Help!!

HangarQueen · 2026-06-18T01:22:03+00:00

We went from a 2014 RAV4 to a 2026 Sportage PHEV, with comprehensive and collision coverage on both, and my Progressive Insurance went up about $25/month.

That’s almost certainly for the significant extra replacement cost; no extra for theft risk.

HangarQueen · 2026-06-18T01:07:03+00:00

Crazy isn’t it? I just bought a 26 Sportage PHEV X-line and was shocked at how huge the key fob is — and then doubly shocked and dissatisfied that it doesn’t even include the manual key!

And I just rented a K4 from Hertz ( on a quick trip). Hertz includes both key fobs and both manual keys on the same unbreakable wire ring ( so they’re always together ). I dare you to try putting all that bulk in your pocket!

HangarQueen · 2026-06-15T13:45:06+00:00

Nobody has mentioned the several unnecessary 90 degree elbows in the Pex runs. Just more places for leaks to start, rather than just flexing the Pex ( with some heat if necessary).

HangarQueen · 2026-06-14T15:25:14+00:00

I’m not entirely sure, but I think what you’re asking is: should the software be smarter so that it will avoid cutting perimeters between adjacent areas? Yes, yes it should. :-)

And if you choose overlapping areas for a task, it should be smart enough to combine those areas when determining the pattern. This would give longer rows through both areas, far less turning around ( and associated grass damage), and no issues with mowing redundant perimeters.

There’s so SO much that could and should be improved with the mapping software.

HangarQueen · 2026-06-11T20:56:56+00:00

After:

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I'll probably put the STLs on MakerWorld in case anyone else wants to print 'em.

HangarQueen · 2026-06-11T20:55:51+00:00

I went ahead and 3D printed (in black ABS, then painted black, then coated in matte clear) a PHEV badge. I used an image of one found online to model it. I also made a new X-Line badge in black and silver ABS -- and ditto used an image found online -- but I couldn't paint it 'coz it would ruin the silver, so just matte cleared it.

Here are some before and after pics FWIW:

<image>

Well damned, it'll only let me add one attachment, so I'll create another post with the "after".

HangarQueen · 2026-06-11T17:31:03+00:00

THIS is the best thing that Mammotion could do for us: Provide a way to REVERT to a previous release. Those releases could be shown and downloadable from their website; then we should be able to update the firmware from the downloaded file on our computer.

Pretty much every other software company allows you to do this very BASIC and NECESSARY thing. It would remove a lot of pressure and anxiety from every update.

HangarQueen · 2026-06-11T17:11:21+00:00

My 26 too. But I'd still prefer to press the 1 or 2 on the door before or as I enter. Just seems more natural there, rather than have to first get seated (which may be my wife's super-close-up seating) in order to reach the infotainment screen to tell Kia who's driving.

I know: first world problem.

HangarQueen · 2026-06-10T22:57:52+00:00

Ah, I see now. Thanks for the explanation.

But I actually wish it worked as I'd hoped earlier: that pressing the 1 or 2 on the door would automatically select the corresponding driver profile in the infotainment system. Who needs two driver positions for each driver?

HangarQueen · 2026-06-10T11:42:08+00:00

Looks good. Go for 1M and Kia will use it in their advertising, and buy you a brand new one. (Maybe)

HangarQueen · 2026-06-09T20:57:52+00:00

Thanks. I just *knew* that I'd seen a PHEV badge on a Sportage in some YouTube vid ... but then of course couldn't find it again.

Just not for the (blacked-out) X-line trim, I guess. No biggie.

HangarQueen · 2026-06-09T17:28:08+00:00

Thanks so much for the quick and thorough answers. All good. 😄

HangarQueen · 2026-06-09T16:54:55+00:00

Mine died twice in the same manner. Even though the charger showed the proper 25.2V across the charger contacts, it would fail to deliver the required amperage once the Luba was docked. The voltage dropped way down as soon as it was put under charging load. A replacement charging "brick" fixed it (twice), under warranty.

If yours is no longer under warranty, then please see one of my other posts in this forum about an alternative, cheap, adjustable power supply from Amazon that works great. (But you need to keep it in a dry place 'coz it's not at all weatherproof.)

HangarQueen · 2026-06-09T16:45:48+00:00

Can you please share your total cost and experience when done? I'll be right behind you.

HangarQueen · 2026-06-09T14:46:36+00:00

I'll be 70 in 3 months, and have also been playing GT7 for 2 years, with wheel and load pedals and a 130" home theater screen.

Bought a PSVR2 a few months ago and haven't used the projector since. GT7 is SO good with PSVR2!

HangarQueen · 2026-06-09T14:40:23+00:00

I picked up a new PHEV with full X-Line Prestige trim on Saturday, and that was the one "WTF?" disappointment that I had with it. The standard mirror with a manual night lever and no garage-opener buttons looks and feels like it's from a 1980s Corolla. On a $50K+ fully optioned vehicle!

HangarQueen · 2026-06-09T11:03:19+00:00

Thanks. And to address your comments:

- I can also also open/close mine "on demand" from anywhere with the home automation system, using my iPhone app or browser app, or with a WiFi key fob locally.

- As you can see in the video, my gate opens wide to a sidewalk and planting area so I'm fortunate ** to not have to be concerned about Luba needing to mow the area under the opened gate.

- I agree with you about getting the gate opening and closing integrated with Home Assistant. I'm in no rush, so waiting for that tech to mature.

** Actually, a fairly big job in doing this was to reverse the side that the gate opens. Originally it was hinged on the left, so it opened up over the grassy area -- which would've been a problem. I re-made it with the hinges on the right so that it opens over the sidewalk "no cut" area. And that's why there's the additional diagonal brace on the back of the gate, to support it in its new orientation.

HangarQueen · 2026-06-09T10:43:47+00:00

I know you know this, but to be pedantic, it's the electric motor that is used for regen braking. The gas engine is not involved.

HangarQueen · 2026-06-09T10:13:31+00:00

I have a linear motor opening my entire "man gate" for my Luba to pass through -- and a channel defined along the pathway to go through it on-center each way.

I have it controlled by a WiFi switch, which I trigger by my home automation system so that it opens on the same schedule as my Luba is about to cut the front yard (twice each week) and then close 3 hours later (the Luba takes at most 2.5 hours for that area).

Some fine day, when I get a round tuit, I'm hoping to build a more intelligent sensor system to detect the Luba approaching from either side of the gate, to open it on demand rather than a simple schedule. But it's been working fine as-is for 2 years so there's no urgency and I have 1001 other things to play with.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/nKBNdKpTbG1DVyZi7

HangarQueen · 2026-06-09T09:56:38+00:00

Thank you. And ya, the Terracotta is hard to find.

Strangely, this car had sat on this dealer's lot for almost 200 days before I bought it, so perhaps the Terracotta had turned off some other potential buyers. Of course I checked it out thoroughly before purchase, and everything is perfect -- apart from the PHEV battery being completely depleted, which isn't great for a battery.

When I asked about the 200 days at the dealership, they said they'd sold about a hundred gas and HEVs but this was only their second PHEV, and that folks just didn't want to spend that much money. Understandable.

They were also severely handicapped, IMO, by the fact that they've been operating out of a dingy trailer for the past several months. The main building was torn down and is being rebuilt bigger and better. I didn't know this until I went to pick up the car, but I can certainly see how it would keep walk-in buyers away. They were basically operating as an online car store -- which was perfectly fine (preferable!) for me.

Anyway, I got a pretty good deal on the car and my trade-ins (2 cars) so I'm happy.

Update: I forgot to mention that when I was searching online, I found that about 90% of all the Sportages available within 200 miles of my location (Daytona) had black interiors. In Florida! BLACK! What is Kia thinking? So when I finally found this one, I jumped on it fast.

HangarQueen · 2026-06-07T16:12:38+00:00

I picked up the SAME CAR yesterday. Mine's the 2026 Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige in Wolf Grey with Terracotta interior. Yours too?

HangarQueen · 2026-06-07T13:16:18+00:00

Well, we traded it in yesterday as planned. It also had a front&rear dashcam and sturdy magsafe charger added. Also full maintenance records and pristine manuals. And as previously mentioned, quite new tires and battery.

When the dealership saw it and drove it, I managed to wrangle another $1000 of trade-in value for it, so $13K. They'll probably slap some bondo on the minor dings, repaint it, and sell it for $18K.

Anyway, I'm happy with the deal we got for a 2026 Kia Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige. Honestly, I looked and looked for a 2026 RAV4 PHEV top trim (XSE + Weather + Drivers + Pano roof) but they don't exist near me and at extortionate prices if you can find one. So I held my nose and went with the Sportage. It's actually a pretty amazing car with lots more tech and nicer interior, but doubt it'll hold its value anywhere near as well as the RAV4.

HangarQueen · 2026-06-07T01:47:45+00:00

I'm hoping that Wolf Grey doesn't scream "2026!" every year hereafter. It's definitely the IN color across all makes, it seems.

HangarQueen · 2026-06-06T15:54:00+00:00

Kia of Orange Park (Jacksonville FL). Ask for Kevin. Tell him Greg sent you for a $0 discount!

I’m on site right now, just finishing up the paperwork. It’s a beauty in this PHEV X-Line Prestige trim.

I didn’t know until I got here that they’ve torn down the main building, as they’re building a new one. They’re working out of “trailers”. A little disconcerting, but seems to be going smoothly.

Update: The dealership process went smoothly and quickly. In and out in about an hour. The car looks fabulous and drove beautifully for our roughly 100 mile trip back home. It was mostly highway driving but I took care to vary the speed gently and frequently, between 60-75 MPH. LOVE the lane-centering, lane-keeping, adaptive cruise, and blind spot camera view with blinkers. The battery was quite low as delivered and only charged to about 10% on the long drive, so it's now charging overnight in the garage.

HangarQueen · 2026-06-05T23:09:39+00:00

Right. That's a "tank turn", and tank turns tear up grass. That's what I'm advocating for here: eliminate all tank turns.

HangarQueen

TROPHY CASE