What does the ECO on the Grand Cherokee center console mean?
1 Answers
ECO stands for the car's economical driving mode function. ECO is an English abbreviation formed by combining 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 lights up, it indicates that the vehicle's economy mode has been activated. Eco mode is categorized into active and non-active types. The difference lies in the fact that the active mode 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 illuminates, 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 turns on, it serves merely as a reminder. 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 use the active ECO driving mode, meaning they have a dedicated switch button. Therefore, during daily driving, you can enable ECO mode. 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 reflect the fuel-saving characteristics of ECO mode and could also affect performance. 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 automatically deactivate. 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 when climbing a hill, the engine control unit prioritizes ensuring sufficient power to drive the vehicle, and the ECO mode will not operate.