Stupid question, but...how does ECO mode help?

I was on a straight doing about 40 MPH in 3rd gen, thought it might be doing no ICE, dialed up the system indicator ... showed no ICE input.

I find it harder to sense when 3rd gen is doing EV. ICE is very quiet in 3rd gen. In gen2, I can feel the engine lay off the drivetrain as you lift the pedal slightly to cop EV up to about 40 MPH. But, I think it's harder to maintain EV on the gen2, it's kinda like must lift pedal a little more or let MPH drop a little to keep it going.

 

From my personal experience, ECO mode saves around 2 more MPG than Power mode in same round trip.

I wish my prius would have power mode button on the stick or steering wheel that I can get a little bit of boost feeling when I need more power.

(Is there some DIY kit around?)

 

The DIY kit is attached to your right leg
Power mode does not increase the overall "power" of the car. Full throttle is full throttle regardless of the mode selected.

 

The folks over at CleanMPG.com would strongly dispute the representation of drafters as 'real hypermilers'.

 

Press on the gas if you need more power. Full power is available even in ECO mode.

Tom

 

I tried ECO on the highway as a means of lengthening the pedal travel (for lack of a better description) and there is a difference for sure, making it easier to keep my HSI in the zone I want with less fluctuating up and down from small pedal movements.

I'll have to try ECO with CC next because in "regular mode" which is my preferred setting for most driving, the CC is too aggressive, pinning the HSI into the red on every hill.

All in all though, since I bought my car about 3 weeks ago, and the temps haven't risen above freezing, and I have snow tires on, I'm not sweating MPG too much yet. I'm getting into the low 40's or better even with these conditions and a full load of people on board so I'll call that a win for winter.

This summer we'll see what she can really do when conditions are optimal.

 

Yeah, I know it's not a hidden power at all, but the feeling (or resistance?) of gas pedal is different.

So it will be easier for me to hit the pwr button and gas pedal, rather than fully press on heavy gas pedal in eco mode.

(And doesn't need a full acceleration to pass a slow car in local traffic, just little better response and kinda fun feeling by hitting another button. )

 

The CC is not affected by the mode selected (ECO/normal/PWR) and will apply the same type of acceleration regardless of the mode, to keep speed constant. In other words, the CC is "stupid" or of the less complex incarnations. On the other hand, the CC will brake to keep speed constant in case of a descent on the road. Some cheap CC don't and let the car roll merrily downhill.

For example, the Honda Insight has a CC that is affected by the use of "ECO" mode. In ECO it accelerates to keep the speed constant, but *much* more smoothly than in "normal" mode.

 

That's what I found this morning when trying ECO and CC on the highway, no difference from "Regular" and CC.

 

FWIW, my last trip I switched to ECO when:

A. Going very slowly over a 2 lane bridge that was backed up w/ cars
B. Navigating the parking lot

Other than that, for the first time since owning the car for 2 weeks, I drove it like a normal car w/ a tendancy to glide when I could. Got a CONST reading of 58.1 mpg. Can't ask for anything more.

 

Keep "normal" - it looks like it is doing you good.
ECO is "necessary" IMHO in winter to avoid the engine start at traffic lights only to make sure you get warm air inside the cabin - i.e. it is quite conservative in making sure you are warm - in ECO is a bit more aggressive and will slow down the blower to avoid wind chill.
Other than that ECO is pretty good to fine tune the gas pedal, but it depends on where you drive, your personal sensitivity at the pedal and personal preference.
PWR is for the "kick", for the "fun" - some report to have no MPG hit; this is especially true if not driving in town - I have noticed that in town it tends to keep the engine on for a little longer more often when stopped at traffic lights. Other than that it should be same, if your are not going into the red PWR zone (which you can reach in all modes - in all modes *all* available power is available - simply floor the pedal...).

 

It pretty much makes the engine shut off sooner and more often.
It makes the A/C use less power, and the fan speed never really hits full blast.
The throttle response is very slow and smoothed out.

 

Couldn't you ask for 58.2 mpg?

 

As much as I want to use ECO mode in the winter, I hate being cold.
As much as I want to use ECO mode in the summer, I hate being hot.
But that's just me.

 

I agree with EVPV... makes the throttle response lethargic enough so that if you want to tramp on the pedal it makes you think about.

When I use the ECO mode I get the feeling mine is saying "Are you really sure you wanna go faster...really really sure?" LOL

 

I think it's mostly a waste of time and never use it, like EV mode.

Not saying it doesn't exist, but I've never seen an ECO vs non-eco objective, meaningful comparison. I've seen "I think I get such and such better mileage", though, which when you're talking 2-3% improvement in mileage is well within the realm of statistical irrelevance.

ECO does make you feel like you're driving a car with 15 horsepower, though, and that's statistically significant a finding.

 

I really feel it would be more mainstream if it lacked those features and defaulted to the regular mode and kill the EV button, too. The EV mode barely works anyway.