Between the engine and transmission is an electric motor that makes up the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system. The motor’s primary function is to help the engine accelerate, eliminating the need for a bigger, less fuel-efficient engine. The vehicle can only be operated with an electric motor in sluggish, parking lot-style motion, and the electric motor initiates motion when the engine is idle and stopped. The electric motor transforms into a generator as the car slows down and brakes, producing electricity that is then re-stored in the battery. See the video to find out more.
Not all models may be covered by the content. For detailed information regarding your, refer to your owner’s handbook.
In This Article...
Can I operate my hybrid Honda Civic while the IMA light is on?
It’s probably time to change your hybrid battery when your IMA light illuminates. You can probably get away with driving your automobile in this condition for the time being, but there are certain risks, therefore we’d prefer you to be safe than sorry.
How durable are Honda IMA batteries?
The battery in your Honda hybrid is expected to last 6 to 10 years, or up to 100,000 miles. On Woodinville roads, other Honda hybrid battery options have a marginally longer lifespan of roughly 10 years or even closer to 150,000 miles.
What does the Honda Civic Hybrid’s IMA light mean?
The hybrid technology created especially for Honda hybrids is known as IMA, or Integrated Motor Assist. This indicator light typically indicates that you need to replace your entire battery or perform maintenance on your battery pack.
What occurs if the IMA battery fails?
Hybrid cars frequently include two batteries: the hybrid battery and a smaller battery that powers the vehicle’s electronics. It is still possible to drive even if the smaller battery is dead.
You have a far bigger issue, though, if your hybrid battery dies. You might be wondering, “Can I still drive the car if my hybrid battery dies? No, is the response. Whether you have a Ford Fusion or a Toyota Camry Hybrid, you won’t be able to start your car and use it until you fix or replace the battery.
What is the price of an IMA battery?
Honda used to be the magazine Consumer Reports’ favorite brand of car since all of its models consistently had testing results that were above average.
The 2012 Honda Civic was the first Civic we can recall that CR didn’t recommend, partly because of a redesign that was hurried to market to save money. This diminished the publication’s excitement for the Honda brand.
Consumer Reports has just reported that earlier Honda Civic Hybrid cars, which were previously thought to be trustworthy, may experience early high-voltage battery pack failures.
The Consumer Reports April edition takes a look at the dependability of hybrid vehicles, as Autoguide explains. In comparison to the competition, the earlier Honda Civic Hybrids, especially the 2009 model, fall short.
Nearly 20% of 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid owners needed a battery replacement during the course of a 12-month survey, compared to over 10% for 2003, 2004, and 2010 Civic Hybrid vehicles.
The price of replacing the battery that powers the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) technology for owners outside of warranty can range from $2,000 to $4,000. That’s a significant outlay for a non-luxury car that’s less than ten years old.
The IMA drive battery’s warranty has been extended via a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB), however Honda has not made an official remark on the subject.
While automobiles initially sold with an eight-year, 80,000-mile guarantee are now covered for nine years or 96,000 miles, cars originally offered with a ten-year, 100,000-mile warranty are now covered for eleven years or 137,000 miles.
The guarantee is also extended to customers who have already changed the drive batteries, but it is just for an additional three years or 36,000 miles.
The carmaker asserts that a software update (for Civic Hybrid vehicles built in 2006–2008) contributed to the IMA battery’s increased longevity, and it makes the commitment to “continue to give our customers with the most advanced technology as it becomes available.
Especially outside of the new and extended warranty coverage, that offers little consolation to the customers who have had to replace their IMA batteries.
How can I tell if the hybrid battery in my Civic is bad?
The battery in your hybrid automobile will eventually need to be replaced. But how will you know when it’s time to act? In any case, it’s critical that you are aware of the warning signals that a hybrid battery is failing. Because it’s obviously preferable to spend money on a replacement battery now rather than wait until your car is completely dead and could leave you stranded. Here, we’ll assist you in interpreting a few key signs.
First, your miles per gallon will definitely drop significantly (MPG). Your battery may be nearing the end of its useful life if you find yourself making more frequent excursions to the petrol station. Second, it’s possible that your battery isn’t keeping a charge as long as it formerly did. The final sign that it’s time to replace your hybrid battery is that your car may be making strange noises.
How much does it cost to replace the hybrid battery in a Honda Civic?
How much does a hybrid battery cost is the major query. The cost to replace a hybrid battery might vary greatly depending on the type or model, but on average it can be between $2,000 and $8,000.
Honda discontinued the Civic Hybrid for what reason?
The Honda Civic Hybrid tiny car was discontinued for what was probably a number of factors combined. Sales of hybrid vehicles were not boosted by low gas prices in the same way that they are now by high prices. The Civic Hybrid constantly had low sales, thus the manufacturer probably couldn’t afford releasing a new model while the 10th-generation Civic was being developed in 2016. We can assume that the new Civic Hybrid will do better today given the status of the market and the unabated rise in petrol costs.
What occurs if the battery in a Honda hybrid dies?
When a hybrid vehicle’s battery begins to fail, the vehicle’s fuel efficiency may suffer or its ability to hold a charge may be compromised. The automobile won’t start when the battery is entirely dead.
Can a Honda Civic hybrid be used without a battery?
There are several advantages to owning a hybrid car, with exceptional fuel efficiency being one of them. But the overriding truth of owning a hybrid is that, yes, you will eventually need to change its battery. A hybrid’s battery eventually reaches the end of its useful life, just like any other vehicle. What then do you do when that occurs? Of course you ought to spend money on a hybrid battery replacement. You might be curious, though, if a hybrid automobile can function without the hybrid battery before you can complete the installation. We’ll respond to that for you.
Both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor power hybrid vehicles, with the latter drawing power from the primary hybrid battery. Regenerative braking, which is the mechanism by which the vehicle’s kinetic energy is converted back to stored energy when the brakes are applied, keeps this battery charged and keeps the engine running. The benefits of increased fuel economy come from the reduced reliance on gasoline as a result.
Therefore, if the main hybrid battery in your car dies, you won’t be able to successfully drive it, as you can probably tell now that you understand how a hybrid vehicle functions. While you might initially consider using a 12-volt jumper to get the car started, you’ll quickly realize that the main, high-voltage battery is absolutely necessary for the vehicle to function properly. Therefore, working with a reputable business to replace your battery is the best course of action when your battery starts to fail.
Does it make sense to swap out a hybrid battery?
They might also inquire as to whether an investment in a hybrid battery is worthwhile. Hybrid batteries, on the other hand, won’t just save you money over time by lowering your trips to the petrol station; their longer lifespan also means you’ll spend less money on maintenance.
How much does a hybrid battery replacement cost?
Costs of Replacing Hybrid Batteries and Other Factors Hybrid battery repair costs can range from $2,000 to $8,000, but keep in mind that by the time a driver’s battery needs to be replaced, the majority of them have already sold their car.
Can you only use gas to power a hybrid?
A full hybrid can run without being plugged in and is self-sufficient. Instead, the combustion engine is used to refuel the battery. The only hybrid model that can only run on gas is this one. A mild hybrid vehicle always combines its combustion engine and electric motor.
High Voltage system repair costs may be more expensive.
Although hybrid cars may need less frequent maintenance, they can be expensive to repair when something goes wrong, especially if the high voltage system is involved. Depending on the battery type and the precise make and model of your vehicle, replacing a dead or damaged high voltage battery could cost thousands of dollars.
Hybrid vehicles are loaded with complicated parts in addition to the usual technology found in ICE vehicles, including massive high voltage battery packs, inverters, electric motors, and enhanced cooling systems. Hybrid repairs can be more expensive because of these intricate mechanisms, and not all mechanics have the tools and expertise to fix them correctly.
Fortunately, Firestone Complete Auto Care mechanics are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out everything from routine maintenance on hybrid cars to repairs to high voltage systems. Today, give your neighborhood Firestone Complete Auto Care a call to see if they provide these high voltage system repairs.
They may have a higher upfront cost.
You might have to pay more up front when converting to a hybrid car. Despite a decreasing sales price range, these vehicles frequently continue to be more expensive than ICE-only equivalents. Fortunately, you might be able to use tax breaks, government incentives, cheaper operational costs, and fuel savings to offset this upfront investment.
They may have less power when compared to standard ICE vehicles.
Hybrid cars are rarely made for racecar-like acceleration and speed; instead, they are produced for fewer CO2 emissions and better fuel efficiency. Conventional automobiles frequently forego a lot of the performance upgrades that affect maximum horsepower.
For instance, space and dimensions are often modified as hybrid cars have two propulsion options. The result: Hybrid vehicles frequently accelerate more slowly at the high end than their conventional counterparts.