Hi. On the i-ELoop MZD display for showing the status of the i-ELOOP system (see photo below) there are three icons in the bottom right showing the Engine, Battery and Aircon. Can somebody tell me what the significance of the blue tinted halos around these icons signify? On my car, the halo around the engine seams to appears an disappear, the battery icon never seems to show the halo and for the Aircon Icon the halo appears to be always there. Also is the symbol in the centre of the car a representation of the alternator?
Donât the blue haloâd things relate to i-stop not i-ELOOP? I think the haloâd bits indicate that the AC condition is ready, and the engine is ready, but the battery isnât. (the AC must not be selected to the screen for example - I think if you turn the air knob to screen it will de-halo).
Iâd assume the ELOOP bit is just showing the charge state of the big cap.
EDIT to add - Re the battery - there have been a few threads about this and I have the impression that the battery monitor can be wrong about battery state of charge (SOC). I believe it âcalculatesâ SOC from (a) resetting it from time to time to 100% when some algorithm determines itâs fully charged, and (b) measuring current in and out, applying the usual efficiency factor to charge current, and updating the SOC continuously. More guesswork. A lot of people seem to think that using an external charger can confuse the battery monitor, so if no valid SOC then it is treated as ânot readyâ
Yes. I thought that that was what it meant, but it was on to start with then went off after about 20 miles but then came back on again a few miles later. It does not seem to bear any relationship with the engine temperature. I must admit it was the first time I had this display active while I have been driving. I shall have to monitor it more closely to see if I can see any definite relationship with the halo status and the engine temperature.
There are 2 things showing on the display, the i-eloop and the i-stop systems.
When there are 3 halos showing, the display should change from ânot readyâ to âreadyâ. The next time you stop in neutral and release the clutch, the engine will cut out then restart when you engage gear. Thatâs i-stop, which can be switched off by a button on the dash each time you start up.
The i-eloop shows the state of the second battery which charges when you slow down and discharges when you accelerate and is suppost to recover and reuse energy somehow. Not sure it does much!
I think the arrows indicate the ELOOP is discharging in that screen shot. It recovers energy when braking and in that condition presumably there will be arrows from the wee alternator icon going into the capacitor that is used as a battery.
When not recovering energy it supplies what it has to reduce alternator load and fuel consumption (Iâm just guessing that, because if it didnât there would be no point in it whatsoever!)
How can it be âeasierâ if you call something a ânameâ that is not. It is like calling a cat a dog because they are both animals, That donât make sense.
Thanks for all your answers. I do know how the i-start and e-loop systems work and the purpose of their functions. It was the meaning of the engine, battery and A/C icons that I was querying. I understand in the case of the âBattery Readyâ icon that the battery needs to be fully charged for i-stop to work but in the case of the âEngine Readyâ icon in particular, what does âEngine Readyâ signify and how does âengine readinessâ affect either the i-start or the e-loop systems? I am also at a loss as to what the âA/C Readyâ icon signifies as the aircon is always available as far as I know.
I may be appearing to be pedantic but these icons seem to activate ( as shown by the blue halo) pretty randomly and I wondered what their purpose is regarding information to the driver.
The A/C is always available, but AFAIK i-stop wonât be âreadyâ if the A/C is set to screen, or maximum heat, or minimum temperature. Does selecting screen make the A/C halo disappear? If it doesnât, Iâll go back in my 'ole.
Glub knows how the big cap. works and exactly when it discharges. Is it just in parallel wth the main battery? Does it have a role in i-stop? Does the battery icon consider the cap. SOC? There are lots of references to it recovering energy on braking as if it doesnât when thereâs no braking. This would make no sense, and this old press release seems to confirm it always charges on overrun.
Engine: Warmed up and drive for a bit and bonnet is closed
Battery: Good condition and charged
A/C: Is not set to and blower isnât on full
In terms of regeneration, this is on overrun/engine braking. Having the clutch in and hitting the brakes will not charge the system.
And the system is designed to run as much of the car as possible off the capacitor, not the battery, this is why it wonât stop/start when the A/C is on demist/full blower.
Finally, manuals are greatâŚ
When the system is operable
The engine is warmed up.
The engine has been started and the vehicle is driven for a certain period.
The engine is started with the bonnet closed.
The battery is in good condition.
All doors, boot lid, and bonnet are closed.
The driverâs seat belt is fastened.
(Manual Air-Conditioning)
The airflow mode dial of the air conditioner is in a position other than ().
The airflow amount is other than the maximum airflow amount.
(Fully Automatic Air-Conditioning)
The airflow mode dial of the air conditioner is in a position other than ().
The temperature setting dial of the air conditioner is in a position other than maximum heating or maximum cooling (A/C ON) position.
The vehicleâs interior temperature and the set temperature for the air conditioner are nearly the same.
The i-stop warning light (amber) is not turned on/flashing.
The keyless entry & push button start system functions are normal.
The brake vacuum is sufficiently high.
The steering wheel is not being operated.
(Manual transmission)
The vehicle speed is 3 km/h (1.8 mph) or less.
The shift lever is in the neutral position.
The clutch pedal is not depressed.
(Automatic transmission)
The vehicle is stopped.
The selector lever is in the D or M position (not in second gear fixed mode).
The automatic transmission fluid has warmed up sufficiently.
The automatic transmission fluid temperature is not abnormally high.
The steering wheel is almost in the straight-ahead position (idling may not stop even with the steering wheel in the straight-ahead position if force is applied to the steering wheel. Release the force applied to the steering wheel to stop engine idling).
The vehicle is stopped by depressing the brake pedal.
Emergency braking is not applied.
When the system is not operable
The vehicle is stopped but the engine is kept idling.
(Manual Air-Conditioning)
The airflow mode dial of the air conditioner is in the () position and the fan control dial is in a position other than 0.
The airflow amount is the maximum airflow amount.
(Fully Automatic Air-Conditioning)
The airflow mode dial of the air conditioner is in the () position.
The temperature setting dial of the air conditioner is in the maximum heating or maximum cooling (A/C ON) position.
There is a large difference between the cabin temperature and the set temperature of the air conditioner.
The ambient temperature is extremely high or low.
The atmospheric pressure is low (when driving at high altitudes).
(Automatic transmission)
The vehicle is stopped on a steep incline.
The steering wheel is not in the straight-ahead position while the vehicle is stopped.
(Retractable fastback model)
The retractable fastback is operating
Hi Ian,
Thank you very much for all the info which answers my questions fully. There are an awful lot of parameters that need to be satisfied for the i-stop system to operate. Regarding your comments âFinally, manuals are great âŚâ I totally agree but the Mazda online owners manual pages 4-78 to 4-84 does not seem to mention any of this. You must have access to a much more detailed manual It would be interesting to know which manual you got this info from.
Argh!
I feel rather embarrassed. Because they are on the same MZD screen I had assumed that their descriptions would have been in the same section of the manual and not in altogether different sections I can only apologise for my oversight. I remember the old adage âthat to ASSUME is to only make an A*S of U and MEâ!
Not sure what the value of the eloop system really is in practice. At best it seems to last about 30 seconds to a minute or so before showing discharged. My guess is itâs offering a lot of complexity (stuff to go wrong) just to help meet emissions for the way they test emissions⌠I doubt it makes any practical contribution to good fuel consumption.
My old Audi doesnât have it, but I noticed it recharges the conventional battery at higher currrents more on overrun, which is similarity trying to make use of/store the extra energy available, but without all the extra complexity and components.
Then again, if it just means the ND can still be sold I guess Iâm for it
and blower isnât on full
It would be interesting to know which manual you got this info from.
I can only apologise for my oversight. I remember the old adage âthat to ASSUME is to only make an A*S of U and MEâ!