What exactly does ECO mode do and does anybody here actually use this mode? Thoughts appreciated.

 

I have used it most of the time in my previous Camry and Avalon and now in the ES350. I have not bothered to research exactly what it does, but the bottom line is that it supposedly results in better gas milage. The cars drive fine in that setting and I only push the pedal down hard on Interstate on-ramps and passing on two-lane highways. I am pretty sure the shift points are controlled and there may be some tricks with the injectors and timing.

 

I have a 2024 ES300h and use Eco mode 90% of the time. I use Sport mode only when I want to accelerate rapidly or am in heavy traffic at highway speeds. Eco will give you great fuel economy, which is why we bought the car. Our last three long trips averaged 46.9, 45.8 and 46.1 mpg. Love not filling up with premium like with our 2007 GS350.

When we purchased the car, the Technologist who was going over the car with us said "Leave it on Eco". Good advice for us.

 

A very soft map for the throttle control. It will help to save a little bit of fuel.

 

Eco Mode reduces the power output & throttle response preventing a rapid acceleration which will consume more fuel. Its the only mode that enables AGC (Auto Glide Control) which reduce the deceleration force of regenerative braking allowing the vehicle to coast more freely enhancing fuel economy.

In my experience the difference between Normal and Eco is between 1-4mpg depending driving style and city/highway. But the difference in power output and throttle response between Eco and Normal in city driving is very noticeable IMHO.

After 1yr of ownership I have come to prefer Normal (and occasionally Sport) for city driving and Eco for highway cruising. I still get 44-48mpg constantly.

 

I would suggest looking at your manual for full picture of what it does. For my 2020 this is what it says: Eco drive mode
Helps the driver accelerate in an ecofriendly
manner and improve fuel economy
through moderate throttle characteristics
and by controlling the operation of the air
conditioning system (heating/cooling. There are also other areas like AGC which I really like.

 

Do you own a hybrid?

 

Yeap. 23' 300H Luxury

 

I wouldn't bother with ECO. It's cute for all of 10 minutes then you realize it just gets in your way. Power is annoyingly sensitive for what's supposed to be an ES experience. I found that normal was perfect. The MPG is good such that the juice (mpg savings) of ECO mode isn't worth the squeeze.

 

It will make your car feel like a 20 year old Prius.

 

SPORT! Cmon Elon - you know NORMAL is not enough throttle response

 

Sorry I meant SPORT is annoyingly sensitive. normal is just right. ECO is too slow.

but i'm used to my new sport mode now which is a very different thing.

 

LOL. As a former 2004 Prius owner, I can say it is NOTHING like a 20 year old Prius. But yes, it does bring the acceleration down some. You do get used to it and full power is still available with a hard press on the accelerator, it just isn’t as instant as it is with Sport mode. I like Normal best, but my accountant wife prefers Eco. We leave it in Eco

 

Have not driven the gas only in eco but with the electric motor in hybrid it is very responsive in eco mode. Switched to eco after 2 years in normal and never gone back. I can imagine the gas in eco being like my very powerfull V8 LS430 that is terrible about learning driving habits and have to reset by disconnecting battery. By the way thanks Elon for getting my stock back up.

 

I’ve got an F Sport and use ECO 99% of the time. It’s fast enough if you mash the accelerator and I have to pull out of my road onto a state highway that has a 55MPH speed limit every time I drive it.

I live in a hilly area and rarely get better than 27MPG.