2010 Honda Civic Hybrid
Nearly 100,000 Honda Civic Hybrids in North America need a software update to prevent their hybrid batteries from deteriorating or failing, American Honda Motor Co. said.
Some hybrid owners who have received the upgrade notice are concerned that the fix will undermine the car’s fuel economy, the main reason people buy hybrids. The cause for concern: The consumer message from Honda tells owners that when the software is upgraded, the vehicle’s gasoline engine – which is designed to save fuel by shutting down when the car stops in traffic or at an intersection – will restart sooner than it did before. Also, the system will reserve more battery power as a vehicle’s speed increases.
The Civic Hybrid owners have been notified directly of the “product update” based on problems experienced by drivers in hot weather during frequent stop-and-go driving, with the air-conditioning on.
“Your vehicle’s integrated motor assist (IMA) battery may deteriorate and eventually fail before its normal usable life is reached,” the notice from Honda warns.
“I’m nervous about something pitched as an upgrade that would degrade the basic value of a hybrid purchase, which is to reduce the amount of gasoline you’re using,” said James Rowen of Milwaukee, who owns a 2006 Civic Hybrid. “I’m not convinced with the explanations that it won’t be a loss of fuel economy.”
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