Does the MG3+ struggle with hills?

[Whoopedoodaa]

Returning home in my MG3 Hybrid from North Wales on the three lane A55 expressway (in severe rain) when I reached the Rhuallt Hill with its 10% gradient, when I accelerated to go up this steep incline the engine unnervingly 'flatlined' for about 5-6 seconds before then accelerating as expected. Was this malfunction the engine undecided about what gear it should be in, or was it looking for additional power support from the battery, bearing in mind I had been driving for more than half an hour at 50-60mph on this carriageway without any cause for regenerative braking to load up the battery? Has anyone else found their MG3+ faltering while driving uphill with this hybrid pairing?

 

[MG Clive]

Have you seen our previous discussion on going up/down hills @Whoopedoodaa

Over-revving MG3 Hybrid+ engine

Several YT videos show how difficult it is for the MG3's hybrid engine to climb high mountains. In fact, it seems that when the high-voltage battery is empty, the combustion engine no longer delivers enough power to climb the mountain. Some people talk about having to park on the side of the...

www.mgevs.com

 

[Whoopedoodaa]

Have you seen our previous discussion on going up/down hills @Whoopedoodaa

Over-revving MG3 Hybrid+ engine

Several YT videos show how difficult it is for the MG3's hybrid engine to climb high mountains. In fact, it seems that when the high-voltage battery is empty, the combustion engine no longer delivers enough power to climb the mountain. Some people talk about having to park on the side of the...

www.mgevs.com

Thanks Clive. Here's an answer to this issue I found on the internet bearing in mind my issue came about on only a 10% incline!

The experience you described with your MG3 Hybrid's engine 'flatlining' could be related to the hybrid system's performance on steep inclines, particularly when the high-voltage battery is low. It appears that when the battery's charge is depleted, the combustion engine might struggle to provide sufficient power for climbing, which could explain the temporary loss of acceleration you experienced. Additionally, the regenerative braking system is designed to recharge the battery during deceleration, not while maintaining a consistent speed or accelerating, which might contribute to the lack of battery support in such situations. A software update has been known to resolve similar issues, so it may be beneficial to check if there are any available updates for your vehicle.

 

[Big Ears]

Hmm, we live at 986 feet and so far it has shot up from town which is 34 feet So a good climb in less than 1 mile.

 

[Whoopedoodaa]

Hmm, we live at 986 feet and so far it has shot up from town which is 34 feet So a good climb in less than 1 mile.

Measured at one mile that's a steep incline of 18.02% so it is a good job you had some recharge in your battery to assist the engine.

 

[Big Ears]

Measured at one mile that's a steep incline of 18.02% so it is a good job you had some recharge in your battery to assist the engine.

That's approximate but not much in it.

 

[Aitch1]

I fortunately live in an area which is reasonably flat, (north Cheshire/South Lancs), so I've not experienced any issues with hill climbing. I am wondering, though, if anyone has had issues climbing the winding, steep access roads to multi-level car parks? Or would this relatively short distance not cause the same problems?

 

[copilux]

This is the type of problem that happened to me and confirmed by the dealer. The official response from the importer was if this symptom occurs, the driver has to press the accelerator pedal to the maximum (kick-down). If it still does not work, the engine computer must be updated. They also mention that the solution is temporary and they will try to find a permanent solution. In two weeks I will find out if the update solution is definitive or not.

 

[Deleted member 18108]

I fortunately live in an area which is reasonably flat, (north Cheshire/South Lancs), so I've not experienced any issues with hill climbing. I am wondering, though, if anyone has had issues climbing the winding, steep access roads to multi-level car parks? Or would this relatively short distance not cause the same problems?

I have managed multistory car parks with no issues other that a user error of removing my seat belt to take a ticket (mismatch of arm length v distance to ticket machine due to awkward approach angle on top of ramp). The seat belt removal meant that the auto hold would not disengage, when I went to move away. But no issues with loss of power.

 

[Aitch1]

I have managed multistory car parks with no issues other that a user error of removing my seat belt to take a ticket (mismatch of arm length v distance to ticket machine due to awkward approach angle on top of ramp). The seat belt removal meant that the auto hold would not disengage, when I went to move away. But no issues with loss of power.

Thanks Declan. That's taken the worry about visiting Multi-storey parking.

 

[Jezzer]

Last month we were in Somerset and we went up Porlock Hill twice both times we had this problem.

 

[gian]

Last month we were in Somerset and we went up Porlock Hill twice both times we had this problem.

Instead the descent was normal?
always regeneration (1, 2 or 3) active?

 

[Pine]

Additionally, the regenerative braking system is designed to recharge the battery during deceleration, not while maintaining a consistent speed or accelerating,

Not quite correct. Regeneration will charge the battery when you lift off the throttle or brake. Additionally, when the battery becomes low the engine will charge the battery as well as powering the car. This is causing the problem going up a long hill. I think a software tweak is needed to stop the battery charging when the load on the engine exceeds a certain value so that all available power can be sent to the front wheels.

 

[copilux]

Agree with you...but let's not forget we have to drive with min. 37 mph allowing engine to engage the gearbox in first stage

 

[Mark Torre]

I get this problem all the time as I am in a hilly area but my dealer won’t acknowledge an issue. Does this update have a name or something I can refer them to?

 

[Big Ears]

I get the high revs, but ours flysheet up two steep hils to home I would expect any engine to have higher revs going up hill even a V8 let alone the tiny MG3 one