Tips for Buying Used Hybrid Cars
What to consider? How to consider?
Generally, buying used hybrid cars are no different than buying regular or conventional cars. There are certain things one must look into first. Start by selecting a choice of model year and make. Does one on your list have more problems than the other? If yes, what are the problems? And can they be easily solved? Or is it less encouraging to buy? The most common thing to do will be to look up different websites or magazine and read up on as many reviews as you can about the car make and model you had in mind. What common complaints do owners of that particular car have? This will help prepare you when inspecting the car for yourself.
Secondly, check the physical aspects of the car when selecting. Test to see if the odometer is reading and what is the reading. Has this specific car been in accident? If yes, how many were major ones? It is better and recommended that you purchase used cars from certified dealer (dealer that is authorized for that vehicle make).
Now for the main focus.
When it comes to buying used hybrid cars, the main concern should be the batteries. Here is where sufficient homework is needed to be done – do your own research! Different manufacturers may offer different warranties in comparison. And the warranties are often accurate implications of how long the battery is expected to last. If it is still under warranty, then rest assured you most likely won’t need to spend on a replacement battery until the warranty is well expired. Current costs of replacing hybrid batteries range from $2000 – $3000. These figures are naturally expected to reduce as the number of on-road hybrid cars increase and battery technology improves.
Be sure to check other important components of the car as well for warranties (not just the batteries). You could also seek auto shops’ to inspect the hybrid.
Mileage – another vital aspect to look into. Basically, buying any used cars with lower mileage is better than having bought cars with higher mileage simply because lower mileage means that there are less wear and tear (especially on the hybrid’s components). Take not that most hybrid cars especially the first batch (2000 makes) have exceeded 100,000 miles. So far hybrid cars have been as reliable as non-hybrid cars if not more, any problems would have been corrected by the manufacturers for later hybrid production batches.
Air filter of the vehicle needs to be changed once every six months. It is the lungs of the car so be sure to check the air filter of the hybrid during inspection. And ensure that you continue to maintain it after purchase, not point in buying the right car but not maintaining it the right way.
Inverter coolant should also be inspected because under normal circumstances, it is expected to be replaced at the 30,000 mile service. Sometimes you can inspect this by looking at the car’s service receipt. If you can’t tell that it has been recently replaced, replace it!
Finally, it is often that the importance of the owner’s manual is overlooked, read it! You’ll never know what you find out that could prove helpful should the situation arise!
Tips for improving Mileage on your Prius
Some Prius drivers are able to achieve fuel economy well above 55mpg (miles per gallon) while others are barely on the level of 40mpg.
Hybrids or any other car for that matter requires a minimum six months break in period (approximately 5,000 miles or more) before being able to achieve the maximum mpg’s (peak). After the break-in period, there are few tips to ensure maximum mileage:
When to Drive
First of all, try to get as many things or errands done in one attempt. And avoid rush-hour traffic – traffic congestions means lots of stopping, which means a waste of energy. Secondly, it is unavoidable that the first 5 – 10 minutes of driving gives the worst mileage. Avoid driving on rainy or snowy conditions.
Route Selection
Speed is the key. The most suitable routes for better mileage are distances without stops, and speed limits of 30-35 mph. Hills should not be a concern though, as the downhill stretches enables regenerative braking to recharge the batteries.
Wind is also the key. Select routes that are less windy because the hybrid’s aerodynamics is only streamlined for head-on gusts, side winds may affect the mpg. Tail winds on the other hand are great.
Tire Pressure
Generally the maximum tire pressure will maximize mileage (Do not use the recommended tire pressure). Do some research to determine the maximum tire pressure and maintain it, checking it regularly and try not to let the pressure fall below maximum level.
Fuels
High octane gasoline actually provides less energy. Low octane gasoline is the best. There is slightly less energy in a gallon of high octane fuel, than low octane. If the engine is designed for high octane then higher octane fuel will result in higher performance (with full-open throttle), but not necessarily fuel cost savings, since the high-octane is only needed with the throttle fully open.
On The Drive – Acceleration
Never attempt to reach 60 mph as fast as possible because the hybrid is not designed as a maximum acceleration sport car. Accelerate moderately by feel, let the car accelerate smoothly.
In the event that a rapid acceleration is required (such as entering highways), stomp the gas and go. The battery power that runs in addition to the gasoline engine will lower fuel use as much as possible.
For highway cruising, the standard and usual best results are derived at approximately 55 mph.
On The Drive – Deceleration
For low mileage, the goal is to ‘glide’, ‘coast’ and apply ‘regenerative braking’ at every possible chance even at low traffic conditions.
Gliding – while traveling, avoid pressure on accelerator then slightly re-apply pressure momentarily. This technique can only work when the engines are completely warmed up.
Coasting – This technique is to lift your foot off the accelerator and yet do not apply any pressures on the brakes. Slight regenerative braking is applied and thus allows fuel saving.
Regenerative Braking – When braking, do not brake abruptly. Instead, hold down the brakes slowly but enough to stop at the point intended. The electric motors will now act as generators.
Mechanical Braking – Firmly stomp on the brakes. This does is the braking technique you want to avoid at all costs, well maybe not at all costs – you have to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting something or someone – but as much as you can.
Gear Selection
The gear selections should be appropriate as to uphill or downhill routes, and maintain cruising gear for cruising speed to reduce mileage. One important point is the B gear. The B gear should only be used when going a long downhill. B gear allows the engine to slow down without overuse of the brakes and overcharge of the batteries.
Air-conditioning
On hot days, the temperature of the air-con should be few degrees lower than outside temperature to keep air flowing into the car without much use of energies.
Maximum setting is strongly discouraged.
Prius Success
The hybrid vehicle industry is an increasingly massive one in the automotive world of today. This would not have been the case if the early hybrid vehicles had not achieved the response and success they received. A huge share of this is thanks to what many would fittingly call the symbol of hybrid vehicles, the Toyota Prius. First introduced in 1997 on Japanese roads, the Prius has achieved cult status worldwide after years of continuously broadening its spectrum of owners and as it grew with more technological advances crucial to the nature of hybrid vehicles throughout the years, more people grew in interest.
In December 1997, the brainchild of Toyota’s team of eco-friendly engineers which began research 3 years earlier was launched in Japan. As it grew in status and prove its reliability, it did not take long for the Prius to hit American and European shores. To be precise, that happened in 2001 but considering the fact that it was a car already three years into production with certain worries regarding the battery lifespan, many were skeptical and Toyota was in need of an overhaul. That did not take long because as early as 2004, the current generation of the Toyota Prius was introduced.
The new Prius was a hit as it reached the shores of over 40 countries worldwide, especially in Japan and North America as it convinced larger crowds to switch to its hybrid concept by not just promising but providing better fuel consumption, performance, space and killed worries about the lifespan of its batteries. Its success in luring and satisfying its buyers and owners led to sales passing the one million mark as of 2008.
Due to its success in technical and marketing aspects, the Toyota Prius has been recognized with a long list of awards throughout the years. Since its launch in 1997 right up till today, it has collected numerous ‘Car of the Year’ awards from a great number of magazines originating from a large variation of countries. That feat is toppled by its success in winning awards for its technological advancements which include the ‘Best Engineered Vehicle’ title awarded by the Society of Automotive Engineers in 2004 and ‘The World’s Greenest Car’ as named by the Swiss government after a draft study which included a list of more than 6000 cars.
In the Prius, Toyota has delivered and the response has since been overwhelming. Twenty years ago, a commercially available car which runs on both gasoline and batteries would be a laughable topic but as the environment status of the world changed together with the needs of the world’s people, Toyota has made this concept a reality which can be embraced by not just lab engineers but normal people who drive cars daily. From its grassroots more than a decade ago to where it stands now in the market and inside the fast pace of technological breakthroughs in the automotive industry, the Toyota Prius has proved to be one of the greatest cars of our time.