Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Honda CR-Z

MANILA, Philippines - In a few days, Honda Cars Philippines, Inc (HCPI) will be unveiling the new Honda in their line-up – the All New CR-Z. It will be the first time HCPI will be offering this kind of vehicle—a hybrid sports car—in the country. Ever thought about owning one? Here are some things you might have asked and want to know about the All New CR-Z:

Q: The CR-Z is a hybrid car with gasoline engine and electric motor assist. Do I need to plug it in at night to charge the electric motor?

A: No. The electric motor that supports the gasoline engine runs on a lithium ion (Li-ion) battery that charges itself when the car stops or slows down (or you can just rev the engine 3,500-4,000  rpm at idle) . So you will never need to recharge it from an external power supply. In Honda’s  language, we call this the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) technology.

Q: How long will this Li-ion battery last?

A: Li-ion battery life is very long. In some case,  Li-ion battery life is shortened depending on owner’s usage. In duration test done by Honda, Li-ion battery life is over 15 years.

Q: Can the CR-Z Sport Hybrid Coupe run on its electric motor alone?

A: The CR-Z is just like any other Honda vehicles available in the market, you will need to fill it up at your preferred gasoline station to keep it running. But, the CR-Z can be driven without the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) battery. This is primarily because the IMA is designed to supplement the gasoline engine.

Q: Does the CR-Z drive differently from other cars?

A: The CR-Z drives, sounds and behaves like any other Honda gasoline vehicle. However, there are features that are unique to the CR-Z. First would be the idle stop feature. In principle, if you stop in traffic, the engine does too. This is one of the ways the CR-Z helps you save gasoline; as soon as you press the accelerator again the engine turns back on.

Another feature that only the CR-Z has is its 3 Drive Mode System, it alters the drive-by-wire and transmission settings to make the car more aggressive (Sport) or more fuel efficient (Econ); and its Plus Sport button, depending on the charge of the lithium ion battery, the Plus Sport button, located on the steering wheel, can give added power to the vehicle when needed, such as during passing situations.

Q: Since the CR-Z is a hybrid vehicle, is there any special servicing required? Will Honda dealerships’ after sales departments be ready for this?

A: The CR-Z does not need any special servicing that is different from other seven Honda vehicles.  But rest assured,  all our dealership service personnel underwent intensive training for this new model and are ready to service CR-Z, its IMA system, Li-ion battery etc. However, Honda highly recommends the CR-Z to be driven once  a week or driven more than thirty (30) minutes a day.

Q: Is Honda’s hybrid teachnology a reliable one?

A: Definitely. In fact, Honda has sold over a million (1,000,000) hybrid vehicles around the globe since 1999 and 75,000 CR-Z’s since 2010.  Furthermore, the CR-Z badge has received a number of awards in neighboring countries where it is sold such as 2010-2011 Car of the Year (Japan); 2011 The Green Mark (Taiwan); 2011 Wheels Car of the Year (Australia) and 2012 Car of the Year (Malaysia) to name a few. HCPI would like its customers to please expect the same level of reliability that you get from any Honda vehicle with the CR-Z.