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Which Mode Do You Usually Drive In?

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by Lukey51, Jan 22, 2020.

  1. Lukey51

    Lukey51 Active Member

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    If it's in regular mode, non Eco or Ev, is that the best way to warm up the engine when it's cold out and you want to let it idle for a little while?

    I kept it in power mode today and it did very well with MPGs and I could seem to hear the motor more often.
     
  2. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    The very best way is a block heater. You plug it in, run it for an hour or two prior to departure, and the engine will be nicely warmed up for great MPG and cabin heat right away.

    Failing that, avoid eco-mode for quickest warmup.
     
  3. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    2013 Gen 3 Prius originally.
    And when I first got it I experimented with all the driving modes. But with the passage of time, I found "regular" to be the best to me.
    Just gave the most "normal" driving feel and a good MPG return.
    Power Mode,-The Prius c does not have a power mode, I pretty much ONLY used when I sometimes needed to merge onto a busy freeway. But I bought a Prius, so why would I choose the mode that uses the most gasoline?
    Eco Mode was fun to use from time to time, but it did tend to make the Prius seem like the proverbial old persons vehicle. Dampening the accelerator response.
    EV I used occasionally in crowded parking lots while looking for a space...OR when I had Prius "newbie" passengers and they wanted to know what driving on battery power was like.
    But overall...normal mode was what I used the most.

    As far as warming up the vehicle or idling? To be honest, my thinking was the HSD system is designed to be efficient, it would make decisions about warm up operation on it's own. So I did not spend a lot of time simply letting the vehicle run without driving it.
    I felt as long as I didn't push the vehicle too hard in the first 2-3 minutes, I was probably fine. Sane driving.
     
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  4. dubit

    dubit Senior Member

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    Pretty much what Coalroller stated.

    I'd just like to add that in order to ensure the engine keeps running, turn your heat up to high, and manually set your fan speed. This should turn off the "auto" feature on your HVAC controls. This will further ensure the engine keeps running.

    Sidenote: I will often forget to turn that heat down. I'm a skinny guy and I'm always cold!. Then I find myself in the grocery store parking lot after a 2 mile drive and the Engine won't shut off. So in order to get the car to shut off I simply turn the heat way down to say 60'ish or until the display says "low". The car then immediately shuts off.

    If you wonder why I let the car shut itself off, I've found during my own use that if I sometimes shut the car off while the engine is running, the next time I start it up it will make the god awfullest misfire/grumble/knock noise you've ever heard. Which if you ever encounter - don't be alarmed. It's an occasional "Prius Thing". Just shut the car back off, then start it back up.
     
    #4 dubit, Jan 22, 2020
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2020
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  5. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Eco mode significantly reduces the engine coolant temperature where the ICE will automatically shut off, to something like 103F (probably 40C setpoint). This likely won't put out as much cabin heat as you want.

    Normal and PWR have a significantly higher shutoff temperature, and should be the same.
     
    #5 fuzzy1, Jan 22, 2020
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2020
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  6. Lukey51

    Lukey51 Active Member

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    Hahahahaha. I feel the same way. You feel like you have a few heavy duty wound up tight rubber bands to power the engine and consider the option of installing a sail on the roof.

    I can see how some people call the Prius a boring car to drive, but don't hold your breath waiting for it to break down.
     
  7. Lukey51

    Lukey51 Active Member

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    When I got my coolant flushed a few days ago, I was sitting in the car with the engine running and he kept telling me to give it more gas bc it didn't want to run if I took my foot off the gas pedal or didn't step on it enough. I then realized I had to really step on it to make the 1.5L engine run or he wouldn't have been able to effectively flush my coolant.

    I think I'm going to like to use regular mode more often too. It still gets amazing MPGs in this mode, I was in the low to mid 40s today (and it was another cold day here), and that's quite amazing. The 1.5L motor has a nice healthy Toyota sound in regular mode. It often seems to feel like you'd need to go down a steep hill with a good tail wind to make it up to 65 MPH but I think I can deal with that.
     
  8. topshot

    topshot Member

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    Huh. I have never experienced that in any of the 3 Prii we have had so far.

    I drive pretty much exclusively in Eco mode and have not noticed it acting like an old person's car. I have quite enjoyed driving to work the scenic way on a twisty, hilly road while still getting high 40s on the way there and low 50s on the way home (speeds generally 35-63 MPH).
     
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  9. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I thought Prius c's didn't have a power mode?
     
  10. dubit

    dubit Senior Member

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    I have only experienced it a few times. But that was back when I didn't know how best to avoid it. (Tks Prius Chat!) There are quite a few threads here on Prius Chat regarding it.

    It doesn't.
    ---- Fuzzy up there probably didn't realize what area of the forum he was in when replying. o_O
     
  11. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Fuzzy saw OP mention PWR mode:
     
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  12. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    It isn't/wasn't Fuzzy that is confusing me, it's the OP. Who say's....

    If the Prius c, doesn't have a power mode, that seems like an impossible scenario.
     
  13. Lukey51

    Lukey51 Active Member

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  14. Lukey51

    Lukey51 Active Member

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    Power mode / regular mode / non Eco mode / non EV mode.
    As far as I know, they all do the same thing.
    Fuzzy1 knew what I was referring to.

    Boy, I guess I really need to be careful what I say around here.
    If you don't even own a Prius any more, I don't understand why you're even here.
     
    #14 Lukey51, Jan 23, 2020
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2020
  15. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    You know my first reaction was to really push back.
    But I took a few deep breaths and decided to simply say.....
    Good Luck with your Prius c.

    Sometimes....it's just not worth it.
     
  16. iceman13

    iceman13 Member

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    I drive in Eco mode all the time. I really like the dampened accelerator response, it almost makes you stay in the green zone. I have no problem merging in eco mode, it’s pedal to the metal up to the speed limit then I let off. It can feel sluggish in some situations, but then I see the 55mpg in the display and forget about the sluggishness .
     
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