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Yes, you can service hybrid vehicles

When a hybrid vehicle rolls into your shop, will you send it back to the dealer for service or repairs and miss the chance to establish a new customers Or will you learn to adapt to-and even embrace-the new technology?

For the last couple of years or so, hybrid vehicles have been quietly and efficiently rolling along American highways and down city streets. Few in numbers at first-now gaining in popularity-these vehicles present a big question for independent repair shops: Should you try to service these vehicles or fix them when they break, laden as they are with -different" technology, or take the safe way out and direct those drivers to "take it back to the dealer"?

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The apparent hesitancy of some shops to service these new vehicles is based on several factors. First is the safety issue-the fear that a highvoltage electrical motor, drive and storage system lurk beneath the hood, just waiting to electrocute the technician who foolishly disturbs the Deadly Orange Harness Serpent of Death.

I've been in touch with technicians who say they won't service these vehicles because of the danger in the high-voltage systems they carry. This fear no doubt stems from their not knowing about or understanding the high-voltage electrical system of these vehicles, never having had the opportunity to be around one. This fear will be overcome by exposure, education and training, as these vehicles become more commonplace. The answer to the safety issue, as will be explained, is to simply "shut it off,"

Another reason techs don't seem anxious to jump headlong into hybrid vehicle service and repair is the myth that the entire vehicle is constructed from advanced, exotic materials and components that are operated by complex systems that only a NASA scientist could understand. Nothing could be further from the truth. Most of the vehicles' components are conventional parts, and much of the repair can be done to these vehicles by treating them as you would any other vehicle.

While you'll probably want to stay away from major work on the hybrid electrical system until you've received adequate training, other systems, such as the suspension and wheels, brakes, lighting and body electrical, are all serviceable. It's best to think of these vehicles as being powered by conventional internal combustion engines that burn gasoline-and just happen to have an electric motor, as well, to assist propulsion.

Why Do We Need Hybrids?

Environmental concerns, such as greenhouse gases from exhaust emissions and the high use of petroleum-based fuels, mandate that we find ways to keep the environment clean. To do so, automakers must find ways to make vehicles operate on less fuel, more efficient fuels and cleaner fuels. Economics factors, like the dependency of the U.S. on foreign oil, force the ingenuity of automakers to provide us with more fuel-efficient propulsion systems.

Much progress has been touted in the automotive press on fuel cells-- those magic boxes that turn hydrogen atoms into electrical energy to drive the vehicle, leaving only water vapor as a waste product. However, fuel cells are far from being perfected and are very expensive to build. Experts say the cost of building fuel cells will go down with mass production. The "Catch-22" is that mass production of fuel cells won't begin until the cost of building them goes down. So, until fuel cells are perfected and become practical and economically sound, hybrids are our best transitional solution.

Existing Hybrid Vehicles

Currently, three hybrid vehicles are available to U.S. drivers-the Honda Insight and Civic, and the Toyota Prius. The 2000 Honda Insight was the first hybrid to hit the domestic scene, showing up in late 1999. Its sleek, low-slung design is highly recognizable. Built with lots of aluminum components, the techno two-water weighs less than a ton. There are about 10,000 currently on the road.

Next to arrive, in mid-2000, was the

2001 Toyota Prius. A small four-door sedan, the Prius looks more like a typical small Asian car. Nearly 30,000 copies have been sold in the U.S.

The latest addition to the U.S. hybrid fleet is Honda's popular Civic with a hybrid system under the bonnet. It's expected to sell extremely well, not just because it's a "green" vehicle, but mostly because it's a Honda Civic that gets 50 mpg.

All three hybrid vehicles operate in a similar manner: The gasoline engine supplies the main power, with the electric motor providing additional boost. Regenerated electricity from braking is routed back to the vehicle's high-voltage battery pack. Honda calls its hybrid system "IMA," for Integrated Motor Assist, while Toyota has dubbed its method the Toyota Hybrid System (THS).

The transmissions on these vehicles vary. Honda uses a five-speed manual box or optional CVT on its Insight and Civic Hybrid; Toyota fit the Prius with a unique electronically controlled planetary gear-type automatic.

Safety Precautions

Before servicing a hybrid vehicle, there are some safety precautions you need to be aware of. First, all three vehicles have an "idle stop" mode that shuts the gasoline engine off when the vehicle rolls to a stop-such as at a traffic light. The vehicle will then initially move under power from the electric motor when the accelerator is depressed, much like an electric golf cart. Shortly thereafter, the gasoline engine will restart and power the vehicle under normal driving conditions.

Automotive Industry

Yes, you can service hybrid vehicles

Motor, Jul 2002 by Nash, Tom

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