Anyone done any experimenting with this?

Does the low torque snow mode yield more MPG? How much MPG does power mode cost.

Any issue with driving around in snow mode all of the time?

 

I havent used snow mode but when in sport mode I seem to get better gas mileage than in normal mode could be the fact that I rarely keep it in normal.

 

All that button does is change the algorithm to the throttle control computer from your foot.

 

Which increases throttle response which increases gas flow to provide sharper revs. This should use more gas.

 

Agreed! I've always thought the snow mode slipped up the traction on your trans though, always wondered how that worked! Now I do thanks to neuro!

 

Which changes how much you have to hit the gas to produce the desired effect.

Say normal mode is 50/50 Pressing the pedal half way (50%) down will give you half (50%) throttle. In sport mode, you would get the response of (50%) power but at only (30%) pedal.
Numbers are just in general.

You pedal the car as needed or desired. You would use the same amount of gas either way. You just have to press the pedal down further one way over the other.

Its not like a turbine that needs percentages of throttle to create momentum.

 

"You pedal the car as needed or desired. You would use the same amount of gas either way."

Not always the case when dealing with Hybrid technology. The driving mode alters the air fuel delivery.
eg: the Prius in standard mode will only sip fuel for the ICE and rely heavy on the elec motor. Therefore you ease up to 50MPh even if you depress the throttle 70%. Your still moving rather easy. But while in sport or power (or what ever its called) the prius uses more of the ICE and therefore uses more gas.

Our Cars are similar, but to be honest, I find the software isn't as good. if you switch your screen to the MPG display and make it your goal to hover around 30MPG, it's difficult to do in any setting. This isn't the case with the Camry h/Prius or CT. When in sport, our throttle is very very sensitive, 10% is all you need (meaning the mapping is not fuel friendly). However the electric motors come on easier in sport mode, so your getting a good mix of elec torque which saves gas. Its as if both settings were made for performance. From what i've noticed. Norm mode focuses on regenerating the battery so the car doesn't free roll. In sport the car rolls easier when I'm off the throttle

So it's no surprise the new gen4h with updated software gets around 34MPG using the same engine.

 

500-570kms on normal out of full tank.

450-500 kms on sports mode

 

So, this may be a frequently asked, abused question, but could this possibly mean the 3GS 450H is a software change away from realizing increased fuel efficiency while maintaining performance? I'm sure it's much more complicated than that, just throwing it out there.

 

Only.... Its NOT the same engine. 3GSh cars run a normal 4stroke cycle (Otto Cycle). 4GSh runs an Atkinson Cycle.

The Atkinson (Prius style) motor gets way better MPG, but has less power. So the new GS will save more gas. But the old GSh's will kill it to 0-130mph.

 

True, the compression is completely different.

Before I purchased my 3GH I read, or more likely was told by a slaesman, that the engine will remain the same for the 4th Gen hybrid.

 

I was told by a salesman that the 4GS will out corner a IS350.

 

Snow mode will start you in second gear so there's less torque for taking off in slippery conditions and power mode it up shifts later and down shifts earlier on throttle response, gas mileage depends on how you drive I like power mode because of the type of driving I do it's about 65% highway and the rest city

 

I've owned the car almost a year now and have never driven with it in power mode. I only toggle between sport and norm.

So, If I put it in sport and activate power... Hmmmmm?

 

I have it feels a little more responsive but not so much you say this is amazing. If that makes sense.