# The ECO mode (automobile related) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 9, 2018, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-eco-mode-automobile-related/821056 "2018-09-09T19:00:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mumberthax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea5d25/32.png) [@Mumberthax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mumberthax)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2018, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-eco-mode-automobile-related/821056/1 "2018-09-09T19:00:40Z")
I have a 2017 Toyota Camry LE. Whenever I drive to and from work, I get the car up to 50MPH and set cruise control. When I do this, the ECO light comes on. Is this a Good Thing or a Bad Thing? ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2018, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-eco-mode-automobile-related/821056/2 "2018-09-09T19:23:23Z")
> [@Mumberthax](#): > > I have a 2017 Toyota Camry LE. Whenever I drive to and from work, I get the car up to 50MPH and set cruise control. When I do this, the ECO light comes on. Is this a Good Thing or a Bad Thing? Don’t know about Toyota. But when my Honda ECO light comes on it means the engine is running in economy mode. Not sure all what it does but I believe it changes the timing, switches from running on 6 cylinders to as few as 3, and a few other ecconmic fuel changes. So it is a good thing. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2018, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-eco-mode-automobile-related/821056/3 "2018-09-09T19:58:07Z")
It’s a good thing. Means you are saving gas. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2018, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-eco-mode-automobile-related/821056/4 "2018-09-09T21:37:33Z")
All my ECO mode does is change the gear shift from a higher RPM point to a lower one. It saves gas, but slows acceleration. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2018, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-eco-mode-automobile-related/821056/5 "2018-09-09T22:17:01Z")
What they said – upon setting the cruise control to just maintain constant speed on level ground, the engine computer will automatically engage the most fuel-efficient operating profile, whichever it is for your particular drivetrain. Looked up a Toyota dealer site and it indicates: > [@](#): > > ECO Mode will adjust throttle input, control transmission shift points and monitor climate control systems to maximize fuel-economy ratings. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-eco-mode-automobile-related/821056/6 "2018-09-10T03:46:22Z")
Toyota likes it when you use cruise control and ECO mode means you are driving as fuel efficiently as possible for the speed you are traveling. Regular gas is $4.25 per US gallon in Japan. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-eco-mode-automobile-related/821056/7 "2018-09-10T12:27:00Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > All my ECO mode does is change the gear shift from a higher RPM point to a lower one. It saves gas, but slows acceleration. This is the biggest thing. For a given engine power output, an engine can produce that power with either low torque X high RPM, or with high torque X low RPM. the latter condition tends to be more efficient, so when you settle into a steady cruise speed, the car’s computer picks the highest gear it’s allowed to under the circumstances, dialing the RPM way down and increasing the torque. You’ll get best fuel economy this way, but the price you pay is crummy acceleration, at least until you put your foot down far enough to demand a downshift. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-eco-mode-automobile-related/821056/8 "2018-09-10T16:17:01Z")
In our KIA, the ECO light doesn’t actually do anything, it just indicates you are getting good mileage. If you slowly press the gas it goes off at some point. Dennis ---
**Author:** ![mundylion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundylion/32/3604_2.png) [@mundylion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mundylion)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-eco-mode-automobile-related/821056/9 "2018-09-10T16:34:34Z")
My Hyundai is exactly the same. Doesn’t do anything. ---
**Author:** ![Mumberthax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea5d25/32.png) [@Mumberthax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mumberthax)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-eco-mode-automobile-related/821056/10 "2018-09-10T16:51:18Z")
So, I guess the ECO light means I get to put a little gold star by my name for the day. ;o) Thanks for your responses; I appreciate them. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2018, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-eco-mode-automobile-related/821056/11 "2018-09-10T20:47:43Z")
It’s on page 79 of your owner’s manual. There is also a way to turn it off in the settings.