When to Use the Car ECO Mode?

[OTaylor]

The car ECO mode is best used in congested urban traffic conditions, where it effectively improves fuel economy. Under ECO mode, the carbon deposits in the engine are roughly similar to those produced under normal driving conditions. The main principle of the ECO mode is not complicated. It involves a comprehensive analysis of factors affecting fuel consumption during vehicle movement, such as automatic transmission gear position, engine speed, vehicle speed, braking, and transmission oil temperature. The ECU control unit calculates the optimal fuel quantity to supply the engine, effectively reducing fuel consumption compared to normal driving modes. Simply put, it controls the engine speed with appropriate gear selection to minimize unnecessary fuel consumption. ECO is an abbreviation, with its Chinese translation representing Ecology (environmental protection), Conservation (energy saving), and Optimization (power). The ECO mode is further divided into active and non-active ECO driving modes. When the ECO indicator on the dashboard lights up, it signifies that the vehicle's economy mode has been activated. The ECO mode is categorized into active and non-active types. The difference lies in the fact that the active type has a dedicated button, allowing the driver to choose whether to enable it. When the driver presses the ECO mode switch, the dashboard indicator lights up, and the vehicle automatically adjusts settings such as throttle opening, transmission shift logic, and air conditioning output power. The non-active ECO mode does not have a dedicated button. When the ECO indicator on the dashboard lights up, 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. Most vehicles employ the active ECO driving mode, which features a dedicated switch button. Therefore, during daily driving, we can enable the ECO mode. However, it is unnecessary to activate the 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, as this would not demonstrate the fuel-saving characteristics of the ECO mode. Additionally, the ECO mode typically becomes ineffective under the following circumstances: 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, the ECO mode may also become ineffective. When high torque output is required, such as during hill climbing, the engine control unit prioritizes delivering sufficient power to drive the vehicle, and the ECO mode will not operate.

[StMelanie]

I find ECO mode most practical for slow-paced city driving. For instance, during my daily commute when encountering routes with frequent traffic lights or terrible congestion, I always activate it. ECO adjusts the engine and transmission operation to make the car accelerate less aggressively, thereby reducing fuel consumption. Under such driving conditions, it typically lowers fuel usage by about 10%, helping me save on gas costs. However, it's important to note that it's not a cure-all – it's best to turn it off when climbing hills or overtaking on highways, as the reduced power output could compromise safety. The key is developing the habit of enabling it during low-speed, steady cruising, especially in gasoline-powered vehicles where the effect is more pronounced.