ECO Mode vs. "Normal" Mode MPG

I am not remotely surprised. I think equally impressive MPG figures can be observed in normal mode just by driving carefully.

In my experience Eco mode deadens the response of the gas pedal resulting in less controlled surges when demanding a bit of power during those odd moment when you need to pull away just that bit quicker too. In normal mode I have far more control over the response of the car to power over the range of the gas pedals travel.

There is some optimisation of the AC and heater apparently but I personally refuse to worry about MPGs to the point that I start compromising on comfort to squeeze every yard out of every drop of petrol. Its just not worth it in my opinion.

That said, large fluctuations in ambient temperature swings in some states in the US may make eco mode yield very different results from the ones I have in my area of the world.

 

I have got good results in power mode
when driven carefully.

It all depends if you have a heavy or light right foot....

alfon

 

I think ECO works best in Town with bumper to bumper traffic and the AC on.

I am right at 50 MPG over the last 7k miles using a mix of normal and power. Mostly 30 to 40 mile trips up and down the east-bay hills. The wife currently averages 39 mpg in her 2008 where she drives 2 or 3 miles per trip, absolutely NO hi-mileage driving techniques on her part. I drove the Gen II when it was new and remember getting about 45 mpg at that time.

There is also a couple of mpg gained when they switch from winter gas formula to the summer gas. But, I can't say when that happens in California.

 

In my climate zone, 6 weeks of weather improvement causes a lot more than 0.5 mpg increase.

 

I have never bothered with the "mode" buttons. I just drive the Prius.
I get 50 MPG in the summer.
With grill blocking, I get about 46 MPG in the winter.

 

In respect with Power, Normal, and Eco mode only the
Eco mode regulates the ac when in use for max mpg's.

It is useful to perhaps use Eco Mode when driving with the
AC on. Otherwise It doesn't make much difference.

alfon

 

I'm with you TW !!

48 and change calculated overall MPG is good enough for me ... although I DO drive sensibly and gently most of the time ... I don't obsess with the HSI displays much anymore.

REV

 

I have hardly been out of ECO mode. My 25K calculated average now stands at 55.4. It also makes moving ahead on a slippery road much easier, no wheel spin.
I use power mode when the guy next to me looks like he wants to drag race, he's expecting nothing till I blow him away. That's my fun time.

 

More about the modes here.

 

I'd speculate ECO mode is a little "harder" on the hybrid battery: depleting and recharging it more: might shorten it's life. That said we've been using ECO most all the time.

 

I find that normal mode makes P&G a bit easier -- I find it easier to accelerate to my desired speed and then back off.

I haven't used ECO mode in ages now. To be honest, I find that I end up being almost too conscious of how I'm driving when i can see the HSI, and my MPGs end up dropping as a result of me overcompensating. Just my 2 cents, though.

 

I have had my Prius for 5 weeks now and I'm showing 65.4 mpg with a best of 69.7. I use normal mode to start and then go to Eco. I had a Auris Multi Mode 1.4 diesel before and I have not changed my driving style, the Auris average was 50mpg.

 

Is that imperial gallons or U.S.
gallons?

 

Hi Mendel,

It seems just the opposite on mine. Temps here in the south (US) demand A/C almost all the time in the summer and ECO mode appears to keep the traction battery from discharging as much compared to "normal" mode. I could be wrong, just an observation. Short trips especially.

 

Heavy use of the battery will reduce mileage, so it is unlikely that ECO mode does this.

Tom

 

Good info, thanks for sharing..I recently switched from eco to normal as well..

 

Ok, to #17 and #18, you're very likely right. Just seemed plausable.

Regarding #11: on an extended road trip, I gradually got our mileage down to (displayed) 4.1 liters/100km. Posted speed was 100km (I stayed around 90), weather wasn't that good, and it was somewhat hilly and winding roads. Then getting into a slight but steady upgrade, the mileage started moving back up (bad), 4.2, 4.3, finally 4.5 before we crested the climb. Once again it started moving down (good), think it ended up at 4.2, which of course translates to about 4.5 calc'd.

I recall thinking: that's as good as it gets. Of course: I can get better mileage around town, on longer trips, if really careful: 3.8~3.9 (displayed). I guess that's reflected in the Transport Canada mileage estimates: better in town than highway.

I would say on the highway, in my incompetent hands, the Prius would be neck-and-neck with our previous HCHII, or slightly behind. For sure around town the Prius would excel, but it seems to hit a ceiling on the highway, where the HCHII has greater potential, especially for a skilled hypermiler.

We did a run out to Harrison Hot Springs once with the HCHII, with a full tank and reset odometer, for our north Coquitlam home. Getting home, the displayed mileage was 4.1 I believe, but: when the HCHII dash display says 4.1, calc'd is at least 4.0.

Still, I'm happy with the switch