Range indicator malfunction in Driver Information interface

[johncl]

I bought my 2018 Clarity plug-in hybrid in December 2017, and everything was smooth until a couple of days ago. Immediately when I filled it up with gas, the Range selection in the Driver information interface, (DII), set itself to 999, which is impossible.

The EV indicator display part is correct, but the HV display part read 999, and the Total range miles reflected that error. The A and B trip odometers, fuel indicator gauge are also fine.

Curious if anyone else has experienced a similar issue.

I will call Honda tomorrow and see if there is some kind of reset for the DII that I can do to set things right, without resetting all my other settings

[darthpuppy]

I noticed that upon my first fill up, it indicated my HV range would be about 500 miles. I think it is doing too simplistic of a straight line forecast based on miles accomplished over the last tank full. Since I recharge a bunch of times and only used 3.5 gallons for 350 miles of driving, it thinks I can go a really long range on my tank, which I can assuming I can recharge the way I've been doing. So that 'range' indicated on the display would not be the true range I can continuously drive before needing to refuel. I think it is calculating and presenting a different data point than what we are expecting to be displayed there. Having this data point is good to know, but knowing how far you can really go on your present battery and fuel tank is more important. So I hope they get this straightened out quickly.

[Seachange01]

Hi,
So I could be wrong, but I am fairly confident that I am having the same issue, and that I can understand how the Clarity is arriving at its number.
I do almost all of my driving each day under "electric only" power...So as far as the car is concerned I have a GREAT MPG average. (its currently over 160).
Based on that, and the fact that our tanks hold about 7 gallons... it is simply multiplying my current MPG average x the 7 gallons of gas and then adding 1 charge worth of "electric only" miles and calling that number the range... so, in my case.... (7 x 160) + 41 = over 999 which is what it is displaying.
It used to be lower when my MPG figure was still rising due to the low miles I had done in the car, but the more I drive, the higher that MPG climbs due to almost all my driving being on electricity.
I hope that at least explains the car's math workings... and yes, definitely too simplified in it's calculations of range. There is no way I am getting 999+ MPG out of 1 charge and 1 tank full of gas
Thanks,
Alan.
PS... I still love the car though!!

[darthpuppy]

Yes this doesn't change how much I like the car. It just renders that range display rather misleading. At least the EV range portion is useful.

Hopefully they have a fix for this soon.

[johncl]

I noticed that upon my first fill up, it indicated my HV range would be about 500 miles. I think it is doing too simplistic of a straight line forecast based on miles accomplished over the last tank full. Since I recharge a bunch of times and only used 3.5 gallons for 350 miles of driving, it thinks I can go a really long range on my tank, which I can assuming I can recharge the way I've been doing. So that 'range' indicated on the display would not be the true range I can continuously drive before needing to refuel. I think it is calculating and presenting a different data point than what we are expecting to be displayed there. Having this data point is good to know, but knowing how far you can really go on your present battery and fuel tank is more important. So I hope they get this straightened out quickly.

while 500 is an overestimation, the 999 I got after the fill up is a glitch. While the HV odometer does count down when in use, when I subsequently filled it up again, the HV odometer didn't readjust, but stayed at the then current mile estimate of 805.

Called Honda in Torrance California, and my dealier, and they are getting their technicians to analyze the situation.

I am hoping that when I utilize the gasoline HV portion and it gets down to below 500, the estimate will readjust to more realistic levels.

At least the Fuel Guage indicator works, and all the other odometers are functioning correctly.

I will post any response I get from Honda on this

[johncl]

Yes this doesn't change how much I like the car. It just renders that range display rather misleading. At least the EV range portion is useful.

Hopefully they have a fix for this soon.

Don't get me wrong, I really like this car also. The pluses as far as I am concerned outweigh the few negatives I have.

[darthpuppy]

Ditto. And while my ICEV's have had a range display available for a long time, I've never used them or paid any attention to them. Instead I just work off of the fuel gauge. However, for my Leaf, I pay close attention to the range indicator and battery level. For the clarity, knowing the EV range is useful for deciding whether to run in HV or pure EV. But I really don't see any real need for the combined range info unless I'm planning a trip through long stretches of nothingness and the next gas opportunity won't be for xx miles. And that is really rare for me.

[Cay]

Mine said 422 miles of range when I drove it off the lot (47 battery plus the rest gas from a full tank). Now, 500 miles later, it still says well over the 340 max range it is supposed to have when the battery is charged. I've only used about 2 gallons of gas, so not sure if it will sort itself out after I empty and then refill the tank. The dealer wasn't sure, but thought it would calibrate itself over time.

Interestingly, I've noticed that since the second charge, I've never gotten the battery to read 47 miles range again. Now it says fully charged between 39 and 44 miles, which is a bit annoying as that is potentially a substantial loss of range if it only charges to 39. Was wondering if it mattered whether it was on HV, normal or ECO mode when charging, but haven't noticed a difference between when it charges to 44 and when to 39.

I'm taking it on a 400 mile roadtrip over a weekend at the end of the month and I'm curious to see what my actual range turns out to be.

Cay

[DucRider]

Interestingly, I've noticed that since the second charge, I've never gotten the battery to read 47 miles range again. Now it says fully charged between 39 and 44 miles, which is a bit annoying as that is potentially a substantial loss of range if it only charges to 39. Was wondering if it mattered whether it was on HV, normal or ECO mode when charging, but haven't noticed a difference between when it charges to 44 and when to 39.
Cay

Cay, the 47 miles is an estimate based on a specific set of test cycles and is an average of city and hwy tests (conducted at about 70 degrees). Real world driving will usually yield different results, and the range displayed after a charge reflects recent driving history. The major hits to range are cold and speed. Both also affect ICE vehicles, but most people don't pay much attention to the range to empty, but look at the fuel gauge.

It is not unusual to get 60% of the rated EV range in winter, but in mild weather you can often easily exceed the EPA rating.

Reports also seem to indicate the Clarity is very sensitive to speeds above the EPA tested 60 mph.

[darthpuppy]

I don't believe the different modes would affect how it charges. However, driving in Econ, Normal or Sport would make a difference in how efficient you are driving. And that driving history is used in estimating the range you can expect on EV only. My Nissan Leaf has display that shows the miles per KWH that you are achieving. Aggressive driving lowers that number. And that number x the available battery charge roughly provides the EV range. And as noted, cold weather also significantly lowers that number.