EV, ECO and PWR modes

There are three driving modes: ECO, NORMAL, and PWR.

ECO - ECO or economy mode changes the throttle mapping of the accelerator pedal to make the Prius feel more sluggish. In other words, you have to press harder to get the same response. Full power is still available, but the first half of the accelerator travel is less aggressive.

In addition, ECO mode allows the engine to turn off more easily and reduces the use of air conditioning.

PWR - PWR or power mode maps the accelerator pedal to make the Prius feel sportier. The power output is the same, but the first half of the accelerator travel is more aggressive. Air conditioning is normal, and the engine is less likely to turn off.

NORMAL - This is the mode when neither PWR or ECO is selected. It lies between the two, and is identical to the only mode available on the older Gen II Prius.

You also mention EV mode, which really isn't a separate mode, even though we call it that. EV is more of a modifier. It stands for Electric Vehicle mode, and what it does is ask the Prius to run on only electric if possible. Generally this mode is useful for backing out of the garage or changing spaces in a parking lot, or for impressing your friends.

B Mode is Brake mode. It invokes engine braking, so it is somewhat similar to down shifting. In B mode, the Prius spins the engine as an air pump to dissipate braking power, which helps keep the brakes from over heating. Generally this mode is only useful for mountain driving.

Tom

 

I've seen this a few times now and there's something I'm not quite getting about EV mode. When I cold start my car, EV mode is not available. I believe this is because the engine needs to warm itself up, for emissions efficiency, lots of technical terms. I don't see how people are using it to back out of the garage. I've never had the engine not start when backing out.

The dealer told me, EV mode for stop and go traffic, ECO mode for highway driving, PWR mode for hill climbing, otherwise leave it in normal.

 

There is no need to go to EV mode for stop and go. The car is better at figuring out when to run the engine than 95%+ of the drivers are.

Hill performance is the same in Eco, Normal or Power. The only difference is you have to push further on the throttle when in Eco, but the engine is still doing the same amount of work.

So much for dealer instructions

 

With a cold engine you are correct. EV is generally not very useful, but it can be used to keep the engine from needlessly starting for a short move, such as backing out or changing parking spots. Obviously this only works if the engine is warm and all of the other requirements are met. As I said before, EV is not very useful.

Tom

 

I thought I had read in the manual that in stop and go traffic, you should be in power mode.

Can someone verify this? I haven't been able to locate my manual for a few months now. LOL....I took it out to look something up and can't remember where I left it.

 

No. No advantage or disadvantage to Power mode in stop and go traffic. Eco mode will save on A/C and engine idling, but Pwr and Normal are pretty much the same in this regard.

Tom