What does it mean when the eco light on the car dashboard is on?

[DeFinley]

When the eco indicator light on the car is illuminated, 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 non-active eco driving mode. Eco mode is categorized into active and non-active types, with the difference being that the active type 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 turns on, and the vehicle automatically begins adjusting 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 is on, it serves only as a reminder function. The eco system automatically evaluates driving behavior, and if the current driving operation achieves the optimal fuel supply, the dashboard will simultaneously display the eco indicator light. Most cars use the active eco driving mode, meaning they have a dedicated switch button. Therefore, during daily driving, the eco mode can be enabled. However, it is unnecessary to activate eco mode when the speed exceeds 120 km/h, during idle parking, in N/P gear, or in manual mode, especially when climbing hills, as it does not reflect the fuel-saving characteristics of eco mode. In addition, the eco mode typically becomes ineffective under the following conditions: When the vehicle speed exceeds 120 kilometers per hour, the car prioritizes speed, and the eco mode automatically deactivates. During idle parking or in N/P gear and manual mode, the eco mode may also become ineffective. When high torque output is required, such as when climbing a hill, the engine control unit prioritizes ensuring sufficient power to drive the vehicle, and the eco mode will not function.