Which Driving Mode Do you use?

I know it's not a Prius, but it is a hybrid, use eco except on really hot days, then normal, because of the AC.

 

I don't know what mode I am in just ask my wife.

I really don't care.

 

Mode or Mood.

I avoid it all with “yes dear”.

 

Does ECO mode affect more than just the gas pedal tension? (And the AC. Not important).

My hybrid battery meter has many swings up & down when I'm in the ECO mode. It discharges and recharges much more frequently. For the first 24 months of driving I was always in the PWR mode, and the battery meter always stayed at the top, or just one bar down. Now I've been driving mostly in ECO for 6 months, and the battery level is all over the place. The " Normal" mode will calm it down a little bit.

I keep reading that the engine performance remains the same in all 3 modes. But why the battery level swings?

 

The main difference in the modes is the throttle response. Since the Prius is a drive by wire, the mapping changes with the different mode.

The SOC fluctuations are due to use and what else is running off of the hv battery. The throttle is mapped more sensitively in PWR mode where a small depression of the pedal leads to more response and could get you out of the Eco band sooner and on the gas engine, leading to the engine charging the hv battery.

If you turn off the AC, the SOC will last longer in traffic, but the temps inside the car will increase.

So as you say: Just Drive It.

 

Thanks Ray. I was just curious.

Just another Prius oddity...

Or maybe the Starship Captain is angry.... "I said give me PWR! I need WARP speed! What's this ECO stuff???!

 

Or channel your inner Star Wars: The Force is Strong with this one.

 

Yes, as far as I can tell, performance remains the same, possibly apart from A/C - but is dependent on your foot - and in PWR, it'll jump out of the economy areas easily, even without you realising or noticing.

It's hard to know why it swings more in ECO. Here's a theory ...

If you are in PWR mode, you'll likely get into the power band more, but conversely, you might back off more often - often inadvertently. So, more movements of the accelerator, on/off/on/off etc. Conversely, in ECO, you might be more aware of things like Hypermiling - not hyper, but to a greater extent than if in PWR mode; also gently squeezing the throttle to eke out a few more kms out of a litre.

Could be "attitude" too. I suspect that the first ½ of a tank, my economy isn't as good as the 2nd ½ tank - and, that last little bit when I know I need to fill up soon, the economy is often amazing - particularly if petrol is expensive that day. OK - the tank is lighter, but I don't think that's it.

 

ECO Mode suits me fine. Mostly rural roads, some hills and a bit of town driving. Gives me around 72 MPG with normal spring summer temperatures. Speeds usually in the 40's -50s, not in in a hurry at this point in life...

 

AND... when I park the car in the afternoon, the hybrid battery meter shows a full level. When I return in the early morning, the meter is way down to the last 2 bars. That is something new.

Is the heat inside the car zapping the traction battery overnight? Up-down, up-down, she sure is exercising herself a lot more lately. But I know, I know... just drive it.

(and quit feeding her cheeseburgers!!)

 

That's really odd - because of my commute, she's almost always showing full when I park her. And no matter what temperature, it's always the same when I go back to her - sometimes she's not driven for 2 or 3 days.

 

Yes, This is something new. I just went outside to check it, and the battery level shows only half full. Its been parked since 10am this morning, in the hot sun. The battery was full when i parked 7 hours ago.

Well, I just drive it. Those computers are a lot smarter than me.

 

It could be worth asking it as a NEW TOPIC on PriusChat - it might get an answer. Or ask your service dealer?

 

That almost sounds like the traction battery is losing charge. That means either the battery is going bad or there is a large power drain when the car is turned off. The battery would be covered under the hybrid warranty.

 

The good news is, it recharges to full pretty quickly when starting out to drive. And when I'm parked, the ICE kicks in and gets me back up ro near full.

 

@Raytheeagle can correct me if I am wrong but I believe widely swinging charge levels like you described is a sign of a failing battery.

 

Thanks Prodigy. I will definitely keep an eye on it. And that's a great warranty. Doesn't happen every day, maybe 3 fimes a week? Seems like it started doing it when the weather got warmer. When parked.

But I have also noticed some unusual swings in the battery level when driving, or just sitting in a drive-thru line for a few minutes. That never happened in the past. I'm going to drive it every day, and make notes on exactly when the swings occur. Thanks guys.

 

That is NOT good news. It means that your HV battery has lost most of it's capacity.

JeffD

 

Thanks Jeff. I'm going to keep a log so I will have some details to show the dealer, if need be. And I know this sounds crazy, but it all started a few months ago when I began driving in the ECO mode full time.

 

Maybe go back to LUDICROUS Mode full time for a while?