Interesting article into how are hybrid system operates

[berry802]

I posed a question in the maintenance section in reference to the electric motor / K0 clutch housing and the maintenance required in the future (oil change interval/type)Electric motor maintenance question .

After digging around looking for answers I came across the article below about the Tundra hybrid system (similar to ours w/different engine), and while it did not answer my question it did educate me on how our system operates. Being this is my first hybrid it was a worthwhile read.


The rebirth of the parallel hybrid powertrain

 

[Nuke]

Great article! Two things which bother me are the relays to switch power on/off, and a starter with a mandatory service life. Good grief, this day & age there are solid-state devices to replace mechanical relays.

 

[MJE]

Great article! Two things which bother me are the relays to switch power on/off, and a starter with a mandatory service life. Good grief, this day & age there are solid-state devices to replace mechanical relays.

I didn’t catch the part about the relays. I did see the starter life though. 384,000 starting events. I wonder what that translates to in an expected service life? The last time I had to replace a starter in a vehicle it was a 90s Chevy truck that was about 9 years old at that point. Could that many starting events, even with this on/off stuff nowadays, give a decade of service life? About what you used to expect from one anyways?

 

[TheBat]

I didn’t catch the part about the relays. I did see the starter life though. 384,000 starting events. I wonder what that translates to in an expected service life? The last time I had to replace a starter in a vehicle it was a 90s Chevy truck that was about 9 years old at that point. Could that many starting events, even with this on/off stuff nowadays, give a decade of service life? About what you used to expect from one anyways?

It kind of sounds like you could just reset the counter and carry on when you reach 384,000 if you wanted to roll the dice. Or at least by then someone will have figured out the hack to do something like that.

 

[TheBat]

Great article! I'm not sure how the Tundra operates but the description of moving under motor power until 25 mph when the engine kicks in is certainly not how the LC operates. Unless that is a theoretical max speed on motor alone, either way it makes sense that there would be some differences from the Tundra.

 

[rickc5]

Great article! I'm not sure how the Tundra operates but the description of moving under motor power until 25 mph when the engine kicks in is certainly not how the LC operates. Unless that is a theoretical max speed on motor alone, either way it makes sense that there would be some differences from the Tundra.

Agree that the LC doesn't work like that. If you're sensitive to slight bumps, you can actually feel the gas engine kick in as soon as the LC starts moving from a dead stop. You can really feel the gas engine shutting off as you almost come to a dead stop--kind of a bump.

 

[Tripod1404]

I didn’t catch the part about the relays. I did see the starter life though. 384,000 starting events. I wonder what that translates to in an expected service life? The last time I had to replace a starter in a vehicle it was a 90s Chevy truck that was about 9 years old at that point. Could that many starting events, even with this on/off stuff nowadays, give a decade of service life? About what you used to expect from one anyways?

Probably forever. 384,000 starting events is for the backup starter, which is only used if there is an issue with the hybrid system or if it is unavailable for some reason. Even if we say the regular stater is used 5 times per day (where the actual number is probably 0), it will last 210 years.

 

[MJE]

Probably forever. 384,000 starting events is for the backup starter, which is only used if there is an issue with the hybrid system or if it is unavailable for some reason. Even if we say the regular stater is used 5 times per day (where the actual number is probably 0), it will last 210 years.

I like your logic & way of thinking. i did notice though that the 12V starter is also used in temps below 5F. That’s too often here. But I agree, realistically even if it was used at every stoplight on your commute (where the cold would likely disable the auto start/stop anyways) you’re still likely beyond the expected vehicle life.

I think if I was to be worried about this starter failing, I’d need to be more worried about eventual hybrid battery failure (not sure if the truck would continue to operate as a non-hybrid in that scenario). Even then I’m not too worried about that given how long Toyota has been doing hybrids. Undoubtedly some will run into the error scenario, then I think it’s as Bat said. You can reset the light & take your chances if you wish.

 

[Valsmere]

Interesting article, thank you for sharing. I was a little nervous purchasing my 58. I’m not a big fan of being an early adopter of a new, first year model. However remembering that I had a first year FJ and she was solid. Also realizing that the Land Cruiser is THE flag ship model for a Toyota SUV and that Toyota wouldn’t mess with that I expect our Cruisers to be around for a long long time. Maybe I’m being naive, most likely not, there are high expectations for these suvs. At the end of the day only time will tell, I have faith. Meanwhile I’m enjoying the hell out of my new ride!

 

[Captain Trips]

Here is Toyota video talking about they’re explaining the iforce max

 

[Valsmere]

Here is Toyota video talking about they’re explaining the iforce max

Oh cool thanks for the post! I will check it out.

 

[HarvLC]

Agree that the LC doesn't work like that. If you're sensitive to slight bumps, you can actually feel the gas engine kick in as soon as the LC starts moving from a dead stop. You can really feel the gas engine shutting off as you almost come to a dead stop--kind of a bump.

My LC starts the gas engine upon my applying a certain amount of throttle. It is not merely based on the vehicle moving. Stopped and with the engine having shut off, I can release the brake and the vehicle will roll using the electric motor. Sometimes I can apply the slightest bit of throttle and continue to move forward via the electric motor. But typically, the gas engine starts as I’m easing into the throttle.