I have a 2020 Grandland X Hybrid4 and it has been behaving strangely since the cold weather started. The high voltage battery is usually charged overnight so starts the day with a full battery.
The engine runs constantly while driving in hybrid mode but it is not in gear. The touch sections on the front door handles do not work until after the car has been used. Similarly, I can only open the boot using the remote as the button on the boot lid will not work until the car has run. If I switch the ignition on without pressing the brake it shuts down after a few seconds, displaying "Energy economy mode activated".
All of these symptoms led me to suspect that the 12v battery was failing. It appeared to be the original battery so would have been four and a half years old. I tested the battery and it was fully charged but the CCA were down to about 50% of the original specification. I had the battery replaced but it has made no difference.
Can any other hybrid owners tell if their cars do the same? There is so much logic built into the car that it if often hard to understand its behaviour so mine may actually be doing what it is supposed to do.
Hybrid Behaviour
I have a 2020 Grandland X Hybrid4 and it has been behaving strangely since the cold weather started. The high voltage battery is usually charged overnight so starts the day with a full battery. HOW MANY MILES OF ELECTRIC POWER ARE AVAILABLE? IN COLD CONDITIONS, YOU MAY HAVE 14-MILES AVAILABLE. ON A WARM DAY, POSSIBLY 23-MILES, OR MORE. YOU ARE NOT LIKELY TO SEE THE PROMISED 32-MILES.
The engine runs constantly while driving in hybrid mode but it is not in gear. DO YOU SELECT ELECTRIC DRIVE MODE?
THE CAR SHOULD DEFAULT TO ELECTRIC DRIVE, BUT OFTEN 'AMBIENT CONDITIONS' FORCE THE ENGINE TO RUN. WHEN THE ENGINE RUNS, THE DRIVE TO THE FRONT WHEELS IS THROUGH THE GEARBOX. (ELECTRIC DRIVE IS DISABLED UNLESS YOU SELECT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE).
The touch sections on the front door handles do not work until after the car has been used. Similarly, I can only open the boot using the remote as the button on the boot lid will not work until the car has run.
I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. EASY SOLUTION IS TO USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE CAR AND USE THE KEY TO RAISE THE TAILGATE.
If I switch the ignition on without pressing the brake it shuts down after a few seconds, displaying "Energy economy mode activated".
SOLUTION IS TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL BEFORE PRESSING 'START' THE ECONOMY MODE IS OVER-PROTECTIVE.
AFTER PRESSING 'START' THE 12V BATTERY IS BEING CHARGED BY THE TRACTION BATTERY AT 14-15 VDC. IF YOU LEAVE YOUR KEY IN THE CAR FOR 20-40 MINUTES, THE 12V BATTERY WILL BE CHARGED. IF YOU DRIVE THE CAR, THE 12V BATTERY IS BEING CHARGED.
MY CAR RESPONDS WELL TO BEING DRIVEN UNTIL THE ELECTRIC MILES ARE USED UP AND THE HYBRID MODE KICKS-IN. THEN AN OVERNIGHT CHARGE SEEMS TO RESTORE THE TRACTION BATTERY. I SUSPECT THE BATTERY PREFERS SOME CHEMICAL ACTIVERTY.
All of these symptoms led me to suspect that the 12v battery was failing. It appeared to be the original battery so would have been four and a half years old. I tested the battery and it was fully charged but the CCA were down to about 50% of the original specification. I had the battery replaced but it has made no difference.
Can any other hybrid owners tell if their cars do the same? There is so much logic built into the car that it if often hard to understand its behaviour so mine may actually be doing what it is supposed to do.
The engine runs constantly while driving in hybrid mode but it is not in gear. DO YOU SELECT ELECTRIC DRIVE MODE?
THE CAR SHOULD DEFAULT TO ELECTRIC DRIVE, BUT OFTEN 'AMBIENT CONDITIONS' FORCE THE ENGINE TO RUN. WHEN THE ENGINE RUNS, THE DRIVE TO THE FRONT WHEELS IS THROUGH THE GEARBOX. (ELECTRIC DRIVE IS DISABLED UNLESS YOU SELECT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE).
The touch sections on the front door handles do not work until after the car has been used. Similarly, I can only open the boot using the remote as the button on the boot lid will not work until the car has run.
I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. EASY SOLUTION IS TO USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE CAR AND USE THE KEY TO RAISE THE TAILGATE.
If I switch the ignition on without pressing the brake it shuts down after a few seconds, displaying "Energy economy mode activated".
SOLUTION IS TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL BEFORE PRESSING 'START' THE ECONOMY MODE IS OVER-PROTECTIVE.
AFTER PRESSING 'START' THE 12V BATTERY IS BEING CHARGED BY THE TRACTION BATTERY AT 14-15 VDC. IF YOU LEAVE YOUR KEY IN THE CAR FOR 20-40 MINUTES, THE 12V BATTERY WILL BE CHARGED. IF YOU DRIVE THE CAR, THE 12V BATTERY IS BEING CHARGED.
MY CAR RESPONDS WELL TO BEING DRIVEN UNTIL THE ELECTRIC MILES ARE USED UP AND THE HYBRID MODE KICKS-IN. THEN AN OVERNIGHT CHARGE SEEMS TO RESTORE THE TRACTION BATTERY. I SUSPECT THE BATTERY PREFERS SOME CHEMICAL ACTIVERTY.
All of these symptoms led me to suspect that the 12v battery was failing. It appeared to be the original battery so would have been four and a half years old. I tested the battery and it was fully charged but the CCA were down to about 50% of the original specification. I had the battery replaced but it has made no difference.
Can any other hybrid owners tell if their cars do the same? There is so much logic built into the car that it if often hard to understand its behaviour so mine may actually be doing what it is supposed to do.
2020 Hybrid 4
Thank you, Moss5, for responding.
I have a 2020 Grandland X Hybrid4 and it has been behaving strangely since the cold weather started. The high voltage battery is usually charged overnight so starts the day with a full battery. HOW MANY MILES OF ELECTRIC POWER ARE AVAILABLE? IN COLD CONDITIONS, YOU MAY HAVE 14-MILES AVAILABLE. ON A WARM DAY, POSSIBLY 23-MILES, OR MORE. YOU ARE NOT LIKELY TO SEE THE PROMISED 32-MILES.
I got about 30 miles in summer and get 21 miles now that the weather is cold
The engine runs constantly while driving in hybrid mode but it is not in gear. DO YOU SELECT ELECTRIC DRIVE MODE?
THE CAR SHOULD DEFAULT TO ELECTRIC DRIVE, BUT OFTEN 'AMBIENT CONDITIONS' FORCE THE ENGINE TO RUN. WHEN THE ENGINE RUNS, THE DRIVE TO THE FRONT WHEELS IS THROUGH THE GEARBOX. (ELECTRIC DRIVE IS DISABLED UNLESS YOU SELECT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE).
It will not go into Electric mode, unavailable due to "ambient conditions". It defaults to Hybrid mode with the engine running but not driving the front wheels nor charging the traction battery, according to the display.
The touch sections on the front door handles do not work until after the car has been used. Similarly, I can only open the boot using the remote as the button on the boot lid will not work until the car has run.
I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. EASY SOLUTION IS TO USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE CAR AND USE THE KEY TO RAISE THE TAILGATE.
I can use the remote but the other options were working until recently and do work once the car has been started..
If I switch the ignition on without pressing the brake it shuts down after a few seconds, displaying "Energy economy mode activated".
SOLUTION IS TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL BEFORE PRESSING 'START' THE ECONOMY MODE IS OVER-PROTECTIVE.
AFTER PRESSING 'START' THE 12V BATTERY IS BEING CHARGED BY THE TRACTION BATTERY AT 14-15 VDC. IF YOU LEAVE YOUR KEY IN THE CAR FOR 20-40 MINUTES, THE 12V BATTERY WILL BE CHARGED. IF YOU DRIVE THE CAR, THE 12V BATTERY IS BEING CHARGED.
The 12v battery is fully charged so I would expect it to allow me to use the display for a reasonable period without "starting" the car.
MY CAR RESPONDS WELL TO BEING DRIVEN UNTIL THE ELECTRIC MILES ARE USED UP AND THE HYBRID MODE KICKS-IN. THEN AN OVERNIGHT CHARGE SEEMS TO RESTORE THE TRACTION BATTERY. I SUSPECT THE BATTERY PREFERS SOME CHEMICAL ACTIVERTY.
My car is running off the battery as expected and then using the engine to drive it once the battery is depleted. The change is that it now has the engine running all the time, even when it is not using the engine to drive the wheels.
I am reluctant to take it to a main dealer as they tend to be expensive and the nearest is almost 20 miles away but I have found a local garage with PHEV training and they are taking the car in to run diagnostics for me.
I have a 2020 Grandland X Hybrid4 and it has been behaving strangely since the cold weather started. The high voltage battery is usually charged overnight so starts the day with a full battery. HOW MANY MILES OF ELECTRIC POWER ARE AVAILABLE? IN COLD CONDITIONS, YOU MAY HAVE 14-MILES AVAILABLE. ON A WARM DAY, POSSIBLY 23-MILES, OR MORE. YOU ARE NOT LIKELY TO SEE THE PROMISED 32-MILES.
I got about 30 miles in summer and get 21 miles now that the weather is cold
The engine runs constantly while driving in hybrid mode but it is not in gear. DO YOU SELECT ELECTRIC DRIVE MODE?
THE CAR SHOULD DEFAULT TO ELECTRIC DRIVE, BUT OFTEN 'AMBIENT CONDITIONS' FORCE THE ENGINE TO RUN. WHEN THE ENGINE RUNS, THE DRIVE TO THE FRONT WHEELS IS THROUGH THE GEARBOX. (ELECTRIC DRIVE IS DISABLED UNLESS YOU SELECT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE).
It will not go into Electric mode, unavailable due to "ambient conditions". It defaults to Hybrid mode with the engine running but not driving the front wheels nor charging the traction battery, according to the display.
The touch sections on the front door handles do not work until after the car has been used. Similarly, I can only open the boot using the remote as the button on the boot lid will not work until the car has run.
I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. EASY SOLUTION IS TO USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE CAR AND USE THE KEY TO RAISE THE TAILGATE.
I can use the remote but the other options were working until recently and do work once the car has been started..
If I switch the ignition on without pressing the brake it shuts down after a few seconds, displaying "Energy economy mode activated".
SOLUTION IS TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL BEFORE PRESSING 'START' THE ECONOMY MODE IS OVER-PROTECTIVE.
AFTER PRESSING 'START' THE 12V BATTERY IS BEING CHARGED BY THE TRACTION BATTERY AT 14-15 VDC. IF YOU LEAVE YOUR KEY IN THE CAR FOR 20-40 MINUTES, THE 12V BATTERY WILL BE CHARGED. IF YOU DRIVE THE CAR, THE 12V BATTERY IS BEING CHARGED.
The 12v battery is fully charged so I would expect it to allow me to use the display for a reasonable period without "starting" the car.
MY CAR RESPONDS WELL TO BEING DRIVEN UNTIL THE ELECTRIC MILES ARE USED UP AND THE HYBRID MODE KICKS-IN. THEN AN OVERNIGHT CHARGE SEEMS TO RESTORE THE TRACTION BATTERY. I SUSPECT THE BATTERY PREFERS SOME CHEMICAL ACTIVERTY.
My car is running off the battery as expected and then using the engine to drive it once the battery is depleted. The change is that it now has the engine running all the time, even when it is not using the engine to drive the wheels.
I am reluctant to take it to a main dealer as they tend to be expensive and the nearest is almost 20 miles away but I have found a local garage with PHEV training and they are taking the car in to run diagnostics for me.
had same ambient problem vauxhall replaced small battery in boot which has solved the problemMoss5 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 16, 2025 8:26 pm I have a 2020 Grandland X Hybrid4 and it has been behaving strangely since the cold weather started. The high voltage battery is usually charged overnight so starts the day with a full battery. HOW MANY MILES OF ELECTRIC POWER ARE AVAILABLE? IN COLD CONDITIONS, YOU MAY HAVE 14-MILES AVAILABLE. ON A WARM DAY, POSSIBLY 23-MILES, OR MORE. YOU ARE NOT LIKELY TO SEE THE PROMISED 32-MILES.
The engine runs constantly while driving in hybrid mode but it is not in gear. DO YOU SELECT ELECTRIC DRIVE MODE?
THE CAR SHOULD DEFAULT TO ELECTRIC DRIVE, BUT OFTEN 'AMBIENT CONDITIONS' FORCE THE ENGINE TO RUN. WHEN THE ENGINE RUNS, THE DRIVE TO THE FRONT WHEELS IS THROUGH THE GEARBOX. (ELECTRIC DRIVE IS DISABLED UNLESS YOU SELECT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE).
The touch sections on the front door handles do not work until after the car has been used. Similarly, I can only open the boot using the remote as the button on the boot lid will not work until the car has run.
I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. EASY SOLUTION IS TO USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE CAR AND USE THE KEY TO RAISE THE TAILGATE.
If I switch the ignition on without pressing the brake it shuts down after a few seconds, displaying "Energy economy mode activated".
SOLUTION IS TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL BEFORE PRESSING 'START' THE ECONOMY MODE IS OVER-PROTECTIVE.
AFTER PRESSING 'START' THE 12V BATTERY IS BEING CHARGED BY THE TRACTION BATTERY AT 14-15 VDC. IF YOU LEAVE YOUR KEY IN THE CAR FOR 20-40 MINUTES, THE 12V BATTERY WILL BE CHARGED. IF YOU DRIVE THE CAR, THE 12V BATTERY IS BEING CHARGED.
MY CAR RESPONDS WELL TO BEING DRIVEN UNTIL THE ELECTRIC MILES ARE USED UP AND THE HYBRID MODE KICKS-IN. THEN AN OVERNIGHT CHARGE SEEMS TO RESTORE THE TRACTION BATTERY. I SUSPECT THE BATTERY PREFERS SOME CHEMICAL ACTIVERTY.
All of these symptoms led me to suspect that the 12v battery was failing. It appeared to be the original battery so would have been four and a half years old. I tested the battery and it was fully charged but the CCA were down to about 50% of the original specification. I had the battery replaced but it has made no difference.
Can any other hybrid owners tell if their cars do the same? There is so much logic built into the car that it if often hard to understand its behaviour so mine may actually be doing what it is supposed to do.