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Austin TX Note, and "Normal" vs. Eco

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by mr88cet, Aug 27, 2017.

  1. mr88cet

    mr88cet Senior Member

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    Two unrelated comments:

    First, I know there's a handful for Austin TX folks here, to whom I'll mention that, possibly in response to my request, the North Lamar Central Market now has "dual electron nozzles," as a jokingly call them. That is, they changed out their older, single-plug charger for a newer, two-plug jobbie. So better chance we'll be able to charge there!

    Second, I switched over to Normal mode from Eco mode a few days ago, and so far I have noticed a bit more pep on acceleration, but I haven't noticed much, if any at all, reduction in EV range. Then again, I haven't changed my driving habits much; although I'm enjoying a little more "yeehah" when I take off from a standstill, I still drive pretty conservatively overall. Relatedly, I could be mistaken, but it seems like I'm seeing a tiny bit more regenerative braking force in Normal mode than in Eco mode.


    iPhone ? Pro
     
    #1 mr88cet, Aug 27, 2017
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  2. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    How did Austin fare with Harvey?
     
    #2 RRxing, Aug 27, 2017
    Last edited: Aug 27, 2017
  3. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Both our BMW i3-REx and Prius Prime have three modes:
    • COMFORT / POWER - a little fidgety that tends to overshoot, strong climate control
    • ECO PRO / NORMAL - well behaved and predictable, moderate climate control
    • ECO PRO+ / ECO - lethargic to the point of not great in traffic, climate control off or weak
    Unlike the Prius that remembers the last mode, I had to code the BMW i3 to set the default, "ECO PRO." I have used the others such as "COMFORT" when driving into the sun or "ECO PRO+" when trying to stretch the range with A/C off.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #3 bwilson4web, Aug 27, 2017
    Last edited: Aug 27, 2017
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  4. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    Eco, Normal and Power are all the same total performance on the Prime. I've measured this to within 0.1 seconds on a run to 60. It's nothing but pedal mapping.

    I like Eco because most of the time you're at low throttle settings and Eco makes pedal travel longer, and thus easier for fine control at low settings, without changing top-end performance one iota - and without changing the pedal position for full-throttle. Eco climate is fine for most things, even with S-Flow on. Occasionally, I'll turn one or the other (or both) off for the first couple minutes of the cool down.
     
    #4 Lee Jay, Aug 27, 2017
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  5. drysider

    drysider Active Member

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    If you are serious about maximizing mileage, then ECO is easily the best choice. I have used ECO for 9 years and in both Gen2 and Gen3 cars. I have not had any noticeable issues with the climate controls. I do not use "Auto", however.
     
    #5 drysider, Aug 27, 2017
  6. mr88cet

    mr88cet Senior Member

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    Admittedly, I haven't been watching the news in detail, but, in short, "fine." Fairly continuous rain, and 25-35MPH max winds. Temperatures considerably lower (highs in the high-70s instead of low-100s). The only substantial impact to me in particular was that they shut down the neck of the Colorado River that runs through the town center, meaning that I couldn't go rowing over the weekend. That, I gather at least, because of rising levels and swift current between those two dams.

    My mom and sister living close to NASA JSC in Houston fared surprisingly well too, considering they're so close to the Gulf Coast. My stepdaughter, living on the fourth floor of a more-or-less downtown-Houston apartment complex, are kinda locked into their apartment building, with 2-3ft or so of flood water on the ground floor. Kinda ironic, being much farther from the coast, but clearly this is about rain, not water from the Gulf.

    Oh, the other impact to us in particular has been that, because of the rain, we can't (comfortably) take our evening trip to "The Domain" shopping mall, plug in to "steal electrons" (haha) on Austin's "$50/year all-you-can-charge buffet," get some exercise, and shop a bit.
     
    #6 mr88cet, Aug 28, 2017
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2017
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  7. mr88cet

    mr88cet Senior Member

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    I've noticed the pedal-travel difference as well.

    I might go back to Eco even if only to make sure that climate controls stay in Eco. Even still, again, I haven't seen much if any difference in EV range so far.


    iPhone ? Pro
     
    #7 mr88cet, Aug 28, 2017
  8. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    More recent JSC information: Space station video of Harvey can't be processed due to storm - CBS News

    . . .
    Veteran flight director Royce Renfrew responded to a tweet asking if he was safe by saying, "I am yes but we are on an island apparently. See video of high water rescues half a mile from here."

    A few moments later, he added: "Yup def on an island. No way out of my area. Abandoned cars all over on the roads."
    . . .     ​

    Bob Wilson
     
    #8 bwilson4web, Aug 28, 2017
  9. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    For reference, the Prime's climate control can be put into Eco Heat/Cool independently of the drive mode.
     
    #9 Tideland Prius, Aug 28, 2017
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  10. mr88cet

    mr88cet Senior Member

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    Sure, assuming it retains that setting. Just one further reassurance to that effect.


    iPhone ? Pro
     
    #10 mr88cet, Aug 28, 2017
  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Yes it will until you change Drive mode again.
     
    #11 Tideland Prius, Aug 28, 2017
  12. mr88cet

    mr88cet Senior Member

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    Roger.

    Again though, so far, based upon about a week of Normal-mode driving, I'm not seeing much difference in EV range either way. I'm guessing that Normal vs. Eco makes a bigger difference in HV mode.


    iPhone ? Pro
     
    #12 mr88cet, Aug 28, 2017
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