When to Use/not use the ECO button?

[rippennets]

So I have had the V for about 6 Months and using the ECO button off and on. I drive normally no lead foot and no grandma either, but recently I have kept it on just to see if there was a difference. For about the past 2 months I have been getting roughly 32- 33 mpg, but if I could better that I would really like to. I was wondering if there was good times to use the ECO verses not using it?? Better on the highway or city? Has anyone found the best uses for it or is it just a shot in the dark.

[stevesleeve]

I use the Eco button, I average 32-34 in city and a wonderful 38-42 highway


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[rippennets]

Do you keep it on 24/7?

[Steve2112]

Good topic - I was curious to know who knows exactly what that button does? Does it just decrease throttle response, or does it change the way the ECU works with the direct injection system, or the shifting points of the transmission (in DCTs)? When I first got the car I used it turned on, but then my quest for more power for when merging onto the highway or just getting off the line I turned it off and stopped caring so much about fuel savings vs. performance.

[Curmudgeon]

I'm not aware of any consensus yet on the forum, but many here (incl me) appear to have abandoned use of ECO because of the diminished throttle responsiveness with miniscule mpg increase tradeoff.

[Cville]

I've been averaging 32-34mpg. Calculated at fill up not based on the system. And I have never used the Eco button.


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[rippennets]

Good topic - I was curious to know who knows exactly what that button does? Does it just decrease throttle response, or does it change the way the ECU works with the direct injection system, or the shifting points of the transmission (in DCTs)? When I first got the car I used it turned on, but then my quest for more power for when merging onto the highway or just getting off the line I turned it off and stopped caring so much about fuel savings vs. performance.

** this is from my dealer/ some research is that in eco mode the hole that puts gas into the engine is opened at a slower rate so that u can get better fuel mileage. i dont know all the specifics about it but my main curousity is would it be more beneficial on when ur on the highway bc ur at a more consistant speed? vs stop and go?

[fishgutzy]

No eco button on the manual. Yahoo!

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[Zach]

I have had my car since June with 15,500 miles on it. I use the eco button 24/7 and average around 36.1 MPG. I drive mostly highway.

I was actually curious on this question as well whether to turn it off or on during city/hwy driving.

[Mingo85]

I've been trying to figure this out as well. I've tried both for over 1000kms each but haven't really seen any differences at the pump with 90-95% city driving. All I notice with ECO is that my car barely wants to move and hiccups when I try to accelerate.

[Curmudgeon]

Keeping it as simple as possible, ECO thwarts all the little nudges on the throttle that aren't required to maintain momentum. Those peaks and valleys in throttle input/response contribute to wasting fuel. Smoothing out the throttle oscillations may conserve fuel, but it sure diminishes responsiveness.

[vtlover67]

I've been trying to figure this out as well. I've tried both for over 1000kms each but haven't really seen any differences at the pump with 90-95% city driving. All I notice with ECO is that my car barely wants to move and hiccups when I try to accelerate.

Mingo85, ditto for me. I have learned to get around this by pressing a little more the pedal going from first to second. When I do this, the hiccups get cured. But I have tried turning ECO off for city which makes the car work much better, and turning on ECO only on the highway. However, it is a pain in the rear to remember to turn it on and off accordingly. So I usually have it on. As for the MPGs, I gave up on following them. I just get in and enjoy driving my baby, and screw the MPGs. As it is, the VT is doing much better than my 328i ever did.

[Mingo85]

Thanks vtlover67. Just need more confirmation on this issue personally, so that helps. I will likely keep playing around with different options until I find what is best. Definitely not liking the feel right now on ECO. Will try just on drive without ECO for probably 1000kms or so and see how I like that. I haven't hit the highway much so maybe it just won't affect me much to leave it off and when I do hit the highway I'm usually in gridlock anyway because of our famous DVP (Don Valley Parkway), one of the only major arteries to get to the downtown core... I believe Toronto is ranked top 5 or 3 in worst gridlock in North America so I guess it's not really highway driving when I snail at rolling speed half the time...

[vtlover67]

Thanks vtlover67. Just need more confirmation on this issue personally, so that helps. I will likely keep playing around with different options until I find what is best. Definitely not liking the feel right now on ECO. Will try just on drive without ECO for probably 1000kms or so and see how I like that. I haven't hit the highway much so maybe it just won't affect me much to leave it off and when I do hit the highway I'm usually in gridlock anyway because of our famous DVP (Don Valley Parkway), one of the only major arteries to get to the downtown core... I believe Toronto is ranked top 5 or 3 in worst gridlock in North America so I guess it's not really highway driving when I snail at rolling speed half the time...

By the way, after the 2000 miles it got better for me, less hiccups.

[Velos510]

Personally, i just use the ECO when im driving on the freeway. I've noticed that the car shifts are actually slower den when its off and the car itself feels slower. Technically from what most of the techs at Hyundai have told me, the button makes the car more reluctant to downshift and smooths out the throttle response (i think someone has said this already). Just my 2cents.

[Mingo85]

By the way, after the 2000 miles it got better for me, less hiccups.

I'm about 200 miles short. Still under 3000kms at the moment. Maybe I'll let it run until 3500kms until I reconsider.

[Mingo85]

Just came in with such a smooth drive. It was finally a bit colder, near 0. Let the car warm up a bit before heading out and the whole drive in every gear felt smooth and lovely. Not sure if it is the colder temps or that I'm getting closer to the 2000 miles but it was very nice with the ECO on the whole drive, mostly city speeds.