2010 Model disappointing to me

so what did you expect eco mode to do? turn on fusion reactor? Anything that any kind of eco mode would ever be able to do, will also always be doable in some way in normal mode as well. this is applicable to any car on the market.

 

Between the electric A/C and EGR, I don't think HVAC will have nearly as large an effect on mileage for the 2010.

 

Maybe when you push the button in, it engages the Flux Capaciator

 

Good to hear. It will be good to sit in one and yes I can only go by the photos. The speedo on the 2008 is a little to the right of center for the driver which isn't too bad. Hearing it is in the same place on the 2009 is good. I still wish it was centered. I like the vertical position of the display just below the bottom of the windshield - better than traditional gauges which are lower and viewed through the steering wheel. I just wish Toyota would put everything right in front of the driver instead of shifting things to the right. I still don't understand why they are bent on pushing things to the center of the car. There is room to the left!

 

Current ergonomic thinking suggests that the middle is better for gauges. Don't ask me why. You see the same trend on many new cars.

Tom

 

It would save Toyota some money if the same instrument panel layout can be used for both LHD and RHD models - which appears to be the case with Classic.

 

The computer control of HSD is extraordinarily complex and sophisticated, and certainly involves many compromises involving engine, motor, and battery function. I had hoped that it would be possible for fundamental choices in the programming to provide more or less efficiency, in return for less or more power. The comments by several long-time PC members, that they expected experienced Prius drivers to achieve better FE in eco mode led me to believe that there was something more fundamental to the mode than a simple change in pedal sensitivity.

No, I did not expect eco mode to engage silly sci-fi make-believe gadgets. I did expect it to employ different programming.

 

I would expect that virtual shift points and transitions vary with economy vs power mode. It would be silly otherwise. I didn't hear anything at PCD to cause me to think otherwise.

I think the confusion comes from what happens when you mash down the accelerator pedal. Once you get to about half pedal, the economy and power profiles converge. Obviously this is done to avoid awkward button pushing while trying to get out of the way of an oncoming truck. If you press hard, you want power. Otherwise the HSD will optimize everything based on your chosen mode: EV, economy, or power.

Tom

 

:thumb:

 

well i dont think eco mode will work at all at freeway speeds.

remember there is still a power indicator (or speedometer of sorts) on the dash that should tell you where you are at as far as what kind of power you are atempting to use. i took it to mean that, like CANVIEW, it gives you feedback on how to best stay in eco mode. with that feedback, its easier to push the mode without leaving it as i sometimes do when i am driving over around 35 mph.

 

I would have thought something of the sort. But according to Toyota's description of features, it does nothing but alter the sensitivity of the pedal. I.e., for a given throttle level, the car behaves the same, but the car interprets a given pedal position as being less throttle in eco mode than in power mode.

Of course, HSD does not have shift points, even virtual ones, since it's all continuous. But it does have engine to wheel ratios, which the PSD can vary continuously under control of the computer. These could perhaps be altered for more or less effeciency vs power. But apparently eco mode does not do this; it merely makes you press harder on the pedal for the same acceleration.

 

I'll give it a try, anyway!

 

Why should it? It's a Prius, you shouldn't have to press a button to enable the secret high-efficiency mode. I would expect it to be programmed for optimum efficiency no matter what button I push, and power should be a function of the pedal. The power mode button will make the engine feel more responsive & powerful by reacting more to a light press. The eco mode will make it much easier for the non-hypermilers of the world who don't regularly beat EPA ratings to control lower accelerations and keep the engine off when starting from a stop. I also would expect it to make the range for gliding much wider. Perhaps, at the risk of being too optimistic, even without depressing the accelarator at all.

 

I was using the term virtual shift points to explain the concept of the virtual gear ratio curve, which the Prius does have. In fact it does have virtual shift points, since the control is digital, but there are vary many of them and they are very close together. As a human driver you perceive these points as a continuous curve. Technicalities aside, the transfer curve can be altered in a variety of ways, including when the ICE comes in and how hard, and how aggressively battery power is used to supplement the ICE.

Tom