Can the ECO mode be kept on all the time?
2 Answers
The car can keep the ECO mode on all the time. ECO mode is also called the economy mode. When the vehicle frequently drives in congested urban road conditions, turning on the ECO mode has a good fuel-saving effect. Under the operation of the ECO mode, the carbon deposits in the engine are basically similar to those produced by the engine in the normal working mode, so the ECO mode can be kept on all the time. The main principle of the ECO mode is not complicated. It mainly makes a comprehensive judgment and analysis of the conditions that affect fuel consumption during the vehicle's movement, such as automatic transmission gear, 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 work, so that the fuel consumption is effectively reduced compared to the ordinary driving mode. Simply put, it controls the engine speed with reasonable gears to reduce unnecessary fuel consumption. ECO is an abbreviation, and the Chinese translations are Ecology (environmental protection), Conservation (energy saving), and Optimization (power). The ECO mode is also divided into active ECO driving mode and non-active ECO driving mode. When the ECO indicator light on the dashboard is on, it means that the vehicle's economy mode has been activated. The ECO mode is divided into active and non-active types. The difference is that the active type has its own button, and the owner can choose whether to turn it on. When the owner presses the ECO mode switch, the dashboard indicator light will light up, and the vehicle will automatically start to adjust settings, such as throttle opening, transmission shift logic, air conditioning output power, etc. The non-active ECO mode does not have a dedicated button. When the ECO indicator light on the dashboard is on, it is just a reminder function. The ECO will automatically evaluate your driving behavior. If your current driving operation achieves the best fuel supply, the dashboard will simultaneously display the ECO indicator light. Most cars use the active ECO driving mode, which means they have their own switch buttons. So during daily driving, we can turn on the ECO mode. Except when the speed exceeds 120 km/h, idling, in N/P gear, and manual mode, especially when climbing a slope, there is no need to turn on the ECO mode. This will not reflect the fuel-saving characteristics of the ECO mode and will also affect the power performance. In addition, the ECO mode usually fails under the following circumstances: When the vehicle speed exceeds 120 kilometers per hour, the vehicle will consider the speed, and the ECO mode will automatically fail. When idling or in N/P gear and manual mode, the ECO may also fail. When a large torque output is required, such as climbing a slope, the engine computer will judge to prioritize ensuring sufficient power to drive the vehicle, and the ECO mode will not work either.
As a veteran driver with over a decade of experience, I believe the Eco mode can definitely be kept on all the time, especially when driving in the city—it has saved me a lot on fuel costs. My experience tells me that this mode reduces fuel consumption by softening throttle response and adjusting the air conditioning, and it’s also better for the environment in the long run. However, it’s worth noting that on highways or uphill sections, turning it off might be safer, as the lack of power can make acceleration feel sluggish, particularly when you’re in a hurry or overtaking. In short, I keep it on during my daily commute, saving around 10-20% on fuel, but I make sure to check the transmission during maintenance, as frequent start-stop cycles might cause minor wear.
