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When the light turns green

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by scottwyden, Oct 13, 2009.

?
  1. Hit the pedal hard

    15 vote(s)
    24.2%
  2. Gently put my foot on the pedal

    47 vote(s)
    75.8%
  1. scottwyden

    scottwyden new jersey photographer

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    When the light turns green do you hit the pedal hard or slowly accelerate?

    Also, is your Prius on Eco, Power or not on a specific mode?
     
  2. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    The choices are too black and white for me to choose accurately. I accelerate at about 3/4's on the HSI scale whenever possible. No red zone unless absolutely necessary.

    Eco mode 99.9999% of the time.
     
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  3. scottwyden

    scottwyden new jersey photographer

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    Are you mostly city driving? I've been using eco mode a lot lately but getting on a highway in eco mode is tough so I have to go back to normal
     
  4. T-Dog

    T-Dog New Member

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    I'm with Mark57. ECO mode since I picked the car up and 3/4 into the HSI bar unless traffic dictates other wise. First Prius and lots to learn to fine tune driving habits.
    Ted
     
  5. scottwyden

    scottwyden new jersey photographer

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    I'm going to have to give it a try.. In NJ if you don't hustle you get the bird and the extended honks.
     
  6. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    My daily commute is 28 miles round trip. Of that, all but 5 miles is 65mph Interstate highway. I also make short in-town runs during the day for lunch and work related stuff. We always take my vehicle on the weekends for errands, etc. I've used Eco mode from the start and have gotten used to it (see my Fuelly page below). It took me a while to get used to it and figure out how to milk it.

    Traffic is a huge factor in how well you are able to "safely" take advantage of it. My morning commute is at 5:30am when there is a "little" less traffic which helps, but the temps are also cooler so the warm up takes longer. My mpg's will drop on my current tank because it's been much colder here this week. I've already seen the difference. I'm currently running 59 mpg on this tank as compared to my last 69+ mpg tank.
     
  7. eglmainz

    eglmainz New Member

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    Scott,

    Just curious about your statement? I see hat you mention that getting on the highway is 'tough' in eco mode. Since all modes (Eco, Normal, and Pwr) have the same amount of acceleration available to you from about 50% of the range (from the 1/2 mark to the most acceleration possible), how does this affect your ability to get on the highway?

    I know that the drivers in Chicago are at least as aggressive as they were when I worked in NYC/NJ area, and here the ECO mode still works for me all the time. All I need to do is use a little more 'toe' power to get the oomph that I am missing.

    Have you tried this yourself, or are you mainly concerned about doing so, therefore maybe did not try it?
     
  8. scottwyden

    scottwyden new jersey photographer

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    Thanks for the info. My commute is 11 miles each way.. depending on the Jersey drivers I either go all highway or if there is an accident on the highway (which there usually is) then the traffic backs up for miles so I go all backroads. On the highway I have been switching it to Eco but I'm going to try it on Eco for everything and see if I can do it.. which I'm sure I can.
     
  9. scottwyden

    scottwyden new jersey photographer

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    I have been playing with Eco mode around town and I know that the pickup is a lot slower with it on so when getting on the NJ Parkway or Rt 22 from a dead stop I didn't want to risk anything but if others are doing it then it's worth trying it for sure.
     
  10. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    All three driving modes can accomplish the same thing it's just a matter of how far down you need to put your foot to get the desired amount of power. The difference in sensitivity is mostly in the first 1/2 of pedal travel, at full throttle they are identical. I use the ECO mode because of the more economical HVAC operation and I like the increased sensitivity when I am trying to find the glide or stealth glide point.

    As far as what I do when the light turns green, I guess I just try to keep up with the traffic. It's not really a problem where I live because there are few lights and not to much traffic.
     
  11. DeanFL

    DeanFL 2010 owner - 1st Prius

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    So many variables. Traffic behind you. How near is the next light and 'the color'. Am I in a hurry. Level or hilly.

    Bottom line for me; after seeing a few posts on this topic 3 weeks ago I turned the corner.

    - I leave it in "Normal".
    - Use "Power" very rarely - freeway ramps, passing, etc.
    - Use "ECO" only if I'm on the highway at a very steady speed.

    Not trying to squeeze every micro-ounce of fuel, but enjoying the drive while still operating quite economically. I have not noticed a substantial drop in my MPG - average 48.5 - for a V operating in not-the-best situations for best fuel economy. I'm completely pleased with the acceleration performance (almost like a "normal car" like 4cyl Camry / Accord) but with the economy, efficiency, and greeness of a Prius. Nice....perfect.
     
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  12. scottwyden

    scottwyden new jersey photographer

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    Thank you for your input!
     
  13. eglmainz

    eglmainz New Member

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  14. MaggieMay

    MaggieMay Active Member

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    Previous threads about those who were finding as good or better FE in Normal or Power got me to fooling with this. With only occasional forays into Power mode (to get into fast moving traffic, for instance) I had been driving in ECO and was getting around 51-52 Mpg. With this last tank of gas I have left it in normal with an occasion hit of Power and my mpg has gone up to over 55. Additionally this tank was primarily highway and mountain driving. I like the peppier response of the car in normal than ECO too.

    The differences lie in our driving habits, I think. As Tumbleweed points out all the power is there all the time for you to call up - but if you don't habitually pounce on the gas, then learning to put the pedal to the metal to get going is tough. For me, this little test of the affects of ECO and PWR and Normal have me leaving it in normal all the time now - feels best to me and the way that I drive.
     
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  15. Manolo1

    Manolo1 New Member

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    Most of my driving is highway and I am in ECO mode all the time :eek:
     
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  16. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    That's a *really* big computer. It must be one of the old IBM models.

    Tom
     
  17. lamontcranston

    lamontcranston Umbra Tenet

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    I agree the poll needs another option. I put my foot down smoothly enough to get the HSI's line to right above the point of the "A" in "AVG" and go from there. That may be a slightly slower takeoff but it's brisk enough to avoid dirty looks in traffic.

    Oh, and I'm almost always in ECO.
     
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  18. LoraJ

    LoraJ Active Member

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    I step on it hard. I'm in North Jersey, otherwise I would have to deal with road rage.

    I drive mostly in Power Mode.
     
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  19. scottwyden

    scottwyden new jersey photographer

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    It is isn't it!

    I love typos
     
  20. leeb18c

    leeb18c Active Member

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    So far I've only driven about 100miles locally and have to use pwr mode to keep up with the traffic starting from stop light. Otherwise, I get cut off or people behind me trying to pass me causing dangerous situation. If there is no traffic or if i'm following a group of car, I use eco/normal modes.