrid has to go from 0mph and no power to all ICE power. Hybrid transitions from >0mph with electric power to ICE power. Most non-hybrid auto start/stops feel like golf carts, that's not the feeling I get.

 

I mean, it doesn't shake the whole truck, but you feel the gas motors kick on from your gas pedals and steering wheel. There is a slight vibration and I KNOW the motor kicks on. Some people report that the transition is so smooth that they don't realize the gas motor kicks on. Perhaps they are just exaggerating the experience to let others know how great the hybrid is? Im not sure. But at least im not alone with my experience as others on this thread agrees.

 

This reminds me of what a our guide told us when I was in Kruger National Park. The current safari vehicles are old diesel Land Cruisers and Land Rover, at least in late 2019, and they are pretty noisy. The animals are used to the noise and presence of the vehicles since they've been being used for forever. They basically ignore you unless you get to close. I asked if they considered using electric vehicles to cut down on the noise and they did try. But the animals weren't to happy with the presence of new a nearly silent "predator". Guide said it would probably take 15 or so years before the animals viewed the electric vehicles as normal.