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The Drive Mode ECO setting controls a couple of functions that the driver cannot.
We can drive with a light and conservative throttle application but we can't control
the way the Cruise Control uses the throttle. Drive Mode ECO can. When using the
cruise on hilly terrain in Drive Mode Normal or Sport the system will down shift and
punch up the throttle to maintain your set speed as closely as possible. When in the
ECO mode it will "breathe" the throttle and your speed will diminish until you are back
on level roads.
The other major benefit of the Drive Mode ECO is its effect on the A/C. While you can
safe energy and money with your home HVAC by turning the thermometer up to a higher
temp in the summer, automobile HVAC doesn't work that way. Our cars blend warm air
with the chilled air to provide the temp you dialed in. The A/C compressor is still running
at any temp above ambient. The Drive Mode ECO actually ramps down the compressor
and the fans to save energy and money. Not the best setting on short shopping trips with
lots of hot packages and steaming coffee cups jumping in and out.
All of this to say the most effective use of ECO is when cruising with the A/C on. When used
while commuting and trying to maintain vehicle spacing in heavy traffic you are going to just
press the throttle harder against a less responsive pedal and use as much (or more) fuel than ever!
Excellent informative and cogent explanation. Thank you for the time and effort in sharing your knowledge. I’ll take advantage of it.
That is what my display is showing. I have no way of actually verifying that number unless I fill the tank, drive the same route and then refilled the tank.
The number was going up and down on the trip and 70 was the final number.
I have the real time mileage bar activated on left side of dash. The indicator slides to reflect my mpg. Fine. Now there’s also a tiny white dash mark that never moves. It would be at about 34 mpg. Is that a marker for average mileage since reset? That sounds plausible, as we just returned from a highway driven trip.
Worse in Eco mode!? Oh my, I never checked it—-just assumed Lexus was telling the truth. Eco is my normal setting. If it’s no difference, ai’ll go back to normal. Not a sport setting guy anymore…
When I mentioned to my service advisor my disappointment with city mpg he suggested not driving in ECO mode. So I tried switching between normal and sport and it did in fact improve, but not significantly. All city mpg is still poor.
not an expert but I believe the differences is really based on throttle response, suspension, etc. least, I've noticed I need to press more for Eco to move the few feet before my next brake in NYC local. noticed the mpg meter jumps up 20+ mpg faster and stays there more consistently on normal. though, driving on mpg increase is pretty comparable for sport and normal on highway
not an expert but I believe the differences is really based on throttle response, suspension, etc. least, I've noticed I need to press more for Eco to move the few feet before my next brake in NYC local. noticed the mpg meter jumps up 20+ mpg faster and stays there more consistently on normal. though, driving on mpg increase is pretty comparable for sport and normal on highway
I don't think the mode matters once you're highway cruising.
11-29-22 | 03:35 PM
