HybridCars tells of continual problems with the hybrid Civic made by Honda. The latest issue has led to “Owners Disappointed with Battery Software Fix”

“My 2008 [Civic Hybrid] purchased new started having these problems about 6 months ago. Now Honda reprogrammed the software. Made it even worse.”

“I took my 2007 HCH with 38,000 miles to the dealer for the software update a week ago. Prior to the update, I had no problems or complaints with my car. I loved it. Just the right combination of mileage, 41 mpg average with adequate power. After this update my mileage has dropped to 35.5 average with a noticeable loss of power.”

Apparently, the software change does not directly address the battery problem–but instead reduces the vehicle’s reliance on the batteries and electric motor. Essentially, the “fix” extends the life of the battery, but turns a Civic Hybrid into a standard hybrid in the process.

Battery life forces reduced reliance on the electric motor. This is what I dislike about hybrids — hidden long-term battery issues. First you have reduced power. Second you have disposal and replacement costs. Third you have landfill and recycling issues…and so on.

It sounds great to talk about electric on the show-room floor, but you lose the benefits and face high costs just a few years later.

The software “patch” should be increasing use of electric motor not reducing it. This proves the backwards nature of the hybrid model today. Yet another example of diesel engines providing better long-term efficiencies.

I would really like to see manufacturers provide open data on engine efficiencies over a ten year period — or at least the average life of a car. Something like this might work:

1. Modern small diesel engines’ efficiency arrives to 0.40-0.41 and more, whilst the gasoline engines’ efficiency hardly go over 0.27-0.28 (based on fuel mass). So, their efficiencies based on fuel masses are related by the formula:
   Efficiency_mass_gasoline = 0.68 * Efficiency_mass_diesel
2. Gasoline’s and diesel’s densities are 0.74 kg/l and 0.84 kg/l, respectively. So their efficiencies based on fuel volume will be proportionally smaller:
   Efficiency_volume_gasoline = 0.62 * Efficiency_volume_diesel
3. Now, if you analyse the declared data for various diesel engines, you’ll find out that their approximate fuel consumption at max power can be calculated with the formula (in litres per hour):
   FC_diesel = 0.19 x HPmax
4. Knowing the relation between diesel and gasoline’s efficiencies (the formula n.2 above), the formula for gasoline engine fuel consumption will be, approximately:
   FC_gasoline = 0.30 x HPmax

Long term efficiency should be clear.

Honda has in the past has been sued for false advertising and has paid owners a rebate due to lowered MPG over time. That is not a good sign for hybrids. The article also points out that reducing time spent on electric has changed the car’s emissions profile, which also raises concerns by regulators such as the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Maybe MPG now will be from an average over years of driving?