Can ECO Mode Be Kept On All the Time?

[LeBentley]

ECO mode can be kept on for a long time. ECO mode, also known as economy mode, is particularly effective in saving fuel when the vehicle is frequently driven in congested urban traffic conditions. Under ECO mode, the amount of carbon deposits in the engine is roughly the same as that under normal operating conditions, so ECO mode can be left on continuously. The main principle of ECO mode is not complicated. It involves a comprehensive judgment and analysis of factors that affect fuel consumption during vehicle movement, such as automatic transmission gear position, engine speed, vehicle speed, braking, and transmission oil temperature. The ECU control unit calculates the appropriate amount of fuel to be supplied to the engine for operation, effectively reducing fuel consumption compared to normal driving mode. Simply put, it controls the engine speed with reasonable gear selection to minimize unnecessary fuel consumption. ECO is an abbreviation, with its Chinese translation being Ecology (environmental protection), Conservation (energy saving), and Optimization (power). ECO mode is further divided into active ECO driving mode and non-active ECO driving mode. When the ECO indicator light on the dashboard is illuminated, it indicates that the vehicle's economy mode is activated. ECO mode is categorized into active and non-active types. The difference lies in the fact that the active type has its own dedicated button, allowing the driver to choose whether to activate it. When the driver presses the ECO mode switch, the dashboard indicator light immediately turns on, and the vehicle automatically begins to adjust settings such as throttle opening, transmission shift logic, and air conditioning output power. Non-active ECO mode does not have a dedicated button. When the dashboard ECO indicator light is on, it merely serves as a reminder function. ECO automatically evaluates your driving behavior, and if your current driving operation achieves the optimal fuel supply, the dashboard will simultaneously display the ECO indicator light. Most vehicles use the active ECO driving mode, meaning they have their own switch button. Therefore, during daily driving, we can generally keep ECO mode on. However, it is unnecessary to activate ECO mode when driving at speeds exceeding 120 km/h, during idle parking, in N/P gear, or in manual mode, especially when climbing hills. Doing so would not only fail to demonstrate the fuel-saving characteristics of ECO mode but also negatively impact power performance. In addition, ECO mode typically becomes ineffective under the following circumstances: When the vehicle speed exceeds 120 kilometers per hour, the system prioritizes speed, causing ECO mode to automatically deactivate. During idle parking or when in N/P gear or manual mode, ECO mode may also become ineffective. When high torque output is required, such as when climbing hills, the engine computer prioritizes ensuring sufficient power to drive the vehicle, and ECO mode will not function in such scenarios.