Have you ever looked at your dashboard and been curious about a specific control? You’re not the only one. Today’s cars have different kinds of features to improve one’s overall driving experience like Eco mode.
Eco mode will have different variations depending on what make or model of a vehicle it is. But what exactly is Eco mode and how does it work? You may be wondering: “what does the eco button mean in a car?” The following article will look more closely at Eco mode.
What is eco mode?
The Eco mode (Econ in some vehicles) is a fuel-saving mode offered by some manufacturers that tells the computer that controls the engine to enter a program that makes efficiency a priority over performance.
This mode is usually activated by a switch located inside the vehicle and details on Eco modes vary from brand to brand yet, generally speaking, Eco modes try to get a bit more distance out of each gallon of gas by reducing throttle response, moving transmission shifts to a higher gear sooner, and invoking other measures designed to enhance the vehicle’s fuel economy depending on the brand and model.
While not all parts have Eco or Econ modes on their current model line-ups, brands offering Eco or Econ modes include Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, Toyota, and Volvo.
In addition to Eco mode some vehicles may offer other settings trying to move engine and transmission performance to other priorities, such as Normal and Sport, and very likely may also modify other elements like steering and suspension feel.
The similarities
Depending on the vehicle, if someone is a gentle driver with a lighter throttle foot, Eco mode may not have much impact. For the more aggressive driver, they will feel that the acceleration is slow, the response to passing is muted, and the shift points for the transmission are not as engaged.
With Eco engaged, pressing the throttle pedal to the floor would feel like grabbing a pie with a sticky bottom. Whereas with Eco off, the vehicle would accelerate quicker, more like grabbing a piece of fresh pie that had not cooled.
If an automatic transmission is fitted, once Eco is engaged, the vehicle will shift into the higher gears sooner and will shift down more slowly for passing vehicles.
The differences
Some systems have an attraction to managing other vehicle operations to improve efficiency. For instance, Honda’s Econ mode will also limit the air-conditioning compressor use so the engine has less work to do.
In addition to that, Honda will also manage the operation of cruise-control when used with an automatic-transmission vehicle, just like the rest of us, with one eye on the speedometer, they may restrict downshifts, meaning when crossing near the summit of a hill the automatically-shifting transmission might not select a lower gear.
On some of the Toyota’s Models will reduce the amount of energy used with heating and cooling as well as the seat heaters. In addition, some but not all systems cut off fuel delivery action when the driver lifts off the gas-pedal completely and the vehicle coasts.
Volvo’s system will disengage the engine from the transmission when the vehicle is coasting and speeds the engine down to idle speed.
What Does Eco Mode Do?
When Eco mode is turned on, it generally tells the engine computer to slow down throttle response and shift the transmission into higher gears sooner to maximize fuel economy. As a result, this mode would generate slower acceleration and a slower transmission response.
Some abilities within eco mode may allow it to improve your vehicle fuel consumption rate by managing other functions such as air conditioning, heating, and cruise control. Eco mode is basically a set of restrictions that control your vehicle engine, transmission and some functions.
The actual behavior of vehicle will depend on the vehicle. For a select few vehicles, activating eco mode could mean that your vehicle takes more throttle pedal travel before the automatic transmission will shift into a lower torque lower rev gear or higher rev gear.
If you are driving a sports car with a turbo, you will get plenty of turbo lag when you enable eco mode because this is what happens in a turbocharged vehicle when kept in a high gear with low engine revs.
If you are driving a vehicle with a V6 or V8 engine, enabling eco mode may result in the vehicle deactivating some lifters. This is an ability that comes with some vehicles and it stops some of the engine cylinders from firing to save fuel.
How Does Eco Mode Work?
Eco mode, also known as “economical mode,” is designed to make your vehicle consume less fuel while driving. By pressing a button located near the steering wheel, you can turn eco mode on and off.
Car manufacturers have included an eco mode feature in many modern fuel-operating and hybrid vehicles (electric vehicles do not have a fuel-saving eco mode because they are not fueled by gasoline).
Be aware: Eco mode is different than EV mode, which you may find in some hybrid vehicles. Eco mode uses fuel, EV mode will not draw from the gas tank, and can run your hybrid, as needed, on the car battery alone.
When your eco mode button is engaged, the car’s throttle inputs will make the pedal less reactive. If the throttle is less sensitive, the engine will not work as hard, and you cannot accelerate as fast as you regularly can.
In eco-mode you will not be driving slower on the road overall, but you will accelerate slower. Meanwhile, you can generally help maximize the eco-mode benefits by driving relaxed – if you are heavy-footed on the gas/brake pedals you defeat the good the eco-mode setting is doing.
In addition to slow your response time to accelerating, eco mode may reduce a car’s air-conditioning and dim all interior lights.
When Should You Use Eco Mode?
Whenever you want to conserve fuel, you should be using Eco Mode! However, it affects your vehicle’s performance whenever driving in Eco Mode.
So, if you are going to be driving on a busy highway or road, while you might not be filling up any more, it is reasonable to keep Eco Mode off. If you do not need to accelerate now, it is not a good idea to rely on that “Eco Push” button to get out of the way of an accident.
When driving in the city, you can always manage driving in Eco Mode, because you are not relying on the fastest ability of acceleration when you are digested in stop and go traffic. So, you have a lot of opportunities to improve fuel economy with no trade offs on your new vehicle.
So, when should you be using Eco Mode? Whenever you are comfortable with your vehicle having a little less power.
Is It OK to Drive in Eco Mode ALL The Time?
Yes! You might suffer a bit less performance while you are driving in Eco Mode, to be fair, you can drive in Eco Mode all the time and not have to worry. No engine troubles, no nasty increase of maintenance, or any other issues.
Eco Mode vehicles are intended to operate normally regardless of you enabling Eco Mode, and all of the car electronics will alter to correlate with the new transmission and engine outputs, so you won’t have to worry about anything misfiring and causing any major headaches.
In fact. unless you are actually in an instance where you need the power or responsiveness from your vehicle, driving in Eco Mode all the time is actually the better way to drive!
Does Eco Mode actually save Gas?
Yes, but some explanation is required. For Electric vehicles and Plug-in Hybrids, you usually will see a pretty significant range difference when switching Eco Mode on.
Driving behavior can influence this up to a point, but EV manufacturers tend to take EV Eco Modes seriously. For vehicles that have just internal combustion engines, results can vary a lot.
If an internal combustion engine vehicle driver has a light foot, then they may not notice much of a difference since Eco Mode is basically encouraging them to drive that way, anyhow.
For more aggressive drivers, they should theoretically notice a difference, but those who are pushing the car more aggressively to make up for the Eco Mode settings won’t see much of a difference.
Highway driving already factors in a fuel savings since lane-hugging speeds indicated by the cruise control tend to get you fuel savings, so there probably won’t be much difference with Eco Mode on. Similar to stop-and-go city traffic, which is brutal on fuel economy, Eco Mode will help out a little, but not that much.
From a fuel savings perspective, across all internal combustion engine vehicles available on the market and in all styles of driving conditions, it bucks out roughly to about 5% in fuel savings. That is not an amount to go crazy over for one tank of fuel, but it definitely does add up, to significant savings over the life of the vehicle.
What are the advantages of eco mode?
- Better fuel economy: Depending on the make and model of your car, your driving style, and your driving situation, using eco mode properly might save you gas, and give you more miles per gallon.
- Fewer harmful emissions: Less fuel consumption means your car won’t put as many harmful chemicals into the air.
- Less stress on the engine and battery while eco mode is engaged: When eco mode is engaged, the engine is not working as hard as before, and isn’t as demanding on the battery, which is also good for environmental impacts!
Does eco mode save gas?
While it’s a debated subject if eco mode saves gas in all driving scenarios, research has shown various tests that show eco mode is likely to save gas over time. Eco mode encourages more conservative driving habits like slower acceleration and promotes a smoother overall driving experience.
This stable sustained driving is coupled with the ability to use fuel and energy more efficiently, which is likely why eco mode has saved gas for others.
What are the disadvantages of using eco mode?
- Performance: Using eco mode makes your throttle response less sensitive and limits the amount of acceleration and power. If you take high-performance driving into account, eco mode could affect your driving style.
- Unsafe under certain conditions: Some driving conditions or circumstances might require acceleration and power, such as merging into fast traffic on a highway. Or driving steep roads that require acceleration and power will put you and other drivers in a tough situation if using eco mode, as they might not be able to get the acceleration they are used to.
- Frustrating driving experience: For some drivers relying on eco mode can be frustrating because it encourages the driver to change their driving habits and will require an adjustment period to get used to. You cannot rely on the same throttle response.
Does eco mode cause more wear and tear?
When used properly, eco mode will not put more wear and tear compared to standard driving. Eco mode is less responsive on the throttle and less RPM, the strain on component parts is less demanding on the engine and battery.
That said, eco mode generally is not the best choice for city driving with stop and go, eco mode has the potential to cause more strain on the vehicle’s engine and transmission components, requiring increased frequent transmission shifting to accelerate when than if normal driving mode was engaged.
When Should I Use Eco Mode?
Eco Mode can almost always be used. It doesn’t matter that your car might be slower in Eco Mode – that’s not going to hurt anything.
The only situations where Eco Mode may not be the best are when you are able to select another mode that suits the conditions better.
If your vehicle has a snow mode, then that is what you should use when it is snowy. Some vehicles have other modes for sand, mud, etc. These modes are extremely well-tuned for these conditions and when driving in extreme weather it is always the safest choice to use the mode that suits the conditions best.
But when you are driving under normal conditions where there isn’t anything to eliminate traction, Eco Mode is there for your fuel economy.
The only other time you wouldn’t want to use eco mode in your car is for a track day, or for spirited driving.
For a track day or other spirited driving, your car would have a sport or track mode, where the performance characteristics of the vehicle are what you are looking for in these types of situations.
But when you are daily commuting and in rush hour traffic, Eco Mode can help save you fuel by making small changes that you can’t even detect in stop-and-go traffic.
When should I turn off eco mode?
Eco mode slows how quickly a car responds, so anytime you need to accelerate quickly is a situation where you would want to disable eco mode. For example, automotive experts do not suggest using eco mode on converted highways, when merging with traffic, during tough road situations or in bad weather.
Another feature of eco mode is that it may cause the car to not change gears as often, therefore, avoid using eco mode in situations where it needs to change gears, like when driving uphill or have to accelerate quickly.
Many drivers also choose to disable eco mode on sweltering days as air conditioning does not run efficiently while in eco mode.
How do I disable eco mode on my car?
Most cars have a button that can be pressed when turning eco mode on and off. Some cars have an automatic eco mode feature that automatically switches on. If your car uses this feature, you can go into the car’s settings to go ahead and toggle on or off eco mode
Final Verdict on Eco Mode
While switching to Eco mode will not single-handedly improve the fuel economy of your vehicle, you will still need to drive responsibly to see any MPG improvements. With fuel prices today being 5 dollars a gallon, Eco mode can save you money in small increments.