I've tried the Eco mode on my new Prius III. I'm not sure I've noticed much difference in MPG's. Are there recommendations that members can offer that go beyond the manual?
It takes effort to really notice differences, since matching comparison conditions can be a challenge. On thing that is easy to detect... at least with an aftermarket gauge... is how ECO mode changes the engine shutoff time. The coolant temperature threshold is much lower when engaged. That works out great when you're dealing with the depths of winter. For me, not having the engine start back up sooner when cruising along or waiting at a long stoplight here in Minnesota is great. When there's plenty of warm air coming from the heater, why start up the engine if it isn't really needed? The system approximates when more will be needed. You can tell it to delay by using ECO. Specifically, the threshold is 145°F normally and 114°F with ECO. .
Thanks. My commute is 9 miles on highway, and 4 on city streets. I guess it will make sense to use ECO when in the city, and normal on the highway? I just got the car 2 days ago so I'm still learning about it.
You can just leave it on ECO mode all the time, I do (except when taking advantage of EV mode). In the summer, ECO mode makes the A/C run more efficiently. .
I use Eco on the highway, and Normal in the city. Eco is great for driving without the cruise control on the highway, since it takes more pedal force to increase power than Normal does. So it's easier to increase or decrease my speed by small amounts. It's a lot easier to stay in the glide mode on a slight downhill with Eco. In the city, I have to push the pedal too far when starting out in Eco, then in the middle, it hits that steeper part of the acceleration curve, and speeds up a bit too much.
I use ECO mode most of the time. I find that it charges the battery much quicker than it is at other modes. Especially after leaving a multi-level parking complex, which resulted the battery is at the lowest point after travelling at Battery mode, at ECO mode it doesn't take long for the battery to be recharged to full level once it hit the road. However at Normal mode, it takes approximately twice longer. This is just my estimated judgement; I have never timed it but based on the travelling distance; it does seemed to take longer to recharge the battery.
Try just leaving it on ECO, avoid fast starts off the line, and pay attention to the Hybrid indicator when in traffic/city. Before long you'll get a feel for how the engine works and for what driving habits yield the best mpg. As I have mentioned several times here on the forum, I am able to tweak out between 52-56 MPG during the summer months driving 25 miles to and from work. My commute is about 30% highway (where I am doing between 35-55 MPH) and 70% city (where I am doing 35 MPH or below).
