Hybrids only thread.

trying to start a thread for hybrid owners to share tips/ tricks/ problems/ features. anything hybrid oriented.

first off does anyone notice if engine shuts off less at stops when in sport mode?

 

My 24 Pro.....

I have not noticed a difference between Sport and Normal modes. However, anytime I am idling, say at a stop sign, the electric motor runs. Then, when I accelerate away, the electric engine cuts out and the gasoline motor kicks in. There is a slight "bump" or hesitation when this transfer of power occurs. Driving me crazy!

 

i think it will always be that way. there is alot happening all at once.

 

most hybrids are kinda hard to find to drive . i like mine! you just have to be aware of all the things that are happening and some bumps are normal.

 

The bump is the engine starting and engaging. Instead of a conventional starter I am assuming this uses the electric hybrid motor to start the gas engine therefore eliminating the need for a starter similar to other Toyota hybrids. The electric motor will always be connected and spinning in some manner and either generating energy or supply power to the input shaft.

 

yes. i think people who have the hybrids or are thinking about getting one need to know that this is just how they are.

 

To be fair.... I have a Rav4Prime- It also has a hybrid and gas engine- and the Tacoma switchover is nowhere near as smooth as the Rav4Prime switch from electric to gas. The Rav4 is seamless- you almost can't tell it's happening. Not so with the Tacoma. I'm with Rob- I'm a tad disappointed with the end result. I did test drive mine- it wasn't quite as apparent as the truck really drove much more stiffly with 10 miles on it than it does with 2000 miles on it, and it wasn't quite as apparent as there was so much else that was different, coming from a 2004. Frankly, I really didn't notice it on my test drive- I was anguishing about how much rumble the brand new tires were making.

So anyway

Best gas mileage I've seen (2000 miles) was 19.1 and slowly increasing- until I put the Prinsu rack on. 16.5 is the best I'm seeing now. Very sad. I drive like a grandma, never over 73 on the highway.

Have also found that my truck speedometer is consistently 2MPH faster than actual, based on several different GPS units. I know you can add a second set of tires in the menus somewhere, though I thought that referred to the pressure sensors- is there a way to ensure the right tire size is in the system? Edit: Search says no, suck it up, or get larger tires.

 

To be fair to your mileage… 73mph is not a fuel-efficient speed to drive at. EPA ratings are generally reported at let’s say a ballpark speed of… 50mph. Getting up over 60mph can really tank mileage. I got 19-21 mpg over a few drives in the last week with a 500lb ATV in my box, 6 foot trailhunter being the heaviest version.

Also, the drivetrain of our hybrid trucks considerably different than with a rav4 or most other hybrids. While we might share the same engine as other vehicles, the motor sandwiched between the tranny and engine is a different configuration than a lot of SUVs or cars where the motors are at or near the axles.

I personally feel like it’s a pretty smoothly operating system. It’s not the ‘transition’ between power that isn’t smooth, they are both connected, and to the same transmission/shaft. It’s the engine starting/stopping that isn’t as smooth, it seems like. But its certainly not disappointing.

 

rchrds are you on stock tires; territory R/T’s? My spedo is only out by 1 kph, roughly.

 

Yeah, anyone coming from a Rav4 hybrid is going to be disappointed, IMO. It might be the best vehicle in Toyota's whole fleet and the hybrid powertrain performs efficiently and seamlessly. Toyota could have designed a 30 MPG Tacoma had they made it a priority.

 

Wait. I'm getting 20.5 mpg without trying and breaking it in varying the rpms. Why buy a hybrid for that mpg?

 

For torque. That’s the entire point of this hybrid. It’s not for gas mileage.

To the prior comments, the drivetrain is smooth enough for me personally. The power is there when I demand it. That’s all I care about. Whether there are some transitions going on… I mean I can’t tell that much. It’s a truck. I’m not looking for a Lexus experience. I can spin the tires and pass people easily.

As for the speedometer being off, that’s good because I’ll be putting larger tires on. It was similar with the 3G.

For mileage I’m getting 18-20. For a 5,400 pound body on frame truck 12” off the ground, I mean.. lol.. it’s fine. Mind you I can drive this truck at 100mph super comfortably and there’s still power to go… it’s really a marvel if you think about it. I’m not sure what people expect.

 

Ok, but not worth it for the price to me. I'm happy with the torque in my trd off road w/manual transmission.

 

I think you’re in the wrong thread, but thank you for your contributions.

 

Toyota definitely doesnt market the mild hybrids as fuel economy monsters.

They advertise torque and functionality instead.

MG1 starts the engine, I havent checked tacoma but tundra has a redundant engine starter as a precaution. If I remember I'll check the next time I have TIS open.

 

I love the power. But something I noticed is that both the hybrid and non-hybrid seem to limit the available power of the engine in high load demand. Like it’s cutting power for safety or traction control. You can feel there’s more in there but it can’t always come out to play. I could be alone on this perception.

 

The gas model you notice it way more, its 100% intentional, we watched the boost and 1st only hits 50% power. Saves drivetrain and gets higher reported MPG.

 

Yeah no shit lol

 

I recall reading some Toyota articles awhile back about their designing systems NOT to run at full capacity such that longevity is increased. I mean we all knew they did that, and it certainly shows, but im sure thats what is happening here with these trucks. As with every new generation/release, people crap on reliability and sure there are kinks, but Toyota wont have abandoned their entire philosophy of building things that just aren’t allowed to be used in a way they can break (the important things like the engine, drivetrain)

Like you guys said, not marketed as a race car, nor is it marketed as a fuel efficiency king. I agree that it seems like it could do more, but it also does a lot. If it does this much and doesn’t break, im pumped

 

100% agree. It’s plenty.