Unless I'm imagining it, I swear when I let off the brake its like I'm free coasting and feel more like I will roll forever if I don't apply the brakes. Is it the fact that the prius GenIII now weighs more, or did they slack off on regen to use kinetic energy for travel instead?.. "or both". I've always said that the simulated transmission drag from regen was a waste and braking regen should be all that we have. Maybe they compromised? I've always surmised that they felt they had to incorporate the transmission drag for fear drivers would miscalculate their rolling distances when letting off the gas...maybe they feel we can handle more free rolling now? In the past with the GenII, it was always a challenge to find that magic dead zone where you were not making regen nor using electricity for propulsion, but "truly coasting" as most hyper milers and serious prius drivers realize that is one of the most efficient states you can be in for max gas mileage. Does anyone else seem to feel they coast better and farther now? I do see regen happening when coasting but maybe with the added weight we get to have our cake and eat it too?
I think based on my very limited experience with the Gen3, 7 days and 1000 miles, that using the HSI indicator makes it a lot easier to find the magic zone we call stealth or warp stealth. If my observations are correct that must occur when there is no bar showing and it is right between the lower half and regen. So if that is correct it is a lot easier to keep in that zone, especially in ECO Mode, than it is to keep all the arrows off in a Gen2. I think what you have noticed may be the software changes, the added weight doesn't seem enough to be noticeable. It's only another 110 lbs curb weight and I can add more luggage and junk than that and not really notice the difference.
It's there, I don't think you are imagining it, but it may be the cumulative effect of several things, greater inertia from the weight, slightly lower CD, lower rolling resistance tires? not sure about the tires, just guessing there. Possibly programming as well. Oh yeah, weight is evil, inertia works both ways.
No doubt.. my experience is limited too! For some reason I thought the GenIII was much more difference than that?... well thats good to know. A few other tidbits I found.
Good post in this thread by Ken@Japan on using the HSI for pulse and glide: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...2010-prius-pulse-glide-warp-stealth-help.html
I'll try neutral more but I have to be careful not to put into drive to fast, if I just jog it up there it seems to miss it. I have to hold it just a little longer than comes naturally. I really don't like the way the car "creeps". That is if I let of the brake it starts going right away. I've been driving manual transmissions, I traded in a rare 5 speed manual 1993 Lexus es300, so I am complete acclimated to clutch in coasting and disengaged transmission at lights.
I really hadn't noticed a difference. It is probably too late for me to do a comparison (even in my mind!), because I've now had my 2010 for MORE THAN 3 MONTHS!! Perhaps the gains you see are wiped out by my big fat tires? There has got to be a pretty significant difference between the old 185s and my new 215s.
Is this your first automatic? Any car with an automatic transmission will do this (assuming you're not in park).
I don't like the creep either, or the automatic regen upon lifting the throttle as I see them as un-necessary. It would be nice to simply lift the throttle and automatically be in "glide". I'm sure it was to make the hybrid transition for the driver as transparent as possible
You have 4 factors to better coast on the gen3: Lower engine friction if its turning (despite the fact that it is bigger) Better gearing due to bigger engine so engine would have to turn slower Lower drag Greater weight (stored kinetic energy) I can not think of any factors that would make the gen2 coast better then the gen3 except the greater weight on the tires of the gen3 (increasing ever so slightly the rolling resistance).
