Help....on a road trip and transmission is slipping at take off

there are no belts in the cvt... it's a better design than that. unfortunately unless you really know the system, it's hard to tell what it's doing exactly.

if you're on a steep grade, it's going to act like that... just floor it if it doesn't respond. it's incredibly hard to damage this system...

if she has been driving it hard, the battery and inverter are a little warmer. this kinda reduces how much electricity you can use.. which also determines your acceleration. (acceleration is actually based off of the electric motor since it controls the final gear ratio)

this doesn't sound like a real problem.. just a real inconvenience for someone who isn't used to this vehicle in mountain areas.

remember to keep the cab cool. your inside air feeds the hybrid battery... keep that vent on the right rear passenger shoulder should be clear too. some people like it 90 or so but the battery doesn't... it prefers 73 or so

 

Since there isn't a belt or even gears in the system, the "transmission" can't really slip. Being in the mountains, you're likely just feeling the battery overcharge protection at work.

Look at the charge level. If it's at all 8 bars, that's probably what's happening. The motor is spinning up the engine to consume the excess electricity. It will cycle several times. All is well when that happens. That's for battery longevity.

And like the previous post just mentioned, keep the cabin comfortable since you share that air with the battery.
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Like others have said, there are no belts or clutches in the transmission, but if the MG controller messed up, you could get the same effect, that probably didn't happen though.

We you starting up on a substantial grade, even if only a few feet long when the engine revved more than you are used to?

 

For the OP, the URLs below explain the power split device and its operation (they were written to cover the 1st and 2nd gen, but the principles are the same):
Hybrid Components
Toyota Prius - Power Split Device
Graham's Toyota Prius under Understanding the Prius
AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICAL ARTICLES - first two Hybrid System PDFs

However on the 3rd gen (2010 and beyond), the chain's gone.

https://picasaweb.google.com/105684...authkey=Gv1sRgCILH8tvp-8_pjQE&feat=directlink has some pics I took from Prius Connection SF where they had the PSD from the 2nd and 3rd gen on display.

 

And if you're going to be working the car hard (mountains) make sure the HV battery vent on the rear seat isn't blocked or covered AND make sure the a/c isn't on RECIRC as this won't allow the cold air to circulate past the HV battery.

 

Having the AC on recirculate doesn't let air pass by the battery? How does having the AC set to fresh intake do this? Curious. Didn't know that.

 

When the a/c is on normal (not recirc) the air flows thru the car, past the battery cooling it and then out of a vent at the rear of the car.

This is my hunch anyhow. Perhaps others will confirm if this is the case or whether I'm talking a load of old cobblers.

 

This is total news to me. Whoa. If someone can confirm this (not doubting you Cabbie) I'd appreciate it.

P.S. Sorry to partially hi-jack your thread. If someone else has insight, you can simple PM me instead of replying to the thread. Back on topic with what the OP has to say now. Sorry!

 

that's an odd thing to state. no matter what there is air coming into the car. (more so at speed.. say 40+)... recirc only opens a hole the size of a nickel. it would help to have recirc off.. but it's not necessary.

making sure that vent is clear at all times is a definite.

if you have the windows down and the a/c off, remember to open all windows a bit. at least that rear passenger window.

this all comes down to a few things.
1. your car is always gaining pressure inside, that's why there are two vents in the rear of the car with moisture flaps over them. they are both the size of a dollar bill-ish.
2. your hybrid battery vents out of the passenger side vent.

i've noticed a few things. both vents are behind paneling. while i see how the air flows on the passenger side, i don't see the direct point of the driver side. also... i think the rear floor and cubby tray must be in place or else the battery doesn't really work as well since air is able to pass out the side vent freely (i have my floor off for several reasons and that's my random thought/warning to others)

i wonder if covering the driver vent would mean better natural cooling for the hybrid battery... even taping the battery exhaust duct to the car's vent, so all exiting air is forced through the battery. (filter recommended)

 

oops. multi post

 

Just wanted to add if you accidentally had the parking brake on. Seems like a silly thing to do but it would definitely cause some strange behavior.

 

Not quite, the only air path I have found is the grill opening at the right rear seat, (on the 05)when the HV Battery is calling for air it doesn't know if the windows open, the AC'S Is on, if it is on recirc or fresh air. The fan will grab whatever is there. So the largest volume with the coolest temperature is most desirable for keeping the HV Battery happy.
The safest procedure on a HOT day, climbing mountains is to take it easy, especially if you think "something" is wrong

 

I'm pretty sure it doesn't way the way you guys are saying. If you turn on fresh air it doesn't force cold air through the battery. The battery fan does that, and you can keep the air cooler with rec on rather than fresh air.

 

I think what they are implying is that having fresh air on raises the pressure in the passenger compartment enough ( a fraction of an inch of water pressure) to force some air through the battery back without use of the fan. I suspect they might be correct. However, the cargo area exhaust vents are in the side bumper area with is probably a pretty low pressure area and that might have enough suction that fresh air or not is irrelevant

 

what I said is the fan will grab whatever is there, it is up to the driver to provide cool and sufficient air.