ECO seems like the best way to break in the engine. Take things easy, no rapid acceleration, no high speeds, etc.
I use ECO most of the time, occasionally going to normal or PWR just as a 'treat'. FWIW, I *seem* (I say this because I haven't figured a way to collect actual data on the subject) to get the best mileage, regardless of mode, if I pull away from a stop relatively slowly until the ICE kicks in, and then accelerate moderately rapidly to my desired speed and then let off the gas. (In heavy traffic, I don't do the first part out of courtesy to people behind me--we have a bad enough rep as it is, in my estimation). This seems to keep the engine in its preferred power band as much as possible. To the techies out there--does this make sense, or am I a little off? (Not that these characterizations are mutually exclusive - just a question). Cheers T
More or less like GrumpyCabbie here: ECO mode: in town and quite good in winter; it enables smooth accelerations and finer control and reduces the time the ICE is on at traffic lights/crawling traffic in cold weather, but reducing the blower speed and hence the amount of heat delivered in the cabin; for summer use, I don't know yet... ECO is also good in town where cruise control can be used, as it will not have the car "shoot forward" when the road gets steeper (exiting underground tunnels, for example). The acceleration is in fact very smooth and controlled - much much better and reasonable than many other cars I have driven with cruise control without any "mode" available. Normal mode, as soon as I drive out of town PWR mode: on the highway - normal mode requires to step too much on the accelerator for getting enough reaction necessary on German autobahn at speeds higher than 130-150km/h. Normal mode or ECO on the highway in Germany and you are stopping the traffic (I am joking, is not *that* bad). PWR mode is also good to "show off" the electric engine torque+ICE at traffic lights (I leave behind many type of cars - the reaction is IMHO amazing - thanks also the the instant torque available that maybe a Porsche with 400HP or a 300HP Turodiesel BMW has in the first 50m; after that I would obviously see only the back of both cars for a few split seconds... ). PWR mode also tends to leave the ICE running also when releasing the gas pedal - I think it does that to avoid needing to spin MG2 to turn on the engine again and loose reaction time. I have noticed this several times on the Autobahn or when coasting at higher speeds (more than 90km/h). I almost find non using ECO in town "annoying" since you accelerate too fast and you end up needing to brake again for the cars in front of you have already hit the next traffic light (hence the fuel consumption is affected negatively). You need to have so much more a lighter foot in town when not in ECO mode.
I'm not a techie in the Prius sense, but I use the same approach and it seems to work great. In "normal", I generally get around 56-59, and in "eco" I get around 58-62 -- both indicated, and summer gas.
From the glossary: http://priuschat.com/forums/newbie-forum/37699-priuschat-glossary.html "Pulse & Glide - (Also P&G) It refers to a type of driving that involves accelerating up to a set speed (usually 60km/h/38mph), called pulsing and then letting the car glide (see Glide) down to a set speed (usually 40km/h/25mph) and repeating as needed" This thread has a video link: http://priuschat.com/forums/knowledge-base-articles-discussion/75320-pulse-glide-demo-video.html The video demo is with a Gen2 Prius, with a Gen3 we should be able to pulse up to about 47 MPH before the ICE starts vice 42.
the most annoying thing about ECO mode is how it messes w/the A/C - it'll put the system on recirculate, which I don't like. and it's not as cool. I live in L.A., and full power for the A/C is a must during warm days. At any rate, i've been using either EV in stop & go or just regular mode and fine w/it. if it didn't mess w/my A/C, i'd be more inclined to use the ECO mode.
I drive it in start mode. It defaults to eco mode. In this mode I notice the (gas pedal) responds more normal car than in ECO -put the button mode. In that mode the pedal respond a little differently. The star up eco give me around 49-54 mph now that warmer weather is coming( engine heat up much faster) . In the teens and subs... MPH goes down.( the engine for heat takes longer to get up to temp)
When I first bought my Prius I used Eco mode all the time. Then I saw a post here by several people that said it makes no difference in mileage. After driving in normal mode now for several months, I completely agree. I'm getting exactly the same great mileage without using ECO. It's all about how you drive the car, not what mode you are in.
Most of the time I use NORMAL mode and POWER mode when running in sloping roads. During my holidays I will try again ECO mode (400/600 Km by day) but still now it's not my preferred.
Minor point. I will also start up in normal mode if that is what you were using when you turned it off. Power is the only mode that is changed on startup.
I am glad you posted this! I am a newbie, almost a week in, and decided to do a little experiment on the eco mode and normal mode over the next few weeks. I'll still test it out, keeping it in eco this week and normal next to see if there are any differences.
applies to southern states year around and northern states for half the year lol. ECO mode helps in the winter by letting the engine shut off earlier.
I was using Eco but since I also drive other cars I have trouble gassing the others too much so I went back to normal mode. I don't mind the way the AC is regulated in Eco, but I always press the Auto button and then change to the defrost/floor mode, The temperature is still regulated by temp and air speed and I don't get air blowing right on me!
