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I Like Power Mode

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by cycledrum, Apr 1, 2012.

  1. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    I haven't been home since the timers arrived :( On the road for a week yet but hope to get-r-done soon :) I'll let Ya know when I am home and can start on the project. Gotta get the funds from my wife to get the Nav speed over ride ordered too. Be best to install both mods at the same time :)

    Mike


    iPhone :)
     
  2. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Additionally, they do not have a warranty OR it is a low mileage warranty and a UTQG of only 260. Even if they somehow got better mpg than other LRR rated tires like the Ecopia EP422, their low tread wear rating would make them an uneconomical choice. Personally I would stick with at least. 65,000 mile tire or higher.
     
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  3. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    I'll have to inquire if the Ecopia EP422 in the 215/45/17 size has the raised rim protector (my requirement).

    Michelin claims the Primacy MXM4 has better fuel efficiency than the Pilot MXM4, but the consensus here is the Primacys are worse at the mpg game than OE tires so it looks like I don't have much choice if I want the raised rim protector.
     
  4. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Yeah, I don't think these are the best for mpg but I really like them and they are not crazy expensive. You could check out something in a 205/50/17 as well. There are different tires available in that size but on average they seem more expensive.
     
  5. qdllc

    qdllc Senior Member

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    Tried PWR mode. HATED IT.

    Notable changes....

    1. A/C worked almost full-bore (Auto did make it slow down as the car cooled off, but much more power to the cooling system than on Eco).

    2. ICE on almost all the time until motor well warmed up. EV mode almost required hitting the brakes. More inclined to go to EV mode after car was driven for about 15 minutes, but you pretty much had to let off the gas.

    3. Never does the "Eco" badge on the HSI ever light up, even if you're in the Eco zone.

    4. Where I'd get 70-80 mpg going home (lots of downhill coasting), I only got 65 mpg (based on trip computer).

    The only positive I could say was I had very peppy and responsive acceleration, but for the cost in gas mileage, it wasn't worth it for my evening commute.
     
  6. RaZa

    RaZa Member

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    Other than having to push that dam button every time you start the car, no not really
     
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  7. PanthersFan

    PanthersFan Junior Member

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    This is exactly what I'm doing. I have Eco mode set and I baby the accelerator. This isn't correct? I should be starting up fast from a stop?
     
  8. RaZa

    RaZa Member

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    I guarantee you if you get too used to the acceleration generated in power mode you will slowly get sucked into driving it like a normal car again, and your overall mpgs will go way down. Just stick with eco mode trust me. I've been driving my prius 4 years and I waiver back and forth with efficient driving (mid 50's) and speedy driving (mid 40's) all the time. I'm currently trying to drive more efficiently again, but it's hard to stick with it.

    It's actually interesting if you think about it. Just consciously being careful to drive more efficiently can gain you 100 miles on a tank of gas. That's about $8 to $10 in gas on a conventional car you can get for free just by choosing how efficiently you want to drive.
     
    #128 RaZa, Apr 4, 2016
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2016
  9. bingee3

    bingee3 Active Member

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    ECO is best for snow , less chance to spin tires
     
  10. 4rpr15

    4rpr15 Senior Member

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    I tried Normal mode on my '15 Persona. I normally drive on Eco Mode. I lost 2 mpg's while driving a constant 50 mpg's. I switched back to Eco and the mpg's went back up. Wouldn't Power mode be even worse?
     
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no question, i stay in eco.
     
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  12. 4rpr15

    4rpr15 Senior Member

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    For sure! I love how much faster it feels, but not if I lose mpgs.
     
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I ignore both, PWR and ECO, drive in the (virtually undocumented) "normal" mode. Works fine.
     
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  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i'm not normal enough for normal. nothing happens when i press it.(n)
     
  15. 4rpr15

    4rpr15 Senior Member

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    Not for me. Have you ever tested it out in Eco mode?
     
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yes. One thing, with the 2016's, I think I heard somewhere all the modes, were shifted in the PWR direction, by about one "mode". In other words, ECO on a 2016 equates to "normal" in a 2015. But anyway, back to third gen:

    I used ECO for maybe 6 months at the outset of ownership. Switched it off one time when we were on vacation, didn't miss it. What I didn't miss the most was the tiresome amount of travel, it was too much for my taste, and I've found normal mode very linear, easy to modulate. If anything, easier.
     
    #136 Mendel Leisk, Apr 5, 2016
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2016
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  17. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    At constant speed, steady gas pedal setting on level road, there should not be any difference in the engine and propulsion system. That leaves the AC, which is allowed to dial back a bit in ECO. Were you using AC? If not, then something else was confounding your comparison.

    If the MPG difference was caused by AC, then going to PWR causes no additional AC change, so should have no additional MPG change.

    In variable speed, variable engine power driving conditions, all bets are off. This is where the different modes are likely to push the driver to different MPGs.
     
  18. 4rpr15

    4rpr15 Senior Member

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    I had it on Auto at 71 degrees which automatically turns on AC.
     
  19. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Was it warm and/or sunny enough outside to actually use AC? Any resulting MPG difference will vary with the needed cooling load.
     
  20. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I can subjectively verify that. We've been driving in Eco mode since we bought the Gen 4. It's surprisingly peppy at low speeds (Accelerating from a stop sign or traffic light). Waiting til break-in is over to try normal and PWR modes.
     
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