2026 Hybrid - Driving in Econ Mode

[Tblast503]

No. I get better MPG in Normal.

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[HeyBales]

Let's see now. I'm 71 years old.
I've owned more than 45 vehicles in my lifetime never once had lug nuts or bolts loosen up, much less a wheel fall off.
As far as the tie down goes.
I strum it a few times. If I hear the right tone it's good to go.

Plus since every tie-down ends just a few inches too short, and you use a shoe lace - that strum sound is always consistent.

Anyone read Patrick McManus?

 

[HeyBales]

When I drove a 2025 hybrid, normal mode in L felt like just that...the regen braking of Eco mode but everything else in, well, normal mode.



Might run into deep sleep issues? Pure speculation, but others found out that the 12V battery SOC changes depending on whether the headlights are on or the fan is set to a higher speed, so it wouldn't surprise me if Eco mode allowed the HVB or the 12V battery to discharge further than in normal mode.

Why?
Misunderstanding of some systems there.
12VB not used for traction.

The headlight/fan @6/trailer plug lights didn't change the SOC on the 12VB - it caused the system to keep charging the 12VB above a normal limiting SOC 92 / 85%.

And no there is no extra discharge of the HVB in Eco mode.
Only 2 modes that change the HVB SOC goal is Tow & Sport - where the system goal is closer to the 70% side than 50% side.

At lower speeds the regen on L may be closer to the regen on Eco - but at higher speeds the max regen of L is a big difference in rate, but may not be felt as much.
Some simple coast down tests show that up easily. Of course not in front of traffic!

 

[HeyBales]

I do, except when I forget to re-activate after a short stop!
I find you can stay in electric just a tad above the first line, but in normal hit the line and that's it.

Never seen that. 24XLT.

You mean it can be at the top of 10% line, rather than below it?

The Go pedal being eased up may allow you to toe the limit line better, for sure.
But the log files show the same max amps/torque allowed before it enables the ice.

I do find it beneficial on bumpy roads for that effect. Where I could toe the line and make it to the next down section, if it's bumpy it'll cause me to accidentally press that pedal an extra 2% and bam ICE is on, when it was about to be not needed.
But with Eco 2% on Go pedal doesn't do as much.

 

[ZABSMAV]

I drive in ECO mode most of the time. It does not hurt the vehicle at all. It was engineered that way. ECO mode does improve fuel efficiency. People who don't want to save money and gas can drive normal mode or in sports mode. The vehicle is engineered that way. I believe they can do better just by adding a better/bigger battery. Even in ECO mode the truck has plenty of Get-up-and-Go from a stop.
Of course all bets are off if you drive it like a nut, and gun it at every start, constantly coming to quick and abrupt stops, or drive 80-90 MPH all the time. No matter what mode your in gas mileage will drop significantly.

Like you said, coming to sudden stops uses almost none of the regenerative braking and relies almost exclusively on the physical brakes which will wear them down prematurely. It is the regerative part of regenerative braking that puts the charge back in the hybrid's HV battery.

 

[timctaylor]

Does anyone else drive in Econ mode the majority of the time to increase gas mileage?

I can't find any information that states this would harm the vehicle. The performance declines slightly, but I can deal with this if it means better gas mileage and no long-term impact.

I do all the time unless it is winter then I use slippery mode more often.

 

[DWV]

Never seen that. 24XLT.

You mean it can be at the top of 10% line, rather than below it?

The Go pedal being eased up may allow you to toe the limit line better, for sure.
But the log files show the same max amps/torque allowed before it enables the ice.

I do find it beneficial on bumpy roads for that effect. Where I could toe the line and make it to the next down section, if it's bumpy it'll cause me to accidentally press that pedal an extra 2% and bam ICE is on, when it was about to be not needed.
But with Eco 2% on Go pedal doesn't do as much.

I have the 24 XL, the gage is different. The difference is real and consistant.
I do believe the higher trims have a different display?

 

[HeyBales]

I have the 24 XL, the gage is different. The difference is real and consistant.
I do believe the higher trims have a different display?

As long as these observations are not from initial start-up, which would then include the sometimes available extra power allowed if HVB is on high end - gotten up to 20% then, in Normal mode.

 

[DWV]

As long as these observations are not from initial start-up, which would then include the sometimes available extra power allowed if HVB is on high end - gotten up to 20% then, in Normal mode.

No, not on startup. And the XL definitely has a different gauge presentation with well delineated marks at 10, 20, 30 etc. percent. But no blue bar.

 

[pigsareus]

Does anyone else drive in Econ mode the majority of the time to increase gas mileage?

I can't find any information that states this would harm the vehicle. The performance declines slightly, but I can deal with this if it means better gas mileage and no long-term impact.

Eh, it's a more enjoyable ride when you leave it in the default mode, I've had mine 3+ years and I get 45 Mpg+ pretty much all the time - you might eek about another couple MPGs which might be $100 in gas savings a year but, really, it's better to just drive the darn thing and have an enjoyable drive as opposed to dealing with the negatives of Eco mode and trying to maximize the MPGs.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Eh, it's a more enjoyable ride when you leave it in the default mode, I've had mine 3+ years and I get 45 Mpg+ pretty much all the time - you might eek about another couple MPGs which might be $100 in gas savings a year but, really, it's better to just drive the darn thing and have an enjoyable drive as opposed to dealing with the negatives of Eco mode and trying to maximize the MPGs.

What are the negatives of eco mode?

Do you reset both your trip odometers when you get gas or do you have one that's running long term?
I'm guessing you reset both of them.

 

[pigsareus]

What are the negatives of eco mode?
Do you reset both your trip odometers when you get gas or do you have one that's running long term?
I'm guessing you reset both of them.

sems like it's slower to accelerate and I notice a difference in a/c cooling - doesn't blast out as cold (yeah I like it cold) as when in normal mode. Also when I try to 'gun it' it doesn't feel as quick as in default.

 

[Dad]

I went 4 years with never using it.

Recently I noticed it tempers Cruise Control to my liking. It will accelerate more gently in cruise, often staying in EV mode. Like when there is a slow down and then you are attempting to regain original setpoint.

All other modes accelerate briskly and never in EV mode when CC is on.

This is good to know. While I like cruise control, I do not like how abrupt it becomes after a slow down and then accelerates to the set speed. This sounds like switching over to Eco mode when using ACC would greatly reduce that problem. I think I'll try this on my Hyundai Palisade as well.

 

[samspritzer]

Why?
Misunderstanding of some systems there.
12VB not used for traction.

The headlight/fan @6/trailer plug lights didn't change the SOC on the 12VB - it caused the system to keep charging the 12VB above a normal limiting SOC 92 / 85%.

And no there is no extra discharge of the HVB in Eco mode.
Only 2 modes that change the HVB SOC goal is Tow & Sport - where the system goal is closer to the 70% side than 50% side.

At lower speeds the regen on L may be closer to the regen on Eco - but at higher speeds the max regen of L is a big difference in rate, but may not be felt as much.
Some simple coast down tests show that up easily. Of course not in front of traffic!

I like your expertise speakeasy....using the language in that other thread that is now, I think, 31 pages.

 

[samspritzer]

<snip>
I've owned more than 45 vehicles in my lifetime never once had lug nuts or bolts loosen up, much less a wheel fall off.
<snip>

There is only one tried and true method.......

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