Which Driving Mode Do you use?

The climate control has a separate ECO button on the 2017. The ECO mode does not change the fan speed, though. That can have quite effect on MPG.
My son, who had a Gen 2 Prius & now has a Gen 3 (Prius v) thinks the Gen 4 ECO mode is like the older PWR mode. He usually runs ECO on his Prius v, I think.

BTW, so far I have only used ECO mode.

 

I believe my 2016 has an eco button down by the HVAC controls, but I can't swear to it. I bought the car, set the temp at 70 and haven't looked at it since.

 

Yes, there's an Eco button in the HVAC controls on the Gen 4. Selecting Eco on the drive mode, however, will automatically enable Eco for HVAC.

 

My Prius doesn't like ECO MODE. And I don't either.

I think it's more than just gas pedal "feel." I think the eco mode also restricts the engine performance in some way; (and as you mentioned it also restricts the air conditioning.)

Now days, I just always leave my car in the Normal mode. It's a good compromise, and everything seems to run better. And the displayed mpg can be as much as 4 miles per gallon higher, when I take it out of the eco mode. However, after going through a full tank, all three modes are pretty much the same with regards to mpg.

I'm not even concerned with mpg anymore. Only time I glance at it is when I fill up the tank. (And anything over 40 is great! )

 

There you go. I look on it like spark plug temperatures. The car builder comes up with a sweet-spot plug, and might also allow one that's hotter and colder. But for the vast majority of conditions, just sticking with the normal plug is the way to go.

 

I also put my tire pressure back down to normal, factory specs. Haven't noticed any decrease in mpg for the last 300-400 miles. And the car suspension feels much more smooth and comfortable.

It took eight months of experimentation, with various driving modes and different tire pressures. But as you say, for the vast majority of conditions, normal is probably the best way to go. I'm happy.

 

So funny because i went from daily driving an SUV that could hit 18 mpg on long easy drives, but typically I was around 14 or less. now I get mad whenever a tank is under 60 mpg.

 

Prius drivers are the only group that uses the words "only" and "60 MPG" in the same sentence.

 

Thanks thunderstruck, that really made me laugh!

 

Yes, DRCC uses harsh regen/engine braking going downhill (or when slowing down for traffic) just like being in "B". I thought something was wrong when I first felt/heard the windup in rpm in my 2016 Prius having never experienced it in my 2004 Prius.

JeffD

 

Historically every single car has multiple power modes. And the name of these modes is downshifting.
Even most cars with auto transmission, like my well beloved (and now traded in) Camry Solara, have a manual mode. So is I push a stick to the left, a gear box downshifts from 5 to 4. This used to be my favorite version of power mode (or its equivalent, if you will), if I need to take over on a highway.
I think similar idea should be applied to CVT with the difference that an actual gear ratio is govern by how soft/hard you are going to be on the throttle.
Now a few words why I drive my 3 days old Prius in Eco mode: I just would like to insure be easy on the drivetrain during first 1-2K Km of braking-in.

 

Amazingly on the EU version, setting ECO mode does not set the HVAC to ECO (from FAST or Normal settings) as far as I remember.

 

The EU Manual (online) states:
Eco drive mode
Suitable for driving that improves fuel economy by generating
torque in response to accelerator pedal operations more smoothly
than in normal mode.

When Eco drive mode is selected, the “ECO MODE” indicator will illuminate
on the main display.

While the air conditioning is being used, the system automatically
switches to air conditioning eco mode (→P. 471), allowing for driving
that leads to even better fuel economy.

 

Eco mode almost exclusively. I've tried normal mode one day on my commute in to work, and didn't like the resulting mpg. I have used power mode a few times on the hilly portion of my commute, but just mash the pedal down when I need power in eco mode.

I like the fact that eco mode also puts the HVAC into a more economical mode... Now that it's colder in the mornings, I've started to wear my wool socks instead of turning up the heat (and/or turning off eco hvac).

 

I understand the earlier Prius had electric heating. In Auto mode, mine appears to stay off until. I assume, the engine warms up. Switching the climate control from Eco to Normal does not appear to help.
Did they eliminate the electric heat for Gen 4? I think all trims use the same climate control system.

 

It still has a heater... I'm probably just spoiled from my acura cls being warm all the time, and I'm just making the adjustment to a more eco-friendly heating enviroment.

The way it's written in the toyota press release makes it appear to be an eco trim feature only, but I'm guessing it was just a faux pas by the writer...

Return of the Disrupter: All-New 2016 Toyota Prius Rewrites the Hybrid Rule Book It Created | Toyota

"In cold weather, a positive temperature coefficient ceramic heater warms the cabin quickly without relying on the engine coolant to come up to operating temperature."

 

I know the Eco supposedly has heat-insulating windshield glass. Not sure about the heater.

 

My engine has been kicking on almost immediately the past few mornings, but turning climate off shuts it back off again. Water temp has been pretty low when I checked with SG, around 112-115. It goes up some after engine has run for a while, and thats when I turn heat on. I don't mind a little discomfort if it helps with mileage.

 

Normal Mode: Ave 80MPG.

 

I found that the hood of my car does not have thermal insulation. Is it normal especially taking into account that this is Canadian version?