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car symbol in minute-by-minute consumption

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Sea of Green, Oct 5, 2014.

  1. Sea of Green

    Sea of Green New Member

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    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Less than 5K miles on my 2014 - can't find the answer in the manual. What does the car symbol in the minute-by-minute fuel consumption gauge indicate?
    IMG_4663.JPG
     

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    #1 Sea of Green, Oct 5, 2014
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    It is the amount of regenerative braking. (Less braking is better)
     
    #2 JimboPalmer, Oct 5, 2014
  3. Sea of Green

    Sea of Green New Member

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    Two
    So the car symbol appears when there is more regenerative braking? Why would there be an entire "stack" of cars in a one minute column when driving on the highway? How is "regenerative" braking different than regular braking?
     
    #3 Sea of Green, Oct 6, 2014
  4. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
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    Three
    Your Prius has several braking systems and modes.
    For light braking, it uses Motor/Generator 2 to convert rotation back to electricity, then stores the regenerated electricity in the HV Battery. (this is about 30% efficient)
    If you need more braking, M/G2 can't keep up, and the friction brakes (all discs on your 2014) dissipate some of the energy as heat.
    If the battery 'fills' or you shift to B, some energy is dissipated by using the engine as an air pump. Both engine braking and friction braking are 0% efficient.
    If you panic stop (and under 7 MPH) all the braking is friction braking. Switching between modes can lead you to believe you 'lost' braking, as the pedal feel is not identical.

    Both regenerative braking and engine braking only use the front wheels in a Prius, friction braking uses all 4 wheels and your parking brake only uses the back wheels.
     
    #4 JimboPalmer, Oct 6, 2014
    elementnomore, Sea of Green and Mr. Bubbles like this.
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