Eco <=> Normal Mode - Can you switch too much?

After about the first month, I ignored those buttons. My foot learned to moderate the throttle in normal mode and I certainly didn't want reduced A/C output from ECO mode.

 

Depends on my mood. When I want to squeeze the maximum economy out of my fuel, I trust the Eco mode to do a good job, even if it makes drivers behind me swear.

If I have any stored plug-in charge, the car always defaults to EV mode on startup. Sometimes I switch it off to save the EV for later.

Sometimes I love to feel the instant power response that only an electric drive can deliver, so I use Power mode.

Most of the time I use no mode at all.

 

You're correct, nothing to wear but the button.

 

Why? Just leave it in ECO and drive, other than the AC, the only difference is how much you press on the accelerator to speed up. Someone posted in an earlier thread that every mode ends up at the same power level when you floor it.

 

This is true, but I generally don't floor my vehicles, it makes them last longer.

 

I find that about the only MPG benefit from using the ECO mode is when you are using the A/C. It simply defaults the A/C to the recirculate setting to minimize the electric compressor's run time thus managing the traction battery better. Other than that it just reduces throttle input. As stated ^, if you manage the throttle in any other modes you'll do just as well with the MPG's.

 

+1 with car compulsive. Those buttons are to impress your friends or new buyers. I use EV to jockey my car in the driveway, but keep in mind EV only works if your ICE is already warmed up. ECO mode is a PIA if you need good AC and I rarely use PWR mode - only for a really short freeway on-ramp.

 

I do not know. I don't think I go crazy with changing modes, but:

1. If you're in ECO, the car wanders up and down a bit more when the cruise control is on than when the car's in Norm. That, and the climate control works differently... More efficiently? It's also easier to feather the engine in slow-motion stop and go driving.
2. Normal mode seems to handle freeway driving a bit better; I do that when I've got 100 miles to go and no slow-downs.
3. Every day, going into work, I go up one steep hill or other for a half mile or so. It's not wide-open-throttle, but, in ECO, the pedal would be most of the way down and modulating speed means flipping it back and forth quite a bit. In Power, on a steep hill, the pedal's easier to modulate. The car's has no problems going up the hill in any case, it's just the connection between my brain, how fast I want to go, and which way my foot goes.

One can switch back and forth between modes at will with nary a hiccup from the car. The only problem is that there's no tactile feel between one button and another, so, if one is switching modes, there's a strong temptation to look down, and I like to keep my eyes outside.

So, switch or don't switch, it's up to you. There are people here who stay in Eco all the time, people who stay in Power all the time, and probably people who switch every 5 seconds. Do what you and your brain are comfortable with, and drive safe.

KBeck

 

I find the Eco mode makes it easier to drive in such a way that normally takes a bit of skill. It's easier off the mark, and utilizes the ICE in it's more fuel-efficient range of lower RPMs.

 

I'm with Kbeck. While driving in traffic, switching from one mode to another, there is a tendancy to take your eyes off the road to search for those (nicely, molded into the console) buttons. I just leave mine in ECO mode most all the time. If I'm going to merge onto the freeway I'll preset the power mode beforehand and place my finger on the ECO button withou having to Braille it or look down.

 

I leave mine in ECO mode all the time, unless I am going up a steep grade and only then I go to PWR mode.

 

I do exactly the same as you.

 

I use Eco mode during the winter and normal during the summer it kinda balances out the average between the two seasons and Eco mode interfere with the ac performance and living in the south where heat and humidity is present almost all the time makes the ac almost useless

 

Winter benefit is significant. ECO lowers the heater threshold, allowing the engine to stay off longer.

 

Great. Just what I need when it's -35. Actually, the PIP warms up fast compared to other vehicles. I'm starting to see warm air on the windshield after 3-4 minutes, compared to 12-15 on my other vehicles.

 

Greg, I would like to ask you a stupid question because I don't know. I have a 2011 Prius Two. Of course it has 3 driving modes, EV, ECO AND PWR. I know all about those modes but when NORMAL mode is discussed on Prius Chat I do not know what NORMAL mode is, how to access it or how it works. Could you please explain it to me?

 

Ha. It's a toggle. When in Eco, hit the Eco button again; the Eco light on the dash will clear. Same happens if in PWR; hit PWR again, and the PWR light clears. When no lights are lit, that's Normal.

KBeck

 

I knew you could do that. Okay, so when no lights are lit and you are in Normal, does the ICE run all the time or does it still switch from ICE to electric motor?