What does it mean when the ECO light comes on while driving?

[LeJoel]

When the ECO indicator light on the dashboard illuminates while driving, it indicates that the vehicle's economy mode has been activated. ECO is an English abbreviation derived from the combination of Ecology (environmental protection), Conservation (energy saving), and Optimization (power). The Eco mode is further divided into active Eco driving mode and passive Eco driving mode. When the dashboard ECO indicator light comes on, it signifies that the vehicle's economy mode is active. Eco mode can be either active or passive, with the difference being that the active 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 immediately illuminates, and the vehicle automatically begins adjusting settings such as throttle opening, transmission shift logic, and air conditioning output power. Passive Eco mode does not have a dedicated button; when the dashboard ECO indicator light comes 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 simultaneously display the ECO indicator light. Most vehicles employ active Eco driving mode, meaning they have a dedicated switch button. Therefore, during everyday driving, we can enable Eco mode. 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. In these scenarios, activating Eco mode would not only fail to demonstrate its fuel-saving characteristics but also negatively impact performance. Additionally, Eco mode typically deactivates under the following conditions: When the vehicle speed exceeds 120 kilometers per hour, the system prioritizes speed, causing the Eco mode to deactivate automatically. During idle parking, in N/P gear, or in manual mode, Eco mode may also deactivate. 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 the Eco mode will not operate.