Want to get the very best out of your ground-breaking Toyota hybrid? We’ve gathered a number of hybrid driving hints and tips that will help you to get the best from the system, improving fuel consumption and getting you further for less.
Whichever Toyota hybrid you’ve set your heart on, the following tips and pointers should maximise the range and fuel economy of your Toyota.
The basics
It’s not just hybrids that benefit from the first seven tips – these will help to improve any car’s fuel efficiency:
- Clear out the boot! Keeping the boot free of unnecessary weight will give your car and immediate boost in performance and economy.
- Check your tyre pressures – dig out your owner’s manual, and do a weekly check to ensure that your tyres are correctly inflated in line with Toyota’s recommendation. Or read our handy tyre pressures article here.
- Think ahead – by planning your journeys, you can avoid traffic jams and minimise the likelihood of getting lost.
- Shut up! Closing the windows and sun roof at speeds above 45mph will reduce drag, reducing fuel consumption.
- Remove unused roof racks, boxes and bike racks – they’re a real drag too!
- Steady as she goes – maintain a steady speed and don’t go over the speed limit.
- Smoothly does it! Try to avoid sudden braking or acceleration.
Hybrid driving: hybrid-specific tips
Sorry everyone else, but these tips are for hybrids only:
- Become familiar with the hybrid information display so you can know how much energy is being used.
- EV does it! Keep the car in EV mode as much as possible by using the accelerator gently, pressing it lightly but consistently.
- Improve efficiency with ECO mode, which reduces aggressive throttle response.
- Harvest time – braking gently and early helps the regenerative braking harvest more energy, which means EV mode can operate for longer periods.
- Keep an eye on the dials and gauges to fully understand the hybrid system and manage the charge levels in the hybrid’s high-voltage battery.
- If you’re in stop-start traffic, don’t put the car in neutral (‘N’) when stationary, as electricity will not be generated and the hybrid battery will discharge.
- Consider using cruise control (where fitted) to maintain steady speeds.
- When using climate control, Re-circulate mode reduces energy usage.
- Think about the environment! Constant or heavy use of systems like air-con, lights and wipers will increase energy consumption.
Pioneering hybrid technology for the future
Hybrid driving: drive modes
Toyota hybrids have four drive modes: Normal, EV, Eco and Power. When you first start your hybrid, the car defaults to the ‘Normal’ drive mode, which automatically manages the most efficient use of both the engine and the battery.
Drivers can also select one of the car’s on-demand drive modes to achieve better fuel consumption in certain settings.
These drive modes are: EV Mode where the car is powered by the battery only during city driving, running near-silent and with no tailpipe emissions; Eco Mode that reduces A/C output and lessens throttle response to limit harsh acceleration; and Power Mode which boosts acceleration by using the hybrid battery to assist the petrol engine.
The shift lever offers four positions: R (Reverse), N (neutral), B (engine braking) and D (drive). For normal driving, D (drive) is absolutely fine, but should you need it, position B has the effect of engine-braking handy when descending a steep hill, for example. It’s not recommended to leave the car in position B for normal driving, mainly because you’d end up using more fuel than necessary!
PHEV, BEV, FCEV? Hybrid, electric and fuel cells explained
Hybrid driving: read the road ahead
Another great hybrid driving tip is to use the car’s battery whenever possible.
Another great hybrid driving tip is to use the car’s battery whenever possible. You can do this in town and urban driving by accelerating to your required speed, easing off the accelerator and then gently easing the accelerator on again. By doing this, you can activate EV mode – indicated by the dashboard light – which means that the engine has switched off and you are using the electric battery.
Try to maintain a constant speed and, as always, it’s important to read the road ahead. By doing this, you can reduce the amount of unnecessary braking and accelerating, using less fuel. Braking slowly and gently also maximises the amount of energy recovered by the regenerative braking system on the car.
Other factors to consider
Bear in mind that there are many factors that can affect a car’s performance, hybrid included. On cold days, your car will use more fuel as it warms up, but once it’s reached its optimum temperature, the MPG figures will increase.
Also, during the winter, you’re more likely to be using the air-conditioning, lights and wipers, all of which will use some electrical power from the battery. If you regularly travel the same route, don’t be surprised if you get better MPG figures during the summer than in the winter!
Even more new car customers chose hybrid in June
If you’d like more hybrid driving tips or want to discuss your driving technique with other hybrid owners, it’s worth visiting the Hypermiler website.
As a final note, please remember that these hybrid driving tips are published as general guidance on how to get the best fuel economy from your Toyota hybrid. Toyota encourages and supports safe driving at all times – please adhere to the rules of the road.
Read more: Toyota hybrid – how does it work?
My Auris Hybrid Excel is now three weeks old and very pleased with my purchased.
My question is how do I adjust the brightness of the dashboard backlight during night time driving…just a little too bright for me. On page 131 of the manual it states press and hold the display button for more that one second and an option is displayed to adjust the Meter light control display ( the exact wording in the manual) but I can’t get this option to be displayed. I have spoken with the dealer and they are unable to work it out either….I seem to have been unlucky and have purchased a car from a duff dealer.
Hi Geoff,
We’re sorry that this isn’t a simple fix, as it should be. Would you mind letting us know the name of your Dealer and we’ll get in touch with them. They should be able to help you, and we’ll make sure one of our team advises them how.
Many thanks.
Hi Oliwer
Thanks for your response, I am very disappoint with the dealer who supplied the car and it would not be fair to give the dealers name in an open forum. I am willing to exchange this information outside the forum. If dealer intervention is required then I would like the dealer in Solihull Birmingham to complete the work…not the supplier of the vehicle.
However, if the dashboard backlight can only be adjust by the dealer, then I don’t wont to proceed. If dealer intervention enables this function so I can make the adjustment myself then please contact the Solihull Dealer. All my details are on mytoyota.
Regards Geoff
Hi Geoff,
In this case, may we recommend you speaking directly with Vantage Toyota Solihull – 0121 745 0055. We’ll give them a call and let them know that we’ve been conversing on the blog. You should be able to change this function yourself however, as you’re having trouble, we do recommend you seeking advice from someone who can see, first hand, the issue you’re experiencing.
Vantage Solihull will be able to help you further,
Many thanks.
Hi Oliwer
Visited Vantage Toyota Solihull and I have to give my thanks for an excellent job. They did try to call the number supplied for guidance on how to alter the brightness of the dashboard backlight – night settings. We manage to get the appropriate menu option by covering the light sensor and press and hold the trip button. Whist the lights are on. Alternatively, you can adjust the brightness in dark conditions with vehicle on and in park. Not sure this is the official method, would appreciate if you would confirm the correct procedure.
Regards Geoff
Hi Geoff,
Thank for you getting back in touch. We have spoken to our technical team and there are several methods that can be used to fix this. Could you please send us an email with your vehicle details (registration and chassis number) to: toyota.contact@tgb.toyota.co.uk and they’ll be able to advise you. Many thanks.
Hi Geoff,
Thank you for getting back in touch.
The process you outline is indeed correct. When carrying out this process during the day you will need to cover up the light sensor on the dash, (in front of the passenger) once this is covered and the lights are on, the lights will dim.
Once they have dimmed, push the ODO button once, this will cycle through ODO, trip A, and then trip B into the light display. Once the light display is up, hold the ODO button in and you will see the light display alter. Release when you are happy with the brightness.
We hope this helps confirm the process,
Many thanks.
So, you are saying that the 1,6 petrol CVT IS REALLY stronger than the hybrid as there is no way to calculate the combined torque of the latter? Very strange. Means I cannot Work out which is more powerfull?
On another note, Toyota Denmark lists the 0-62 time of touring sports hybrid to be 13.2 secs. 2.3 seconds slower than the hatch wheres as 95 per cent of the reviews I’ve read online states the hybrid will sprint to 62 11.2 secs. Which figure is correct?
Hi Nicolai,
Thank you for getting back in touch.
As previously discussed, there is no way to calculate combined torque on the Hybrid due to the Hybrid powertrain set up. However, this does not mean the 1.6 CVT is more powerful. To truly experience the different vehicle power between models we suggest contacting your Toyota Dealer for a test drive, please visit the UK Website: http://bit.ly/12b7a0. Or the Dansih Website: http://www.toyota.dk/. This way you’ll be able to compare the models in question through your own driving style, as you may naturally prefer one to the other. The 0-62 times vary from Auris Touring Sports grades as follows: The 1.33 DUAL VVT-i 13.2 seconds – 1.6 Valvematic 10.5 (manual) 11.2 (auto) – 1.4D-4D 13.0 and finally the 1.8 Hybrid 11.2. The hatchback model will vary from these, Touring Sports figures.
Many thanks.
Not sure if this is any help, but i recently tested out Eco vs Pwr mode on my Auris Hybrid a few weekends back. I have a 1 in 4 hill near where i live and so i stuck it in eco mode and… yeah it went up the hill alright but when i stuck it in power mode… well it felt like a hot knife through butter and i was shooting up the hill…put it back into eco.. and i was cold knife again.
So i think it probably is hard to get a nice idea what both engines can do, but bear in mind a lot of Super cars these days use electric engines along side the petrol to boost the BHP
Hi Kevin,
Thank you for taking the time to contact us.
Page 590 of the Owners’ Manual states that there is approximately 6.8 litres (2.0 gal, 1.6 imp gal) when the low fuel warning light comes on. So, your estimation is quite accurate.
The information regarding MPG is accurate to within 10% i.e. the recorded figures may be + or – 10%.
Hope this helps.
Hi
Does using the B position, engine braking, improve economy? Also, what are the consequences if I accidentally left the car in the B position during normal driving. Almost completed 2000 miles and averaging 67 MPG. I have read the driving tips on how to achieve the best MPG from your Hybrid…I have an Auris Hybrid 2013….very pleased with the car and happy with 67 mpg.
Thanks Geoff
Hi Geoff,
Thank you for taking the time to contact us.
Driving in B position will not improve fuel economy, nor will it have any effect on other systems if selected accidentally. The B position provides engine braking when driving down a hill.
Great to hear that you’re happy with the car, it’s a fantastic car which we’re seeing more and more of on the road. We love that it’s built in Britain too!
Hope this helps.
Hello,
I recently aquired my excel hybrid and loving it to bits, but (bear with me here..)
… the range indicator would put me at 470 miles in total when i fill up (twice now), yet when i work that out with the 9.9 gal tank, am looking at 47mpg… yet i average 64 mpg on my computer (since i last reset it.. last fueling)… now i did read in the manual that to stop the “low fuel” light you should fill it with 2.2 gallons from empty, this gives me a hint that the low fuel light will come on when i have 2.2 gallons left…sooo if i deduct 2.2 gallons from the 9.9 it states, i get 7.7 gallons, and that at 470 miles gives me 61 mpg (which sounds a lot more likely!)
So.. my question is… am i right that once i get the low fuel light i probably have about 2 gallons (around 120 miles) left?
Hi,
I have just received my new Auris 2 days ago and am loving the car for several reasons – looks, drive, gadgets!
My question is this – do I have a ‘running-in/breaking-in’ period for the engine that I should be aware of e.g. the first 500 or 1000 miles in the way that older or other cars used to have?
Although I havent used power mode or accelerated heavily too much over the past 2 days I must admit I have used it to see what the acceleration is like but I am concerned that if I use it too much then it may damage the engine in some way.
Hi David,
All engines are tested at the factory and are fitted with special oil grades, built with very fine tolerance’s. This means your Auris will not need to be run in. You won’t damage it by accelerating too heavily. So great to hear that you love it, it’s a fantastic car. Now, just drive it as normal as it’s ready to hit the road!
Hope this helps.
Just a small note: although the engine may not require any breaking in, the loudspeakers certainly do! When I first picked up our new Auris TS Lease two weeks ago, the sound was rather disappointing and quite harsh. After two weeks of using the sound system on a daily basis the sound quality has certainly improved and is very satisfactory.
Purchased a nearly new hybrid auris 2 weeks ago; filled the tank to full. I have driven, part motorway staying under 65mph and also country roads, all in Eco mode and keeping in the Eco light setting.
Concerned from the start as mileage range showed 460 in total. I have achieved 59 mpg on the computer, but only 447 in real terms.
Now it is showing empty, so this equates 44 mpg; now if there is 2 gallons left, why does it say only 16 miles to empty?
At this rate the car I sold to purchase this vechle was far more ecomical.
Hi Ron,
Thanks for the message.
Hybrid vehicles use a combination of two kinds of power sources, an engine and electric motor. There are various factors that can influence fuel consumption, including temperature, weight, load, speed driving style, vehicle and road conditions. Fuel economy for hybrids are at their best when used on a variety of roads which greatly vary with road speed such as urban usage or non-motorway roads utilising the hybrid’s regeneration. Sustained fixed speed usage does not fully utilise hybrid regeneration. The vehicle mpg should also improve as the engine and transmission ‘run in’, as its a fairly new vehicle it will improve with use.
With regards to the range left in your vehicle, the low fuel warning light is illuminated when there is an estimated 6.8 litres of fuel remaining.
You may find that your fuel consumption and MPG improve with time, getting used to a new vehicle, especially a hybrid, can unknowing take longer than you may expect. Here are our own hybrid driving tips which you may find useful: http://bit.ly/dGYGDP.
Hope this helps.
I picked up my new Auris Hybrid T Spirit ( new to me it’s an 11 reg ) on friday and so far i’m really pleased with it , having never owned a automatic before i’ve been driving as shown by the salesman at the dealership in drive , reverse etc and B when going down steep hills ( i live in Derbyshire where there are many !!) but what i’m confused about is when should i be putting the car into Neutral ??? I was shown to creep in D when in traffic and i’ve seen other comments around the same subject but no response as to when Neutral would be best used ?
thanks
Hi Clare,
Thank you for taking the time to contact us and we’re delighted that you’ve got an Auris Hybrid, it’s a fantastic car!
The ‘Neutral’ position normally doesn’t need to be used. It’s usually only used when the vehicle is undergoing a vehicle inspection in a workshop. We would also like to point out that the hybrid battery will not charge whilst the car is in neutral.
You can simply use the ‘D’ option for nearly all driving and, as you say, the ‘B’ setting for descending steep hills.
Hope this helps.
Hello Hybrid Users, I have been driving my Toyota Hybrid for almost a year now and have read a few tips on how to maximize the miles-per-gallon of your car. I have followed all of the tips and found out 2 things to really maximize the miles-per-gallon for your car:
1. Whenever you are going downhill, you need to hit the gas-pedal and get the momentum of your downhill drive and release the gas-pedal once you are at least between 1/2 to 3/4 up the hill to place it on EV mode.
2. And whenever you are going uphill, try not to hit the gas-pedal too much and just coast it.
Thanks