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changing from eco/normal/sport

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kehfun

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Anyone know if there is any magical quicker way to change the modes besides bending over and pressing the buttons.

Such a distraction to bend over to find the button while driving, or when I want some power to get up a hill quickly.
 
#2 ·
I don't think the Sport/Eco switch is not intended to be constantly "played" with while driving.

And it won't get you up the hill any faster. It does not change the engine power. You will get up the hill exactly as fast in NORMAL or ECO as in SPORT, all you have to do is to push the gas pedal a little bit deeper. The only difference between modes is shift points and gas pedal response. Pressing the gas pedal 50% in in ECO will give you about the same response as 30% in SPORT. If you "floor" it, there is absolutely no difference between the three modes. The car will downshift, disconnect A/C compressor, and up-shifts will occur at redline RPMs - regardless if you are in ECO, NORMAL or SPORT.
 
#3 ·
katekebo said:
I don't think the Sport/Eco switch is not intended to be constantly "played" with while driving.

And it won't get you up the hill any faster. It does not change the engine power. You will get up the hill exactly as fast in NORMAL or ECO as in SPORT, all you have to do is to push the gas pedal a little bit deeper. The only difference between modes is shift points and gas pedal response. Pressing the gas pedal 50% in in ECO will give you about the same response as 30% in SPORT. If you "floor" it, there is absolutely no difference between the three modes. The car will downshift, disconnect A/C compressor, and up-shifts will occur at redline RPMs - regardless if you are in ECO, NORMAL or SPORT.
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It does a little more then that. It shifts power distribution more rearward. And tightens up the steering. As soon as I turn on the car I push the sport button. (unless the roads are really bad). I find it pretty annoying that the sport mode is not "remembered" after shutting off the car and restarting it.

Even if you don't feel the "need" for the extra throttle response in sport mode the tighter steering alone is worth driving in sport.
 
#4 ·
Sport mode 99% of the time here........it's just so much more fun to drive and I notice little MPG loss in doing so.
Eco is like driving with a boat anchor attached......Normal is OK, but Sport is like a vehicle should feel with quick but controlled response with better cornering and steering response.

I agree about the lack of memory for the Sport mode setting.....but habit gets me there immediately anyway. :thumbs_up:

btw - If the shift points are different how can you claim he won't get up the "Hill" any faster??
 
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#5 ·
May end up using sport mode in summer too. But for now, it's still very cold, slippery and tons of snow so not much point in sport mode. Plus, I only have 750 kms so still breaking it in.
 
#9 ·
Apparently sport mode "sharpens" the shifts. This is from the Canadian site.

RAV4's advanced Drive Mode Select lets you easily choose between Normal, ECO and Sport modes. ECO mode helps save at the pumps by enhancing fuel efficiency and promoting more efficient driving. Sport mode ups the fun factor by sharpening shift timing along with throttle and steering response so that RAV4 responds more crisply to your driving inputs. Rev matching further enhances the driving experience.
 
#11 ·
flcinusa said:
Nope, we've been through this, even the Toyota site says RAV4’s ECO Mode changes the accelerator input and air conditioning/climate control parameters for greater fuel efficiency.
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I went through the engine documentation, and you're, ECO mode does change throttle response. But not shift points, which are the same as NORMAL mode.
 
#12 ·
katekebo said:
Funny that you say so, because throttle and transmission (shift points) behavior is exactly the same in ECO and NORMAL modes.
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Can't say I care what's different.....the feel and performance is drastically different.

Have you even driven one in the 3-modes? Sure doesn't sound like it. :cool:
I would of never purchased a 2013 RAV if that's the only modes their were.
 
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#13 ·
Found this online

2013 Toyota RAV4: New Car Review - AutoTrader.com

Power for the 2013 Toyota RAV4 comes from a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine good for 176 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque. This is the only engine offered on the RAV4 and it is teamed to a new 6-speed automatic transmission with Eco/Sport mode. In Eco mode, the transmission downshifts to a lower gear to help improve fuel economy. In Sport mode, the transmission holds the gear longer, avoiding the move to sixth gear thus giving a more spirited performance without much detriment to fuel economy. The RAV4 is powered by its front wheels and includes an automatic limited-slip differential that can be manually engaged by the driver. Unlike traction control, the limited-slip differential allows a certain amount of wheel spin to help pull the vehicle from difficult situations, such as a snow covered driveway. Fuel economy figures for the front drive RAV4 are 24 miles per gallon in the city and 31 mpg highway.

The available Dynamic Torque Control all-wheel drive (AWD) system allows the RAV4 to better handle winter and off-road conditions. The system has the ability to send power to the rear wheels as needed, and can even control power side to side. Unlike most on-demand AWD systems, the RAV4's AWD will activate when it senses that driving conditions require more traction, including sporty driving on dry pavement. For those times when it becomes necessary to go off-road, the center differential can be locked via a push-button control. When engaged, the system holds a perfect 50/50 front to rear torque distribution, but only at speeds under 25 miles per hour. Push beyond 25 mph and the system automatically reverts back to auto mode. The AWD system doesn't add much to the RAV4's bottom line, but it does add substantial peace of mind, especially for those who live in mountainous regions or north of the Mason/Dixon line. And despite its added weight, fuel economy figures of 22 mpg city/29 mpg hwy are not really much worse than the front drive model.
 
#14 ·
katekebo said:
I went through the engine documentation, and you're, ECO mode does change throttle response. But not shift points, which are the same as NORMAL mode.
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I put the first 2500 miles or so on my XLE in Normal mode. I've put the last three tanks of fuel through it in Eco mode. Regardless of what the OM may say, my tranny is behaving differently than it did in Normal mode. Maybe that has something to do with the remapping of the throttle response? I don't know. All I do know is that, the transmission in my car tends to upshift slightly faster under a given set of circumstances and is more reluctant to downshift than it was in Normal mode. Considering how I drive, I kind of like it. It will still downshift when I ask it to, I just have to move the gas peddle a bit farther to get it to react but that's Ok.

I keep a fuel mileage log on all my cars. I don't put gas in them unless I'm filling it up. Then I take the trip meter numbers and do the math, calculating my fuel economy for that tank. It's just something I like to do. Anyway, so far, I'm not seeing a lot of difference in fuel economy between normal and Eco modes on my Rav4. Then again, I do a lot of highway driving compared to most folks so it's not likely I would see a big difference. I'm going to run a few more tanks through in Eco mode, then switch to Sport, and see what happens. My impression so far is that, for me at least, there's probably not going to be a lot of difference. We'll see!

Drive Safe,
Steve R.
 
#15 ·
Having tried all 3 modes, I can also say that shift points are dramatically different when using Sport. Also, the engagement of 1st gear of Drive from either Park or Neutral is delayed when using Eco mode.
 
#16 ·
From early on we have driven in ECO mode because the throttle tip in was less aggressive, and more like what we were used to. Lately we have been using normal mode and like it, the tranny seems to be less shifty and what the engine and tranny are doing seems less noticeable. Even the exhaust sound seems less noticeable, almost like the engine timing is different. We have become more accustomed to the light feel of the electronic throttle and tip in response.
 
#17 ·
I don't dispute what anyone has said. If you want more power and your in ECO mode, just pull your shift lever to the left and it will change from a 6 speed trany to a 4 speed trany. With in turn will give you more power. I routinely do this and when up to speed shift back to the right for ECO. Wala That is in the 2013 Limited not sure on the other models.
 
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#18 ·
markga1 said:
I don't dispute what anyone has said. If you want more power and your in ECO mode, just pull your shift lever to the left and it will change from a 6 speed trany to a 4 speed trany. With in turn will give you more power. I routinely do this and when up to speed shift back to the right for ECO. Wala That is in the 2013 Limited not sure on the other models.
Click to expand...

Your sort of missing the point.......there's a lot more to Sport mode than just shift points as previously mentioned.
Your just putting the tranny in "manumatic" mode......semi-manual shifting. :cool:
 
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#19 · (Edited)
buerkletucson said:
Your sort of missing the point.......there's a lot more to Sport mode than just shift points as previously mentioned.
Your just putting the tranny in "manumatic" mode......semi-manual shifting. :cool:
Click to expand...
I agree I was just trying to show a different way of getting the pwr instead of reaching down for the SPORT button. But also you do not get the benefits of 5th and 6th, it will remain in a 4spd configuration.
 
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Discussion starter · #20 ·
markga1 said:
I agree I was just trying to show a different way of getting the pwr instead of reaching down for the SPORT button. But also you do not get the benefits of 5th and 6th, it will remain in a 4spd configuration.
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putting it into standard mode doesnt make it 4sp. just restricted to 4 gears till you go beyond 50kmph/30mph thats when you can shift to 5 and 6, or you hold the shift lever in the + for few seconds and it unlocks the 5 and 6th gear allowing you to go through all gears (as the book says) however, computer doesnt let you start in 6th regardless.
 
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