What does the ECO light mean?

[Valeria]

When the ECO indicator light on the car is illuminated, it indicates that the vehicle's economy mode has been activated. ECO stands for the car's economy driving mode, also known as the economy mode. When driving frequently in congested urban traffic conditions, turning on the ECO mode can significantly improve fuel efficiency. Under ECO mode, the amount of carbon deposits in the engine is roughly the same as that produced under normal operating conditions. The main principle of ECO mode is not complicated. It primarily involves comprehensively judging and analyzing factors that affect 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 appropriate amount of fuel to supply to the engine, effectively reducing fuel consumption compared to normal driving modes. Simply put, it controls the engine's speed with reasonable gear shifts to minimize unnecessary fuel consumption. ECO is an abbreviation, with its 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 is illuminated, it means the vehicle's economy mode is active. ECO mode can be either active or non-active. The difference lies in the fact that the active mode 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 will illuminate, and the vehicle will automatically adjust 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 ECO indicator light on the dashboard is illuminated, it serves merely as a reminder function. ECO 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 cars use the active ECO driving mode, meaning they have their own switch button. Therefore, ECO mode can be activated during daily driving. 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. Doing so would not only fail to demonstrate the fuel-saving characteristics of ECO mode but also affect the vehicle's power. Additionally, ECO mode typically becomes ineffective under the following conditions: When the vehicle speed exceeds 120 kilometers per hour, the car prioritizes speed, causing ECO mode to automatically deactivate. During idle parking or in N/P gear and manual mode, ECO mode may also become ineffective. When high torque output is required, such as when climbing hills, the engine's computer prioritizes ensuring sufficient power to drive the vehicle, and ECO mode will not function.