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I performed a Power Reset last week in hope of clearing up the frequent re-calibrations I am experiencing.

My avg MPG have drastically dropped from 42 to 37. My last tank of gas only got me 360miles I can usually drive about 410 to 420miles before needing to fill up.

I have very sporadic recals after the power reset. I had a recal every time when I started the car before and now I only get it sometimes.

I have noticed most of my recals happen while I am on the highway going about 65mph. I have the cruise set for 65mph and as the computer applies ASSIST from IMA Battery it will drop from 6 bars to 2 bars.

Has anyone experienced similar symptoms? I am thinking of taking video of this.

Hi TBaFFz:

Where do you live as much of the Upper Midwest and Northeast has been hit with not just colder temps but snow. Those two impediments are worth over 20% by themselves as well.

Let us know.

Wayne

Hi TBaFFz;

The instrumented re-calibrations will also happen when the system suspects the SoC remains stagnant and the more recent software updates will actually make this built-in feature a bit more aggressive on this front. So with the new software, having these episodes occur even at highway speeds is not uncommon for older models especially if you use the cruise control often and among other things, you let it tackle small hills on its own.

despite it not happening to everyone, it is just the way it is supposed to work and unless the dealer can dramatize things a bit when dealing with Honda it is very unlikely they'll be either able or willing to do much about that.

Also, as Wayne mentioned: the winter season will bite those of us who live in the colder areas of the continent. If you got snow in your area then the MPG you are getting is not that unusual either. You may wish to review our Winter hybrid setup tips for details on how to bring the MPG back up or at least stop it from becoming much worse.

A Hybrid Owner’s winter survival guide (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17560)

Cheers

MSantos

I took a video of the what happens at every startup. Also later today the Check Engine Light came back on with the same P0420 Code as before. See images below...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L7vXeTIXn0

http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff379/tbaffz/IMG_0182.jpg
http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff379/tbaffz/IMG_0183.jpg
http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff379/tbaffz/IMG_0184.jpg

Hi TBaFFz:

A P0420 is a common CAT performing below threshold and in some cases, it is a pre or post CATO2 sensor that needs replacing. Again, where do you live and now what kind of emissions warranty do you have? If your HCH-II was purchased in a PZEV State, the O2 or CAT replacement will be a free one.

Regarding FE, any recal is a killer and when you have them, the recharge back to a known state is a FE killer.

And of course the cold temps could have easily knocked you back from 42 to 37 mpg as well.

Finally, did you know the ScanGauge will read and reset codes plus perform all of its functions for us? For the HCH-II, SAHM with LOD below 50% and IGN between 29 and 37 :)

Good Luck

Wayne

Hi TBaFFz:

A P0420 is a common CAT performing bloew threshold and in some cases, it is a pre or post CATO2 sensor that needs replacing. Again, where do you live and now what kind of emissions warranty do you have? If your HCH-II was purchased in a PZEV State, the O2 or CAT replacement will be a free one.

Regarding FE, any recal is a killer and when you have them, the recharge back to a known state is a FE killer.

And of course the cold temps could have easily knocked you back from 42 to 37 mpg as well.

Good Luck

Wayne

I am in Missouri. I have the 2007 California Edition. I am aware of the 150k Emissions Warranty but when I asked the dealer to honor this they told me that could not do so since the car is not registered and driven in CA.

This is what the Service Manager told me back in October...

Todd, The California emissions only applies to the first purchaser if registered and driven in California or associated states. This does not apply to Missouri unfortunately. Federal emissions apply to your vehicle which expire at 8yr or 80,000 miles for the cat converter.

I am waiting for my Honda rep to contact me on another issue. Your vehicle is well out of any goodwill guidelines but I will see if he can assist at all.
I will be in touch as soon as I get word from him(possibly 2 to 3 days).

We will assist in any way possible.

"When a clogged converter is suspected, some mechanics temporarily remove the O2 sensor from the exhaust pipe ahead of the catalytic converter and look for a change in performance. " - http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question4822.htm

So maybe try pulling the first O2 sensor and see if the car runs better. While you are under the car you can also listen/look for exhaust leaks which could be causing it.

Here is a link with good info on that 420 code
http://autorepair.about.com/library/faqs/bl246i.htm

"When a clogged converter is suspected, some mechanics temporarily remove the O2 sensor from the exhaust pipe ahead of the catalytic converter and look for a change in performance. " - http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question4822.htm

So maybe try pulling the first O2 sensor and see if the car runs better. While you are under the car you can also listen/look for exhaust leaks which could be causing it.

Here is a link with good info on that 420 code
http://autorepair.about.com/library/faqs/bl246i.htm

I took a look under the car to see if it was glowing red but it was not. Although there was almost like a light taping / pop sounds, maybe metal fragments in the cat bouncing?

I talked with the service manager today via email and he said they would only be able to cover 20% of the cost. I feel this is unacceptable. Does anyone know if a universal/custom cat could be installed/welded?

Server Manager at Honda Dealer:
Honda has responded and will not assist with this repair. The dealership can provide a 20% discount to help out with cost on the repair here. Let me know if you would like to do this.

Hi TBaFFz;

Since it appears your problems include catalytic converter issues I will make the following suggestions:

I cannot recommend anything other than a genuine Honda part because even if you were to succeed in finding something that is physically compatible, it would not be guaranteed to perform as well as the original or even long enough.
Despite the high cost of these parts for any car, the HCH-II cat converter cost is usually a little higher since it is part of the total package (AT-PZEV Tier-2, Bin-2). Compared to what I have seen, a 20% discount is already a sign of good will on the part of the dealer. Just for giggles: do you service your vehicle at this dealer regularly?
The other option is to secure a recycled cat converter from a write-off HCH-II. Check online (auctions and other recycling depots) as well as your local "junk-yards". This would get you closer to your monetary goals while not technically undermining the vehicle's ability to perform as designed.



Cheers

MSantos