What mode do you drive in?

I try to stay in Eco, but summer afternoons need normal. It is not real important as i am using cruise control 95% of the time, and if your foot is not on the throttle, who cares what the throttle position would be?

 

The difference between Eco and Normal is primarily simply a less aggressive mapping of the accelerator pedal.
It also changes how the AC works.

I now use "Normal" more than 90% of the time. When I first got my Prius I used ECO, but now I appreciate the "normal" driving feel of "normal". And after a few years of driving a Prius, I also think I can get nearly as good, maybe in some cases better MPG's in normal.

So for me, it's Normal most of the time, ECO occasionally. Power? I hardly ever use.

It's kind of just personal preference.

 

only way to know is to test the different modes. i have no problem staying in eco. it doesn't generally get that hot or cold here, and the pedal is just a meant thing.

 

You can also find people online claiming the moon is made of green cheese.
If you want max throttle control, ECO mode is the way to have it. But you can easily repeat the same trip 3 times in the 3 modes and check the average for each trip. Straight/level roads give the best comparison.

 

I think Max Throttle is PWR mode. But I could be wrong as usual.

 

You can achieve a wide open throttle in any of the modes. All they do is change the sensitivity of gas pedal in the intermediate travel.

I like both buttons off, ie: normal.

 

Hi I'm new here, and just got my first prius v today(2016) . i see there only three modes, ECO, EV, and Power, can't seem to find "normal". Is normal one of them??

Thanks in advance.

 

The 'best' mode is just a matter of user preference. With climate control off, the machine can do the same in any mode, just pick the mode that works best with your particular combination of human foibles.

For any given AC setting, ECO should use a bit less fuel. But while in the other modes, backing off the amount of AC ought to produce the same effect. If you are adjusting for the minimum AC for your comfort, then the mode should again not matter to the machine. Use whatever works best for the human occupants.

I'm in the full-time-ECO camp. But the other camps are well represented too.

 

A mode-preference independent, cumulative 43.0 indicated mpg says "Why worry?"

 

but looks like...the ECO light is always on...i'll try press the ECO button today...Thanks!

 

The eco light to the left is a response to how you drive, it goes out under hard acceleration.
The eco light to the right is the one that indicates that you have the eco button pressed.