ECO Mode vs. Normal Mode

Like HTML Spinner says, stay in ECO unless you have a need for PWR.

Wayne

 

I've always had 4CYL cars with about 105 HP. I'm used to pushing the accelerator and nothing much happening. So I'm hoping I won't notice the sluggishness of the ECO mode. Are others who find ECO sluggish used to the same class of under-powered vehicles as I am?

Thanks,

Rich N.

 

I guess the point I was trying to make was why bother looking for the power button when you can just give it more pedal. Maybe some brave soul will have to try 0-60 times in both modes. I'm not willing to do it with only 250 miles on my car. Anyone???

G

 

One thing to note is that regardless of what mode you are in, the responsiveness is the same if you were to floor it. The difference in the modes though is noticeable during light and moderate acceleration.

Personally I prefer to run in ECO mode for my primary driving, especially since this time of year since I am usually running AC. The ECO mode does lean towards more conservative acceleration at slower speeds. This makes the car less likely to engage the ICE (internal combustion engine) unless you apply moderate pressure on the throttle. I find this especially useful if you are trying to pulse and glide at a specific maximum speed or trying to stay under the 42 MPH mark.

Really it comes down to your driving habits, I am new to driving a Prius so I find the mode helpful in coaxing me into driving better.

 

I've become very accustomed to the Eco Mode, despite thinking I'd do better staying in Regular Mode and managing things myself. I've decided to keep it in Eco now. Not only does Eco manage A/C, it really does get me better mileage.

How do I know? Two experiences.

The first was trying out the buttons while in cruise. I was driving on a flat highway at about 50mph when I played with the buttons. When I had in normal mode and then pushed "ECO" I saw the FE meter "leap" up by about two pips. Likewise, after keeping it in Eco for awhile and then dropping it back down to normal, I've seen the FE meter drop (and stay there).

The second happened after I'd been driving about a day and a half after having the car in for installation of the rear bumper applique. I was wondering why it appeared my mileage was dropping from about 62 to about 58/59. I couldn't understand this, because I was driving across the same streets in the same whether. I then looked to see what was up and found that the "Eco" Mode had been turned off. I pushed the button and soon notice the MPGs climing again.

This is nothing against the other modes!! I like having fun driving, but part of my fun is getting really good mileage!!

 

Don't worry about it! Modes are neat because they neatly support the upcoming energy credit system. If the Federation says America has been bad, then you can be darn sure you'll be in Eco mode no matter how you fiddle with the joystick. But if you've been a good serf then you'll get a few minutes of PWR foolishness!

 

Re: ECO Mode vs. Normal Mode vs. Power Mode

I am on pace to drive 2,000 miles in my 2010 Prius by the end of this first month. We seem to be taking it pretty much everywhere we go.

Anyway, I drive in Power mode all the time (except for the first 2-3 blocks after I first start the car, when I haven't remembered to switch to Power mode yet). For this first 2,000 miles, I will average about 51 mpg.

Personally, I don't like the sluggish feel of Eco mode. And, even if I could get another 5 miles per gallon, how much would that save me in fuel costs per year? 24,000/yr @ 50 mpg is 480 gallons. @ 55 mpg, that would be just under 440 gallons. 40 gallons less @ $2.50/gallon is about $100 per year, or $8 per month.

40 gallons is 40 gallons, but for $8 per month, I like the extra power without having to floor it. How about you?

Is my math right?

 

Re: ECO Mode vs. Normal Mode vs. Power Mode

I'm glad somebody's answered my question. I was wondering if there was anyone driving in the power mode all the time. I'm also glad that you can still average 50 + mpg in the power mode. I personally don't like the sluggish feel when I step on the gas.

 

Re: ECO Mode vs. Normal Mode vs. Power Mode

ECO mode's more than just a trick. By modifying how it responds to the pedal, it's giving you more "sensitivity" in the lower ranges so you can hit your mark easier. You can always push it farther to get harder acceleration, but when you're trying to stay, say, centered in the ECO region of the HSI gauge, it makes it easier.

Plus it seems to restrict A/C output when the traction battery is low, or when the power is needed elsewhere.

So I leave it in ECO mode all the time. My wife kicks it out to Normal mode, because it feels more like her other car. I really don't see the need for PWR mode: just press the gas pedal harder in ECO or Normal modes.

 

Looks like this is an old thread but thanks for the details on the different modes. I've been driving mine for just over a week now and was confused about the differences between Normal/ECO. I had been running solely on ECO mode and it was really feeling sluggish to me (primarily on turns, where it felt like it would just die at the second half of the turn), and I didn't recall it feeling that way when I test drove it; I assumed I just needed to get used to it and just accelerate harder. I finally switched to Normal yesterday and it feels so much better to me, now every bit as responsive/powerful on turns as my old car (Murano).

 

Re: ECO Mode vs. Normal Mode vs. Power Mode

LOL. In the UK we pay £4.68 per imperial gallon. But it's interesting to see you only use a few mpg running in pwr mode

 

I leave my Prius in Eco mode all the time except for those times when I'm entering a freeway and need to get up to speed more quickly. In that case I switch off the eco mode until I've merged with the traffic safely and then I switch back to eco.

For the first 1700 miles I've gotten 53.3 mpg (actual calculation). I don't know what the mileage would be in 'normal' mode but I think I'd have to pay much more attention to the gauges to match the mileage I've been getting in eco mode.

 

Just an update. I've had the Prius for 7 weeks, with 7200 miles. I drive in ECO mode 100% of the time, and it is definitely sluggish. I didn't notice it that much until I drove my Kia Spectra and it felt like a sportscar next to ECO mode.

However, it is really easy to get used to slow acceleration, I'm ot aggressive and it is very smooth when going over 70MPH (I drive too fast to get over 50 MPG, but that's still good for my 100 mile commute).

Rich N.

 

seems like everyones leaning towards eco mode, i'm in ECO now on a full tank and will test it out

but i like the little extra burst of speed without having to floor it in normal mode

I will prbably use eco when the AC is on

 

My 2 cents on the topic:
1) ECO mode: to be used in town because you have a finer control over the gas applied, thus you can control exactly how much gas you want to give without the need to have a feather light foot; it reduces the power of the A/C and prevents the engine to turn on more often in winter
to produce heat by reducing the fan speed and the temperature of the air (blowing less air at lower temperature feels less cold than blowing it at normal speed - "wind chill"; e.g. blow slowly air at 20C to get 19C, instead of blowing it faster at 21C);
2) normal mode, if you are not driving in town or stop&go traffic (i.e. highway jams); A/C and heater unaffected;
3) PWR mode: to be used on German highway ( ), mountain roads, sporty driving; quick response times; the PWR mode also tends to keep the engine on also when releasing the gas (noticed this several times) to make sure the battery is well charged; A/C and heater unaffected; I personally believe that the engine management changes and it is not just a different gas pedal response time, but it is only my gut feeling and cannot prove it...
4) EV mode: to move the car between/within a parking lot, to move it on the driveway, for extremely short trips (e.g. picking somebody really close on the way, to postpone the ICE warm up and actually let it start when driving at normal speed (thus lasting less) instead of while going at very low speed to reach person to pick up), when looking for a parking spot in european streets , to avoid stinking places (indoor car parks) and avoid unnecessary noise at night (arriving at house garage). Other than this, no other use for "true driving" really.

 

I tend to drive in no-mode all of the time. I seem to be able to get better gas mileage and like the feel of the car better then when in ECO mode.

 

I too was having problems being comfortable, and I drive almost 1000 miles per week (bought in July, have 31K miles). My back just hurt and it made me quite depressed. Then I got a 'wedge' to reduce the slickness of the leather and the amount of "bucket". I've almost eliminated any discomfort now, so that may be something you might try.

Rich N.