Camry HybridDiscussion area for the Toyota Camry Hybrid. Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving Americas favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
Hi, I have a 2007 TCH and have always wondered what the ECO button actually does. I read the owners manual and it is not descriptive at all. Anyone out there have a better explanation?
Hi, I have a 2007 TCH and have always wondered what the ECO button actually does. I read the owners manual and it is not descriptive at all. Anyone out there have a better explanation?
When activated, it makes the heating and air conditioning run more efficiently. If you pay attention to the fan speed when you push the button, you'll see that the fan speed usually lowers after you hit the econ button. (Unless you have the temp set to high or low- which disables the econ setting anyway) It also will reroute the airflow in certain circumstances. I've noticed that when it is cold outside and I have the temperature set to 68, the system will not blow air to the dash vents at all until the cabin temperature is very close to actually being 68. (It blows to the floor)
Well it seems rather underwelming. The ECO button makes the heating and air conditioning run more efficiently? I would have thought it would have made the fule economy (ECO) more efficient somehow. But if it's just heating and air conditioning I guess it's not that big a deal. Unless it prevents the engine from running to heat the interior of the car. Then it would save on fuel. Anyway, thanks for your reply
The “eco” button causes the TCH to do several different things depending upon the switch settings, ambient air temperature and inside temperature. The AC compressor is electrically driven and does not depend upon the engine (via belt or gear) for power. The climate control system can vary the speed of the unit to what is required to bring the temperature to the desired level without regard to the engine speed. A conventional car will have the compressor run at a fixed ratio to the engine rpm and cycle the compressor on/off as required.
The change in temperature is slower when in “eco” mode when compared to a normal “I want it cool NOW” scenario. This also affects the heating cycle (by not using the electric coil heaters or waste engine heat from the coolant system) in somewhat the same way. The cabin will get up to temperature although at a much slower rate than normal. The will increase your mileage by letting the engine, regenerative braking, the state of charge of the battery, speed, temperature differences and other systems determine how much of the power should be diverted from “motive power” to “comfort power”.
It will not give you a large increase in mileage but does help with the overall efficiency of the package. At the level this car is operating on, small increases will add up to a nice boost in mileage.
Thanks for the information on what "ECO" really does. Now.... just a passing thought.... why in HELL didn't the TOYO engineers make the default setting the "green choice"????? Instead, you have to make a choice to save the gas and energy..... DUHHHHH!!!!
What I love about the ECO button is that every time that activate the front defrost, the ECO toggle turns off. It remains off even when you turn off the defrost, until you remember to toggle ECO back on. As an added bonus, the button is nowhere near the climate control system, because that would be far too intuitive. Instead it is in a recess which is blind to the driver, inexplicably next to the fuel filler door release. I sometimes notice that ECO mode is off after driving for a while and would like to toggle it back on. Because I cannot see the switch and it is placed out of the way, I wait, for fear of accidentally opening the fuel door instead.
This is just another example of why I think that the Camry Hybrid is a poorly designed car.
This is just another example of why I think that the Camry Hybrid is a poorly designed car.
Remember, only the Prius is a ground up design. The Camry Hybrid is an after thought.
__________________ Mspeasl 'Growing old may be mandatory, but growing up is optional' 2009 Barcelona Red Toyota 'Hybrid' - Delivered 19 August 2008 2008 Radiant Red Toyota 'X-Runner' - Delivered 15 November 2007 2003 Redline Touring 6sp '350Z' - Delivered 29 August 02
Actually the Camry Hybrid is from the ground up. They redesigned the 2007 Camry with a hybrid in mind.
Sorry I've got to disagree with you on this one. You are correct when you say "They redesigned the 2007 Camry with a hybrid in mind". That's unlike a "Clean sheet of paper" that the Prius came from which was a total new design.
I stand behind my original statement.
Just my $.02.
__________________ Mspeasl 'Growing old may be mandatory, but growing up is optional' 2009 Barcelona Red Toyota 'Hybrid' - Delivered 19 August 2008 2008 Radiant Red Toyota 'X-Runner' - Delivered 15 November 2007 2003 Redline Touring 6sp '350Z' - Delivered 29 August 02
Last edited by mspeasl; 02-26-2009 at 09:59 AM.
Reason: update
Sorry I've got to disagree with you on this one. You are correct when you say "They redesigned the 2007 Camry with a hybrid in mind". That's unlike a "Clean sheet of paper" that the Prius came from which was a total new design.
Remember, only the Prius is a ground up design. The Camry Hybrid is an after thought.
What I should have said is that the Camry is poorly designed, hybrid or not. Ergonomically, this car is just stupid. I just drove the car on 2,000 mile trip and the parking break lever digging into my shin is even more fun on a long journey.
What I should have said is that the Camry is poorly designed, hybrid or not. Ergonomically, this car is just stupid. I just drove the car on 2,000 mile trip and the parking break lever digging into my shin is even more fun on a long journey.
I agree about poor position or design of parking break lever. Toyota must recall all Camry and install airbag on this level to protect left leg from damage in collisions.
Ergonomically, this car is just stupid. I just drove the car on 2,000 mile trip and the parking break lever digging into my shin is even more fun on a long journey.
Really? The wife and I just returned home this past Sunday night from a trip to Florida (3071 miles total). She didn't complain about the parking brake when she was driving and I don't recall having any problems either. This was the first long trip we have made in the car and we both thought that the car rode and drove almost as nice as our 300C had the year before.
__________________ Mspeasl 'Growing old may be mandatory, but growing up is optional' 2009 Barcelona Red Toyota 'Hybrid' - Delivered 19 August 2008 2008 Radiant Red Toyota 'X-Runner' - Delivered 15 November 2007 2003 Redline Touring 6sp '350Z' - Delivered 29 August 02
What I should have said is that the Camry is poorly designed, hybrid or not. Ergonomically, this car is just stupid. I just drove the car on 2,000 mile trip and the parking break lever digging into my shin is even more fun on a long journey.
I'm 6"4" and have no ergonomic issues other than my 3rd leg hitting the steering wheel ...
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Eco Button
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