Driving today should not only be safe, but it should also be environmentally friendly. From the time of day that we choose to pump gas, to the speed at which we drive our vehicles, it all plays a role in trying to save our planet.
A lot of new vehicles have Eco Mode. Do you have eco mode? Would you like to learn more about this awesome feature? We encourage you to keep on reading!
What is Eco Mode?
ECO Mode is a term that means “economical mode” of a vehicle. Once the driver presses the Eco Mode button, this feature will change some features of the car while the driver is operating the vehicle.
Eco Mode is predominantly used during driving and tries to provide the most miles with just a gallon of gas or just a liter of fuel. Technically, Eco Mode restricts the engine’s and an automatic vehicle’s transmission performance by restricting the throttle response to optimize fuel economy.
So as a result, vehicle acceleration is less responsive, resulting in less fuel consumption.
When Should You Use Eco Mode?
Eco Mode should solely be used for driving at lower speeds. For instance, a trip to the grocery store, a trip to town to run a few errands, or a drive around for an evening out are great trips to utilize Eco Mode for.
Since there is a restricted rate of acceleration, Eco Mode is not a great way to drive on the highway or for extended lengths of time. In other words, if you happen to live in Detroit, Michigan, and have folks living in Chicago, Illinois, then Eco Mode is not the way to go.
Will Eco Mode Hurt My Engine?
If you are not reckless and drive reasonably, then Eco Mode will not harm your engine. However, if you put your car into Eco Mode and decide to participate in drag racing, then your engine is at much more risk of being harmed.
Too much throttle or minimal acceleration, i.e., flooring your gas pedal and launching into the wind, will completely undermine Eco Mode. Eco Mode should be for nice, short driving scenarios. You might even ignore Eco Mode if you are getting ready to participate in the next NASCAR Coca-Cola 600.
Does Eco Mode Really Save Gas?
Yes, yes and yes!!! Why? because even provide Eco Mode of driving you are limiting your acceleration and you are saving electricity and fuel! Not only does hard-throttle and deep-throttle hurt your car in Eco Mode, but also hard braking is not good for your car either.
Think of Eco Mode as the driving mode you are meant to be in for trips that are not far from your house. Eco Mode, in this context, will allow you to save money on gas and electricity; you will take it out of Eco mode for anything beyond a few hundred miles or high-speed driving experiences.
Is It OK To Drive In Eco Mode All The Time?
Most car experts have stated they do not see any harm or concern in driving while in Eco Mode multiple times. If you drive sensibly, then Eco Mode should not harm your engine. Eco Mode makes adjustments to your vehicle, engine computer that affect engine speed and upshift times.
This allows for your vehicle’s best fuel economy with the least amount of wear possible. Eco Mode, if needed, will also try to firm up the AC system, as the least amount of load on your vehicle’s engine and AC compressor that you can provide in a plugged-in vehicle means less engine strain and load.
What Are The Benefits Of Eco Mode?
So, how effective is Eco mode for reducing carbon emissions and saving fuel? There is, in fact, no concrete evidence. Each manufacturer has its own perspective on Eco.
For instance, Ford claimed that a driver following its driving instructions would save up to 24% of fuel in Eco mode with the 2012 Focus. In a similarly vague way, Hyundai stated that Active Eco mode would improve fuel economy by at least 7%.
Seasoned drivers assert that Eco mode is less gasoline consuming. Also, Eco mode allows you to take advantage of your vehicle’s driving habits, that give you a more economical and eco-friendly style of driving. Ultimately, if you use this driving mode, you pay less at the pump and take care of the world.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Eco Mode?
While Eco mode will save you some costs associated with fuel use and fuel cuts costs will cost you more in wear and tear. Driving at low speeds and low rpm does not prolong the life of the engine, clutch, and gearbox. Low-volume engines are even more severely affected because they need to work hard to drag a heavy car and themselves at low speed in Eco mode.
When the engine is running at a lower speed, the volume of oil that is able to pass through the complete engine system is reduced. When the vehicle is in Eco mode there is not adequate lubrication for the engine.
The impact of oil starvation conditions will multiply the wear on engine components due to friction and high temperatures. Additionally, the wear will impact almost all parts of the cylinder-piston group, and the total cost of replacing them may outweigh any savings on fuel.
The transmission is also tested with these low speeds. The automatic transmission, even with low speeds, will switch from a high gear to a lower gear and then back to a high gear while operating in eco-mode. This sudden and frequent switching will be an additional load on the entire gearbox and all of its parts.
This is mainly the case for automatic transmissions, but robotized transmissions are not any less excited by the operations in eco-mode.
Eco Modes offered by car manufacturers
Today, car manufacturers are producing cars with the feature of Eco Mode while still providing functionality and dependability. Below are some vehicles and Eco Modes offered by car manufacturers.
Ford, Lincoln Eco Mode
Ford introduced the cutting-edge Ford Eco Mode system. The Eco Mode system considers a constant assessment of driving habits related to your vehicle’s consumption of fuel.
Also, Ford’s Eco Mode system will analyze acceleration, braking and gear changing. Eco Mode is also equipped with technology capable of evaluating all trips you take in your car.
While Ford’s Eco Mode System is working with a trip computer, there, the Ford Eco Mode system is gathering information and sending system to the driver through icons in the driver’s easy-to-see area or dashboard.
The driver can see a gauge or rating of their fuel economy through three icons, comprised of speed, gear change, and anticipation. Ford estimates drivers can save about 5% of their gas consumption by changing the way they drive while working in Eco Mode.
Toyota Eco Mode
When you use ECO Mode in a vehicle for Toyota vehicle, the vehicle will begin “to control” several cabin controls, including the vehicle’s heated seats, air, and other power outputs.
When Eco Mode is on, it is not going to put as much strain on the vehicle’s engine as when Eco Mode is “off”.
Furthermore, Toyota owners will benefit from decreased gas consumption. Toyota recommends to use the Eco Mode for any stop and start driving.
Lexus Eco Mode/Drive Mode
Save your gas money and have a great driving experience with your Lexus using the eco mode known as Drive Mode Select. This is a complete feature because Lexus makes a hybrid vehicle range so the owner of the Lexus can choose from five total drive modes, depending on the Lexus vehicle.
You have Sport Mode, Normal Mode, EV Mode, ECO Mode, and Sport S+ Mode, and each operating mode is customizable to your driving style.
KIA/Hyundai Eco Mode/ Active Eco
The KIA/Hyundai model, active ECO uses the Active ECO features to help the driver with better fuel economy. Active ECO controls the transaxle and engine. Active ECO in KIA/Hyundai models can be changed based on conditions of the drivers road and driving habits.
It is easy to know when the Active ECO is turned on; just press the Active ECO button, and you will see the green ECO indicator showing that the Active ECO is on.
General Motors/ Chevrolet Eco Mode
For General Motors/ Chevrolet cars, Eco Mode will lock up the torque converter and you can drive lower speeds. Eco Mode will also lessen your engine speed while at idle. Many people report while in Eco Mode the engine can begin lugging at about 50 mph.
What Are Some of the Best Eco-Mode/ Environmentally Friendly Cars For 2020?
Check out the vehicles that receive a grade for Eco Model and eco-friendly cars, top picks.
- 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid. The car that beats all Eco Friendly / environmentally friendly cars is the Toyota Corolla Hybrid: EPA of 53/52/52 city/highway/combined. It also has a great sticker price: about $25,0000.
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Duramax Diesel. Do you need a pickup truck with great fuel economy? Look to the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Duramax Diesel, EPA estimate of 23/33/27 city/highway/combined.
- 2020 Honda Civic. The Honda Civic achieves high eco-friendly car ratings. Consumers have a variety of trim levels, and the general EPA estimate of about 32 mpg.
Tips For Driving in Eco Mode
Now that you understand the meaning of Eco Mode, it is time to settle in and try and get the most from this feature. Below is some advice that will help you get the most from you and the Eco Mode of your vehicle!
Before Driving
- Make sure your tires have the proper air inflation. Properly inflated tires can last longer than tires that are not properly inflated, and you can also gain up to 3% improvement in gas milage.
- Use the recommended grade of motor oil for your specific car. Check with your dealer, or let a mechanic do it for you! Using the proper and recommended motor oil will give you over a 1% increase in gas milage! This does not sound like much, but it adds up fast!!!
- Have a properly tuned up engine. You don’t want to trouble with a car that has a failed emissions test.
- Make sure you evaluate and check the air filters. This is usually done every oil change. For your vehicle, a replacement of dirty or clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by up to 10% again!!!
When Driving
- Do not speed! First of all, do not speed in the first place. Secondly, speeding defeats the whole point of having Eco Mode in the process of using the Eco Mode Feature. Gas mileage drops quickly above 60 mph; the more mph, the more money. The next time you exceed 60 mph. Just remember, for every 5 mph over 60, you are paying approximately 10 cents per gallon to put your foot down on the gas pedal. Think about your wallet saying, “STOP! Slow it down!”
- Road rage is not the answer. I know – we have all been there where someone in front of us is driving like a maniac, and behaving like, well, a**. Aggressive driving systems will cause fuel waste and decrease your gas mileage by over 33%. Forget about chasing him down just to throw up a finger gesture at them. Forget about all the needless weaving in and out of traffic. Chill out and care for your vehicle.
- Do not idle excessively. You will get 0 miles per gallon!! Generally speaking, vehicles with larger engines will waste more gas while idling than vehicles with smaller engines.
- Use your cruise control. Once you set your car on cruise control – your vehicle will be at a fixed speed – while saving gas in the process.
Eco Mode is a great feature to have on a vehicle. You save money while protecting your vehicle. If you utilize common sense, patience, and peace of mind, your Eco Mode will become a feature you reach for time and time again, for many of your car excursions.