What does eco mean on a car and how to turn it off?
4 Answers
Eco on a car refers to the economy mode. Its main principle is to comprehensively judge and analyze factors affecting 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 optimal fuel amount to provide to the engine for operation, effectively reducing fuel consumption compared to normal driving mode. Methods to turn off eco mode: 1. Turn off the engine, press the confirm button on the steering wheel to enter the dashboard menu settings interface; 2. At this point, you can see the eco mode on the dashboard. Simultaneously press the up and down buttons on the multifunction steering wheel with both hands to turn off the eco mode.
I noticed the ECO light on the dashboard while driving, which indicates the fuel-saving mode is activated. In this mode, the car deliberately limits power output, such as making the throttle response sluggish, delaying gear shifts, and automatically reducing air conditioning power to save fuel. When I first bought the car, I didn't know how to turn it off, but later I found that most models have a physical button with a leaf pattern near the steering wheel or on the center console—pressing it turns off the light and deactivates the mode. If you can't find the button, you can use the steering wheel controls to access the menu and look for the driving mode options, then switch to standard or sport mode. After turning it off, overtaking feels noticeably more powerful, but fuel consumption increases by about 10%, so it's more cost-effective to keep it on in city traffic jams.
ECO is essentially a fuel-saving program designed by automakers. It optimizes engine parameters and transmission logic to keep the vehicle in the most economical state. I've noticed most cars offer two ways to disable it: those with a physical button can simply press it, while others require navigating through the infotainment settings menu. In my Japanese car, the most noticeable change after turning it off is the throttle becoming more responsive – no more sluggish starts at traffic lights. Some premium vehicles even allow customization of the fuel-saving intensity, like setting a partial eco mode. Be aware that disabling ECO may enhance air conditioning cooling, which feels great in summer. It's recommended to turn it off during highway driving or hill climbs, but keeping it on for daily commutes can save significant fuel costs.
ECO mode is the fuel-saving program of the vehicle's onboard computer. When activated, the power output of the vehicle will be restricted. Turning it off is actually quite simple: For cars like the Toyota Corolla, there is usually a small tree icon button on the lower left of the steering wheel. For the Honda Civic, you may need to enter the vehicle settings in the center console screen to find the driving mode switch. German cars, such as Volkswagen, mostly have a knob near the gear lever. Personally, I prefer to turn it off when climbing hills or needing quick acceleration—the ECO light on the dashboard will go out, indicating a return to standard power. Although turning it off provides more direct throttle response, not using ECO mode long-term can increase fuel consumption by 2-3 liters per 100 kilometers, so I still keep it on during traffic jams. New car owners should check the manual to confirm the exact location.
