[vishsc]

Hi folks,

I have a question on the gas consumption on my 2018 Clarity Hybrid. For the past couple of weeks, I have noticed that the car switches to the gas engine, even when I have not selected the Hybrid mode, for a few miles every day. This happens even during city driving and when the battery has sufficient charge.

Has anyone else experienced this issue - the gas engine is not really suited for city driving and the engine is very sluggish in stop and go traffic.

 

[Kerbe]

If you have at least a half-charge the car is not using the ICE for propulsion: You cannot equate the sound the engine makes with the speed or acceleration of the vehicle. If you see the little yellow "gear" icon in the power display (it's at the intersection of the line from engine to battery and wheel to wheel) then the ICE is providing some propulsion.

If the traction battery is drained then, yes, the vehicle will be sluggish because the ICE will be trying to charge the battery, generate electricity to the propulsion motor AND provide direct propulsion. That's asking a lot of a little ICE in a heavy vehicle!

Sometimes the ICE comes on to provide cabin heat or AC. Sometimes it comes on because the planets are aligned. Sometimes it comes on just for the **** of it.

 

[TomL]

That is it, exactly. Well said.