how to handle 6%+ climb on 2012 Prius

Every vehicle, hybrid or electric or gas or diesel, etc. requires more throttle when climbing a hill. It's called "gravity." Variables include load being carried and weather. I typically only use PWR mode for quick entry onto freeways where nerves of steel, lightning-fast reflexes and throttle response are vital (I overstate things here). Seriously, just drive the car and if it takes some more oomph to get over a steep hill, so be it. You're on your first tank, so you need some time to get used to the car's performance. If your engine seems to be seriously under-powered, have the dealer check it for you. Enjoy the ride.

 

I also have a 3-mile uphill climb on my 16-mile commute home. What some people don't realize is there are actually 4 driving modes - PWR, EV, ECO and Normal.

I use PWR sparingly, only when merging onto freeways going from 35 to 70 in seconds. Or when passing a slower vehicle on a two-lane highway. Now uphill I simply drive on Normal mode, that is PWR, EV or ECO off.

 

Power mode............

 

You do realize that power mode does not make you faster right?

 

After a couple of years on this forum I have come to the conclusion that there are at least two types of drivers. Those that operate their car like an appliance and push the pedals a certain distance when they want to go or stop and the others who operate their cars like cars and use the pedals to get the desired response.

 

Well,I push the pedals a certain distance to get the desired response.So,not sure what you mean

 

I just completed a 7100 mile trip out west through 6 national parks. I drove the whole trip in ECO
mode and had no problems, averaged 50.8 for the trip !
Data

 

As Kimo Sabe said to Tonto: "We'll leave the horses here and go the rest of the way on foot."