What is the ECO function?
2 Answers
ECO function is designed for energy saving. Generally, the ECO mode of a car can be divided into active and passive types. The passive ECO mode does not have a dedicated button and only appears on the dashboard as a reminder while driving, assessing the vehicle's fuel consumption. On the other hand, the active ECO mode comes with a dedicated button for the driver to choose whether to activate it. Once activated, the throttle response speed will slow down to achieve fuel-saving effects. Principle of ECO: ECO mainly involves a comprehensive judgment and analysis of factors affecting fuel consumption during vehicle movement, such as automatic transmission gear, engine speed, vehicle speed, braking, and transmission oil temperature. The ECU control unit calculates the optimal fuel amount to be supplied to the engine for operation, effectively reducing fuel consumption compared to normal driving mode. Simply put, it controls the engine speed with reasonable gear shifts to reduce unnecessary fuel consumption. ECO modes: Generally, it can be divided into non-active ECO driving mode and active ECO driving mode. The non-active ECO driving mode primarily serves as a reminder and guidance function. The active ECO driving mode usually has a dedicated button. Once activated, a series of driving-related settings will change, such as a smaller throttle opening corresponding to the same pedal depth (making the throttle less responsive), transmission shift logic prioritizing economy (earlier upshifts), and some vehicles may also adjust the air conditioning output power simultaneously.
I frequently use the ECO function in my daily driving, which is an economy mode designed to save fuel. After activation, the car softens throttle response to avoid sudden acceleration; controls air conditioning output to reduce unnecessary cooling or heating; and adjusts transmission shift timing to keep the engine at low RPM. Through these optimizations, fuel consumption can be reduced by about 5% to 10%. From my experience, ECO works best in urban congested areas because it reduces the wear from frequent starts and stops. Over a month, the number of refueling trips decreases significantly, saving hundreds of yuan in fuel costs. Long-term use also helps reduce engine wear, making the vehicle quieter and smoother. If you care about car maintenance costs like I do, this feature is extremely practical.
