I have the MDX hybrid, but this is really a question for the hybrid system operation in general. Besides, there's only like 2 of us with hybrids on the MDX forum.
I was on highway going up a long uphill at ~70 mph. As hill gets steeper, the transmission downshifts and engine is about 3200 rpm. I look at the power monitor and I see the rear motors are engaged which I expected. What I did not expect is that the power monitor showed the ICE charging the battery. I even tried accelerating and still showed charging. Battery level was greater than 50%. You would think all motors would be engaged to accelerate up a hill.

 

Good observation. It is my understanding that the ICE will provide a "trickle charge" to the batteries during normal highway cruising. That's what keeps the battery at-the-ready to assist when needed.

 

yes - I see the trickle charge all the time, but not during heavy acceleration. I was expecting same behavior (no charging) when going up the hill as the transmission downshifted to get more power. Seems liek that should have triggered e-motor in front to engage rather than charge

 

At 70, the ICE is on and powering the front wheels regardless of what you are seeing.

If circumstances *allow* for some power to still charge the battery, then that is what will happen. That doesn't mean that an appropriate amount of power is not going to the front wheels.

 

I understand ICE is powering front wheels at 70 - the monitor shows that. I was referring to the front e-motor not powering.
I paid more attention to it today on trip home. The front e-motor very rarely comes on in D-Normal even under acceleration. You have to floor the pedal and even then it does not always engage to assist with power. It is probably different when in Sport driving modes. I did see that above 78mph when rear motors cannot engage, the front e-motor comes on during moderate acceleration.

 

My suggestion is to watch the road instead of the power distribution monitor and simply enjoy the ride and let the technology work in the background.

Just my two cents.

 

haha - but I have a need to know!

 

I can say that because I was the same way with the fuel economy screen when I first got my Sport Hybrid - I couldn't believe the great mileage and got consumed by watching it. I'm better now, taking one day at a time and only checking the mileage when I fill up - baby steps.

 

:-)

 

This is one of the reasons why the KC2 is rated at 377 HP instead of 430 HP.

The front electric motor is not used for propulsion except under certain circumstances or all-out performance purposes, and even then, only temporarily.

It plays a more vital role in the pre-selection and management of gears, and that front motor is why your DCT doesn't jerk you around the way that Porsche's PDK can do.

:-)