ECO mode really does make a difference
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 13,733
Likes: 66
From: Hurst, TX USA
ECO mode really does make a difference
Today I was first in line to get on my favorite on ramp, about 1/5 mile or so straight, slightly uphill onto the freeway. Punched it and it felt like I was in my Suburban. Hit the top of the ramp at 70ish when I normally see close to 80. Only difference was I was trying out Eco mode to see if it really was "economical" instead of my usual touring or sport. Up until then I didn't notice much different in the various modes during normal driving, but it obviously does make a difference in WOT runs.
Next time I believe I'll switch to Sport for my 10 seconds of fun.
Next time I believe I'll switch to Sport for my 10 seconds of fun.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 159
Likes: 28
From: Williamsburg Michigan
Auto ??
Today I was first in line to get on my favorite on ramp, about 1/5 mile or so straight, slightly uphill onto the freeway. Punched it and it felt like I was in my Suburban. Hit the top of the ramp at 70ish when I normally see close to 80. Only difference was I was trying out Eco mode to see if it really was "economical" instead of my usual touring or sport. Up until then I didn't notice much different in the various modes during normal driving, but it obviously does make a difference in WOT runs.
Next time I believe I'll switch to Sport for my 10 seconds of fun.
Next time I believe I'll switch to Sport for my 10 seconds of fun.
From the manual:
"When less power is required, such
as cruising at a constant vehicle
speed, the system will operate in
the half cylinder mode, allowing the
vehicle to achieve better fuel
economy. When greater power
demands are required, such as
accelerating from a stop, passing,
or merging onto a freeway, the
system will maintain full-cylinder
operation."
Full power is available at all times.
Instructor
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 168
Likes: 16
Must be an auto?? I don't think that the eco mode stays in effect if you give it much gas.
From the manual:
"When less power is required, such
as cruising at a constant vehicle
speed, the system will operate in
the half cylinder mode, allowing the
vehicle to achieve better fuel
economy. When greater power
demands are required, such as
accelerating from a stop, passing,
or merging onto a freeway, the
system will maintain full-cylinder
operation."
Full power is available at all times.
From the manual:
"When less power is required, such
as cruising at a constant vehicle
speed, the system will operate in
the half cylinder mode, allowing the
vehicle to achieve better fuel
economy. When greater power
demands are required, such as
accelerating from a stop, passing,
or merging onto a freeway, the
system will maintain full-cylinder
operation."
Full power is available at all times.
.As far as I know, Weather mode does not shut down any cylinders. However, I can tell you that at WOT in Weather mode, my car accelerates about as fast as a Civic. I have a 7M. Whether or not you have half the cylinders or all the cylinders available, the modes affect throttle response so the difference between modes can be dramatic.
Feel free to try it yourself. Go on an empty flat road, kick it into Track mode, and punch it. You'll take off like a rocketship. Put it in Weather mode and try the same, and you'll think you're driving a different car.
At least that's been my experience.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 159
Likes: 28
From: Williamsburg Michigan
I don't know, but his account seems accurate. I've never used ECO mode so can't say I'm an expert on it .
As far as I know, Weather mode does not shut down any cylinders. However, I can tell you that at WOT in Weather mode, my car accelerates about as fast as a Civic. I have a 7M. Whether or not you have half the cylinders or all the cylinders available, the modes affect throttle response so the difference between modes can be dramatic.
Feel free to try it yourself. Go on an empty flat road, kick it into Track mode, and punch it. You'll take off like a rocketship. Put it in Weather mode and try the same, and you'll think you're driving a different car.
At least that's been my experience.
.As far as I know, Weather mode does not shut down any cylinders. However, I can tell you that at WOT in Weather mode, my car accelerates about as fast as a Civic. I have a 7M. Whether or not you have half the cylinders or all the cylinders available, the modes affect throttle response so the difference between modes can be dramatic.
Feel free to try it yourself. Go on an empty flat road, kick it into Track mode, and punch it. You'll take off like a rocketship. Put it in Weather mode and try the same, and you'll think you're driving a different car.
At least that's been my experience.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,151
Likes: 294
From: Opelousas, Lousiana
CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
Me either, when I puch it t pass (for example) it goes into full engine mode until I settle to abut 75 or 80. ersonally, If I am cruising on the freeway, I like to save the gas. When I am driving in the mountains, not so much.
Instructor
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 208
Likes: 8
Well that's how you get ( 40 ) MPG. My best is 34.5 and that's in sport, I'm happy with that in a vette.
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 554
Likes: 92
From: Houston Texas
I used Eco mode for the first few months in my 7M. I read here that it doesn't make a difference in mpg. I now use Sport only when it's dry and I get the same mpg as when I was using Eco. Funny how that works.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 786
Likes: 78
From: DFW TX-Texas
ECO mode will make about 2-5 mpg difference when cruising on the highway at stable speeds.
Of course this is considering you are on a relatively flat highway. Any sort of hills and ECO mode wont make a real difference.
Of course this is considering you are on a relatively flat highway. Any sort of hills and ECO mode wont make a real difference.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 453
From: Saint Clair Shores Mi
I don't know, but his account seems accurate. I've never used ECO mode so can't say I'm an expert on it .
As far as I know, Weather mode does not shut down any cylinders. However, I can tell you that at WOT in Weather mode, my car accelerates about as fast as a Civic. I have a 7M. Whether or not you have half the cylinders or all the cylinders available, the modes affect throttle response so the difference between modes can be dramatic.
Feel free to try it yourself. Go on an empty flat road, kick it into Track mode, and punch it. You'll take off like a rocketship. Put it in Weather mode and try the same, and you'll think you're driving a different car.
At least that's been my experience.
.As far as I know, Weather mode does not shut down any cylinders. However, I can tell you that at WOT in Weather mode, my car accelerates about as fast as a Civic. I have a 7M. Whether or not you have half the cylinders or all the cylinders available, the modes affect throttle response so the difference between modes can be dramatic.
Feel free to try it yourself. Go on an empty flat road, kick it into Track mode, and punch it. You'll take off like a rocketship. Put it in Weather mode and try the same, and you'll think you're driving a different car.
At least that's been my experience.
35 roll in "weather mode" -- soft downshift, slow throttle response.
35 roll in "ECO mode" -- soft downshift, a little better throttle response.
35 roll in "Tour mode" -- nice downshift, good throttle response.
35 roll in "Sport mode" -- hard downshift, excellent throttle response.
35 roll in "Track mode" -- harsh downshift (squawked tires) excellent throttle response. (in all the above I SLAMMED the throttle down)
I'm sure you guys with Z-51 gearing and MRC with all the additional performance modes may see (feel) something different.
My conclusion for what it's worth with the A8 base other than the "weather mode", the only seat of the pants difference I found was the transmission downshift response time and maybe because of that, the throttle response felt slower.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 13,733
Likes: 66
From: Hurst, TX USA
From the chart it looks like Eco doesn't change the throttle progression, but seat of the pants feel (and the 10 mph less at the same spot - I've driven WOT on that ramp 100s of times) seems to be real.
And yes I have an base car with A6, which uses 4 cylinder mode a lot. But it should switch to 8 cylinder with any acceleration. It felt like it didn't do that this time.
Oh well, just an observation...
And yes I have an base car with A6, which uses 4 cylinder mode a lot. But it should switch to 8 cylinder with any acceleration. It felt like it didn't do that this time.
Oh well, just an observation...
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 60
Likes: 22
From: Markham Ont
Use ECO in my M7, don't feel the response to be lagging when pressing the gas in v4 mode, at least don't notice it. Although did find sometimes a tiny bit of hesitation when switching to v4.
For just cruising along ECO is the mode to be, the gas savings I very much notice.
For just cruising along ECO is the mode to be, the gas savings I very much notice.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,674
Likes: 142
From: Aubrey Texas
It doesnt. I have always drove in ECO mode and never had a problem. So not sure what he could be talking about unless he has some very bad gas.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 113
From: Bellevue WA
Must be an auto?? I don't think that the eco mode stays in effect if you give it much gas.
From the manual:
"When less power is required, such
as cruising at a constant vehicle
speed, the system will operate in
the half cylinder mode, allowing the
vehicle to achieve better fuel
economy. When greater power
demands are required, such as
accelerating from a stop, passing,
or merging onto a freeway, the
system will maintain full-cylinder
operation."
Full power is available at all times.
From the manual:
"When less power is required, such
as cruising at a constant vehicle
speed, the system will operate in
the half cylinder mode, allowing the
vehicle to achieve better fuel
economy. When greater power
demands are required, such as
accelerating from a stop, passing,
or merging onto a freeway, the
system will maintain full-cylinder
operation."
Full power is available at all times.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 10,548
Likes: 176
From: Upstate NY
I use ECO occasionally in my M7 car. The engine will stay in V4 mode only while it has low demand. Reach an incline, increase throttle and it instantly reverts to V8. Pretty much as designed I'd say.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 212
From: FL
Wife's Durango with a Hemi and cylinder deactivation seems to has a slight delay when applying throttle and the Corvette A8 has a smaller one to me. Could be throttle body verses direct injection and almost 2000 lb weight difference. All in all great when the cruise is on as that is the only time I use ECO mode.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,913
Likes: 395
From: Cary NC
In my M7 I don't think there is any throttle difference between Eco and Tour.