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
21 - 40 of 49 Posts
Is there any chance the driving modes are also changing the shift points? I know it is ECVT but the two motors and ICE work together to create the drive output. It would seem simple for the computer to change the speed ratios they work to impact the drive experience.
Read then play with the demo at Toyota Prius - Power Split Device and imagine the computer adjusting preset shift points for the mode you select. Set MG2 impacts the speed of MG1 as the ICE varies. This could change the power produced by MG1 to be greater in ECO mode and less in Sport mode.
Not well explained I know but it has been on my mind for a while and I thought I would blurt it out before forgetting again...
Read then play with the demo at Toyota Prius - Power Split Device and imagine the computer adjusting preset shift points for the mode you select. Set MG2 impacts the speed of MG1 as the ICE varies. This could change the power produced by MG1 to be greater in ECO mode and less in Sport mode.
Not well explained I know but it has been on my mind for a while and I thought I would blurt it out before forgetting again...
The same theory works without shift points. Driving modes could send slightly different parameters to the eCVT computer program altering how power is applied to MG2 and the ICE across the entire variable range. To me Sport feels more different than being in ECO and putting my foot to the floor. Without knowing for sure how it works thinking the only adjustment driving modes make is to throttle is not giving Toyota Engineers and programmers much credit.
There is a small amount of restriction at full throttle in ECO mode, but its not going to be noticed unless you're pulling a trailer up a hill at 80MPH.
This is an argument that's been going on for 20 years with the hybrids. You can believe it or not but the only real difference is the throttle mapping.
Same for heating, its reduced in ECO mode. But most of those effects are also tied to using "auto" mode on the HVAC.
Joined
·
891 Posts
Is this discussed in length somewhere? It seems like the AUTO mode is just to automatically adjust fan blower level depending on ambient cabin temperature.
Thanks in advance.
IMO there's a huge difference between ECO and regular mode. Unfortunately I don't think MPG is one of them.
Yes if you floor it, you'll get roughly the same acceleration in both modes, but ECO mode makes the car really slouchy and slow to respond. It doesn't have a progressive response like it does in regular mode, instead it seems to split power levels into four sections. The first third of pedal travel, the powertrain will do everything it can to stay in EV mode. If you give it some more it'll skip between ECO and PWR, then some more it'll skip to PWR and if you floor it, it'll go into full PWR mode. The power delivery isn't progressive, instead it's delivered in steps, and you need alot of throttle modulation to get more power.
Although the only difference is the mapping, I find myself spending more time accelerating in ECO mode than I do in regular mode. As a result, I spend less time in EV mode... I prefer accelerating briskly (without having to mash the pedal down in ECO mode) and modulating the throttle to stay in EV mode.
The car is also much more enjoyable to drive in regular mode, the throttle response makes all the difference.
So my ECO button is going to be gathering dust it seems.
Yes if you floor it, you'll get roughly the same acceleration in both modes, but ECO mode makes the car really slouchy and slow to respond. It doesn't have a progressive response like it does in regular mode, instead it seems to split power levels into four sections. The first third of pedal travel, the powertrain will do everything it can to stay in EV mode. If you give it some more it'll skip between ECO and PWR, then some more it'll skip to PWR and if you floor it, it'll go into full PWR mode. The power delivery isn't progressive, instead it's delivered in steps, and you need alot of throttle modulation to get more power.
Although the only difference is the mapping, I find myself spending more time accelerating in ECO mode than I do in regular mode. As a result, I spend less time in EV mode... I prefer accelerating briskly (without having to mash the pedal down in ECO mode) and modulating the throttle to stay in EV mode.
The car is also much more enjoyable to drive in regular mode, the throttle response makes all the difference.
So my ECO button is going to be gathering dust it seems.
Joined
·
218 Posts
Ditto on the ECO mode for me-never use it. I have mine in Sport all the time except when the snow flys!
Joined
·
264 Posts
I love it. That is definitely the most fun way to drive this, experiencing the most it has all the time. I go in normal mode, but decided to have a "Sport mode" day, once a week. The other 6 days, I will live vicariously, through your driving
Do you notice a considerable difference in the MPG between normal, sport, and eco modes? I'm curious because someone on a Honda forum had put his HRV in normal, then done the exact same drive in eco and saw no difference at all. Different companies, different systems, etc... but it got me wondering how much of a difference there actually is.
Joined
·
1,374 Posts
People have done that and very little if any difference has been reported. Fact of the matter is, people generally drive in the same manner no matter which mode they are in. They just alter their throttle input etc. for their manner of driving so essentially it's the same result. I drive exclusively in sport mode so I put in less throttle input than in normal to drive the same, but have better throttle response when it's needed in sport. I look at it as more of a preference than any actual MPG savings.
Asked and answered more than once. The short answer is that only ECO mode offers HVAC adjustment which use less energy. And only ECO mode gives you the fine throttle control which you can use to improve your MPG. Its up to the driver to take advantage of that or not.
I never really tried sport mode. I've never really pushed the RAV4, since it feels like a big marshmellow compared to my other car, the thought of pushing the sport button seems silly. Doesn't sport mode have significant ''engine'' braking compared to regular mode?
Thanks!
rdgrimes - I hadn't seen (or at least understood) the answer to that question in this thread, but thank you for breaking down the basics of it.
That may or may not be relevant to the hybrid, since its a different drive system than the other AWD models.
The hybrid does just about the same thing. Under heavy acceleration, both the front and rear motors are energized.
The major thing the SPORT button does is make the throttle more responsive in the PWR range. In NORMAL, you'll notice it's very difficult to get past the first notch in PWR without putting the pedal to the floor.
Joined
·
551 Posts
Are you saying that the gas pedal is more sensitive in SPORT mode?
I haven't fully tested SPORT mode yet, I always use ECO to save $$$
21 - 40 of 49 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
