Driving mode selection

Maybe this is dumb but manual is silent on this - what mode am I in when I select neither the the E/V. nor the PWR, nor the ECO modes? IS it some default mode that is less efficient that ECO? What mode shoud be used at freeway speeds? Manula copuod be much beteter on thses issues bit I've had Japanese cars in past and know they often fall short in common sense issues and some things are lost in the translation (regardlless of the 616 pages!) Please comment. Thanks.

Normal mode. Normal is what the Gen II operates in all of the time. With the Gen III you get it when nothing else is selected.

Use normal, econ, or power for your everyday driving. It all depends on your personal preferences.

Tom

The "Normal" mode is a little confusing, it does NOT tell you in the manual how to select the "Normal" mode!

Most drivers use the "ECO" mode, this mode limits the throttle response, it feels pretty sluggish, but it returns the best Fuel Economy.
"PWR" mode, provides the most (surprise) power, and is used primarily for passing, merging off a freeway ramp or for out Draging a Honda Insight!

To enter either of these modes, you simply push the appropriate button, if you press that same button a second time you will be in "Normal" mode. When you select either "ECO or PWR" they will be indicated on the MID (Multi Information Display or in other words, the Dash), when those buttons are pressed a second time and the corresponding mode, that mode is deselected, NO mode will be indicated in the MID. When NO mode is indicated, you are in "Normal" mode!

"ECO" - Least Throttle Response (BEST Fuel Economy).
"Normal" - Normal Throttle Response (Average Fuel Economy).
"PWR" - Most Throttle Response (Worst Fuel Economy).

David (aka Blind Guy)

This blog brings up a question. Since if don't push any buttons you would be in the normal mode. Is this in any way detrimental to the vehicle if used over a long period, or is any effect only on the MPG you will obtain?

What's the benefit if any to be in normal mode?

Thanks for your help.

Bob, these modes simply effect the throttle mapping (or the throttle response), they just determine how sensitive the throttle is to any pressure on the footfeed.

The "ECO" mode requires the MOST throttle pressure for a given amount of acceleration, but offers the LEAST amount of Fuel Efficiency.
"Normal" mode gives typical throttle response, as in a normal car, and returns AVERAGE Fuel Economy.
"PWR" mode is the most sensitive to throttle pressure, and does not require as much throttle pressure to attain a given amount of acceleration, however, it does give the WORST Fuel Economy.

ALL the modes do is effect throttle response, and naturally, the more sensitive the throttle, more fuel will be consumed.

David (aka Blind Guy)

I just got my 2010 (after my 2008 was totaled by a SUV). After driving it around and trying all the modes, I really think PWR mode gives the throttle mapping most list my 2008. I got very used to being very light on the pedal with my 2008, and when I did that in Normal mode (never mind ECO mode) on the 2010 I felt like I needed to get out and push.

It'll be interesting to see, but I think I'll get fine or better mileage on the 2010 even in Power mode because I have such a light foot.

David,

Thanks for the clarification. I guess I will experiment a little in my commute to see how much difference it will be from the ECO and compared to I guess what NORMAL would be. I do notice that in ECO, as many have suggested, it seems like the car is not as responsive...but I find ECO good in the city or on flatter roads... can really get the numbers up using ECO on those situations.

Thanks again, and will let you know what results I found from comparison.

Bob aka (Bobsprius)

That is an oversimplification. The exact quote from a Toyota engineer is this:

And even that doesn't say much - we know other things are affected (like cabin comforts), and the transmission may be receiving different instructions also.

So, the biggest difference between ECO and PWR is the throttle response in the first half of the pedal - but there are other (undocumented) differences as well.

We have yet to get any more official details from Toyota...

Just to clarify, Power Mode doesn't give you extra power does it?

No, it doesn't give the engine any more horsepower - it just makes the effect of pressing the 'go' pedal more aggressive, so for the first half of pedal travel you might think you have more power, but then the second half gives less increase as you press further so in the end you still wind up at 100%.

Much like what Honda does with non-hybrid cars. Honda sets the throttle linkage to give a lot of action with little pedal, which makes their cars feel frisky and powerful, at least when you first press the pedal.

Tom

With the Prius, it's part illusion and part reality - the illusion is that you have more total power in PWR mode (you don't), but the reality is that the power does kick in sooner compared to ECO (which has some lag before it "commits" to using the ICE and is playing "catch-up" in the 2nd half of the pedal).

If you can get used to the difference in feel, ECO is the way to go since it is more efficient in other ways (shutting down the engine at stop lights, etc). But when you need a lot of power, you will really have to put your foot down - or push the PWR button.

I have started using the PWR mode much more often and I haven't really seen an obvious mileage hit. I find it much easier to quickly get up to gliding speed and then just have to treat the pedal a bit more gently when gliding and keeping in the lower half of the HSI. Plus, it's a lot more fun to beat other cars out of the blocks when a light turns green (admittedly, the adjacent car has no idea that I am racing them).

Those jackrabbit starts will have an impact on mpg, but the good news is that once you're up to speed, the hybrid system is basically just as efficient regardless of which mode you're in - so it won't be much of a hit unless you're doing dozens of these starts every trip.

"Firm" accelleration is actually better than staying in a low-efficiency RPM for a long time. I'm using ECO, but have a heavy foot at stop lights to avoid this. (PWR is my "ace in the hole".)

Eco mode will disable the A/C to increase mileage when 'at idle.'

After having the car for 8 months now, I have played around with all the modes and after much calculation came to the conclusion that there is little difference in MPG with NORMAL, ECO, POWER. I found that I get a little better mpg with the POWER mode (48.5-50mpg range in Los Angeles driving with A/C or HEATER on). Plus the car is more fun to drive in POWER mode. I don’t see the point of having a sluggish car so I can get one more mpg. So I switch to power mode as soon as I start the car.

Living in a colder climate, I think I'm getting a little benefit from ECO, but mainly because it will shut down the engine at stop lights even when the engine isn't fully warmed up. In Normal and PWR, the ICE keeps running until it's warm, which really hurts MPG on short trips.

* ECO Mode does NOT disable the AC at idle, it simply reduces Fan speed to a lower setting.

David (aka Blind Guy)

I wrecked my 2009 and now have the 2010 Version II for a few days. I love the POWER mode. It has quite a kick. Is there a way to default the setting to PWR all the time?

BTW:
My gas guage is not reading correctly and the brake light switch needs adjustment. I am taking it in to the dealership to get fixed. How surprising and disappointing to have these defects show up after only 5 days of ownership.

No, you cannot default to Power mode.

As an aside, you do realize that Power mode has no more power than Normal mode. The only difference is throttle mapping and perhaps ICE shutoff parameters.

Tom