Energy vs. Comsumption screen

Also, if you push the "Info" button on the steering wheel, the display will toggle back and forth between Energy and Consumption. Which isn't what you asked, but it's fun to do, especially for the first few weeks.

 

And then there is this! Thanks to Efusco:
The Four Stages of Prius Enlightenment
(author’s note: This is a rewrite of the original published over a year ago that was lost during the PriusChat server crash. There may be some differences. If anyone has a copy of the original I’d love to have it to publish it as well.)

Stage I: Awe and Fascination
The Multi-display screen (MFD) is left on the Energy screen the majority of the time as the driver and passengers watch with fascination as the colorful arrows shift and switch from Engine (ICE) to wheels and ICE to battery and wheels to battery. This is a time of trying to comprehend the general idea of how the car is working at different times. Some attention is paid to overall MPG by switching to the Consumption screen from time to time, but for the most part the 5-minute graph is hard to put into perspective. This phase lasts from weeks to a few months.

Stage II: Growth and Progress
The driver now tends to focus on the Consumption screen in an effort to improve each of the individual 5 minute bars on the graph as part of an effort to improve overall MPG. Fine adjustments are made in driving technique such as rate of acceleration, top speed, using cruise control and adjusting to traffic and lights. Occasionally switching over to the Energy screen may occur as he/she tries to understand what might be going on in a particular situation or to show that screen to a new rider, but the focus here is clearly on the Consumption screen and efforts to improve mileage. This phase lasts months to about a year.

Stage III: Fine Tuning
Once consistency is obtained with the Consumption screen phase and the driver’s MPG has seemed to stabilize for familiar routes there is a tendency to want to begin to ‘push the envelope’ to really maximize the fuel economy. To this end he/she needs to switch to the Energy screen once again. This time, however, it is used not to understand, but rather to fine tune and control the system to attain maximum efficiency. Techniques such as Pulse and Glide will require the Energy screen to assure they are in a ‘no arrows’ glide. Acceleration in the ‘dead-band’ (arrows from ICE to wheels only—none to or from the HV battery) for maximal efficiency likewise necessitate the Energy screen. Those not as dedicated or concerned about the fuel economy may find that they begin to use alternate screens such as the Audio screen or the MAP screen checking the Consumption screen occasionally and Energy screen rarely. Most drivers who are dedicated to constantly obtaining maximum possible fuel efficiency will remain on the Energy screen for years or even for the remainder of the time they own the car, switching to the Consumption screen only to check the tank MPG average and total miles on the tank then immediately returning to the Energy screen.

Stage IV: Prius Nirvana
Most people will never attain Prius Nirvana. This is the stage where the driver has almost become one with the vehicle. He/she is so aware of the car’s operation that he/she can tell when he/she’s in the dead-band or gliding without looking at the Energy screen. Indeed he/she will enter those conditions often without conscious effort as they’ve become second nature. Maximal MPG is still achieved but almost without effort. This is not the same as the person in Stage III who no longer cares about MPG, this person cares greatly, but no longer has to put significant effort in to their driving to achieve it. He or she will use various screens on the MFD as needed, or may even turn it off completely. There is no longer a need to look at the Energy screen at all and they look at the Consumption screen only to note overall MPG and total tank miles. This stage is lifetime.

 

You could do worse than "listen" to what hdrygas has to say. These are the words of an experienced and helpful person who gives a lot of time and energy to those who are new to the Prius. What I understand him to say is that this is a complicated beast which we have chosen to live with and when we learn it we will know it. Until then there are no "easy fixes".

 

Just adding a bit about how you might want to choose what screen to watch. It is a process. As far as I know efusco is correct to you back to where you were when you turned off the car. Did not mean to overwelm you.

 

I'm wondering if this is one of those quirks that can be toggled with the THHT I'll wait till more 06 owners respond if it's user changeable or if it's only dealer changeable.

 

Hmmm. You guys seem to have forgotten Stage V where you realize that gasoline isn't needed. I've taken the libery of adding that to the list on my Prius pages.

Oops. sorry - back to the topic.

 

Good point. I am not sure if the 06 works differently from my 04 . Toyota makes changes and does not consult me. Can you believe that!! When I leave my car on one screen, that is where it is when I turn it on. I would like to hear from 06 owners on this subject. Just trying to learn about this car, and keep up with Toyota.

 

laundryczar,

I have driven both the 05 and 06 and it was changed exactly as you describe. I don't care for it either, but I'm also not worrying about it. It is a minor annoyance, though.

John

 

I'm a new '06 owner, as well. I'll confirm, but I think laundryczar is correct. It doesn't matter which screen I was last viewing, I get same screen on start-up.

on patronizing....i just don't see it. Rather, beyond the tongue-in-cheek, I see small nuggets of truth in those stages. I imagine the one or two stage V guys that may exist are bald with bulging bellies, who can sit cross-legged while they drive.

 

<_< WOW... some folks sure have thin skins... perhaps akin to "having a chip on one's shoulder." *SIGH* I continue to be grateful for all the helpful information and hints I've received on PriusChat during the 1½ years of my Prius ownership.

After becoming more accustomed to "Ernestine" (named after Lili Tomlin's telephone operator character due to the NAV lady's sometimes strange responses to verbal requests), I find I only use the Energy Screen for passengers unfamiliar with the Prius and toggle between MAP and CONSUMPTION in regular use.

 

I can see how he could take it that instead of getting his question answered, he got told that he likes to watch with fascination the colorful arrows.

I know it wasn't meant that way, but it's not like it tells you how to move from one stage to the next. I'm sure if he's reading here, he's already picked up great tips and is doing his best to put them into practice. Hardly "Gee, those arrows are colorful" stuff.

 

Welcome to PriusChat!

 

I think I will remain in Stage I for many many months. I'm obsessed with seeing my instantaneous mpg readout on the Energy Screen. I like to watch the colorful arrows and enjoy the moments when there are no arrows at all and would like to learn to become a better Prius driver so I can see it happen more often. I flip to the Consumption Screen to see how my 5-minute mileages are on my various trips, and see what my average mpg is, but see no reason (presently) to keep that screen up at all times.