OK, you have indicators and modes. You choose modes, you push a PWR button that means I want to have a little throttle feel like a lot of responsiveness, you press ECO to mean you want the A/C to not be as aggressive along with the throttle not being as aggressive, etc. You can also choose EV and leave it in normal. You are planning. There are also separate indicators commenting on what the computer has chosen, you might see an EV light or an ECO light even though you did not choose a mode, the computer decided to use that part of engine management based on conditions it saw. The computer is reacting.
If you're concerned about getting the ICE to warm up quickly, you might consider "grille-blocking" (particularly in the colder weather)... hope this helps - Wil
It's best to allow the ICE to start and warm at least partially first, this shares the load of moving the Prius between the cold battery and cold ICE. When the ICE starts it immediately starts to charge / warm the traction battery as well as move the car. once warm, both ICE and traction battery can stand a higher load without damage. To force a cold traction battery to move the car until nearly depleted, then start and work a cold ICE, does no good for either.
Lester, if you've pressed eco while driving the car, then it will be in eco when you re-start. You can tell by looking at the hybrid system indicator. I personally drive the car in "normal:' that is, I do not push eco or power. "Normal" seems to work well for me, but "your mileage may vary." The difference between the three modes is that the power vs. accelerator position curve is different in each one. In addition, eco has an effect on the air conditioner.
OK,, I pushed the ''eco'' button yesterday a green '' eco mode'' icon came on, above the speedometer. It almost always displays ''eco'' in the system indicator, I had assumed it was running in the eco mode. I will leave it as is with the green icon on for a week and see if I can detect any difference. I also asked G/F Elsie to put hers in ''eco mode'' in her 2012 ''v'', we can compare notes.
ECO is a mode that is entered by pushing the button. A display graphic that say's ECO MODE should illuminate. Push the eco button again and it should disappear. With no mode indicator illuminated, you are driving in "regular" mode. If you have pressed the ECO button and are in ECO mode, the indicator should be on...and stay on continually and constantly until you press it again. The Prius will even default to this mode upon starting up...if it was in this mode when you turned it off. Power and EV modes do NOT default automatically upon start up. They have to be selected every time you want to use them. Somewhat confusingly the HSI indicator will say "ECO" when you are driving "economically" and NOT in the power zone. But this should come and go, as you drive and depending on how you are driving. This "eco" is NOT ECO Mode. But just an indicator that you are driving in a eco friendly manner. Try pressing the ECO button. You should see a "different" indicator light come on. I'd read your owners manual. It will give you at least a rudimentary idea of how the modes operate. It's something that IS available and part of owning a Prius. That being said? I primarily drive in either ECO or "regular/standard" mode. The times I use either Power or EV are very specific and rare. POWER when I need to merge onto a busy freeway. EV...well almost never. Occasionally in a crowded parking lot while looking for a spot. Occasionally, the final few blocks on the way home. When I want to show off EV mode to a Prius newbie who is curious about it and riding with me. BUT...I pretty much leave it to The Prius itself to determine whether I should be in EV or not. OOPS...sorry just saw that you pressed the button..... Well there you have it. Welcome to ECO mode.
[QUOTE="The Electric Me, post: 2057990, member: 50927" EV...well almost never. Occasionally in a crowded parking lot while looking for a spot. Occasionally, the final few blocks on the way home. When I want to show off EV mode to a Prius newbie who is curious about it and riding with me. BUT...I pretty much leave it to The Prius itself to determine whether I should be in EV or not. OOPS...sorry just saw that you pressed the button..... Well there you have it. Welcome to ECO mode.[/QUOTE] The most important time to manually choose EV mode is when you know you do not want the ICE to kick on. This is when you know more than the car about your intentions. Some examples would be: - moving the car from garage to wash it...and moving it back again - or any short parking lot (or driveway) moving around - moving from gas pump to air/water station at gas station - final return to home or destination and you have just a few blocks to go, (so you don't need the ICE to stay warm any longer) Other than that, it isn't of much use, IMO. If you want lots of EV driving, get a PIP. Mike
Ummm... this is incorrect. The traction battery's output is limited more by heat than by cold. Also, the HVB doesn't get warmed by the ICE. And the ICE does not charge the HVB during this part of the cycle. The car runs the ICE at idle while propelling the vehicle with the traction battery. This is the stupidest design ever because it's designed to minimize emissions for the EPA test cycle while increasing emissions and fuel consumption in the real world.
I doubt that is right, as you can hear the freshly started ICE become loaded when it immediately starts to charge / warm the traction battery. Shift to neutral and the charging load is switched off and the ICE runs faster and free with no load. I use that trick when starting my Prius in very cold weather. Immediately after starting, I switch to neutral for a few seconds to allow the very cold engine (IE -30F) to warm and smooth out before loading it with warming / charging the battery. Many power tools with Ni MH batteries warn to not heavily load or fast charge the battery if it is colder than 40F.
