What is the E or P mode of Dongfeng Flagship?
3 Answers
Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) system, which replaces the traditional lever handbrake with an electronic handbrake button, calculates the slope through a longitudinal acceleration sensor to enable smooth starting of the vehicle. The electronic handbrake is a technology that achieves parking braking through electronic control. Traditional handbrakes require the driver to manually release the handbrake or skillfully coordinate the throttle and clutch for smooth starting on slopes. Additional information: The working principle of the electronic handbrake: Similar to the mechanical handbrake, it tightens the rear wheel brake shoes through cables for braking. Another type uses an electromechanical caliper, where the motor clamps the brake pads to achieve parking brake control.
I've been driving the Dongfeng flagship model for long-distance trips for many years, and its E mode and P mode are particularly practical. The E mode is the economy gear, which is especially fuel-efficient when driving on flat highways. The computer controls the engine speed, and the throttle feels like pulling a rubber band—acceleration is slow but it really saves a lot on fuel costs. The P mode is the power gear, used when hauling heavy loads or climbing steep slopes. The engine roars but delivers strong power, and it feels like the throttle responds immediately when overtaking on slopes. Normally, you can switch between modes by pressing the button on the center console, and the dashboard will display the current mode. Be careful when switching modes on rainy days, as sudden changes can easily cause skidding, especially when towing a trailer. If you master the switching between these two modes, you can save nearly ten thousand yuan on fuel costs in a year.
When I first drove the Dongfeng flagship truck, I didn't understand the difference between E/P modes either, but later figured it out in the fleet. The Economy mode (E) makes the engine work with restrained power, with very strict RPM limits, which actually consumes more fuel in city traffic jams. The Power mode (P) is like unleashing the restraints - the transmission responds lightning fast, the engine sound becomes aggressive, especially when climbing long slopes with AC on while hauling three tons of cargo. You must use this mode for sufficient power. Note that different manufacturers use different letter definitions - once I saw S mode on a Sinotruk and thought it was Sport mode, but it turned out to be Slope-climbing mode, which was quite embarrassing.
