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Trouble getting a good braking ECO score

Discussion in 'Gen 5 Prius Fuel Economy & Prime EV Range' started by Will B, Jun 13, 2024.

  1. Will B

    Will B Active Member

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    More for entertainment, I am trying to see what it takes to get a good braking component of the ECO score and it still seems pretty random to me. I think I know why, so asking if this makes sense to others. Getting good scores for acceleration and cruise is pretty easy, braking seems tough.

    I think the reason my scores are all over the place is that my neighborhood is moderately hilly. I suspect the car is mostly if not entirely basing the score on power regenerated vs speed dropped. Good as in a way that is what really matters, but that means that the grade of the street leading up to the stop sign/light has a much bigger impact than how I brake. Outside obviously bad things like a hard last-minute brake, I've tried various levels of consistent braking and it seems the grade matters more than how I brake.

    Does this make sense or match anyone else's experience?

    will
     
  2. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    In the spirit of entertainment I played with that in our car for a week or so. About the only thing that consistently improved that brake score was taking longer to stop.

    If you can stop the car in four seconds, try stopping in 6 or 7 instead. Get on the brake earlier and use it more gently over a longer period of time.

    Best done away from following traffic.
     
  3. reptilian

    reptilian New Member

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    Try playing with PDA on/off (braking deceleration). I just posted about this yesterday...
    Sorry to double-post, I'll copy/paste that here for you:
    6/27/24
    I've had the '23 Prius XLE less than a year, love the additional power and MPG both improved from the 2019.
    Now that I've had some time with the many driving features and assist modes, I recently enabled PDA Proactive Driving Assist. While it's meant as a safety feature, I immediately noticed an increase in regenerative braking, which I believe is based on the sensitivity and car distance settings. I found it comfortable and noticeable in city traffic.
    This totally reminded me of what a Tesla feels like, as anyone will tell you, the regenerative braking is heavy on EVs, so much that you barely use the actual brake pedal (good for your brakes' lifespan).
    It got me thinking, hmm this whole time I've had PDA disabled (several months)... I wonder if I'll get more MPG now? More use of the electric motor... more "braking" regen?

    While using the actual brakes also performs regenerative braking, I did notice something on the instrument panel while using PDA. If you have the EcoZone view on, with the green & white bars, the white EcoZone stays lit while the PDA "deceleration" is active. But if you brake instead of using PDA, the white EcoZone disappears immediately.
    It makes me wonder if there's a difference in energy regenerated from deceleration (which I believe is like engine braking) and actual braking. If anything, it might create a smoother transition from stopping to starting, like it keeps the electric motor ready instead of turning it off (?).

    I'll see over time if my current hot summer 50MPG average increases.
    Either way, I prefer the feel of the PDA deceleration and less lifting of the foot to the brake pedal. Theoretically, it should at least be less wear and tear on my brakes, while also a safety feature.
    If you haven't enabled PDA, try it and post your thoughts for in-city stopping and starting. It's similar to adaptive cruise for lower speeds. Not the same thing, but I believe it also works in conjunction with adaptive cruise on the highway as well. It slows your car down for you before using any brakes. I wonder if the brake lights come on when this happens.

    2023 Toyota Prius XLE, Guardian Gray
    2019 Toyota Prius Limited, Premium JBL Package, Electric Storm Blue (traded)
    2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, Smoked Quartz Metallic (traded)
    2010 Toyota Prius IV, Solar Roof Package, Blue Ribbon Metallic (traded)
    2006 Toyota Prius, Package #8, Classic Silver Metallic (sold)
    2000 Toyota Celica GT-S, Liquid Silver Metallic (traded)
    1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24, Black (traded)
     
  4. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    Practice
    Practice at low speeds 35 and below with ( no traffic ) !
    Paying attention to the other scores at the same time.
    Accel and steady scores in the Gen 4 Prime don't show up until I reach 20 or 22 mph.

    Try to think like you believe the car is thinking, if that is even possible.
    I hope low to mid 90s are OK with you cause getting 100s are not easy.
     
  5. Danno5060

    Danno5060 Member

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    Use a lighter touch on the brakes, for longer. That means to look out further for red lights and traffic situations where you'll need to brake.

    The first part of the brake pedal goes to the regenerative braking - try to keep it in the middle of the CHG range. You'll get all of that energy back.

    After that, you're into the friction brakes - All that energy goes to heating up the pads and rotors and you get nothing.

    Of course, it seems to piss off all the other motorists as they seem to be racing to the red lights so they can stop at them in time and you're going to be in their way.
     
  6. CooCooCaChoo

    CooCooCaChoo Senior Member

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    Don't worry about eco scores. On my 2017, I could get 80 mpgs on a drive and an eco score of 70 only.