Hybrid driving tips for best fuel economy
Do you want to get the most out of your revolutionary Toyota hybrid? We’ve compiled a list of hybrid driving hints and suggestions to help you get the most out of the system. Save fuel consumption, and get you further for less money.
Regardless of which Toyota hybrid you choose. The following insights and advice should help you get the most out of your Toyota’s range and fuel economy.
The Fundamentals of Hybrid Driving
The first seven ideas aren’t just for hybrids; they can assist improve the fuel efficiency of any car:
- Remove everything from the boot! Keeping your car’s boot free of extra weight will immediately increase its performance and efficiency.
- Check your tire pressures once a week – Get out your owner’s manual and make sure your tires are properly inflated according to Toyota’s recommendations. Alternatively, you can read our helpful tire pressures post here.
- Consider your options – by planning your trips ahead of time. You can avoid traffic jams and lessen your chances of becoming disoriented.
- Keep your mouth shut! Closing the windows and sun roof at speeds above 45 mph minimizes drag, cutting fuel consumption.
- Remove any unused roof racks, crates, or bike racks — they’re a pain!
- Maintain a constant speed and don’t exceed the speed limit as she drives.
- It’s done in style! Avoid rapid braking or acceleration whenever possible.
Hybrid vehicle driving guidance
Sorry to everyone else, but these suggestions are only for hybrids:
- Learn how to read the hybrid information display to determine the amount of energy utilized. EV is the one that does it!
- Keep the car in EV mode as much as possible by softly but steadily pressing the accelerator pedal.
- ECO mode improves the economy by reducing forceful throttle response.
- Harvest time – braking gently and early allows the regenerative braking system to harvest more energy. Allowing the EV mode to run for longer periods of time.
- To fully comprehend the hybrid system and control the charge levels in the hybrid’s high-voltage battery. Keep an eye on the dials and gauges.
- If you’re stuck in stop-and-go traffic, don’t put the car in neutral (‘N’) since power won’t be created and the hybrid battery will be discharged.
- To maintain constant speeds, use cruise control (if available).
- Re-circulate mode saves electricity when utilizing climate control.
- Consider the environment! The use of equipment such as air conditioning, lights, and wipers on a regular or heavy basis will increase energy consumption.
In hybrid cars, there are several driving modes
Normal, EV, Eco, and Power are the four drive modes available on Toyota hybrids. When you first start your hybrid, it automatically switches to the ‘Normal’ drive mode, which optimizes the usage of both the engine and the battery.
Drivers can also choose one of the car’s on-demand drive modes to boost fuel efficiency in certain scenarios.
The three drive modes are EV Mode, in which the car is powered solely by the battery during Eco Mode, which limits A/C power and throttle responsiveness; city driving, which runs near-silently and has no tailpipe emissions to limit harsh acceleration; and Power Mode, which boosts acceleration by assisting the petrol engine with the hybrid battery.
R (reverse), N (neutral), B (engine braking), and D (drive) are the four positions on the shift lever (drive). Position D (drive) is just good for everyday driving, but if you need it, position B has the effect of engine braking, which comes in handy while descending a steep slope, for example. For normal driving, it is not suggested to leave the automobile in position B, mostly because you will consume more fuel than necessary!
Examine the path ahead of you
Another wonderful hybrid driving advice is to always use the car’s battery. You can achieve this in town and urban driving by speeding up to your desired speed, easing off the accelerator, and then slowly easing the accelerator back on. By doing so, you can enter EV mode, which is signaled by a dashboard light and indicates that the engine has been turned off and the vehicle is powered solely by the electric battery.
Maintain a constant speed while keeping an eye on the road ahead, as is customary. Reduce the amount of unnecessary braking and acceleration to save money on gas. The quantity of energy recovered by the car’s regenerative braking system increases with slow and gentle braking.
Other things to think about
Keep in mind that a car’s performance, hybrid or not, is influenced by a variety of factors. On cold days, your car will use more fuel as it heats up, but once it reaches its ideal temperature, the MPG will improve.
In addition, in the winter, you’re more likely to use air conditioning, lights, and wipers, all of which draw power from the battery. If you drive the same route frequently, don’t be surprised if your MPG figures are higher in the summer than in the winter!
If you want more hybrid driving ideas or want to talk about your driving style with other hybrid owners, go to the Hypermiler website.
Finally, keep in mind that these hybrid driving tips are meant to provide you some general guidance on how to get the most mileage out of your Toyota hybrid. At all times, Toyota encourages and supports safe driving; please obey all traffic rules.
Read more:
What Are the Signs of a Bad Fuel Pump?
With a solid foundation in technology, backed by a BIT degree, Lucas Noah has carved a niche for himself in the world of content creation and digital storytelling. Currently lending his expertise to Creative Outrank LLC and Oceana Express LLC, Lucas has become a... Read more