I understand when the energy display is indicating that current is flowing from the batt to mg2 and then on to power the car. What is actually happening when I can lightly touch the gas pedal, provide forward movement but no energy is flowing either from the batt. or the ice ref. the display? Is that another mode or a function of the display? If it is another mode (other than ev) how is it referenced?
Here's my suggestion: Go to http://www.chicagopriusgroup.com and click the FAQ link on the left. All the different power splits are described. I've intentionally tried to keep them non-technical.
using the " no arrows " is called gliding. You move with minimal electricity. it's as good as neutral. very useful on very slight downgrades.
Because Toyota didn't want to freak out drivers unfamiliar with a drive-by-wire system, they added a fake auto-tranny drag (no, I am not talking about a new Fox TV show). When you take your foot off the accelerator, they induce mild regenerative braking, so it feels like an automatic transmission slowing you down. When you press lightly on the accelerator, not enough to actually accelerate, but just enough to cancel the fake drag, you're gliding.
I usually tell people - to give them an impression of how to find the sweet-spot - that it's as if the Prius doesn't know if you're accelerating or easing up. So it neither induces the battery/ICE nor does it apply the regenerative braking. If you have an easy downhill run, you can hold this state for quite a long time. Bare in mind, however, that you can not maintain this state above 40 MPH.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Mar 16 2007, 02:05 AM) [snapback]406636[/snapback]</div> Thanks Bill sounds like a reasonable explanation. Greg
