Only charges up to 56 miles

[9volt]

Bought my RAV4 EV brand new and it used to charge up to the standard 103 miles (sometimes more, sometimes less, but always right around there). Then, about a year ago, I got a new job where I had to commute a lot less and also a much shorter distance.

Over time, the maximum charging milage started getting lower and lower, until what it is right now. Roughly 56 miles max. I called a local Toyota service center and the representative said that the battery has memory and if you continually drive only short distances, it'll adjust the max charging range accordingly.

That is fine for my short work commute, but occasionally, I need to drive further for other work meetings, to see friends and family, etc.

So my question is, is there any way to disable the "memory" option so that it always charges up to full? Or is there a way I can reset the battery from home so that it charges full now?

 

[miimura]

It's not charging any less than before, except the small amount of degradation. It just thinks you can drive less because of your short trips. As long as you have all the bars on the battery gauge, you should have at least 35kWh available to drive. If you just want to feel better and have the number reset to a larger number, disconnect the 12V battery for a couple minutes. That will reset the Guess-O-Meter.

 

[smkettner]

Are you charging in normal mode or extended?

Do you let it run mostly run down or do you charge every day?

I recommend not charging until you are down to the last 25% (four bars) approximately. At least to see if the number changes a bit. Also use the trip meter to see how many actual miles it takes to get to that point.

 

[miimura]

Are you charging in normal mode or extended?

Do you let it run mostly run down or do you charge every day?

I recommend not charging until you are down to the last 25% (four bars) approximately. At least to see if the number changes a bit. Also use the trip meter to see how many actual miles it takes to get to that point.

I disagree. There is no good reason to purposely let it run down to the last 4 bars. Sometimes it takes me 2 or 3 days to lose the first 4 bars (still ~75% full) and I charge then, but I would not purposely discharge every time down to 25%.

 

[smkettner]

What would it hurt really?

 

[miimura]

What would it hurt really?

Technically, it probably won't hurt the battery to wait extra days to run it down to the last 4 bars, but there's not a good reason to do it either. You also won't have range for an unexpected trip more than 15 or 20 miles. That is the main reason that I wouldn't recommend people do that.

 

[jgblair]

From the Toyota 2013 RAV4-EV Owner's Manual (available for downloading online):

"In order to preserve the traction battery, Toyota recommends plugging in the
vehicle whenever it is not in use."

This is the same advice that Tesla (the builder of the RAV battery) gives for their vehicles. Different battery chemistries have different instructions. For example the 2002 RAV4-EV has NiMH batteries. The specialists from Battery MD recommend charging that RAV whenever the car's battery drops below 80%.

The 2012-2014 model's battery is lithium-ion and prefers to be kept charged (to 80% rather than 100%).

 

[dstjohn99]

I can typically go two days without charging. But I have definitely run into no miles for unexpected errands, so I charge everyday. If I charge extended I try to drive it shortly after so it doesn't sit with over 80% charge over the weekend or similar.

 

[smkettner]

I find the GOM generally shows a higher number after a long drive and full normal charge. That is what this thread is about right?

 

[9volt]

It's not charging any less than before, except the small amount of degradation. It just thinks you can drive less because of your short trips. As long as you have all the bars on the battery gauge, you should have at least 35kWh available to drive. If you just want to feel better and have the number reset to a larger number, disconnect the 12V battery for a couple minutes. That will reset the Guess-O-Meter.

Thanks. I actually did notice that the mileage available for driving did not correspond to the actual mileage used.

One on particular drive, it was showing its normal 56 miles of full charge at the start of the trip. I probably drove at least 26 miles, and at the end of the trip, it only down to about 49 miles on the gauge.

I guess for me it's more of a psychological factor, in that, I would prefer to see the "actual" mileage available.

 

[user 340]

I guess for me it's more of a psychological factor, in that, I would prefer to see the "actual" mileage available.

As you have learned, the numerical estimate of remaining range (AKA "Guess-O-Meter") is a relative value that is not particularly accurate. The bar graph to the left of it (showing max of 16 bars) is an absolute measure of the traction battery state of charge and is a fairly accurate measure of the remaining charge. I get about 6-7 miles of range per bar depending on various factors; YMMV

 

[smkettner]

Actually I am consistently amazed how accurate the GOM actually is.
Not perfect but how could it know future driving habits and conditions?
GOM works very well for me.

 

[dstjohn99]

Actually I am consistently amazed how accurate the GOM actually is.
Not perfect but how could it know future driving habits and conditions?
GOM works very well for me.

Same here, as long as daily driving habits are similar the GOM creates a very good estimate, especially if you use a significant amount of battery capacity between charges (say 30% or more). I know if I charge after short trips or if I change from daily commute to long distance trip the range forecast may be grossly inaccurate.

 

[TonyWilliams]

It’s a bit sad for me that after all these years with the 2012-2014 Toyota RAV4 EV, that there’s still so much unknown about the GOM.

The following will reset your GOM:

Rav4 EV Rated Range - Battery Degradation - "Tony-Test"

Here’s a link to “Rav4rangeChartV90.2.pdf” in my Dropbox:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zp98r8qghlxm8c5/Rav4rangeChartV90.2.pdf?dl=0

http://www.myrav4ev.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=20518#p20518


RAV4 EV battery default "Rated Range" and then factor degradation using GOM:

Make sure that the battery is at room temperature, then:

1) Fully charge vehicle "extended" with the J1772 port (not CHAdeMO)

2) Battery must be near room temperature

3) Turn off cabin climate control with "OFF" button, however it will automatically go to OFF with battery disconnect

4) Disconnect the 12 volt battery negative cables (all three black cables) and leave off for several hours minimum (overnight is ideal)

Next day:

5) Reconnect 12 volt battery

6) When you open the driver's door with the key fob, the stored energy gauge will show Full (16 illuminated segments) and "LO" will display on the GOM

7) Hold foot on brake and press START button with key fob nearby

8) Wait for navigation unit to complete its start up (about 20 seconds)

9) Press START with brake pedal depressed a second time. You will hear a clunk of the main battery contactors and the dash should indicate "READY".

10) The displayed range is "RATED RANGE" at 3.5 miles per kWh

11) Divide this Rated Range by 146 to get usable battery capacity compared to new.

Example: 142 rated range / 146 = 97.2% battery capacity from new

********

Additional test:

If you drive the RAV4 EV at my standard test speed of 100km / 62mph ground speed, it will go almost EXACTLY the rated range.

TEST DRIVING PROTOCOL - dry, hard surface level road with no wind or cabin climate control with new condition battery at 70F, no elevation changes, "out-and-back" or loop course to compensate for any wind, 62mph / 100km/h GROUND speed as measured by GPS.

So, if the car is new, it will bang out 146 miles and the rated range will be 146 under the prescribed conditions.

If the rated range is 135, it will go 135 miles.

***************

What is lost and needs to be reset with a 12 volt disconnect:

http://www.myrav4ev.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=20859#p20859

1) Stored radio / SiriusXM stations will remain, however your last station listened to will likely be gone

2) Cell phone pairings are not 100%, so I would check. i have had to delete my phone (and the car from my phone) and re-pair it

3) Map display mode

4) Volume of navigation voice notifications

5) Random play modes

6) Charge schedule will be retained, but it won't work without hitting the "SAVE" button on the previous screen

7) state selection from destination address page