RX450h hybrid ECU firmware update?
#1
RX450h hybrid ECU firmware update?
Drove a few rx450h's and noticed that certain ones engage the gas engine less often thereby increasing fuel economy. Just wondering if there is a firmware update to the hybrid system which improves the fuel economy or engages the hybrid system more often than the gas.
I know this isn't an accurate comparison but on the 2015, it seemed like I could get better mpg than on my 2010.
Theoretically if the hybrid system hasn't changed between these two years then the firmware could be updated to match the "formula" used in the newer hybrid rx.
I've read in some places that the dealer did an update to some people's RX and they had improved mpg's but there were no details or further information to reference to relay to the dealer to perform said update.
I know this isn't an accurate comparison but on the 2015, it seemed like I could get better mpg than on my 2010.
Theoretically if the hybrid system hasn't changed between these two years then the firmware could be updated to match the "formula" used in the newer hybrid rx.
I've read in some places that the dealer did an update to some people's RX and they had improved mpg's but there were no details or further information to reference to relay to the dealer to perform said update.
#4
Rookie
iTrader: (15)
My 2013 450h engine has the tendency to turn on the engine as much as it can. The EV mode is a joke since it works half the time. I'm talking about 95F weather, driving around for 45 minutes with battery fully charged and if I leave the engine off for even a minute, it won't let me go into EV mode. The CT200h loaner I had was able to get into EV mode on a cold engine! Still, I can't blame the car since it gets 28-29mpg combined.
I'll have to see if there is any reflash for my vehicle. I'm pretty sure the dealer will say no, just like how they said my RX is normal, even though it pulls heavy to the right on the highway.
I'll have to see if there is any reflash for my vehicle. I'm pretty sure the dealer will say no, just like how they said my RX is normal, even though it pulls heavy to the right on the highway.
#6
With the winter temperatures, my 2010 started to use the thermal engine even during parking manoeuvres, despite the SOC good (60 %) and the already warmed engine and especially batteries, although for these last ones 65 F is a relatively low value respect to the summer season when they reach 100 F (parameteres monitored through Scangauge). I've read that the best temperature spot at which NiMh batteries provide their maximum output is situated around 80 F.
In summary I think that this beahaviour cannot be changed by any ECU update, because is related to a combination of factors like the age of the batteries, the temperature of the environment, the weight of the car, the tyres etc.
However, inflating the tyres above 40 PSI may help (helped in my case), as well as using much care in pressing the accelerator pedal.
For manoeuvres only, setting EV mode definitevely helps, supposed that the batteries are enough charged. But I would not recommend it because stresses the batteries, and in the long run may reduce their life.
All in all, ours are hybrid cars, not EV ones.
In summary I think that this beahaviour cannot be changed by any ECU update, because is related to a combination of factors like the age of the batteries, the temperature of the environment, the weight of the car, the tyres etc.
However, inflating the tyres above 40 PSI may help (helped in my case), as well as using much care in pressing the accelerator pedal.
For manoeuvres only, setting EV mode definitevely helps, supposed that the batteries are enough charged. But I would not recommend it because stresses the batteries, and in the long run may reduce their life.
All in all, ours are hybrid cars, not EV ones.
#7
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#8
Rookie
iTrader: (15)
This says otherwise: http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a940/4199963/
Increasing tire pressure may help, but you'll probably hit the point of diminishing return sooner than expected. What I would like to see is a comparison done on the same route going the same direction. In their case, they went from sea level to 1,100ft elevation, and then vice versa on the way back. I drive from Socal to Las Vegas 3-4x a year and I always get 1-2 mpg better on the way back home.
#9
Racer
Increasing tire pressure may help, but you'll probably hit the point of diminishing return sooner than expected. What I would like to see is a comparison done on the same route going the same direction. In their case, they went from sea level to 1,100ft elevation, and then vice versa on the way back. I drive from Socal to Las Vegas 3-4x a year and I always get 1-2 mpg better on the way back home.
Even if the start and end points are at the same elevation, the test is unreliable. If one direction is 75% uphill but shallow and 25% downhill but steep, that can be a huge difference from 75% shallow downhill vs 25% steep uphill on the return drive of an equal elevation start and finish point!
Last edited by Droid13; 12-19-15 at 10:48 AM.
#10
Driver School Candidate
No revearse gear
With the winter temperatures, my 2010 started to use the thermal engine even during parking manoeuvres, despite the SOC good (60 %) and the already warmed engine and especially batteries, although for these last ones 65 F is a relatively low value respect to the summer season when they reach 100 F (parameteres monitored through Scangauge). I've read that the best temperature spot at which NiMh batteries provide their maximum output is situated around 80 F.
In summary I think that this beahaviour cannot be changed by any ECU update, because is related to a combination of factors like the age of the batteries, the temperature of the environment, the weight of the car, the tyres etc.
However, inflating the tyres above 40 PSI may help (helped in my case), as well as using much care in pressing the accelerator pedal.
For manoeuvres only, setting EV mode definitevely helps, supposed that the batteries are enough charged. But I would not recommend it because stresses the batteries, and in the long run may reduce their life.
All in all, ours are hybrid cars, not EV ones.
In summary I think that this beahaviour cannot be changed by any ECU update, because is related to a combination of factors like the age of the batteries, the temperature of the environment, the weight of the car, the tyres etc.
However, inflating the tyres above 40 PSI may help (helped in my case), as well as using much care in pressing the accelerator pedal.
For manoeuvres only, setting EV mode definitevely helps, supposed that the batteries are enough charged. But I would not recommend it because stresses the batteries, and in the long run may reduce their life.
All in all, ours are hybrid cars, not EV ones.
And think about it, if the engine only runs 70 percent of the time or less in city driving, the actual hours of engine run time will be much less for a hybrid. The engine should last longer too, but that will take a decade or so to show up in statistics. I would imagine the used hybrid market will be very hot. Those specializing in servicing the batteries will be busy making old Prius's and Highlanders into cabs. The Lexus RX and ES hybrids will be in demand, especially if fuel prices go back up, which they eventually will.
#11
Racer
The Altima hybrid was a direct copy of the Camry hybrid system, right down to the multi-function information display on the dash. The Ford system does license Toyota patents, but they did some tweaks to make it their own. The 2nd gen Volt is similar in some aspects to Toyota (more so than the 1st gen), but its not the Toyota system. It may share things like electric motors, planetary gears, and batteries, but it is GM engineered.
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