What is the ECO function in cars?
2 Answers
ECO refers to the car's economical driving mode function. ECO is an English abbreviation formed from the words 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 indicates that the vehicle's economical mode has been activated. Eco mode is categorized into active and non-active modes. 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 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 Eco indicator light on the dashboard 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 cars utilize the active Eco driving mode, meaning they have their own switch button. Therefore, during daily driving, we can activate the Eco mode. However, it is unnecessary to enable Eco mode when the speed exceeds 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 demonstrate its fuel-saving characteristics and could instead impact the vehicle's power performance. Additionally, the Eco mode typically becomes ineffective under the following circumstances: When the vehicle speed exceeds 120 kilometers per hour, the car prioritizes speed, causing the Eco mode to automatically deactivate. During idle parking or when in N/P gear or manual mode, the Eco mode may also become ineffective. When high torque output is required, such as when climbing a hill, the engine's computer will prioritize ensuring sufficient power to drive the vehicle, and the Eco mode will not operate in such cases.
I usually drive in ECO mode most often, it's a real fuel-saving gem! Simply put, the car has an energy-saving program that automatically adjusts three things when activated: the throttle response becomes a bit slower to prevent aggressive acceleration, the air conditioning power is reduced to save electricity, and the transmission shifts up more aggressively. I tried driving in ECO mode for a month during my commute and saved about seven or eight bucks on gas. But I should remind you, it's best to turn it off when going uphill, otherwise the engine feels sluggish and lacks power. This feature is especially suitable for city traffic jams, saving both fuel and money. Of course, there's not much difference when driving on the highway—it mainly saves fuel during low-speed driving.