What does the ECO button on a car mean?

[OEmery]

ECO stands for the car's economical driving mode. 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. When the Eco indicator light on the dashboard illuminates, it indicates that the vehicle's economical mode has been activated. The Eco mode can be categorized into active and non-active types. The difference lies in the fact that the active type has its own 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. The non-active Eco mode does not have a dedicated button. When the dashboard Eco indicator light turns on, it serves merely as a reminder function. The Eco system automatically evaluates your driving behavior. If your current driving operation achieves the optimal fuel supply, the dashboard will simultaneously display the Eco indicator light. Most cars employ the active Eco driving mode, meaning they have their own switch button. Therefore, during daily driving, the Eco mode can generally be enabled. However, it is unnecessary to activate the 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 but could also impact the vehicle's power. Additionally, the Eco mode typically becomes ineffective under the following circumstances: When the vehicle speed exceeds 120 kilometers per hour, the car prioritizes speed, causing the Eco mode to deactivate automatically. During idle parking or when in N/P gear or 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 under these conditions.