[Brydo]

We have a Volvo xc40 PHEV, picked up in March of this year. Until now I have been running it almost entirely on electricity. However the electric range of the car has steadily dropped as the ambient temperature falls.

During spring, summer I was easily achieving 25-27 miles on a projected range of 27 miles. I am now however achieving 13-14 miles on the same 27 miles predicted.

Full disclosure I am not paying for 99% of electricity used, as there are free chargers where I live, but if I was I would be paying around £4ish for 13-14 miles. It is likely I would be cheaper to run on petrol during this time

So if you have a PHEV what are your experiences as the weather gets colder?

Topic

[Wigwam]

I agree with Philjb, Brydo. Remind the garage it’s a Motability car.  I’ve never been asked to pay anything.

I wonder what a transmission service is. How many miles have you done. Brydo?

[Rene]

According to other owners, it usually refers to fluid in the transmission.

Apparently it counts how often the fluid goes above a specified temperature, and after a certain amount it tells you to get it sorted. Others had low fluid (leak), or burnt fluid (brown and stinky on the dipstick instead of red and oil-smelly).

As long as it doesn’t go into limp mode, i’d not be too concerned. I’d get it sorted of course, but i’d not leave the car parked until then.

In regards to paying, we got asked by SEAT to pay £12, to get the car picked up and brought back for service. After pointing out the fact that it’s an MB car, they just billed MB directly.

Prior: SEAT Ateca Xcellence Lux 1.5 TSI DSG MY19, VW Golf GTE PHEV DSG MY23
Current: Hyundai Ioniq 6 Ultimate
Next: we'll see what's available in 2028.

[Brydo]

I told the chap it was a motability car but he didn’t seem to know anything about the scheme. I got the impression he was new to the job so I didn’t think there was any point in continuing the conversation.

Strangely enough the warning has gone from the dash so I will monitor it over a few days and then call them to see what they advise.

Ive only travelled 4600 miles so I thought it was very premature. So maybe it’s a glitch.

[Brydo]

I can’t explain this one-:

4*C and heavy fog.

27 miles range.

21 miles return journey.

4 miles range remaining

mostly motorway at 60 miles per hour.

Only change from previous journeys is that I was in pure mode today rather than hybrid.

No heating on even though it was 4*C, they make them hardy up here lol.

[Wigwam]

Left Bournemouth this morning headed for Heathrow..

Pure mode, outside temp 12 Deg. Inside temp 20 Deg.

Battery ran out at 31.1 miles.

[Brydo]

That’s impressive wigwam.

I remember you saying you normally run in hybrid mode. Is this your first time in Pure mode?

[Wigwam]

I usually use an Individual mode which is basically Pure with normal strength Climate Control, unless on a longer journey when I use Hybrid and Satnav together (which is supposed to help determine whether to use the battery or the engine).  I only used Pure mode today to see how far I could get on battery.

[Author]

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