[kton]

Hey

i'd just like to ask: what's the point of eco mode when driving? I usually switch it off cuz the light is annoying, but today i switched it on and found no difference except for a "jolt" of acceleration when i pressed the gas as opposed to smooth acceleration from a standstill. Can anyone tell me if it does anything useful? i mean when i set cruise control i assume im driving the most economica

 

[JohnLH]

Hey kton -

:00000732: to the board!


From the manual:

QUOTE

The ECO indicator light helps that you to
drive economically.
It is displayed if you drive fuel efficiently
to help you improve fuel efficiency.
• The ECO indicator (green) will turn on
when you are driving fuel efficiently in
the ECO ON mode.
If you don't want the indicator dis-
played, you can turn the ECO ON
mode to OFF mode by pressing the
TRIP button.
As per ECO ON/OFF Mode operation,
refer to the previous page. (if equipped)
• The fuel-efficiency can be changed by
the driver's driving habits and road
conditions.
• The ECO indicator does not funtion in
P (Park), and N (Neutral), R (Reverse).
• When the instant fuel consumption
mode is displayed on the LCD screen,
the ECO indicator turns off (if
equipped).

the way I'm reading it, it is only an "indicator" and does not affect the operation of the vehicle.

 

[kton]

Alright, thanks for the reply!

 

[jdugan4859]

It is just to let you know when you are driving "correct"

 

[riccrouch]

There are actually two versions of this, apparently. The early 2011s merely let you turn the indicator on and off via the odometer menu. The later ones (built in the last month or so) allow you to turn "ECO mode" on or off. When on, the light is on ALL the time, not just when you are driving "economically." Apparently it makes some different decision with regards to to gearing, when to shift, and so on to same some gas. The numbers I've seen indicate that fuel economy goes up about 7% with it turned on. Honestly, I haven't tried turning it off, so I don't know how different it drives that way. I've heard that the shifts are a bit more abrupt and you have a bit more power, but that's completely anecdotal--no evidence to back that up.

 

[arruda89]

QUOTE (Ric Crouch @ Oct 9 2010, 02:13 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=362239

There are actually two versions of this, apparently. The early 2011s merely let you turn the indicator on and off via the odometer menu. The later ones (built in the last month or so) allow you to turn "ECO mode" on or off. When on, the light is on ALL the time, not just when you are driving "economically." Apparently it makes some different decision with regards to to gearing, when to shift, and so on to same some gas. The numbers I've seen indicate that fuel economy goes up about 7% with it turned on. Honestly, I haven't tried turning it off, so I don't know how different it drives that way. I've heard that the shifts are a bit more abrupt and you have a bit more power, but that's completely anecdotal--no evidence to back that up.

Hmmm wonder if that's true. I have it turned off for the simple reason of the light being annoying. But tempted to turn it on just to observe. Lol

 

[ToddC]

There isn't much detail in the owner's manual, but here is what it does say: (page 5-35 in my manual) - "Active ECO helps improve fuel efficiency by controlling the engine, transaxle and air conditioner." Thus, it sounds like it does do some controlling of the powertrain in order to get better fuel mileage. I haven't actually driven mine with it turned on yet -- was thinking I may try to drive with it on the next tank of gas and see if there is any noticeable difference in mpg.

 

[Flying Fossil]

Well, If I were a Hyundai employee working on cost reduction, the useless ECO gimmick would be the first thing to go.
If you don't know how to drive efficiently without a light on the dash, take the bus.

 

[jbishop.rwc]

On other cars, and I believe on this one also, the ECO indicator means you are running on fewer cylinders, in this case 2 instead of 4. This is purely a fuel saving feature. The engine will switch between 2 and 4 cylinders without you noticing.

 

[kton]

QUOTE (jbishop.rwc @ Oct 10 2010, 10:55 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=362528

On other cars, and I believe on this one also, the ECO indicator means you are running on fewer cylinders, in this case 2 instead of 4. This is purely a fuel saving feature. The engine will switch between 2 and 4 cylinders without you noticing.

as much as i wish that was a feature on the sonata, i dont think it is. =/

 

[Hysteria]

I think it's flawed to be honest.

I mean I can't see how the ECO light can illuminate as an indication of driving correctly or in the most fuel efficient manner when one is traveling over 80+ mph on an interstate or freeways. I have notice this several times over the few weeks I've own this car when I'm taking my morning commute in to work. Seems to me the only time the ECO light doesn't illuminate is when there's hard acceleration but that's only briefly.

 

[Ayces]

Eco light is a buzzkill.

I wonder if it will even be offered in the turbo.

 

[11ltdsil]

The ECO light is just something for uber-environmentalists to ogle at.

It does nothing except annoy the driver.

I have it off but it still shines in my facing saying "ECO OFF."

 

[fear24]

QUOTE (11ltdsil @ Oct 11 2010, 07:45 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=362605

The ECO light is just something for uber-environmentalists to ogle at.

It does nothing except annoy the driver.

I have it off but it still shines in my facing saying "ECO OFF."

that has to be on your trip screen then...when i have mine turned off, no green word "eco". change your trip computer screen to something else, like time elapsed

 

[kevinmcd324]

You guys sure about that? I went from 16mpg city with the light off to 21mpg with the light on. It seems that the car has less power and the ac isnt as cool with it on also.

 

[ToddC]

QUOTE (11ltdsil @ Oct 11 2010, 08:45 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=362605

The ECO light is just something for uber-environmentalists to ogle at.

It does nothing except annoy the driver.

I have it off but it still shines in my facing saying "ECO OFF."

Not completely accurate. On the newer models with the "active Eco" function, it does actually do something - turning it on affects the engine, transmission, and a/c to provide better fuel economy. On the new models with the "active Eco" it is more than just a light.

 

[arruda89]

Like I said before I was going to turn on the light because I had it turned off since day 1 simply because it annoys me.

So turned it on because of this thread. Tranny somehow does shift a lot smoother than before, not saying it was harsh while the light was off but I can tell a little bit that it is smoother. And my Average MPG before the light was 20-21. With the light on 23.


Is it all in my mind because a light is on? I don't know but I am seeing a small difference.

 

[richard18]

My 1st posting on the site as a new Santa Fe 2.2 owner in Israel.
l drove the car for an extended run and tried the manual shift and was horrified to find my car only possessed 5 gears!
l am awaiting a handbook in English so had to call the dealer who advised l bring the car in for diagnosis after just 24 hours of ownership.
En route, l played with the Eco switch next to the gear stick and discovered that when Eco is engaged my missing 6th gear miraculously reappeared! The Eco light on the dash clearly operates in tandem with my driving style and road conditions although it's hard to see in bright sunlight.Feeling very foolish l rang to explain to the dealer and turned back home.
Absolutely delighted with the car so far having driven a Forester 2.0 turbo for the the last few years

 

[beef1218]

Has anyone that has the fake ECO contacted a dealer to see if they will switch it with the active ECO?

 

[xxsupergman25xx]

i have not contacted my dealer...but i drive the same exact way daily...for one tank i drove with the ECO off with the instant MPG on the screen always driving effectively. got just about 34mpg with my calcs - not computers
then i did a tank with it on...with instant MPG always driving effectively...29mpg with my calc..not computers.

i have a SE one built in august.
my eco def does something. like someone else said, i def notice a difference in power also notice the different gear shifting when starting from 0.