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Prius Eco 58 MPG vs Prius 54 MPG - What's the difference?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Fuel Economy' started by cyclopathic, Nov 18, 2015.

  1. JohnF

    JohnF Active Member

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    Out of curiosity I just checked Tire Rack and today's price on the 195/65-15 Energy Saver A/S is $113 each, with a $70 rebate on a set of four, so in effect $96 each.

    TR shows several flavors of the Ecopia 422+ but they all sell for around $87 +/- $2, at least today.

    Maybe tire prices fluctuate like the stock market?
     
  2. galownia

    galownia Previous master neon mechanic

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  3. tzx4

    tzx4 Active Member

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    I am skeptical about this one. My Two Eco has a rain sensor on the windshield behind the rear view mirror. That is a feature reserved for higher level models. I suspect all the windshields are the same on all models, and Toyota is just mentioning it when talking about the Two Eco for marketing hype purposes.
     
  4. JohnF

    JohnF Active Member

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    That is not a rain sensor, it's a sensor for the climate control system. See post #27 here:
    What is the plastic thing on windshield? | Page 2 | PriusChat
     
  5. MikeDee

    MikeDee Senior Member

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    Is it worth getting a higher trim model than the base 2 just to get the Lithium Ion battery? Do I get more cargo space?
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the 2 has a spare, so the floor is raised a bit. 2 eco = no spare, lower floor. 3's have a spare, so you have to go to a 4, for more cargo space than a 2, and same as a 2 eco.
     
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Some 2Eco owners are reporting really good mpg numbers. Personally, I wouldn't want to give up the spare and rear wiper. I think the 2 has less or no white interior trim too. I
     
  8. MikeDee

    MikeDee Senior Member

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    I thought the Prius 3 had a lithium ion battery?

    A spare is nice, but how many people check the air pressure in it. The tire has to be taken out to do so. I'm on the fence about the real world usefulness of a spare tire. It's not much good if it's flat.
     
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Capture.JPG
     
  10. krousdb

    krousdb NX-74205

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    For an extra $500, the Two Eco gives you Li-Ion and more cargo space. I have added a space saver spare to mine with no compromise of cargo space. I never used the rear wiper anyway on my previous cars so I didn't lose anything noticeable.
     
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  11. vince22

    vince22 Active Member

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    $500 more not only lithium ion battery + 3 doors smart key, not worth $ = navigation system.
     
    #211 vince22, Apr 3, 2016
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2016
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the batteries are the same size, it's the spare that makes the cargo space larger or smaller.
     
  13. MikeDee

    MikeDee Senior Member

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    I guess what I'm really asking is if the lithium ion battery has a higher capacity than the NiMH battery so that it can store more regeneration energy?
     
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no, we don't really know the difference. i believe it's lighter. i don't think it produce's more mpg's, but it's hard to be sure.
     
  15. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    It was designed to save weight, while providing the same output as the NiMH. The picture below states it has a smaller capacity (3.6Ah vs. 6.5Ah). Compared to the Gen 2 and 3, I've noticed the Gen 4 with Li-Ion tends to be more eager to use the battery and it's quicker to top up the battery. I see 2 bars in the Gen 4 more often than in the Gen 3 but yet it doesn't need to idle the engine to charge the battery.

    upload_2016-4-3_20-43-9.png
     
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  16. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    What is "Hyper-prime nickel"? It is registered as a trade-mark but I can't find any technical descriptions.

    Having disassembled an NiMH battery, the smooth metal surface has struck me as a problem limiting energy density. A nickel powder surface or mesh would significantly increase the surface area and improve density.

    Bob Wilson
     
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  17. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    My Three model Prius has the same brand and size tires as the Two, and Two Eco that I saw on the dealer lot.

    15" Toyo Nanoenergy A29. Low Rolling Resistance.

    The driver's door placard inflation numbers for my car are: 36 front; 35 rear? Same tire as the Eco model, but the Eco recommends a PSI of about 3 or 4 pounds higher. So I guess there's nothing "special" about the Eco tires. I've increased my inflation pressure, so now I can pretend I'm driving the Eco. :cool:
    (As of the last fuel-up, I averaged an excellent 60.3 mpg.)
     
    #217 Coast Cruiser, Apr 4, 2016
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2016
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  18. JohnF

    JohnF Active Member

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    Is there an error in that graphic? It says that the new Li battery weighs 324.5kg, which would be over 700lbs!!! Maybe the decimal point moved over? Is there some other place referencing the weight of the new Li battery so we can do a cross-check?

    I think I read somewhere else on this site that there were other differences between Li and NiMH, is my memory correct?:
    (1) Li can be used over a wider range of its SOC (State of Charge) than NiMH, so more of its capacity is usable.
    (2) It can accept higher rates of recharging (and discharging).

    If true, both of these might help explain why a smaller capacity Li battery would do the same job as a NiMH?
     
    #218 JohnF, Apr 4, 2016
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2016
  19. MikeDee

    MikeDee Senior Member

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    Interesting. I'm not really liking that huge capacity difference though. I'm skeptical that the Li-ion battery would deliver as good a mileage, acceleration, and life as the NiMH battery would.
     
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it's been fabulous in pip 1 so far. and all the other manufacturers using it.