Radio88

Yesterday I drove all day in ECO mode for the first time in my 4RX. I never gave ECO a good shot till now. My own personal experience, pertaining to the whole upshift-too-soon/drone/gear hunting thing, is that it seems the transmission is mapped a LOT better for mild acceleration and slight uphills stuff around town than drive mode. So in my own experiences with mine, ECO mode is even better than S-mode or sport because you can leave the shifter alone but get smoother plus economical upshifts. All your power is still there when you need it in ECO-when you get into the throttle, it's the around-town throttle stuff that I believe ECO is most effective within. I just wanted to share this with others and suggest you try ECO yourself to see if you have the same experience. It still wants to upshift sooner but it's not as "boggy" as in drive. I want to say that the lockout converter doesn't happen in ECO is why. Better for the motor not to lug it IMHO.

AL13NV8D3R

Maby the engineers at Lexus got it backwards when programing the eco and normal modes and accidently switch the two mode with each other. Thats why eco feels like normal and normal feels like eco?

We might me on to something here.....

s4iscool

Does the hybrid manual say to not use Eco in the city like the 350? If so, your post makes things really confusing.

skiracer

The A/C output is also reduced in ECO mode...

Radio88

Alieninvader-that's a good one! It sure seems that way doesn't it? It's ironic to me that this thing acts up when you are trying to be frugal in your acceleratings, but then it straightens right out when you're into the throttle. Boggling. I don't like the idea that this trans boggs the motor so much just to achieve Lexus' claims of mileage. I will not allow it.

RGSW

It's going to be over 100F for ten days here, don't like the idea of the Eco Mode diminishing the A/C output

aznkorboi

I tried eco mode. I didn't like it. The acceleration wasn't there when I needed it unless I really punched it. It does seem good for people who don't like the jerky movements since it keeps it at low RPMS

sirtiger

how do you know this? Reduce a lot?

Radio88

It's in the manual. Pgs. 369, 371, and on 372 it states: "ECO mode controls the heating/cooling ops and fan speed of the AC system to enhance fuel efficiency."
I used auto-AC during my full day use of ECO and saw no difference in temp. But it also wasn't hot out. Maybe you guys in the hell-hot areas need to stay out of ECO.

skiracer

Just put your hand over the vent before and after you push the ECO button...

Macs4RX

Thanks for the tip. I haven't tried ECO mode yet but I'll give it a try. I'm still using S-mode (manual shifting) almost exclusively with occasional use of Sport mode. Normal mode just doesn't work for me because of the "whole upshift-too-soon/drone/gear hunting thing".

AL13NV8D3R

For your information Eco mode does decrease A/C output but you can change the settings with Lexus Personalized settings so that when in eco mode A/C is not affected. Carista app is the easiest way to change that setting.

Radio88

You are welcome and I hope you add in here your experience with it.
I was again all day in ECO mode and I have to say, that the AC was blowing icy cold in auto mode. But again, not hot out. I have my temp set at 67* and that air comes out cold! I am sure that on a 90* day though, I would definitely see the difference.

Radio88

Try it in ECO for a little bit in that heat and tell us how your AC did compared to normal.

skiracer

WHen iu was in ECO mode in SoCal heat, i personally was fine with the thermostat set at 70 degrees, but my rear passengers said they felt warm. Yes i had the rear vents on....