What does the ECO driving mode mean?
1 Answers
ECO stands for the economic driving mode of a car. ECO is an English abbreviation, derived from the combination of Ecology (environmental protection), Conservation (energy saving), and Optimization (power). When the ECO indicator light on the dashboard illuminates, it indicates that the vehicle's economic mode has been activated. ECO mode is divided 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 activate 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. ECO automatically evaluates driving behavior. 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, which means they have a dedicated switch button. Therefore, ECO mode can be activated during daily driving. However, in situations requiring more power, such as climbing hills, it is unnecessary to activate ECO mode, as this would not reflect the economic and fuel-saving characteristics of ECO and could also affect performance. In addition, ECO mode typically becomes ineffective under the following circumstances: When the vehicle speed exceeds 120 kilometers per hour, the car will prioritize speed, causing ECO mode to automatically deactivate. When idling in park or neutral (N/P) gear, or in manual mode, ECO mode may also become ineffective. When high torque output is required, such as when climbing a hill, the engine control unit will prioritize ensuring sufficient power to drive the vehicle, and ECO mode will not function in such cases.
