Hello, I purchased a used 2015 Prius last week after a fair amount of research into various hybrids/EVs. I'm loving it so far and have found such a great deal of info in this forum. I had a 2012 Nissan Altima before, in which I racked up 126,000 miles in 5 years of driving (I use it for work). My company has changed our vehicle reimbursement now such that it profits me to have a fuel-efficient vehicle. Although that was my initial motivation, I am just becoming more and more fascinated with this car as I learn more about it! I've been reading and watching videos about gliding and I've practiced over the last few days on side streets. At first, I couldn't do it, then I could make the arrows on the display disappear for a second or two, then for as much as 10-15 seconds. Is it just a matter of more practice? Also, does gliding not work at speeds over 45? I couldn't get it do it at all over 45 mph. I guess I need to test this for myself, but do you think it's better for gas mileage to drive on a side street where you can do the P&G and avoid the main arteries as much as possible? I have thought about trying to map out a route to my office that would let me glide more often.
Too, just take advantage of all bog downs, keep a good space, and "glide" up to the stoppage. Some drivers stress that folks will cut them off; my take is to not worry about it.
You must be in the display mode that shows the cartoonish Prius with arrows showing direction of energy flows. My first suggestion would be to abandon that silly display and go to the "HSI" bar graph, which is far more useful. Then your most efficient "glides" will be when you make the HSI bar disappear into its zero point. "Gliding" does "work" above about 45 mph, but is not as energy-efficient as at lower speeds. Not only is aerodynamic drag higher, but also the system sucks power from the wheels to spin the engine. (Reason: to avoid overspeeding one of the motor-generators) Fuel flow is zero in that condition, but the added drag slows you down.
it's easier to keep the hsi just a bit to the right of the regen line, and only uses a minute amount of electricity. which is better than trying to hold a true glide, but slipping back and forth from ev to regen.
Shift into "N" to glide. If under 42 mph, release the accelerator to stop the ICE and then shift into "N" to glide. Although I use it for the first 1-2 miles during the first 'cold start' of the day. The rest of the time, I use cruise control. Bob Wilson
It is just a matter of needing a Gen2 for that method. The Gen3 was changed in a way that makes it impossible at many speeds, and unreasonably difficult at the speeds where it is possible. In effect, the allowed slop was sharply narrowed. As mentioned by others, the best method for the Gen3 is to use the HSI display, making the bar disappear.
