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Different Prius modes

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Superdrol, Mar 2, 2010.

  1. Superdrol

    Superdrol Member

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    I recently bought a 2010 Prius, it is my first hybrid vehicle I've owned. Used to have a 2008 Toyota Corolla S. I've been playing around with the different modes for the Prius:

    1. The EV mode seems to have very little application. While it runs completely quiet, mine usually kicks off prematurely around 9-15mph and does not stay on for long.

    2. Do most of you guys keep the Prius on 'Power mode' ? I've been using Eco mode for a few days and it is like beating a mule getting the car to go from a deadstop. When pressing the accelerator and having it hit the far right end on the 'PWR' on the hybrid system indicator. Is this bad having the car working towards that end ?

    I don't mind keeping it on Eco mode, but hitting that 'PWR' section makes me unsure if it is bad having the car pushing that end on Eco mode.


    Thanks for the help.
     
    #1 Superdrol, Mar 2, 2010
  2. That_Prius_Car

    That_Prius_Car Austin Kinser

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    No, its not bad.
    I can see where your
    a new Prius owner, it will
    take some practice. But the
    idea is to keep the bar inside
    the middle for "ECO" ranges.
     
    #2 That_Prius_Car, Mar 2, 2010
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  3. ksstathead

    ksstathead Active Member

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    EV mode is limited to 10 mph when engine coolant is below 70C and to 25 mph when engine coolant is over that, except when it is denied all together because you are in an early warm-up stage or fail to meet several other conditions such as battery temperature and state of charge. Don't sweat EV mode. It is useful to move the car a ways without starting the engine when it is available. With the 25 mph limit, it is not terribly useful in driving for most of us.

    All the main modes (ECO, Normal, and PWR) have the same available power. ECO makes you push the pedal further for a given power response, and PWR makes you push it less.

    The advantages of ECO are finer control at low power demand, and less aggressive climate control at times such as when stopped. Many get used to ECO and just step into it more when needed. Others use PWR almost exclusively. If you want to squeeze distance out of a gallon of gas, give ECO a chance. But unless the climate control is in play, they all allow the same results. I like ECO in town, and don't mind it on the freeway, though I don't think it helps at those speeds.

    Just drive it, and do some reading such as this article on using the HSI display:
    HSI
     
    #3 ksstathead, Mar 2, 2010
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  4. Superdrol

    Superdrol Member

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    Thanks for the info. I'll keep testing out the different modes. I just wasn't sure if I was 'pushing' the car too much.

    Driving a hybrid is like riding a bike all over again....haha
     
    #4 Superdrol, Mar 2, 2010
  5. ksstathead

    ksstathead Active Member

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    PWR is fine. But one other thought: don't push it into power band of hsi when engine is cold unless you really need to get going. Try to stay easy on throttle for about a minute after the cold engine starts (stage 1a). See the sticky thread under 2010 forums: technical discussion, if you want to learn what we know so far about the warm up stages and implications.
     
    #5 ksstathead, Mar 2, 2010
  6. eaglesight333

    eaglesight333 Senior Member

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    There is a break-in period. But suddenly, I can not remember what that is. Basically, just drive the car like normal, use the various settings as needed. But dont over do it too much with PWR for a bit. Until you get past the break in period.
     
    #6 eaglesight333, Mar 2, 2010
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    If anything, ECO mode really helps in the winter as it limits heat output to the cabin (unless you want the inside to be warm as possible as fast as possible). That allows the engine to shut down even at the freezing mark!
     
    #7 Tideland Prius, Mar 3, 2010
  8. jburns

    jburns Senior Senior Member

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    You didn't mention "normal" mode in your post. That's the one I ended up settling on. Pretty good middle of the road acceleration. Some people don't realize it is there when they first get the car. If you are in either ECO or POWER mode just push that button again and you will enter NORMAL mode. There is no indicator light on the dashboard for normal mode. Try it, you might like it. My Prius stays in that mode almost exclusively now.
     
    #8 jburns, Mar 3, 2010
  9. halfmoonray

    halfmoonray New Member

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    LOL.....I think I will be in your shoes this month, first time hybrid/prius owner.
     
    #9 halfmoonray, Mar 3, 2010
  10. justaguy

    justaguy New Member

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    new prius owner too. I use Pwr mode most of the time. One thing that i noticed is when i used 91 gasoline. Theres more power in the acceleration, and the ride is a bit smoother. Try it out:)
     
    #10 justaguy, Mar 3, 2010
  11. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

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    :welcome:

    Yes, we like downhill very much. :)

    Ken@Japan
     
    #11 ken1784, Mar 3, 2010
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  12. Cary

    Cary Just call me junior

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    I have had my Prius III 2 months now, love it. I keep mine in eco mode all the time except when passing someone or getting on the freeway. I think it has plenty of pep in that mode!
     
    #12 Cary, Mar 3, 2010
  13. Superdrol

    Superdrol Member

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    What is normal mode ? Also is there a way to completely shut off the hybrid system and have it run as a gas powered only ? I saw something like that on the manual but I wasn't sure if I understood it correctly.



    I ended up settling on pwr mode most of the time. From a safety standpoint Eco mode can be unsafe in retain situatioons where you need to go quick. I'll use it in heavy traffic or accidents on the road. Sometimes if I am alone and it is late at night but other than that I just keep the pwr mode. Gave up on eV mode. Can't find a good use for it.

    Lookig to try normal mode next. Is that a mix between Eco and pwr ?
     
    #13 Superdrol, Mar 8, 2010
  14. jburns

    jburns Senior Senior Member

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    As I said in my earlier post the "normal" mode is where you are if you are not in "ECO" or "POWER" mode. If you are in ECO mode push the ECO button again. The dash indicator will go out and you will be in normal mode. Works the same way from power mode. Once in normal mode it will stay in it until you push either the ECO or POWER button again even through restarts.

    Normal mode give you more acceleration than ECO but less than POWER with the same amount of throttle movement.

    There is no way to shut off the hybrid mode.
     
    #14 jburns, Mar 8, 2010
  15. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    All modes function the same after ~50% of pedal travel so I'm not sure how you think it's unsafe. If you need to get out of the way, floor the pedal and the car will respond.
     
    #15 Tideland Prius, Mar 8, 2010
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