What does the ECO on the car dashboard mean?

[DiOscar]

ECO indicates that the vehicle's economic driving mode is 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. When the ECO indicator light on the dashboard illuminates, it signifies that the vehicle's economic mode is engaged. Eco mode can be categorized into active and non-active types. The key difference lies in the fact that the active type has a 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. Non-active Eco mode does not have a dedicated button. When the dashboard ECO indicator light illuminates, 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 vehicles employ the active Eco driving mode, meaning they have a dedicated switch button. Therefore, during daily driving, the Eco mode can generally be activated. However, it is unnecessary to engage 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 such scenarios, activating Eco mode would not only fail to demonstrate its fuel-saving characteristics but also negatively impact the vehicle's power. Additionally, Eco mode typically becomes ineffective 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 or when in N/P gear or manual mode, Eco mode may also become ineffective. When high torque output is required, such as during hill climbing, the engine control unit prioritizes ensuring sufficient power to drive the vehicle, and the Eco mode will not function in such cases.