Yaris Hybrid - Driving Style

[Tricky791]

Quick question to the Hybrid owners.....

Did you have to adapt your driving style for hybrid driving? If so, any pointers, hints or tips?

Thanks.

[hind]

1. Don't try to outsmart the engine. Just drive as usual, ignore EV indicator or ECO zone, ignore the engine revs etc.

I guess that's it 🙂 

[Mushu84]

Hi Tricky

 

For myself I did change a my driving style, I accelerate/brake more linear then a normal car, I still drive normally other then that, keeping up with traffic and going the speed limit with sometimes over +5/10 miles depending on the conditions.

Of course you need to ignore the switch from EV to petrol at all times as the car knows better. Some of our forum colleagues use the Eco function, it uses the Battery more then normal, but I do not as I like to have a responsive car to any new changes in traffic conditions and situations. I am pretty sure that you will get better MPG if you use ECO but is not suitable for myself, being pleased with the current MPG on my car.

Again the engine noise need to be ignored as it not represent the acceleration curb, the car as it is a Hybrid uses the engine sometimes just to change the Battery as a generator or uses the power to accelerate like a normal car.

The car itself makes you drive a little different I think just due to the benefits of regen braking and using the EV power to move around. I found it very nice in city traffic at rush hours. For long journeys I could not see many differences. The only complaint I can make is that when going uphill for a long time or very steep hills the engine noise is a little overwhelming but not to the point that I would need to stop. 

After 1 year of owning a Hybrid I want another one to be honest (I also have a 2007 Yaris 1.0 petrol manual), the benefits are amazing and well worth it. I also don't want to go back to manual ever again, I think to myself why I don't have 2 automatics every time I drive the old one. In the next 10 years I would want an electric or Hydrogen car (C'mon Toyota do it!!!) but for now my needs are meet by this car.

 

[TonyHSD]

Yes indeed, 

these cars drives totally different from all others and very similar to bevs. 
The driving style is simply said relaxed, smooth, linear. 
The car itself will make you adapt and accept it and love it, eventually. 
Or if you like sport style and to race with others ( old keep up with traffic) , then you may not like it and be disappointed. 
 

[Jules88]

I'm still a little harsh with accelerating and braking, which the Hybrid score system will tell me off for, so I guess I haven't changed that much! The biggest thing for me was just feathering the accelerator a little so the car usually goes into electric mode.

[MardyMarvin]

i think my driving style was always designed for hybrids before I ever owned one as I have found that the car is great. I remember my old garage mechanic saying to me on the Jazz how he was surprised how little i must use the brakes and mainly use the engine to slow down.

So for me the hybrid is great as the regen does all the breaking with just me applying the brake for the final stop. I still accelerate hard and not noticed any difference in that regards it goes when you tell it to might be more responsive on the accelerator in the Power mode compared to normal mode but really not that much its most prob less then a second for it to respond when you floor it were as in power mode there is no waiting it just goes.

One thing I really dont miss is the a gear stick and clutch pedal messing. Just so much more relaxing to drive and you can enjoy the car way more in fact I have to say I am still loving every moment and making as many excuses as I can to drive it even after 4 months of owning it. By now in previous cars the novelty had warn off by now.

[Mojo1010]

OP's car is a MK3 so a gulf of difference to the mk4 above. Over time you will adapt to the car for efficiency. 

[ColinB]

As others have said hybrids appreciate a relaxed approach to driving, although you can still make progress as they say. I had a gen 2 Prius as a company car, as did many of my colleagues. Those of us who drove them in that relaxed manner loved them, those who liked to go very quickly weren't so keen, so it comes down to how you like driving. 

[Trewithy]

I have also adopted a relaxed driving style.  Put it into D accelerate slowly, throttle off early, brake gently.  The resulting high MPG, especially around town, is very rewarding.  I frequently look at the stats on the MyToyota app, right now with the summer temperatures the figures are very good.

[Primus1]

It’s a bit like marriage, at first you’re a bit unsure of each other, then you find you can’t get enough of each other, you learn what makes each other happy, what buttons to press, and how to avoid the warning signs, you learn that most stuff is done for you , after a bit, you realise it’s all a bit bothersome and easier to do it by hand…

[Cyker]

You don't really need to do anything; You can drive the car pretty much any way you feel like and it'll just do it - The Toyota hybrid system is very flexible.

If you're gunning for maximum mpg then there are some tips and tricks to get a feel for, mostly already mentioned in previous posts!

 

[Tricky791]

Thanks for everyone’s responses, very informative.

Picked up this morning and I must say I really was impressed on my journey home.

Looking forward to getting to know my new car.

[Red_Corolla]

A smooth driving style suits them best and is also the most economical, but that's the same with any vehicle. Don't let it consume you, just drive and enjoy.