high mph then glide

[1993CivicVX]

Thanks for the link Larry. I only saw now that you posted. Haven't visited this thread in awhile. I've driven my mom's Prius quite a bit.

The article said: Most Prius drivers are delightedly familiar with "glide" or "stealth"
mode, where the car moves solely under electric power without the engine
running. Electric traction and the ability to bring the engine in and
out of play based on go-pedal demand is one of the major hallmarks of
such a hybrid system, and contributes to its ability to use very little
fuel at lower speeds with a foot technique called "pulse & glide". But
alas, this game seems to cease at 42 miles per hour, when the engine comes
on and stays on as long as the car is going faster than that. For most
people, mileage suffers somewhat since even at idle or lower power demand,
the engine is consuming *some* fuel. The concept of a good "glide" seems
to be inaccessible at those higher speeds.

The article says that after 42mph the engine comes on. Not always. I've elec motored up a hill up to 50mph with no engine. This was after going down a very long, winding hill where the battery pack was positively topped off. But other times I've gotten the prius to go over 42mph without the engine coming on. And as far as I know, when you take off the gas at any speed, the engine turns off, but you get the drag of the auto battery recharge (since the prius doesn't automatically go into neutral) Very interesting and informative article, tho. So when you put in neutral the ICE is running? Strange.