I really enjoy your show and I have learned a lot from your videos. I have a somewhat obscure car (a 2018 Honda Clarity PHEV) that I would like to max out in terms of life expectancy. As it stands right now, this vehicle is my daily commuter car (28 miles round trip). I don't usually deplete the battery below 25%. I get the engine oil changed every 4 months, regardless of how the car is driven. The brake pads are still at 70% after three years. I almost never run the heater or air conditioner. This car never gets driven above 70 MPH. On longer drives, I do engage "hybrid mode" but I also choose "avoid highways" on the GPS. The power utilization is below three dots for most of my commute.
Given these circumstances, how long do you think this car will last?
Thanks!
This car has 44k miles. The transmission is the "two traction motor, push-button automatic" variety. It has a 1.5L inline 4 mated to a 17 kilowatt battery pack.
how long do you think this car will last?
it's impossible to say with any meaningful accuracy. Too many variables. Just do the best you can.
I don't usually deplete the battery below 25%
Did Honda recommend that? Lithum-ion batteries don't really suffer from deep discharge like lead-acid ones do.
I get the engine oil changed every 4 months, regardless of how the car is driven
Overkill. 1yr/5,000 miles is fine.
The brake pads are still at 70% after three years.
Does the car have regenerative braking? That's probably why.
I almost never run the heater or air conditioner.
Why? Don't do that. The A/C needs to be run regularly or it'll dry up, fail, and cost you thousands of dollars.
Use the heat as much as you need. What will sitting there freezing accomplish? If you underuse things, they tend to atrophy and seize up.
This car never gets driven above 70 MPH .... I also choose "avoid highways" on the GPS
Again, bad idea. Cars need to be driven fast once in a while. And highway driving is much better for the engine. Slow, stop-and-go, city driving causes 10x more wear. (Scotty has mentioned this numerous times in his videos)
It's a car, not a piano, so drive it like one. No need to suck ALL the fun out it.
Thanks, Mountain Man!
If maintained properly it should last until the battery pack dies, after which replacement will likely be uneconomical.
1. Maintain it per the manufacturer's specifications
2. Drive it normally and don't hyper mile everywhere
3. Hope for the best
As @mmj said, don't take all the fun out of your driving experience. Enjoy your car! Worry about other things that actually need your attention.
It will depend on how you take care of it. Don't drive like a maniac and change the oil and transmission fluid at the recommended mileage. Also check your owner's manual and see what part needs to be replaced or checked at what mileage.
Because it's a hybrid, when the batteries break they will cost a small fortune in repairs.
My assumption is that Honda quality is similar to Toyota quality for the hybrid.
Assuming you do the basic maintenance for the vehicle.
My Prius went 275,000 miles / 17 years before needing the battery replaced.
And worst case Prius batteries I have read about needed replacing around 175,000 miles / ~12 years.
And I believe the warranty is 150,000 miles and 10 years for the Prius? I conjecture Honda has a similar warranty. Give or take some miles or years.
I think these are relatively good low and high estimates to go by.
