GooRoo64

Hi,
I just bought a 2015 GS300h.
I have noticed that the hybrid battery never charges to beyond 75%. (6 bars out of 8).
Is this normal or should I be worried?

ChronoR

It's normal. By keeping the charge level in that area, it wears out the battery much slower. As a hybrid vehicle, you don't need it at full charge like a pure EV

GooRoo64

Thanks ChronoR, now I can relax

Calsenator

If you turn off the AC you will more likely see it charge up to full. Most of the battery power is generated from braking is what helps you hit the 7 or 8 bar mark but your AC also consumes a lot of it. I would also say even if you just watch your car high 8 bars, it's actually only at 80% full, But your car will readjust and expel more power from the electric motor and thus save you gas.

peasodos

iTrader: (1)

Mine charges to full(all bars), I think usually after a lot of stop and go city driving or downhill/braking . I have 81k miles on the car. I have the 450h so not sure how different this is from the 300h

arosnes

When driving in city, and with the drive mode to normal, the battery will mostly be around 2 bars in the morning. This way the engine will have plenty of charging possibility to do to heat up quickly.
In eco-mode, the battery seem to be at a higher charge in the morning, to have more eco-saving potential maybe?

rytmask

Never full on mine 300h too (new car, half a year old). Minus 1 bar always.

samsonn25

I saw these 2013 specs:

THE FACTS

Lexus GS300h

Engine/transmission: 2,494cc petrol engine, electric motor powered by a 1.3kWh nickel-metal-hydride battery, continually variable transmission, rear-wheel drive

Price/on sale: From £31,495/now

Power/torque: Petrol engine: 178bhp @ 6,000rpm/163lb ft @ 4,200rpm

Electric motor: 141bhp/221lb ft

Total system output: 220bhp

Top speed: 118mph

Acceleration: 0-62mph in 9.2sec

Fuel economy: 58.9mpg/60.1mpg (EU Urban/Combined). On test 49.6mpg

CO2 emissions: 109g/km

VED band: B (£10)

ratobuza

Don't worry absolutely normal @ 6 out of 8. Sometimes mostly in sport+ with more aggressive driving i get 7 out of 8 and in 6 years of having the car I've seen twice 8 out of 8

peasodos

iTrader: (1)

95k+ miles on my 2013 GS 450h and I still get all 8 bars.

Im2bz2p345

Is that a possibility of getting 8 bars or do you actually get 8 bars often?

I've only seen a full 8 bars when the car is warmed up, car is charged a lot, and I hit some down ward sloping hills. Very rare in TX.

But man, the car really kicks when the batteries have a lot of charge! You can feel the difference in torque.

~ Im2bz2p345

ChronoR

The car favors electric power when the battery is full because it needs to dump the charge quickly so you can regeneratively brake again. Also better for the battery to not be at a high state of charge.

Sometimes I dream about building a lithium ion replacement pack for the NiMH one and have it report "full" to the ECU so I get the high electric mode for longer.


The car works very hard to not get to 8 bars full though so don't worry if you never see it.