I live In Denver Colorado and I am looking at driving West over two 10,000 passes, Loveland pass and Vail Pass on our way to Utah. While there is some down mostly, of course, I’ll be going up. My question is how does the HV battery manage long uphills like this? Will it somehow continue to provide power? Dr. Prius tells me no codes, everything within normal, typical around town driving sees me at 2-4 bars, sometimes higher. Ideas? Thanks!
Thanks for the reply, I’ll look that up. My question is I’m assuming my 2005 Prius, professionally reconditioned battery in 2020, with no codes and a “all good” report from Dr Prius should be ok on the trip, albeit not winning any races. Is that a fair assumption?
If this is the original HV battery with matching serials, and it was reconditioned via 'grid charging' or with a hobby charger, it could be fine. If this is a replacement HV battery from a collection of random old used modules, then hard to say. How many miles are on the vehicle, or this "professionally reconditioned battery" ?? Simple answer would be no. When climbing long distances, and when the HV battery SOC (state-of-charge) on the MFD (center screen) is shown to be low (2 bars or less), don't keep pushing the gas pedal expecting the vehicle to travel faster or for the HV battery to continue magically prodding along. Best to pull over (in a place that allows for easy reentry into traffic) and 'force charge' the HV battery, rinse and repeat as needed, which can be quite often, depending.
My memory from experienced other Colorado Gen2 drivers is that they simply aren't using battery power to climb those mountain passes at all. The battery just isn't big enough to be useful on those climbs, so ignore it. So just press the pedal down, all the way when needed, hold it there, and go climb strictly on ICE power. No pullovers for force charging, those simply won't last long enough to be useful. My Gen3 had no trouble to 13,000 feet, but it does have a larger ICE. We couldn't go to 14,000 feet that day due to snow closures, but others have been up there when the road was open. And I believe not just Gen3s, but Gen2s as well.
i have taken my 2006 prius with the original HV battery to breckenridge the past two summers. on the energy monitor screen the battery shows one purple bar the entire ascent. both trips was the only time i’ve ever heard the cooling fan before too. Just drive a little slower than you normally would and don’t worry too much. The high altitude makes my brakes do a little pop noise every stop too but as soon as i descended that pop went away. Enjoy the west!
Don't worry about the battery. You'll be using mostly your ICE and it will feel like you only have 25HP at that altitude.
On a long climb once the battery is drained I just slot in behind the trucks and crawl along. The car would probably go faster but these days I'm not in a hurry and even the longest grade I have encountered will be topped in 20 minutes or less. If I pushed the car it could be done in maybe 15 or 17, but I would rather not stress the motor or electrical components. Going down a long grade once the battery is full, turn on the lights, AC, stereo, and rear defroster. Of course use B mode if engine braking is needed on a steep section.
When using the Gen 2 ICE, what speed can you get after battery is exhausted and going upgrade? Are we talking 50mph or 25mph?
Would some Colorado Gen2 owners please chime In? I thought the experienced local folks were pretty much keeping up with traffic, even at their altitude, while the visitors were having greater troubles.
HI I live in Colorado Springs. Just drive normal. The battery will run out and the ICE will run just fine. Ive driven to Breck a few times.. all good no issues.
The other day I was parked using the AC and the battery was low when I started to get back on the freeway. I was surprised that I had no problems quickly getting up to 75mph on just the ICE, but it was flat terrain. I’ve never driven in the mountains.
