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Driving Modes

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by maiki, Sep 15, 2018.

  1. maiki

    maiki Member

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    Driving modes. I just bought a 2018 Prius Prime Advanced a few days ago. So far I have only driven it in EV mode, short trips.

    This evening I will go on a longer drive. I will start with a full charge (charging right now), but I know it won't have enough charge to go there and back home. (And there will not be a charging opportunity there.)

    Of course I could still start in EV mode, and when the charge runs out it will change to HV mode.

    However, I wonder what is the advisable way to do it, in such a case? Starting in EV mode like that? Or start in HV mode? or EV Auto? (not sure what that last one means?).

    Interested to hear your recommendations. Thank you.
     
  2. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    Save some EV if you know there will be stop & slow driving later, especially after the engine has cooled off.

    Otherwise, just drive it.
     
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  3. ForestBeekeeper

    ForestBeekeeper Active Member

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    Keep it in ECO unless there is a specific task that needs PWR or NORM.

    As for EV, just drive your car an enjoy it.

    Sometimes when I have ran out of charge, I have used CHG to re-charge as I am driving, but mostly just when I want to arrive at my destination on EV.
     
  4. maiki

    maiki Member

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    Well, just driving it would mean EV mode, as it is set now, and when it runs out it will change to HV. But I wondered if that is the best most efficient way or not?
     
  5. maiki

    maiki Member

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    I guess I am wondering how HV mode would work on a full charge? Just the same as a regular Prius hybrid, and not use the plug-in charge at all? Or would it use both the plug-in power and the hybrid gas engine, using some EV power but not as much as in EV mode, using some gas but not as much as a regular Prius would?

    And what iis the EV Auto mode?
     
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  6. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    That's for when you think a request for maximum power may be needed, beyond normal EV... which rarely actually happens. But it's there for peace of mind.

    Give it a try. You'll likely notice the feature (which fires up the gas-engine) isn't triggered. The electric-only is plenty for all but extremes.


    A steady high-speed cruise uses up battery fast. You're better off overall switching to HV in that case, especially if you have a long distance to travel.
     
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  7. Bob Comer

    Bob Comer Active Member

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    I run out of EV every day because of my commute length. I've found that saving EV for the slower part of my commutes nets me the best overall gas mileage, and it's really not even that close. I get no more than 80MPG not switching and I've gone as high as 108MPG, but average in the 90's. I do definitely have a faster part of my commute, and it's the first leg, so its easy to tell, but if it were even over the whole commute I don't think it would matter much.
     
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  8. HPrimeAdvanced

    HPrimeAdvanced Senior Member

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    Welcome to Priuschat, maiki!
    I'm one of those guys that really enjoys a car with good power. I leave my car in POWER mode and EV mode as much as possible.
    If you can keep the car in the 35 to 45 mile range with little stopping, you will get the best range from the EV mode.
    Minimize the air conditioning and heating as much as possible. When the car runs in EV mode, it will be the most responsive and the most fun-to-drive.
    The HV mode favors the stored charge and minimizes using the electrical motor.
    If you keep your car in HV mode most of the time and don't gun it or go to higher speeds over say 60 or 65 miles an hour, your car will keep most of the charge at the end of your trip. You will notice however, when in HV mode, that the car is more sluggish and just not as much fun to use, and of course it's noisier because the gasoline engine is running.
    If you know your trip is going to be well over the EV range indicated on your gauge, then you might use EV on surface streets, and then go to the HV mode when you're on the freeway or at higher speeds. I use HV on longer trips, during sections of the drive which are steady, and don't require sudden changes in speed. I also use HV when the car has to climb a grade (this tends to quickly eat up the electrical charge). I go back to EV on downgrades.
    The EV charging feature, for use while driving, is pretty inefficient and I only use it if I absolutely have to have some EV power back, after those longer trips.
    The EV AUTO feature let's the car choose EV or hybrid mode depending on driving conditions; I almost never use this.
    By the way, the EV mode runs the car almost always exclusively on electricity, up to 86 miles per hour (tried it; it works!) Some users have posted here that under rare conditions, the EV mode can allow the gasoline engine to run; never seen this phenomenon with my 26,800 mile Prime Advanced here in Southern California.
    Hope this answers your questions; good luck!!

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
    AChoiredTaste.com
     
  9. maiki

    maiki Member

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    So, it sounds like most folks here drive mostly in EV, and it only goes into HV when the charge runs out? (on drives too long to only use EV)
     
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  10. maiki

    maiki Member

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    Or sometimes on the highway drive in HV to save battery. Always EV on side streets if battery left? Sounds like some are saying that. It changes with just a pushbutton, right?

    HV doesn't use plugin battery at all, and drives just like a regular Prius?
     
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  11. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    If you start full charge and drive in HV mode, I think there is little bit of battery used from EV portion. For example, if I start my trip with a full charge and EV range showing 34 miles in a morning, and start car and immediately change to HV and drive my morning commute. After 20 miles of drives, the range is now 32 miles instead of 34 miles despite I have not driven in EV mode at all. This number is variable with my driving condition. If I have very good long decline at the last portion of the 20 miles HV drive, I can regen lost two miles back to par.
     
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  12. Washingtonian

    Washingtonian Senior Member

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    I just set the car to EV and drive it. Most trips are local and I come home with some charge still left on the traction battery. If not, no big deal: it still gets 40 to 50 mpg on the engine. For those obsessive persons who want to save an extra fifty cents or so on their commute I say "Fine, enjoy yourself." It is not that important to me.
     
  13. HPrimeAdvanced

    HPrimeAdvanced Senior Member

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    HV will use the traction battery somewhat, but if you can keep your speed under 65mph, I've noticed that the EV charge, though it does fluctuate, will hover around the charge level you started with. BTW, I use POWER mode almost exclusively, and realize that this doesn't give you more power; it just makes the car much more "responsive", or nervous, something I really like; my Alfas were EXTREMELY responsive in steering, braking, and acceleration.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
    AChoiredTaste.com
     
  14. Pdog808

    Pdog808 Active Member

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    I use Normal mode for the same reason as @HPrimeAdvanced . Keep in mind that all the Eco/Normal/Power modes do is change the scaling of the gas pedal depression signal to the Prime's engine. There is no magical energy saving formula involved when you use Eco mode. I prefer Normal mode for the higher sensitivity and use my foot to moderate acceleration levels.

    I also never use EV Auto and prefer to use the EV/HV button as mentioned earlier by @Bob Comer . This nets me on average about 100 MPG and allows me to stretch my battery charge by only using EV in slow traffic and when going down hill. Whenever I will be driving for an extended period over 40-50 MPH, I will always switch to HV. Keep in mind that EV mode becomes increasingly more inefficient as you exceed speeds above 20-25 MPH.
     
  15. bresna

    bresna Active Member

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    I was under the impression that ECO mode also affects how the environmental controls operate. The AC/Heater fan will not work the same way in ECO mode as it does in NORMAL mode. I've observed this myself on very hot days. I can roast on very hot days in ECO mode. I switch to NORMAL mode to cool myself down.
     
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  16. bresna

    bresna Active Member

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    Regarding the OP's question, I drive ~62 miles each way to work. I start out in EV on the side streets near my house but I switch to HV mode as I approach the highway entrance. The ICE takes a while to heat up to where it can drive the car, so you'll still use EV energy as it does this. When I exit the highway back onto side streets near work, I switch back to EV mode.

    On the way home, I again use EV on the side streets and switch to HV on the highway but when I get close to home, I switch back to EV when I estimate I am in EV range. I've even figured out where I can get home with 10 EV miles of range, so that I can best use up my EV charge completely. Nothing better than pulling into the driveway as the EV gauge hits zero and the gas mileage pops up "79.8 mpg". :)
     
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  17. PT Guy

    PT Guy Senior Member

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    Maiki, just use EV mode and drive. The car will take care of everything else. After you get a good feel for how things run, you can try other modes.

    I only use EV Auto on one route out of my town that has hills. The engine runs on steep uphill sections, and I get better total electric range + gas consumption. On other routes I drive it makes no difference. Fiddle with HV mode if you have sections like other posters have described.

    Toyota uses the word Mode too many different ways. EV, EV Auto, and HV are battery & engine modes we've discussed. ECO, Normal, and PWR are totally unrelated "modes." That is just accelerator pedal sensitivity. There is no more power in PWR, it just comes to you with less pedal travel. Find the one that works for you. We use ECO around town and PWR when on a crowded highway where we may want to scoot into a gap in traffic. And then, the heating & air conditioning has it's own ECO mode...sheesh.
     
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  18. CharlesH

    CharlesH CA HOV Decal #5 on former PiP

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    In the 2012 Plugin Prius, ECO driving mode turned on the A/C ECO mode. In the Prime, ECO driving mode by default turns on A/C ECO mode, but you can independently turn the A/C ECO mode on or off in any driving mode.