I'm almost always in Eco-mode and rarely use Power-mode. Wondering if anyone regularly drives in Normal-mode, and if so, why?
Following Ken1784's advice, when possible I try to drive in the bottom quarter of the HSI (left side, just above regeneration) or the top quarter (right side just below power). These zones seem to maximize engine (ICE) efficiency. Eco-mode is great for controlling the low end of the power curve, but it takes more pedal pressure than I'm comfortable with for acceleration. Power mode is fun, but with it I have trouble staying in the lowest quarter of the HSI when I want to glide. Normal feels -- well, sort of normal.
I trained myself to drive the Prius in Eco mode hoping to get the best mileage. Then one day I was driving back from VT and found with the 'hills' it was easier to be in normal mode. I had my best mileage on that trip. Hmmm. Then I noticed, as I stayed in Normal mode, that I could P&G without thinking about it. My only caveat: if it's hot needing the A/C or cold needing heat, I sometimes put it in Eco mode early in the trip and once the car is fully warmed up, go back to Normal. My DH drives in Eco mode. He doesn't get quite the mileage I do, but he drives the car less so that's not surprising. I can't remember the last time I used power mode. Maybe when we got the car?
I use Normal mode mostly due to my highway driving to work. I could not tell much difference between Eco and Normal with cruise. Around town where I can do more P&G I will sometimes switch to Eco mode so I can feather the pedal a little easier.
My wife is the daily driver and she uses normal mode. I guess we just haven't experimented with Eco mode or Power mode yet as it's winter and the roads are icy, etc. (and the MPG is down anyway). This spring I plan to try the other two modes.
I really really can't find much difference in fuel economy between eco and normal. I know what eco does to the pedal feel and the climate fan speed isn't as high on auto but it doesnt affect economy for me. So I now leave the car in normal and use power for overtaking or fast getaways
Normal mode is when you are not in EV, ECO or POWER. Any of the other three modes will indicate on the dash. If no mode is indicated on the dash then you are in NORMAL mode.
It does make a difference in really cold weather. In eco mode the engine will turn off at a stop at a lower engine temp, while still in what you would expect to be the warm up period. There have been times where I would be at a traffic light with the engine off and switched from eco to normal and had the engine start when I pushed the button (eco button to turn it off). Then pushing the eco button again results in the ICE stopping. Others have discovered this also. See this thread: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii.../72955-eco-mode-cold-weather-performance.html
I prefer driving in Normal mode because I get better gas mileage in that mode. For some reason, when I drive in Eco mode, my MPG goes down by 5 mpg.
It is kind of confusing. But The Prius actually has 4 modes. Normal, Eco, EV, and Power... I don't own a Prius but my understanding getting as much information as possible as the 2010 was released was that "Normal" is exactly what it sounds like, it's the condition inwhich The Prius should behave as much like a "Normal" vehicle as possible. Eco compromises towards fuel efficiency, Power towards "power" and EV is what EV is temporary Electric Vehicle under meetable conditions.
I use Eco for the reduced A/C or heat demand, and normal only on the hottest or coldest days where comfort takes precedent. "Normal" feels more like the Gen II response. Eco is more like Gen I (slightly less even).
We particularly find ECO mode very useful on snowy/icy roads. Where your tires might spin in normal mode, in ECO you can apply more gentle accellerator pressure (w/ less tork I guess) and can avoid the spinning tires. Early on it was suggested that traction control et al would be more efficient in ECO.
POWER!!! It is pretty touchy on the gliding part of P&G, but better for the pulsing. And when I need power, it's there - no mush. As for engine warm-up, it has to be done sometime. And while you get faster warmup when using the ICE for propulsion rather than idling, you also get lower FE while doing so - so the net probably isn't much different overall. A block heater is the real solution.
Up here in Northeastern Oregon at 4,000 + feet, we have been doing just fine on the OE tires. I did purchase a set of "instant or quick" chains but haven't had to use them either.
I can also confirm that in cold weather ECO mode: - let the ICE turn off at lower engine temps - keep the ICE rpm lower while heating it - make the cabin heater steal less heat from the ICE (heater air flow will be reduced and cooler)
I've been driving mostly (99%) in power mode. I just don't see the difference in MPG between normal and power. I've tried same route with normal and power for each tank and got almost same MPG. Only real MPG hit is when I tried to keep up with traffic doing 80-85 on rolling hill hwy then I get about 45-46mpg and if i keep below 70 on flat hwy then i get about 51-52.
