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Yuma

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have read so many posts about the affects of cold weather on the RAV4 hybrid (hybrids in general).
Are there any issues with hot climates? One possible concern is Lithium-Ion batteries expanding. I know there are a few RAVs sold in the desert southwest, so any issues or concerns?
How is mpg affected (other than using the A/C a lot)?
I have a deposit on a 2022 Japanese Limited edition so I'm wanting to make sure I won't have any regrets.
Thanks in advance.
 
#2 ·
Yuma said:
I have read so many posts about the affects of cold weather on the RAV4 hybrid (hybrids in general).
Are there any issues with hot climates? One possible concern is Lithium-Ion batteries expanding. I know there are a few RAVs sold in the desert southwest, so any issues or concerns?
How is mpg affected (other than using the A/C a lot)?
I have a deposit on a 2022 Japanese Limited edition so I'm wanting to make sure I won't have any regrets.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
You won’t.. Seen well over 100f no problems. Look around I’m sure you’ll see EVs everywhere? Although ideally for the best mpg 45+Moderate temps are best because you don’t need to use the a/c or heat.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
tmel88 said:
You won’t.. Seen well over 100f no problems. Look around I’m sure you’ll see EVs everywhere? Although ideally for the best mpg 45+Moderate temps are best because you don’t need to use the a/c or heat.
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Really don't see a lot of EVs in my area. We can get to 150°+ inside a car when parked. So that is why I ask, too. Thanks for the reassuring reply.
 
#4 ·
Yuma said:
Really don't see a lot of EVs in my area. We can get to 150°+ inside a car when parked. So that is why I ask, too. Thanks for the reassuring reply.
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NC and we do see 100F+. Not AZ but then we still have water. No issues with heat in three years. I did order in white and I keep it mostly under a roof.
 
#5 ·
SC we see 100 often including just a few days ago, and I was in the Phoenix metro prior for years with my Prius. I had zero issues. Just make sure to keep your battery fan vent clear. It’s as simple as vacuuming every couple months or every oil change. Helps provide proper ventilation to keep the battery cool.
 
#6 ·
North Texas we see heat 100+ with humidity. No problems. MPG drops a little due to A/C running more but still get 40+MPG on my 2019 XSE hybrid. It does get hotter in the cabin so the Pano Roof or sunroof does help pull the hot air out when you open it at a tilt when first driving. The other thing we did on both our XSEs was have the Xpel film put on the inside to the windshield to reduce the Infrared and UV sunlight from heating the interior as much. It has helped. We are talking about having all the windows done.
 
#7 ·
mikefocke said:
NC and we do see 100F+. Not AZ but then we still have water. No issues with heat in three years. I did order in white and I keep it mostly under a roof.
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Don't all the 19's have Nimh batteries? I thought they switched to Lion for upper trims in 20/21. What he'll be ordering with have Lithium battery.
 
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#10 ·
South Florida J Vinn XSE with A/C on auto set to 72 degrees most of the year. I have a about 200LBS of gear with me at all times, roof racks, mud flaps, factory Dunlop tires at 35PSI. I drive mostly highway about 70MPH. I drive smoothly in Eco and get about 38MPG. I have a nickel metal hydride battery. I have ceramic tint on all windows + vent visors.
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Thank you all who replied. I feel a little better. I have had Lithium-Ion batteries go bad inside my truck here. And, yes it can reach 150°+ inside a car here if you leave it out in the sun without lowering the windows a little. I was also worried about the mpg and a few of you calmed my concerns. I will be happy with 35~38 mpg. My current RAV4 gets about 22~28 mpg.

Yuma,
 
#13 ·
Yuma said:
Thank you all who replied. I feel a little better. I have had Lithium-Ion batteries go bad inside my truck here. And, yes it can reach 150°+ inside a car here if you leave it out in the sun without lowering the windows a little. I was also worried about the mpg and a few of you calmed my concerns. I will be happy with 35~38 mpg. My current RAV4 gets about 22~28 mpg.

Yuma,
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Agreed about Lithium Ion batteries and heat. I do not leave my jump pack in my car for most of the year because of this. Kind of defeats the purpose of having one. When they become available, I will research a lithium polymer jump pack, I hear they do better in high heat? So far, I have not heard of any issues with Toyota's LION packs in high heat. Perhaps check at Prius Chat as the Prius has been using LION packs longer than the Rav4H?
 
#14 ·
A fun thing to know about driving a hybrid in Arizona: Around-town gas mileage is incredible. The 35-45 MPH speed limits really work for the hybrid system. I regularly get over 40 MPG on trips around town. However, highway mileage is way below advertised. The average highway speed on the I10 has to be around 80-85 mph and the wind resistance at those speeds keeps my MPG below 35 on most highway trips.
 
#15 ·
Yuma said:
And, yes it can reach 150°+ inside a car here if you leave it out in the sun without lowering the windows a little.

Yuma,
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Even when it is 90 degrees outside and a car is parked in the sun, the temperature inside the car can easily rise to 125-130 degrees F or higher.

The air conditioner systems on Toyota vehicles are set to default to recirculate mode when the outside temperatures are above around 75 degrees F. If it is 90 degrees outside, that means that the AC system is recirculating and trying to cool 125 degree air. The inside of the car, thus, will cool off more quickly if, under those conditions, you manually switch to fresh air mode because the AC system will then be cooling off 90 degree air and not 125 degree air.

Once the inside of the car has cooled off, there will be marginal fuel economy benefit to using recirculate mode, but, when the AC is just starting to cool off the 125 degree air in the car, it will have to work harder than it would have to work in fresh air mode. (I also find that using recirculate mode all the time quickly results in "stale" air inside the car.

RAVettel said:
However, highway mileage is way below advertised. The average highway speed on the I10 has to be around 80-85 mph and the wind resistance at those speeds keeps my MPG below 35 on most highway trips.
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I've read that, at speeds of around 80 mph, the RAV4 Hybrid will not be using electric power at all. Thus, at those speeds, you are essentially no longer driving a hybrid vehicle. And, not only is the ICE being used as the sole source of power, but fuel economy is made even worse because the vehicle is still carrying around the heavy hybrid battery even though it isn't being used at all to power the vehicle.
 
#16 · (Edited)
lesz said:
Even when it is 90 degrees outside and a car is parked in the sun, the temperature inside the car can easily rise to 125-130 degrees F or higher.

The air conditioner systems on Toyota vehicles are set to default to recirculate mode when the outside temperatures are above around 75 degrees F. If it is 90 degrees outside, that means that the AC system is recirculating and trying to cool 125 degree air. The inside of the car, thus, will cool off more quickly if, under those conditions, you manually switch to fresh air mode because the AC system will then be cooling off 90 degree air and not 125 degree air.

Once the inside of the car has cooled off, there will be marginal fuel economy benefit to using recirculate mode, but, when the AC is just starting to cool off the 125 degree air in the car, it will have to work harder than it would have to work in fresh air mode. (I also find that using recirculate mode all the time quickly results in "stale" air inside the car.
Click to expand...
In Florida, I open my windows wide open with the A/C on auto for the first few minutes of driving. The built up cabin air escapes quickly this way.

Also, I had ceramic tint installed on all windows. In addition to keeping the car cooler, perhaps it will slightly protect/extend the life of both batteries, who knows? Certainly does not hurt and keeps the car somewhat cooler when parked.
 
#18 ·
One other thing to consider, get one of those silver mylar(?) front window sun shade covers, you install, on the inside, when you park your car.
Especially if you park facing the sun. They will keep the interior of your car much cooler. I always tried to park under a tree, when I had a rental car, in Las Vegas. Then I would drive out to Red Rocks for rock climbing, or just hiking around.
 
#19 ·
lesz said:
Even when it is 90 degrees outside and a car is parked in the sun, the temperature inside the car can easily rise to 125-130 degrees F or higher.

The air conditioner systems on Toyota vehicles are set to default to recirculate mode when the outside temperatures are above around 75 degrees F. If it is 90 degrees outside, that means that the AC system is recirculating and trying to cool 125 degree air. The inside of the car, thus, will cool off more quickly if, under those conditions, you manually switch to fresh air mode because the AC system will then be cooling off 90 degree air and not 125 degree air.

Once the inside of the car has cooled off, there will be marginal fuel economy benefit to using recirculate mode, but, when the AC is just starting to cool off the 125 degree air in the car, it will have to work harder than it would have to work in fresh air mode. (I also find that using recirculate mode all the time quickly results in "stale" air inside the car.



I've read that, at speeds of around 80 mph, the RAV4 Hybrid will not be using electric power at all. Thus, at those speeds, you are essentially no longer driving a hybrid vehicle. And, not only is the ICE being used as the sole source of power, but fuel economy is made even worse because the vehicle is still carrying around the heavy hybrid battery even though it isn't being used at all to power the vehicle.
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Even at speeds around 80 mph the hybrid system is still doing it's thing. MG2 speed will vary in an effort to operate the ICE at it's optimum efficient RPM through the e CVT. While power transfer remains steady on level roads at constant speeds, in hilly areas or when speeds are varied there is a frequent transfer of power between ICE, MGs and traction battery in order to maintain desired efficiency. While the hybrid RAV4 is approx. 10% heavier than it's ICE counterpart the highway fuel economy is still rated 5 mpg higher than ICE model and no reason why this should change as speed increases. Our RAV4 H spends about 75% of it's mileage averaging 75mph with a fuel economy of 36mpg.
 
#20 ·
lesz said:
I've read that, at speeds of around 80 mph, the RAV4 Hybrid will not be using electric power at all. Thus, at those speeds, you are essentially no longer driving a hybrid vehicle. And, not only is the ICE being used as the sole source of power, but fuel economy is made even worse because the vehicle is still carrying around the heavy hybrid battery even though it isn't being used at all to power the vehicle.
Click to expand...
The ICE is the sole source of power regardless. If the electric drive isn't cycling in and out, it is because the ICE is already within the peak efficiency area of the speed/power map. Wind resistance at higher speeds has a much bigger impact on fuel economy than load.
 
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