More of CR's test results of Hybrids and EVs:
One of the primary questions drivers have about EVs is how long do their batteries last, and how much would a replacement cost in the future. We share our expert information on if electric car batteries are expensive to replace, as well as: where more expensive tires wear slower than cheaper alternatives; why a car in Europe might have a better warranty or more features than its US counterpart; warranty coverage for 48V mild hybrid batteries; whether standard, gas-powered vehicles lose range in cold weather like all-electric cars; and how to change the radio station preset on the 2023 Honda CR-V.
LINKS
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What Happens to the Old Batteries in Electric Cars?
Will an Electric Car Save You Money?
How Temperatures Affects Electric Vehicle Range
Best Tire Values Based on Consumer Reports’ Tests
Best Tire Brands of 2023
How Well Can an Electric Pickup Truck Tow?
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SHOW NOTES
00:00 – Introduction
00:45 – Question #1: Are EV batteries expensive to replace?
05:11 – Question #2: Why does it seem that European countries have better car warranties and features than the US?
09:14 – Question #3: How can you tell whether a tire will retain good performance over the its life?
12:40 – Question #4: What are the warranty coverages like for 48V mild hybrid batteries?
17:06 – Question #5: Is the drop in range on an EV in cold weather about the same as gas-powered vehicles?
22:10 – Question #6: Is it possible to delete a radio station preset from the favorites list on a 2023 Honda CR-V?
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You talked about some AC systems were stronger than others. What brand of cars or models of cars have the best AC cooling systems
Story time: When Toyota tried to enter Hong Kongese and Taiwanese market, back in the 50s and 60s. they couldn’t find good traction to compete with the established companies like the MGs and the Fords especially given the WW2 memories. Then Toyota researched and realized the best penetrating point to the markets are with better AC systems in those living holes (if you’ve been there during hot summer you will not disagree), long story short, it worked. And if an AC system is good enough for Hong Kong or Taiwan, chances are it will work just fine anywhere else.
I would think that switching from all season to winter/snow tires would reduce fuel mileage at least a few miles per gallon.
It does! My RAV4 Hybrid goes from 42 mpg to 35 mpg with snow tires & cold temps.
I’m also curious to know if he’s driving in snow during that time. snows terrible rolling resistance can have a huge effect on efficiency.
Jennifer, Don’t worry about being ‘disparaging’ 7:18 towards car manufacturers. The last time I checked, CR/Consumer Union was an organization focused on advocating for people in their struggle against the galloping mendacity of shameless corporations and their legislative lackeys. Has that mission statement changed? 🤔
Canada and Europe have more features but the cars are more expensive there too. Do you want more standard safety features, easy, you get them with a higher starting price for the car.
Having lived in the US, 75 miles from Canada’s largest city (which we visited often), I can tell you that our climate was no different.
Don’t people know about this wonderful source of information on their car…THE OWNERS MANUAL!!!!
Not all new cars come with an Owner’s Manual.
For the EV question, Recurrent is trying to address EV resale questions along with the battery life left.
Regarding mpg differences in summer vs. winter, what about states like CA that run different gasoline blends (or maybe all states do)? I think they add ethanol to the summer blend, which lowers mpg’s (ethanol has less specific energy than gasoline so you go less distance per gallon the more ethanol you add to the gasoline.) Or do I have this wrong?
Yes, gasoline fuels blended with ethanol do yield lower MPG.
EV’s have been around almost as long as ICE ‘s, not 10 years. In fact Edison stated that the day of ICE’s was over – and he said that around 1910.
Those vintage electric cars were wildly different form modern electric cars, they used DC motors powered by lead acid batteries, speed control is archived by either a variable resistor or battery disconnects. The modern electric car architecture of converting DC power from the battery into AC with inverters then drive AC motors by varying the AC frequency to control the speed really started with the GM EV1.
A friend’s 2016 Hyundai Accent just had the engine fail at 90k miles, just out of warranty, and they wanted 7 grand for a replacement engine…
Hyundai’s power train warranty, at least here in the US, is 10 years or 100,000 miles. Including for subsequent owners.
I don’t know about all Hyundias but my 2018 sonata I bought new and due to Hyundias class action lawsuit I got a written lifetime warranty on the motor from Hyundia motor corporation. Mine doesn’t us any oil but if it started I would trade it. I religiously have the dealership change the oil.
Our “rear seat dummies” are the citizens of the USA! Thank you Jen and CR for having our backs.
This past winter, I averaged a drop of 4% in MPG driving my 2018 Ford Focus ST. This area in Ohio does not get heavy snowfall, so the car was equipped with Michelin Pilot Alpin P5 tires (Performance Winter Tires). IMHO, that drop was minimal, considering the cold dense air, ethanol-blended gasoline, and the said tires. I did not sit in the car any longer, as I always wait one minute before I get going. That is plenty of time to turn on the defrosters and the heated seats, and the steering wheel. Of course, once I get going, I drive the car very gingerly, regardless of the season. The powertrain will warm up way faster if you start instead of sitting there doing nothing but burning gasoline and adding wear to the lubricants.
Yes, every gallon of gasoline burned produces approximately 1 gallon of water (with acidic components). The blow-by (passed the piston rings) gasses (acidic water vapor) come into contact with the cold oil and condense. Nasty business. Drive it asap so the rings fit better and the oil gets hotter. Less condensation kin the oil..
I am unconvinced that all manufacturers using a 48V mild hybrid battery will apply a long term 8 yr 100K mile warranty. I agree with the suggestion to consult the service department, but of course most 48V battery systems are too young to have required replacement unless an anomaly has occurred— so even the service department is quite possibly unaware of the true long term warranty situation.
BTW, the owner’s manual isn’t much help, and as far as being included under emissions requirements, the 48V system accounts for perhaps 1mpg so is not perhaps sufficient to trigger legal emission requirements on the 48V battery?
Those 48V batteries are very expensive and Mercedes I’ve seen some lawsuits with the 48V batteries failing.
Any thoughts on the cost of drive restoration following activation of the HV isolation devices?For VW MEB platform, about $8000 as battery must be removed & opened. 22 hour job.
In cold climates this is why you want an Engine Block Heater. Probably will only benefit you when you are at home.
I love the show, and never miss it, but I was disappointed in the dithering over EV batteries.
I’m no EV fanboy, but everything I’ve heard indicates they’re reliable well past 100,000 miles. It sounded like, sure some fail, but there’s always warranties, so if yours fails, you’ll be ok, but then ICE engines fail, so don’t expect too much from EVs, etc. How about a straightforward answer?
Very good. Quality straight info.
There is a way to delete radio presets….disconnect the battery! (at least this works in my Honda) I don’t recommend this because you will probably have to enter a code to get the radio working again. CU’s recommendation is much better.
The question about losing mpg at a rate of 32% isn’t just “aggressive”, its ridiculous. I have NEVER noticed a difference in MPG between summer and winter, because the cold in the winter is offset by the air-conditioning in the summer.