Does the Jetta's ECO Mode Damage the Car?
2 Answers
Keeping the ECO mode on for a long time will result in slower power response, but the benefit is fuel savings. Here are the relevant details: 1. ECO Mode: Indicates that the vehicle is driving in an economical mode. The vehicle's computer controls the fuel injection volume, and the transmission control module adjusts the shifting logic to ensure the vehicle operates in the most economical mode. 2. SPORT Mode: Indicates that the vehicle has stronger power, but it also means higher fuel consumption. In this mode, the position of the accelerator pedal remains unchanged, but the engine instantly increases its RPM, and the transmission forcefully downshifts to achieve rapid acceleration.
I've been driving the Jetta in Eco mode all the time, and it doesn't harm the car at all. It essentially adjusts throttle sensitivity and shift timing, making the transmission upshift earlier and keeping the engine at lower RPMs. After prolonged use, fuel consumption has noticeably decreased, especially for city commuting. Some people worry about carbon buildup in the engine this way, but modern direct-injection engines aren't that delicate - regular highway driving can clear it out. After over two years of use, 4S店 maintenance checks always show the engine in good condition. The only thing to note is to switch modes in advance when overtaking, since power response will be slightly delayed.
