Citroen C5 X recharge while driving

[leWrat]

I have a Citroen C5 X Hybrid. New around first quarter 2024.
I know that it can charge via the cable/plug and also charge via regenerative charging.
However I notice that if I set the car to "save" battery for 10 or 20 km range (usually after I am at around 0% charge left) then the car will charge rapidly while I am driving.
Fuel consumption goes up so it is the gasoline engine providing the energy.

I do not see this feature anywhere in the documentation.
Question is, is it OK for me to charge this way (I know that it is inefficient)?

[GiveMeABreak]

I believe that only a small amount of energy is recovered when the vehicle is slowing down, but you can't properly recharge it on the road. With this later type of Plug in Hybrid, the vehicle first uses the electrical power then the petrol engine which is the default mode.

[Sloppysod]

Hi, the e-save option stops the battery from fully discharging so you can conserve energy for use later, ULEZ or if you get home late!
The owners manual says that is you choose the e-save option and if the battery is not at the required level it will use the engine to charge the battery to that level, but the fuel consumption will be affected. I have not tried in myself, but there is an opinion that if you put switch the car to "Power" then this charges the battery more efficiently than using the either the "Comfort" or "Hybrid" Options, as I have said I have not tried it yet!



Go to YouTube and type "New C5 X & C5 X Plug-in Hybrid Tutorial Videos" into search bar.

NB, these are English versions, there are other languages available as well
Information
https://service.citroen.com/ACddb/index2.html - Use drop-down option to choose variant
Owners Manual "e-Save function (energy reserve) page 23"

[leWrat]

Thank you both.
What you said Stu matches what I have seen. Though I didn't see the bit about the battery recharging while driving if it was below the selected e-save value.
It actually continued to charge above the e-save percentage and it charged it much faster than via the cable, which was a surprise to me.
It is not a feature that I plan to do use very often (as the charging is not economical) but it is good to know that if I have a reason to need it I can.
Thanks again.

[Sloppysod]

....... charged it much faster than via the cable, which was a surprise to me...... (as the charging is not economical)......

Interesting, but it would be handy to know, how uneconomical it actually is. Such as the amount juice it uses to charge the battery vs the amount of benefit you get when then using hybrid. I know there's nothing such as free energy, but Toyota have made a fortune from it!

Looks like i will have to 'play' someday.

[DS9]

leWrat/ Sloppysod

I came across this thread because I might be in the market for the C5X hybrid and was looking around to see what owners thought of them. I've just got a few questions.

I haven't got home charging access but understand you can you can get a mode 3 charging cable and then charge from public chargers, apparently takes about 1Hr 40 mins. Do either of you do this? If I can't find one and need electric power this thread is invaluable if true and I can charge the battery from the petrol engine. Further to the comments above have either of you tried this and do you know the effect on MPG?

Then I'm just wondering about the ride comfort/ suspension on various mode's selected. According to the information I have apparently normal and comfort are the same to 31 mph then deviate a bit, I'm not sure how. Sport firms things up at all speeds but I presume the car will hold onto lower gears? Hybrid mode I'm not sure what happens there? What drive modes do you guys use and is the change in suspension noticeable in the different modes?

I'm asking because my daughter can get travelsick so I'd like to know if one mode was too floaty then I could change to something a bit firmer.

In terms of driving I'm likely to cover 3,000-4,000 miles a year. the car isnt a daily drive by any means but will be used for occasional short urban trips in congested traffic (London). Most of the miles will be done on weekend trips away, travelling up north and back, etc.

Generally, what do you think of your cars, all information helps. Do you think you made the right decision buying the hybrid?

Edit: Are there any small things you have come across that you didn't notice at first which annoy you now?

[Sloppysod]

I haven't got home charging access but understand you can you can get a mode 3 charging cable and then charge from public chargers, apparently takes about 1Hr 40 mins. Do either of you do this? If I can't find one and need electric power this thread is invaluable if true and I can charge the battery from the petrol engine. Further to the comments above have either of you tried this and do you know the effect on MPG?

Yes it can charge from the engine but it hits the mpg, in my experience as I have only tried for short distances, by about 40-50% less, never tried a full comparison.
Battery range 19(Winter) - 34(Summer) UK. It drops with a lot of stop start traffic, but using lane assist/cruise in a traffic jam is soooo relaxing.
With a flat traction battery I get mid to upper 50's at 60-70mph loaded.

The car has a 7.5 Kw onboard charger, so public charging is possible, but remember 7kW and 22kW chargers are faster than 3kW and 11kW ones. In my opinion, anything above £0.45p/kw is not worth it.

Then I'm just wondering about the ride comfort/ suspension on various mode's selected. According to the information I have apparently normal and comfort are the same to 31 mph then deviate a bit, I'm not sure how. Sport firms things up at all speeds but I presume the car will hold onto lower gears? Hybrid mode I'm not sure what happens there? What drive modes do you guys use and is the change in suspension noticeable in the different modes?
I'm asking because my daughter can get travelsick so I'd like to know if one mode was too floaty then I could change to something a bit firmer.

Not a match on the X7, but much better than most other cars with the same price-point. Have not drive the C5X with the "Normal" suspension so can not comment, but have driven C4's with the "cushion" suspension and in my view the extra weight of the traction battery does make a difference when compared to the petrol vehicles, so it may be the same for the non-hybrid models.
There is a difference in the suspension when in adaptive (Comfort) mode, mostly noticeable when going over uneven road (pothole, ramp, rumble strip, etc), the easiest way I can explain is that the shock absorber accepts the bump/dip, but dampens the rebound so the body stays reasonable isolated.

Modes,

• Electric = Full EV

• Power = ICE & electric together, tightens suspension and steering and holds gears longer

• Hybrid = ICE and Electric, either or both to achieve lowest CO² level

• Comfort = Same as Hybrid but suspension set to adaptive and air-conditioning blower is softer/quieter.

• 'B-Mode' = Increases the level of regenerative breaking to recharge the traction battery. It can be used in any of the previous modes and will give you nearly one pedal driving, by adjusting your foot on the accelerator pedal you can slow to about 4 mph and put maximum energy back into the battery

I drive in either Electric or Comfort with 'B mode' below 50-55mph, makes in more relaxing.

In terms of driving I'm likely to cover 3,000-4,000 miles a year. the car isnt a daily drive by any means but will be used for occasional short urban trips in congested traffic (London). Most of the miles will be done on weekend trips away, traveling up north and back, etc.

It all depends really on charging, the car will happily drive with 0% charge, and will give a reasonable fuel saving not so much on faster roads.

My Personal view

Generally, what do you think of your cars, all information helps. Do you think you made the right decision buying the hybrid?

My car is 2 years old (1 year with me), (13,250 miles) and hasn't let me down once.
Yes, (ish), as can charge at home, it cost me less than £1 to cover at least 25 miles most of the year, in piece and quiet with no tailpipe emissions.
On a trip once the battery is empty I still get reasonable efficiency, never had a trip yet where it has been solely on petrol only. While driving you will see the electric motor cut in and out, the car ALWAYS wants to drive in electric, so as soon as some is put into the battery (via regen) it will use it again when it thinks it is suitable. Stop/Start system is great, the engine may start up when you pull away but you are actually driving in electric for the first few seconds - very smooth.
I would have like a full EV but as time goes on I am beginning to think this is a better alternative, only time will tell.
[/quote]

Edit: Are there any small things you have come across that you didn't notice at first which annoy you now?

Difficult to answer this as yes there are a few things that could be better, the build quality is good. However, I'm not sure about the metals used, there are reports of corrosion showing in places on some earlier vehicles.

Like all hybrids (including Toyotas) there are other problems that are likely to pop up, for example I do expect auxiliary battery problems at some time.
Just had the 2 year service at a Citroen Franchise Dealer, to keep the original warranty, for £289.

If a hybrid is not for you, there are a few 1.6 non hybrids out there, these were only made for a short time at launch. Remember the smaller 1.2 Puretech does need looking after in regards of the timing belt, but there is apparently and chain conversion available.

[DS9]

Fantastic response, much appreciated. Bravo.

I'll digest and reply in due course. Just gone on an Easter break for 4 days and arrived today so there is a lot going on.

[DS9]

I snoozed and losed on this.

The car I had in mind was a 74 reg, registered on the last day of February. PLUS spec hybrid. Spoke to the dealer last weds and it was apparently still in the plastic.

Colour was white. Doing the c5x configurator it was £40,405 I think. Advertised at £21,150. Basically half price for a car registered 6 wks ago with no miles.

Its still on auto trader showing as reserved.

[PaulC5]

You will know this anyway but having a list price over £40k the road tax will be £600 a year for 5 years.

[DS9]

Yeah, I own a DS9.

I think it scares people off and discounts the car more than this value.. £400 extra for 5 years is £2k.

If that white car was the standard blue and under the threshold I reckon it'd be circa £25k.

[Sloppysod]

You will know this anyway but having a list price over £40k the road tax will be £600 a year for 5 years.

This catches most people out, but............
The first year is, I think £30 (or close to), then the NEXT 5 years is the higher rate, so in year 7, not year 6, it falls to the lower amount

[PaulC5]

Looking this up for the latest vehicle tax amounts, the first tax depends on the CO2 emissions ranging from £0 to £5490 and then when next taxed for the next 5 years £195 plus an extra £425 if over £40k list price. There does not seem to be any sign of the £40k list price increasing with inflation each year, unlike the tax paid each year. Eventually all cars will be paying the higher rate.

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables

A couple of weeks ago at our Peugeot dealer I looked at a preregistered 308sw hybrid with 25 miles on it. It was £25k and a few months since registered but the list price was over £40k. Surely if they can sell it £15k below list then the list price is wrong.

If you want a newish car then getting one already taxed for a short while such as a demonstrator, then when buying you have to pay the second tax rate and avoid the first one at the up to £5490. Be interesting if you buy a new car then cancel the first tax paid would you get the balance back, and then tax it again at the second tax rate rate for £195 (plus £425 if over £40k). Our latest car Octavia was a few months old used as a demonstrator by the dealer and whilst the CO2 is about 130, the tax I paid was £190 with a list less than £40k (before latest inflation increase) - if new it would have been £440 at the latest rates and being petrol.

[Sloppysod]

Looking this up for the latest vehicle tax amounts, the first tax depends on the CO2 emissions ranging from £0 to £5490 and then when next taxed for the next 5 years £195 plus an extra £425 if over £40k list price. There does not seem to be any sign of the £40k list price increasing with inflation each year, unlike the tax paid each year. Eventually all cars will be paying the higher rate.

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables

This got me confused, so I had to check, I have a Tax reminder from DVLA asking for last years amounts, will be interesting when I tax it in a few days!!

A couple of weeks ago at our Peugeot dealer I looked at a preregistered 308sw hybrid with 25 miles on it. It was £25k and a few months since registered but the list price was over £40k. Surely if they can sell it £15k below list then the list price is wrong.

That the problem with PSA, they always give a higher list price - I think its an ego thing, then the give heavy discounts.

If you want a newish car then getting one already taxed for a short while such as a demonstrator, then when buying you have to pay the second tax rate and avoid the first one at the up to £5490. Be interesting if you buy a new car then cancel the first tax paid would you get the balance back, and then tax it again at the second tax rate rate for £195 (plus £425 if over £40k). Our latest car Octavia was a few months old used as a demonstrator by the dealer and whilst the CO2 is about 130, the tax I paid was £190 with a list less than £40k (before latest inflation increase) - if new it would have been £440 at the latest rates and being petrol.

The Law changed a few years back you can no longer sell a car taxed, the tax has to be surrendered by the current owner, who loses a months road tax, then taxed again by the new owner when they want to drive it non the road!!

[PaulC5]

The Law changed a few years back you can no longer sell a car taxed, the tax has to be surrendered by the current owner, who loses a months road tax, then taxed again by the new owner when they want to drive it non the road!!

This is my point, if the first owner keeps a new car for 1 month and sells it (or the first owner cancels the tax - maybe SORN), do they get up to £5000 back (depending on CO2) from the unused tax and then the second owner then taxes it for £195 ?