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Trying Eco mode for one tank

Discussion in 'Prius c Fuel Economy' started by ewaboy, Jun 24, 2012.

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  1. ewaboy

    ewaboy Active Member

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    For the first time I'm trying a tankful on "Eco" mode.
    So far highway seems a little better but city driving is worse. Does this make sense?

    If this keeps up - this tank will take my Fuelly MPG down. I don't try to get better MPG - just drive like I normally do.
     
    #1 ewaboy, Jun 24, 2012
  2. Nic Lechner

    Nic Lechner Junior Member

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    Is your goal to get better gas mileage? Or are you just trying to drive normal and see where you land?
     
    #2 Nic Lechner, Jun 24, 2012
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  3. ewaboy

    ewaboy Active Member

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    Very well put. I think more the latter "...drive normal and see where you land?" Basically trying to see if "Eco" mode nets me better MPG while keeping my driving style the same as it's been for the last 7 tanks and see where I land. :)
     
    #3 ewaboy, Jun 24, 2012
  4. Nic Lechner

    Nic Lechner Junior Member

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    Well good luck :)

    I have been playing around between eco and normal this tank (only my second with the C) and I was getting 3-5mpg less without eco mode on. I was even trying to be careful with the throttle.
     
    #4 Nic Lechner, Jun 24, 2012
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  5. ewaboy

    ewaboy Active Member

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    Thanks. I think it's great that we can try different settings and driving styles to see if we can get better mileage. Kinda like a science project.:D Well - maybe not cause I didn't too well in science classes way back when.:rolleyes:
     
    #5 ewaboy, Jun 24, 2012
  6. fjpod

    fjpod Member

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    I drive in Eco all the time. If I need to get on a highway, or make a quick left turn, I simply floor it. Eco makes it a lot easier to control the HSI bar and in my book that means better mileage. Of course, you have to want to play this game. I'm averaging 58.2 mpg over about 750 miles right now. YMMV.
     
    #6 fjpod, Jun 24, 2012
  7. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    If you are seeing less mpg in the city with Eco Mode on it is probably because you are accelerating too slow. Either accelerate in true hypermiler fashion or use the generally accepted efficient acceleration technique which means brisk acceleration using 3/4 of the HSI bar then lift off the throttle at your desired speed then reapply just enough pedal pressure to maintain speed. In Eco Mode you may be accelerating too slowly and thus spending too much time in inefficient acceleration.
     
    #7 F8L, Jun 24, 2012
  8. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Watch this for hypermiling acceleration techniques.

     
    #8 F8L, Jun 24, 2012
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  9. ewaboy

    ewaboy Active Member

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    Thanks for the info. I do notice that in ECO I have a harder time remaining in the EV "zone". In "Normal" the ICE stays off longer once the car reaches speed. Must be my "uneducated" foot.:D
     
    #9 ewaboy, Jun 24, 2012
  10. Nic Lechner

    Nic Lechner Junior Member

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    I am not sure about the entering neutral all the time, is this how you drive?
     
    #10 Nic Lechner, Jun 24, 2012
  11. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    No but as explained in the video this is only because he is trying to teach this driver how to use gliding techniques. In the video he says "in a few weeks you'll be doing this with your foot". Neutral is just a simple way to glide if you do not know how to enter a glide with just foot control. Neutral shifting is not the recommended method. :)

    I use gliding techniques and sometimes use the engine ignite delay method of starting out but I am still testing this. I don't practice his other techniques like rolling through stops our out of parking lots without stopping. I do, however, try to conserve momentum at every change I can get. Driving with load DWL is an excellent way to tackle hills and overpasses but since I am already going slow at 60mph on the freeway I cannot employ this technique but I do glide down the other side of all hills and overpasses. ;)
     
    #11 F8L, Jun 24, 2012
  12. Nic Lechner

    Nic Lechner Junior Member

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    This is the video I first watched to learn the different driving techniques



    It's not for a C but the info applies.
     
    #12 Nic Lechner, Jun 24, 2012
  13. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    That one is a sticky thread in the GenIII fuel economy forum.
     
    #13 F8L, Jun 24, 2012
  14. Nic Lechner

    Nic Lechner Junior Member

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    Oh nice! I seem to have found good info blindly then, haha.
     
    #14 Nic Lechner, Jun 24, 2012
  15. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    LOL good job. :)

    You should search that and the GenII forum for more tips. The c really isnt all that different such that their tips won't help.
     
    #15 F8L, Jun 24, 2012
  16. cpfans4

    cpfans4 Junior Member

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    Actually putting a car in neutral while on the road is against some states rules of the road. Not reccommended
     
    #16 cpfans4, Jun 24, 2012
  17. ewaboy

    ewaboy Active Member

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    MPG06242012-3small.jpg MPG06242012-5small.jpg
    Okay - finally got the car on the freeway again - Sunday afternoon drive. Went to relative's house in Mililani which is above the Ewa plain. So uphill for a few miles. When I left to go to Honolulu I saw MPG in the low 50s getting to the freeway. Going downhill I didn't look at the MPG at first. When I did - whoaa!! somethings wrong - high 80s & and got up to 91. Then it settled down around 70 MPG for almost 18 miles. Again - I'm not a hypermiler - just drive normal.

    When I first used ECO I was not impressed - mushy gas pedal and MPGs were actually worse than in normal mode. Now - unexpectedly - MPG is averaging in high 60s to low 70s on the freeway - 55 to 65 mph.

    Can anyone explain what's happening? Kinda scaring me...:unsure:
     
    #17 ewaboy, Jun 24, 2012
  18. Nic Lechner

    Nic Lechner Junior Member

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    I am getting 61 or so going 65 on flat freeway trips so I'm not surprised if you can get higher when traveling downhill.
     
    #18 Nic Lechner, Jun 24, 2012
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  19. ewaboy

    ewaboy Active Member

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    Yes - the downhill segment was quite high - 80s and even a short while at 91. But that was only the first few miles. After that it was regular freeway - level and as much up as down. Stayed at 70 MPG for about 18 miles.
    Anyway - it was fun while it lasted and the 67.3 MPG over 22 miles is the best the car has ever done.:D
     
    #19 ewaboy, Jun 24, 2012
  20. jgestar

    jgestar Junior Member

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    This is my first hybrid. I'm finding my mileage is slowly improving as I better understand the car and learn to drive it intelligently. The car isn't changing - I am.

    Is it possible the same thing is happening for you?


    Tom
     
    #20 jgestar, Jun 24, 2012
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