Comments by "flagmichael" (@flagmichael) on "Toyota Hybrid Drive modes : What they do and what's best" video.

  1. Zombnado!
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  2. Same thing here: just about every time EV mode is available in my 2014 Prius the ECO mode will choose EV anyway.
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  3. The video at 1:06 mentions that the different modes don't involve moving parts. The same is true for all the eCVT operation. Nothing shifts at any time: there are no push belts, conical gears, synchros, bands, clutches, or anything like that. The Toyota eCVTs may be the most reliable transmission in any car anywhere. As with manual transmissions, the fluid should be changed occasionally because the lubrication and viscosity of the fluid still deteriorates. We have had two first generation Prius, both 2002 model years. My wife's suffered an eCVT failure because of a design weakness in the pre-2004 models. The inverter ran at battery voltage, which meant twice the current in the eCVT motor-generators. Twice the current means 4 times the heat, and MG2 (the bigger motor-generator) burned up. With the change in the inverter and hybrid transaxle voltages that is no longer an issue. The first generation Prius also had an earlier battery design. My son actually has my 2002 Prius now and it needs a hybrid battery at 19 years and 210K miles. The car is still very reliable (except for the battery) and is definitely worth the battery replacement.
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  4. Arizona is the Land of Flying Rocks. Windshields often last about as long as tires, but sometimes much less. When we took our first Prius back to the dealer for a cracked windshield, the service writer ran a ballpoint pen along the crack. It snagged partway through, indicating it was a crack that grew from a rock impact and was an insurance issue rather than warranty.
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