What does eco mean on the dashboard?

[StJaxon]

ECO refers to the vehicle's economic driving mode, also known as economy mode. When driving frequently in congested urban road conditions, activating the ECO mode can significantly improve fuel efficiency. Under ECO mode, the amount of carbon deposits in the engine is roughly similar to that produced under normal driving conditions. The main principle of ECO mode is not complicated. It involves a comprehensive analysis and judgment of 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 quantity to supply the engine, effectively reducing fuel consumption compared to normal driving mode. Simply put, it controls the engine speed with appropriate gear shifts to minimize unnecessary fuel consumption. ECO is an abbreviation, with the Chinese translation representing 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 illuminates, it indicates that the vehicle's economy mode has been activated. ECO mode can be categorized into active and non-active types. The difference lies in the fact that active ECO mode has a dedicated button, allowing the driver to choose whether to enable it. When the driver presses the ECO mode switch, the dashboard indicator light turns on, and the vehicle automatically adjusts 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 turns on, it serves merely as a reminder. The ECO system automatically evaluates your driving behavior, and if your current driving operation achieves the optimal fuel supply, the dashboard will display the ECO indicator light. Most vehicles employ active ECO driving mode, meaning they have a dedicated switch button. In daily driving, ECO mode can generally be activated. However, it is unnecessary to enable 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 vehicle power. Additionally, ECO mode typically becomes ineffective under the following circumstances: When the vehicle speed exceeds 120 km/h, the system prioritizes speed, causing ECO mode to deactivate automatically. 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 a hill, the engine control unit prioritizes delivering sufficient power to drive the vehicle, and ECO mode will not operate.