Honda Clarity, the Volt Challenger

Discussion in 'Clarity' started by bwilson4web, Dec 6, 2017.

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  1. Rib

    Rib New Member

    Perhaps Honda’s guidance is to use studded tires instead of chains. I’ll look into it.

    If studded tires is the only option then those traveling many miles to the mtns where there may find snow on the roads would have to use a different vehicle.
     
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  3. jdonalds

    jdonalds Well-Known Member

    Sorry I may have given some incorrect data concerning snow chains. Here is page 507 from the Owner's Manual. The advice is to mount chains on the front tires only which should eliminate concerns about clearance due to the rear body design. Also Honda is recommending a Cable-type chain set.

    Winter Tires
    If driving on snowy or frozen roads, mount all season marked M+S tires, snow tires,
    or tire chains; reduce speed; and maintain sufficient distance between vehicles when
    driving.
    Be particularly careful when operating the steering wheel or brakes to prevent
    skidding.
    Use tire chains, snow tires, or all season tires when necessary or according to the law.
    When mounting, refer to the following points.
    For winter tires:
    • Select the size and load ranges that are the same as the original tires.
    • Mount the tires to all four wheels.
    For tire chains:
    • Install them on the front tires only.
    • Because your vehicle has limited tire clearance, we strongly recommend using the
    chains listed below:
    • Follow the chain manufacturer’s instruction when installing. Mount them as
    tightly as you can.
    • Check that the chains do not touch the brake lines or suspension.
    • Drive slowly.

    Cable-type: SCC Radial Chain SC1040


    NOTICE
    Traction devices that are the wrong size or improperly
    installed can damage your vehicle’s brake lines,
    suspension, body, and wheels. Stop driving if they are
    hitting any part of the vehicle.
    When tire chains are mounted, follow the chain
    manufacturer’s instructions regarding vehicle
    operational limits.
    If your vehicle is equipped with summer tires, be
    aware that these tires are not designed for winter
    driving conditions. For more information, contact an
    authorized Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid dealer.
     
  4. barnesgj

    barnesgj Active Member

    Thanks to all of you for your great insights. I just traded a 2016 Avalon Hybrid on a crimson Clarity. I have been looking for a plug in for what feels like forever, but in my section of rural Alabama, finding a hybrid is tricky and a plug in is pretty nearly impossible. Imagine my surprise yesterday when I walked into the local Honda dealer to find this sitting in the show room. Just to illustrate its rarity, the salesman told us in was Hydrogen powered and I had to show him on the sticker that it uses gas. And he was a very knowlegeable Honda salesman.
    After a 5 min. test drive I was smitten. They only had black and black cars do not play well in AL summers, so they found a crimson at another dealership and loaned me the black until it comes in.
    I will miss a few of the Avalon driving features, but the Clarity is much quieter and has a much smoother ride. The driver assist features are more advanced and I found that it tracks quite well around most curves I tried. I love the way it stays in the center of the road with the lightest touch on the wheel, which the Avalon doesn't. And the full stop on adaptive cruise is great. After driving the bigger Avalon, I did not want to go back to the smaller Prius or the Volt, not that I could find either around here. The Clarity feels more spacious than even the Avalon. Did I mention how much quieter?
    And it's a plug in, so the Avalon is an apples to oranges comparison.
    Of course the dealer did not charge the battery, so am charging it now. Have not been able to test EV mode.
    Am so excited! Thanks again for your reviews and information.
     
    Domenick, loomis2 and dstrauss like this.
  5. Ken7

    Ken7 Active Member

    If you’ve been thinking how quiet it is with the ICE running, wait until you drive it on electric. :)
     
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  6. jdonalds

    jdonalds Well-Known Member

    Congrats on the new car. I've long wanted an Avalon but the Clarity is better.

    I'm quite surprised they let you have the black one until the crimson comes in.
     
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  8. barnesgj

    barnesgj Active Member

    They promised the Crimson today and loaned the black as an apology. I guess an advantage to small towns.
     
  9. barnesgj

    barnesgj Active Member

    Can't wait to find out! Such a long charge time. I think I'm gonna need a faster charging station.
     
  10. Ken7

    Ken7 Active Member

    Consider a NEMA 14-50 installation. It cuts your charging time to about 2 1/2 hours.
     
  11. barnesgj

    barnesgj Active Member

    Will it work outdoors?
     
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  13. Ken7

    Ken7 Active Member

    There are outdoor installations that some Tesla owners use, so it can definitely be done. Your best and safest bet is to have a qualified electrician do the work.
     
  14. pdxman1

    pdxman1 New Member

    How often do you drive for a significant portion of the cars EV range, come home, and then drive a bunch more that day? If you don't do that very often, then the 120 volt charging might be fine. The car will charge overnight. The other case for needing fast charging is being on a time of use electric rate plan. Then you need to make sure to charge at off peak times. We have an 8 hour off peak window overnight which is not long enough to charge the car from empty to full.
     
  15. barnesgj

    barnesgj Active Member

    Our power rates are very low and I think the rate is constant. I come and go during the day, so a fast charger would be nice. Can probably get along without one for awhile at least.

    Just had my first all electric drive. It was awesome!
     
    Domenick likes this.
  16. Rib

    Rib New Member

    OMG...I feel so old (except for having just typed OMG). You brought me back to my senses as I realize we are talking about a front wheel drive car, and yes, chains go on the front. It's not like the days of old. So the rear wheel covers are not an issue after all. Thx.
     
  17. West1

    West1 Member

    This is how the two-motor hybrid system works in the Accord Hybrid and I assume even in the HV mode for the Clarity.

    Gas motors are most efficient when under a load or turned off. The charge mode allows the ICE to operate a near full energy efficient load. This propels the car and charges the battery. Once the battery is charged then the ICE can change to 100% efficient, which is when its turned off.

    This owner has proven data that shows his trip MPG is best when he depletes the battery, then completed a HV recharge, and returns to EV use.
     
  18. West1

    West1 Member

    Based on a few reviews and youtube videos, I've seen roughly 40mpg in HV mode and 30mpg in recharge mode.

    30mpg results in roughly one gallon of gas used to travel 30 miles AND a gain of 25 miles of EV battery. Work the math and its 30miles of gas then 25miles of EV for a total of 55miles per the one gallon of gas. Which is better than the HV mode of 40-45mpg. Of course elevation, vehicle speed, and outside temp would play a factor.
     
    Domenick likes this.
  19. That's probably due to an error on his trip MPG.
     
  20. jdonalds

    jdonalds Well-Known Member

    Isn't having the ICE charge the battery the way a hybrid works? If that was less efficient than the ICE alone then there would be no need for the battery and electric motors.
     
  21. Tiralc

    Tiralc Active Member

    Generally for PHEV, I think the advantage is that our EV charged range (from the grid or preferably sun powered as we both have) runs for some number of miles, ideally with 0 gas consumption (Clarity seems to like to drink a tenth here or there no matter what). Whereas, when we regen (which for sure is better than not), we only get back some fraction of the energy (from either gas or battery power) that it took to get to the speed from which the car now slows down.
     
    Last edited: Jan 7, 2018
  22. There are a number of ways the battery in a hybrid saves energy. There's regenerative braking, the car has a smaller, lighter engine since it can rely on help from the motor for peak power, and instead of idling it can run the engine occasionally and run on the battery most of the time. One feature that all these have in common is that they happen automatically, with no driver input needed.

    Now, there might be some edge cases where you can gain slightly by running the engine to charge the battery that the car would otherwise miss, but I doubt you would happen on them by accident, if they even exist.
     
  23. Tiralc

    Tiralc Active Member

    Not sure if this review has been posted yet. A few minor differences between the US version with the Canadian model (e.g. paint colors); a fun watch:
     
    Domenick likes this.

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