How to improve your drive time with Toyota drive modes

Are you familiar with the drive modes in your car? If you're not using them to improve your drive time, then you're missing out. Drive modes are an easy way to customize your drive time to your very individual needs without having to spend a dime. Toyota of Clermont is here to explain Toyota drive modes and how you can use them to improve your time behind the wheel. Check it out!

There are five main types of drive modes. You'll typically find Normal, Eco, and Sport on many vehicles, including a good number of our Clermont Toyotas. Some vehicles additionally offer a Snow mode for winter weather, and you'll likely find EV mode on hybrid cars (but not on gasoline-powered models). Let's take a closer look at what each drive mode has to offer.

1. Normal: This is the mode your car is in before you switch it into something else - it's the perfect mix of performance and comfort, and delivers the torque, horsepower, and fuel efficiency as promised.

2. Sport: Sport mode is a way to take your drive time to the next level. If you choose this mode in your Clermont Toyota, you'll find that your electric power steering, transmission, throttle response, and shifting are all enhanced to basically give you more get-up-and-go. This mode allows you to accelerate faster (and it's easier to press the gas pedal down), and your shifting will happen more quickly. You won't, however, see an improvement in your fuel efficiency (the opposite will happen, actually). You'll find Sport mode on several of our Clermont Toyotas including the Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, Toyota 86, and Toyota RAV4.

3. Eco: Want to get better fuel efficiency? Use this mode in your Clermont Toyota. Eco mode adjusts your car's climate controls, engine power, and throttle response to use less fuel and give you better fuel economy. While it's useful in some situations, you don't want to use eco mode when you need power (like when you're going up a hill or trying to pass someone quickly).

4. EV: EV mode is a drive mode only found in Toyota of Clermont hybrid cars. Why? Because when you utilize this mode, your vehicle will stop using the gasoline engine and instead, power itself entirely from the battery (it goes into electric mode). This makes it super fuel-efficient AND eco-friendly. However, you won't be able to travel at high speeds or go long distances. It's best utilized in slow conditions like traffic for a mile or two.

5. Snow: Snow mode is best suited for winter weather. When you put your Toyota into this mode, you'll find that it starts out in second gear rather than first to decrease torque. This means your wheel won't spin out, especially on slippery surfaces. Your vehicle will also use different shifting patterns to enhance your traction.

Curious to see how these drive modes handle in person? Check them all out - visit Toyota of Clermont! We're open seven days a week at 16851 State Road 50, just west of the Florida Turnpike.