ECO Mode: Effect on MPG?
#1
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Has anyone that is an experienced hybrid driver compared their mileage with ECO Mode enable and disabled? I took my 450h in for a battery replacement and didn't realize that the swap had turned off ECO Mode. I was driving on a short trip (40 miles one way) this morning and noticed I was averaging around 42 MPG (pretty ideal conditions). Then noticed that ECO Mode was not engaged, so I engaged it and started drifting back down to 31.4 MPG (which is where I would expect it to be). It got me wondering if ECO Mode might have some downside for experienced drivers ... or maybe not. Anyone with an opinion about whether it is helping a little or hurting a little?
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Has anyone that is an experienced hybrid driver compared their mileage with ECO Mode enable and disabled? I took my 450h in for a battery replacement and didn't realize that the swap had turned off ECO Mode. I was driving on a short trip (40 miles one way) this morning and noticed I was averaging around 42 MPG (pretty ideal conditions). Then noticed that ECO Mode was not engaged, so I engaged it and started drifting back down to 31.4 MPG (which is where I would expect it to be). It got me wondering if ECO Mode might have some downside for experienced drivers ... or maybe not. Anyone with an opinion about whether it is helping a little or hurting a little?
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Well if you have noticed, the car will stay in electric mode when the "RPM" needle stays under half of the green part of the circle. As Jim said, all it really does is make the pedal 'stiffer' so that you dont engage the engine as much. I find it to be pretty much the same eco mode or not.
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I've kept mine in ECO mode since April 2010, even through this past winter. I know, it doesn't help with the heat. But I don't drive far or fast so it doesn't matter. I'll have to turn ECO mode off during the next trip above 20 miles to see how it affects the mileage.
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Has anyone that is an experienced hybrid driver compared their mileage with ECO Mode enable and disabled? I took my 450h in for a battery replacement and didn't realize that the swap had turned off ECO Mode. I was driving on a short trip (40 miles one way) this morning and noticed I was averaging around 42 MPG (pretty ideal conditions). Then noticed that ECO Mode was not engaged, so I engaged it and started drifting back down to 31.4 MPG (which is where I would expect it to be). It got me wondering if ECO Mode might have some downside for experienced drivers ... or maybe not. Anyone with an opinion about whether it is helping a little or hurting a little?
What do you consider "pretty idea conditions"? No one behind you tooting their horn as you creep away from stop signs on battery? Or going down hill a lot?
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I just got my first average of 31 while on vacation in Canada and I think they have special gasoline!!!
I'm jealous of your 42.
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I think I'm an experienced hybrid driver, just not an economical one! Yes, Eco changes throttle response and heating and cooling functions. When my wife and I have our little "drive on battery" contests, I turn off radio, lights, heat and air. She still wins. Lead versus non-lead feet.
Last edited by DunWkg; 07-29-11 at 03:37 AM.
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I have never seen an average of 42 mpg in my car. I would need to be getting 50 to 60 consistently to get an average of 40.
What do you consider "pretty idea conditions"? No one behind you tooting their horn as you creep away from stop signs on battery? Or going down hill a lot?![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I just got my first average of 31 while on vacation in Canada and I think they have special gasoline!!!
I'm jealous of your 42.![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I think I'm an experienced hybrid driver, just not an economical one! Yes, Eco changes throttle response and heating and cooling functions. When my wife and I have our little "drive on battery" contests, I turn off radio, lights, heat and air. She still wins. Lead versus non-lead feet.
What do you consider "pretty idea conditions"? No one behind you tooting their horn as you creep away from stop signs on battery? Or going down hill a lot?
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I just got my first average of 31 while on vacation in Canada and I think they have special gasoline!!!
I'm jealous of your 42.
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I think I'm an experienced hybrid driver, just not an economical one! Yes, Eco changes throttle response and heating and cooling functions. When my wife and I have our little "drive on battery" contests, I turn off radio, lights, heat and air. She still wins. Lead versus non-lead feet.
#7
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I have never seen an average of 42 mpg in my car. I would need to be getting 50 to 60 consistently to get an average of 40.
What do you consider "pretty idea conditions"? No one behind you tooting their horn as you creep away from stop signs on battery? Or going down hill a lot?![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I just got my first average of 31 while on vacation in Canada and I think they have special gasoline!!!
I'm jealous of your 42.![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I think I'm an experienced hybrid driver, just not an economical one! Yes, Eco changes throttle response and heating and cooling functions. When my wife and I have our little "drive on battery" contests, I turn off radio, lights, heat and air. She still wins. Lead versus non-lead feet.
What do you consider "pretty idea conditions"? No one behind you tooting their horn as you creep away from stop signs on battery? Or going down hill a lot?
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I just got my first average of 31 while on vacation in Canada and I think they have special gasoline!!!
I'm jealous of your 42.
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I think I'm an experienced hybrid driver, just not an economical one! Yes, Eco changes throttle response and heating and cooling functions. When my wife and I have our little "drive on battery" contests, I turn off radio, lights, heat and air. She still wins. Lead versus non-lead feet.
If I had to guess why I hit the higher numbers, it would be that my light touch on the gas pedal allows me to drive on battery power longer, more frequently and at higher speed.
Last edited by UCSB; 07-30-11 at 05:45 PM.
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#8
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RX is now at about 2100 miles. Switched to ECO mode a few tankfuls ago. MPG is now above 26.5; it was 24 or below before that. It's been very hot in upstate NY this summer; the A/C has worked fine in ECO, usually on first or second fan settings.
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