Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Stack Exchange
Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [hybrid]

A drivetrain type that includes both a petroleum fueled engine and electric drive motors.

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Can I jumpstart a non-hybrid car from a hybrid or full electric car?

This morning I had starter battery troubles with my 2001 VW Eurovan. As it happened, my father-in-law arrived just at the right time in his fancy new Toyota Camry hybrid. So we opened the hoods, dug out the jumpstart cables and then got…
Digital Trauma
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Why do many hybrids have little or no trailer towing capacity?

I have noticed that many hybrid vehicles have little or no trailer towing capacity. For example, the Toyota Auris Touring Sports hybrid model has 375 kg trailer towing capacity (unbraked + braked) whereas the non-hybrid model has 450 kg unbraked and…
juhist
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2008 Ford Escape Hybrid Stop Safely Now - P1A0C

We own a 2008 Hybrid and around 70K miles we started having serious unknown problems. Unknown because even the dealer could not figure it out. You would be driving down the highway and the car out of nowhere would shut down and display the message…
Geovani Martinez
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Toyota Prius Mk2 "gasoline only" operation mode

I want to get a used Toyota Prius Mk2 (XW20). I do not necessarily need to operate it in hybrid mode (gas + electric) and I am OK with operating it in a kind of "gasoline only" mode (because of a research project). My main concern is the traction…
Kozuch
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Will never charging the batteries of a hybrid electric plug-in vehicle damage it?

I am likely to be forced to use a Volvo V60 in its hybrid diesel-electric plug-in version for my daily commutes. This is a hybrid system comprising a 2.4l diesel engine with an added plug-in electric motor (ERAD). The electric motor is powered by a…
JoErNanO
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Why do hybrids still use mechanical transmission?

One of the comments on this question reminded me of something I've been wondering for a while. Given that engines get the best efficiency at peak torque, why do most hybrid cars still use a mechanical transmission (which requires the engine to…
Nick C
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How does the Koenigsegg Regera work?

The Koenigsegg Regera is Koenigsegg's newest car, and is a hybrid. However, unlike other "hypercars," like the Holy Trinity, the Koenigsegg doesn't have a gearbox. I'm assuming that it uses some sum of motors to get the car moving off the line, and…
wcarhart
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Why no exhaust gas turbine generator in hybrid vehicles?

I found something interesting on Wikipedia today: a hybrid turbocharger. This is a device that charges a battery with an exhaust gas turbine, and at the same time operates an air compressor using the battery to pack more air into the engine. As a…
juhist
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Highlander Hybrid losing oil/coolant

I've received a variety of opinions regarding what may actually be wrong with my car. Here is the story so far... Sep. 2016: ~96k miles: Bought 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid from dealership. One owner, full service history, nothing major replaced…
Avalanche
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Is it bad to run a chevy volt out of gas on a regular basis?

The new Volts have a "hold" mode where they will hold on to their current charge and just use the gas engine. I'm sure I can run it out of gas and then have 40-50 miles to hit a gas station on a long trip (No reason to use the charge first). Is…
Bill K
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How do hybrid's with all-electric mode typically handle oil changes?

So, I'm researching getting a Ford C-Max Energi. It fits well with my commute range (approximately 20 miles a day). I understand that after the battery is depleted, a conventional motor kicks on and drive me the rest of the way. Based on my commute…
Sidney
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Series Hybrids: Why Isn't Anyone Making Them?

My impression is that all the mass produced hybrid vehicles on the market are parallel hybrids, namely both the ICE and the electric motor are both connected to the drivetrain to drive the wheels. But it seems to me like series hybrids would be more…
Robert S. Barnes
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Is driving a BMW 330e with only the gas engine detrimental to the car?

I have my eyes on a 2018 330e. But, it would take about 3 months to get the approval from my HOA to install the charger in the parking garage. Would it be detrimental to this car to drive it strictly on the gas engine for that amount of time?
bazcat
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2010 Ford Fusion hybrid-- terrible gas mileage

I bought my 2010 Fusion Hybrid in June. It has about 55k miles on it. It's supposed to be getting ~40 hwy/36 city. I drive almost exclusively in the city, but ever since I bought it it's only been getting 32-33 mpg. I took it to a mechanic, who…
ale19
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Can you pushstart a hybrid / fully electric car?

I'm fairly new to mechanics and was wondering: Let's say you have a hybrid car and the battery is dead. Can you pushstart this vehicle? The same question goes for a fully electric car, however I'm not sure if there are any manual-electric cars. If…
Paramone
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