I Like Power Mode

Lately the temp is around 65-90 high and 50-65 low. The elevation change from lowest to highest in the city is no more than 300ft spread over 20 miles. Most places I go to have less than 100ft elevation change. Also keep in mind that the longer single trip you take the better your mileage will be. Almost all of my single trip miles are over 7 miles.

 

Our average here lately has been 35-40 since that hits our mpg a ton, but I have to practice doing the pulse and glide more which I feel I don't do enough of. Do you basically floor it until you get to your speed or how do you do it?

Since I have not done the pulse and glide alot wouldn't that drive the person driving behind you nuts? Doesn't the Prius keep slowing down and then speeds up again?

 

By my crude rule of thumb for elevation changes in a Prius (10,000 vertical feet equals 1 gallon), if you are getting 50 MPG on flat roads, then that 300 foot elevation change in 20 miles would shift your MPG to 54 downhill, or 46.5 uphill. But beware that there are numerous things that can foul up this guideline. And add about +/- 15% tolerance depending on how heavily the car is loaded.

'Pulse' does not mean 'floor it', that is an overshoot that wastes fuel. The pulse phase should be brisk, but not floored. It is easy to over-do the pulse phase and end up with worse mpg than steady speed driving. Wayne Gerdes has some guidelines over at CleanMPG.com. You will need to practice, and have a non-P&G baseline as a reference point so you know when your P&G style isn't working.

I don't do P&G in steady speed traffic, period. I also don't feel P&G is worthwhile in a Prius unless I can get the engine to cease spinning in the Glide phase, which requires speeds under 45 mph in the Gen3. At faster speeds, forget it.

P&G can work wonders in stop-and-go city traffic when it is coordinated with the traffic movements and traffic light cycles. But it takes practice to get it right for both fuel savings and for fitting in with the traffic flow. And one must have tolerance to put up with the numerous racers and lane hoppers who will be jumping into the open space in front of you. Note also that the more aggressive and less tolerant your local driving community is, the less successful your traffic-coordinated P&G can be. There are huge regional differences in road culture.

 

Yes I'm closer to the city and suburbs where it seems I possible to even practice it. That is what I originally thought. Thanks.

 

I never "floor it". On level roads, I try to do the bulk of the acceleration with the Hybrid System Indicator at around 75% of the way through the ECO range. Then when I'm around 5 kmh from my target speed start to ease off, till I settle on the target speed.

With pulse-and-glide in traffic, just do "mini" pulse-and-glide, ie: keep your speed variations minor. Also, be opportunist: whenever possible, do your "glides" when you can see an upcoming slowdown, then no one will notice, lol.

 

I bought my Personal brand new last August and my average is 47mpg. Not bad I guess.

 

I try to glide as much as possible in my CT but I'm mostly in Normal mode. Using Sport uses too much fuel but does allow you to back off to EV quicker. I'm only just over a week of ownership so I'm still learning the easy ways. Overall it's a great drive.


iPhone ?

 

What are you in Normal mode most of the time vs Eco. Just wondering since I'm getting the hang of it myself.

 

Do you mean mpg wise?
In Normal mode I'm getting about 53mpg (instant reading) and ECO is low 40,s. I'll use it in crawling traffic only.


iPhone ?

 

My normal route to work is about 11 miles with an elevation change of about +100ft in the first 10 miles and +100ft in the last mile. I normally get anywhere from 45mpg @ 40f (W/heater and heated seat) to 50mpg @ 50f (no heater but with heated seat) to 50mpg @110f (W/AC) to 58mpg at 75f-80f (no AC.) On the way back, I get anywhere from 48mpg @ 40f (W/heater and heated seat) to 53mpg @ 50f (no heater but with heated seat) to 51mpg @110f (W/AC) to 70mpg at 75-80f (no AC.)

 

I use power mode to get a jump off the line. Nice feature! Like the volt it has a sport mode!

 

For the first 2 years I drove in Normal mode. Since then I drive in PWR mode all the time. Cost me, a few MPG, but driving the car just feels better, with better accelerator responsiveness. Maybe it is just head stuff, but the car is more enjoyable to drive. That for me, is the bottom line. I also replaced the original MPG tires with Bridgestone 195/65/15 Turenza Serenity Plus tires. Again it cost me a few MPG. What a difference in ride, and cornering. Well worth the loss of a few MPG.

 

Power mode for the city! Nothing like others saying "was that a PRIUS" ! Save the eco mode for freeway!

 

Do you have to press the Power Mode button every time you drive?

 

Yes.

 

I like Power mode when entering a highway ramp and I have to get up to 70 rather quickly or be run over by semis, dodge challengers, and every other car with more than 132hp. (132 right? Side note, is the Gen 3 Prius gas engine what they put in the Corolla and modified? Or is it a whole different engine?

 

yeah, i do that too when some jerk weaves thru traffic, cuts me off, only to end up beside me on a red light.

Just last month a guy in a dodge caliber did that in 3 stop lights only to end up twice beside me. Pissed me so much, I used power mode on him for the next 4 traffic lights until he gave up and slunk away embarrassed, I watched him grow smaller in my rear view pretending to be indifferent. On the next light he stopped timidly on my left but about half a car farther from the stop line, hiding in my blind spot. He stayed with the rest of the traffic for the next few lights. Ruined my entire tank mpg but was smirking all the way to the grocery store that day.

 

i drive the regular mode and if i want quick acceleration, i just push the pedal fast and hard (nothing beats fast reflex). works just as well. Didn't people do 0-60 times both ways and showed no difference?

 

I don't know, I feel a difference in mine for sure.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Pedal to the floor will be the exact same acceleration in any mode.