I have yet to use the ECO mode on my new Hybrid and I have just over 900 miles on it. As a matter of fact, I have just started to read the manual in depth and I was reading the part on the different modes that you can select and their function and starting today, I was planning to give the ECO mode a try while driving around town. From other owners perspective, have you noticed a fuel savings by using the ECO mode in the city and do you use it also on the highway? Do you lose any power and acceleration on the interstate, especially when getting on it from an on-ramp when in ECO mode? Any noticeable difference in the AC when in ECO mode? I suppose that I could answer some of these by experimenting myself, but I was just wondering what I can expect.
ECO mode vs. Normal mode
Win262
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I have yet to use the ECO mode on my new Hybrid and I have just over 900 miles on it. As a matter of fact, I have just started to read the manual in depth and I was reading the part on the different modes that you can select and their function and starting today, I was planning to give the ECO mode a try while driving around town. From other owners perspective, have you noticed a fuel savings by using the ECO mode in the city and do you use it also on the highway? Do you lose any power and acceleration on the interstate, especially when getting on it from an on-ramp when in ECO mode? Any noticeable difference in the AC when in ECO mode? I suppose that I could answer some of these by experimenting myself, but I was just wondering what I can expect.
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I read up about the car before we purchased. I switched it into ECO mode during the test drive and it has been in eco mode since then, except for a few tests in normal mode and sport mode:laugh I drive mostly highway, about 90% so I am surprised I am getting the average I am getting. I drive with the flow of traffic mostly. The drive to work is mostly downhill so when I get there I am usually averaging 41 mpg, but going home is uphill so it balances out. I do exactly 160 miles a day so I can say the car is awesome on long trips, comfortable, and you can get great efficiency in ECO mode. Enjoy!
The only difference is in the mapping of the throttle response. IOW you have to push the pedal farther to get the same response. This is a fly-by-wire system, so its just an electronic shift in the throttle curve. ECO mode gives you much greater throttle control, particularly at lower speeds, making it easier to manage the hybrid system state. That means its easier to put the system into EV mode.
So it doesn't directly give you higher MPG per se, but it gives you greater capability to achieve that. When using speed control, it makes no difference. At highway speeds in general, it makes much less difference.
More notable is the effect of ECO mode on the HVAC system, which does result in less energy use. The HVAC system should be in Auto mode to benefit from that.
So it doesn't directly give you higher MPG per se, but it gives you greater capability to achieve that. When using speed control, it makes no difference. At highway speeds in general, it makes much less difference.
More notable is the effect of ECO mode on the HVAC system, which does result in less energy use. The HVAC system should be in Auto mode to benefit from that.
After owning the car for a couple of weeks, running it in normal and sport, I put the car in eco and have pretty much left it there. The only thing I have noticed is that heating of the vehicle is more limited in eco mode. Been in auto ac most of the time, but on a chillier day I noticed the heat was slow to come and not in great volume which changed when I put the vehicle back in normal mode.
Its only an illusion. Floored is floored in any mode.
I'll put it another way. The driving mode doesn't give you more acceleration, it gives you more throttle opening for a given pedal travel. So you'll get identical acceleration in ECO mode if you simply push the pedal farther.
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Anyway to force this Auto A/C to stay on without buying a separate tool? Can this be configured by the dealer as I read owners have one shot at re-configuring stuff for free at the dealership.
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I bought this:
Carista OBD2 – Vehicle Diagnostics and Customization – Your car, your way
Works like a charm!
Carista OBD2 – Vehicle Diagnostics and Customization – Your car, your way
Works like a charm!
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Thanks . Which OBD2 did you settle for and where did you buy it from?
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Ah, Carista is the brand. I thought it was just an app.
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I am new to the forum, having just purchased a RAV4 Hybrid Limited. Very interested in the experiences of others. Curious about, your saying you put it in standard mode. I see three buttons: EV, Eco, and Sport. Did I miss one? Thanks
That's what you're in when none of the other 3 are selected.
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I was keeping mine in eco since i bought it. Then recently i changed to sport when i needed a little more get up and go.
I've noticed staying in eco in the city helps mpg a lot. But on the highway it seems to drag it down. I usually put it in sport when i'm getting on the highway. It allows me to get up to speed quicker and maintain the speed easier. Thus giving me a little better mpg.
The first time i put it in Sport, i was like WHOA, where did all this power come from? lol
I've noticed staying in eco in the city helps mpg a lot. But on the highway it seems to drag it down. I usually put it in sport when i'm getting on the highway. It allows me to get up to speed quicker and maintain the speed easier. Thus giving me a little better mpg.
The first time i put it in Sport, i was like WHOA, where did all this power come from? lol
Again, you do not get any more power in sport mode, it just seems that way. It does not magically provide more power.
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There is more power with not pressing as hard on the gas.
The system has exactly the same amount of power in each mode, period. Yes, you have to push the pedal farther in ECO mode to get the same amount of power, but they are all the same when floored. Its about curves in the throttle response, they all start and end in the same place.
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