Relearning to drive a Honda Civic hybrid
You can't handle a software upgrade
It’s Civic hybrid drivers, not the car?
Recently Honda provided a battery software upgrade for 2006 – 2008 Civic hybrids to help prevent battery packs from failing prematurely. Unfortunately, some have claimed that fuel efficiency has consequently declined.
But is the real problem Civic hybrid drivers?
While ensuring the longevity of Civic hybrid batteries is a good thing, many Civic hybrid drivers have complained that fuel economy has subsequently declined by 10 percent after receiving the upgrade.
Honda has claimed that the new software requires a different driving style, and after reviewing driver data, Cars.com has concluded that Honda is probably right. The new software does require an adjustment in driving style.
Any 2006 – 2008 Civic hybrid drivers out there disagree?
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[...] as I stated in Relearning to drive a Honda Civic hybrid, both Honda and Cars.com claim to have data that demonstrates that lost fuel economy can be made [...]
9 miles per gallon is pretty serious, Jim. I’d be very angry as well and I also agree that relearning to drive as an adjustment to the software updates isn’t going to make up 9 miles.
Still, “relearning” to drive wasn’t my idea, just a point I was reiterating, and based on my experience with hybrid software, there can be a learning curve. However, not a 9 mpg difference curve.
Regardless, I totally agree that this is not only a Honda issue, but a Honda issue that wasn’t well handled.
Have you been taking this issue up with Honda? Any luck?
Relearn to drive? Are you nuts??? The issue isn’t re-learning to drive, the issue is that Honda has put in a software fix to try to save money on battery warranties at the expense of car owners. I had the fix done and have lost 9 miles per gallon and the car has no pep left to it. Get away from the Koolaide and look at the large elephant in the middle of the room. This is a Honda issue, not a driver issue.
I think there is a chance, Rob, that the decrease in fuel economy is related to the software in a way that forces older Civic hybrid drivers to drive a bit differently then they are accustomed. I might not believe that if only Honda was making that claim, but since Cars.com found data that seems to support this contention, I guess I’m giving Honda the benefit of the doubt – at least for now. And, even if you lose a few percent after ‘relearning’ to drive with the new software, if it means many more years of battery life, it’s a pill that seems worth swallowing.
As the owner of one of the affected Civic Hybrids… I’m not sure I want this upgrade done. I’m quite happy with the performance and mileage that I get out of my car. Sure, I want the battery to last a long time… but not at the expense of crap mileage.
I haven’t taken my car in yet.. and the next time I do…. I’ll probably insist that they *don’t* do the update.