Reduced EV Range and Charging Difficulties in Cold Weather

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A15-008
February 3, 2015
01366 Version 1

AFFECTED VEHICLES

Year	Model	Trim	VIN Range
2013–14	Fit EV	ALL	ALL

BACKGROUND

Cold weather often affects vehicle’s batteries to a point where customers may notice the displayed range is lower than it is in warmer weather. There are several potential reasons why the range is lower:

The battery capacity is reduced because of the cold
Using the passenger compartment heater and seat heaters
Incomplete battery charge because of software limitation

Charging the battery is more difficult in cold weather, which requires longer charge times. Currently, the Fit EV limits charge time to 3 hours with a level two EVSE (electric vehicle supply equipment). At ambient temperatures 50 ºF and colder, 3 hours is not enough time to fully charge the battery. As the temperature continues to get colder, an increasing amount of time is needed to fully charge the battery.

To help ensure that the battery receives a full charge, this software update was developed to allow the battery to continue charging for up to 11 hours, instead of 3, once the ambient temperature drops below 50 ºF. While this helps ensure the vehicle is able to fully charge the battery, the range will still not be the same as when the temperature is above 50 ºF.

NOTE: The passenger compartment heater uses a significant amount of electricity, which will reduce the vehicle’s range. Have the service advisor recommend to the customer to pre-warm the vehicle while it is still connected to the level 2 EVSE charger using their remote transmitter or smartphone application. This should improve their driving range. Additionally, have the service advisor inform the customer that seat heaters use less electricity than the heater. The customer may want to use the seat heaters more and the compartment heater less to further increase their range.

CORRECTIVE ACTION

Update the EV battery software.

WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION

The normal warranty applies.

Operation Number	Description	Flat Rate Time	Template ID	Failed Part Number
1255C8	Update the EV battery system software.	0.3 hr	15-008A	1K100-RDC-A03

Defect Code: 03214
Symptom Code: 03272
Skill Level: Repair Technician

SOFTWARE INFORMATION

NOTE: Unnecessary or incorrect repairs resulting from a failure to update the HDS or MVCI are not covered under warranty.

MVCI Control Module (CM) Update:
Application Version V3.01.40 or later
Database update 12-JAN-2015 or later

HDS Software Version:
3.015.033 or later

Before beginning the update, make sure that both the HDS and MVCI are updated as listed above.

Do only the update listed in this service bulletin.

Check that the MVCI indicates the applicable program ID listed below (or a later program ID) as the Available Update when the update begins.

If the MVCI displays This vehicle does not need an update at this time during the update, the software for this service bulletin is already installed.

For more information about updating the HDS, the MVCI, and vehicle systems, refer to Service Bulletin 01-023, Updating Control Units/Modules.