When this mode is activated, the following characteristics are modified:
- The automatic transmission's shifting points
- The engine management system and accelerator pedal response
- Eco Coast functionality is activated: engine braking is disabled at speeds between approx. 40 and 87 mph(65 and 140 km/h)
- Climate system settings: certain functions will be temporarily reduced or deactivated
- Information is shown in an ECO gauge in the instrument panel to help promote more economical driving
Note
When Eco is activated, several climate system parameters are changed and the function of certain current-consuming systems will be reduced.
Some of these functions can be restarted manually but full functionality will not be restored until Eco is deactivated.
Selecting ECO mode
When the engine is switched off, ECO mode is deactivated and must be reactivated each time the engine is started. ECO will appear in the instrument panel when the function is activated.
Via Function view
Tap the button in the center display's Function view. An indicator light in the button shows that the function is activated.
With the drive mode control*
Eco Coast
Eco Coast essentially deactivates engine braking, allowing the vehicle to roll freely.
When the driver releases the accelerator pedal, the transmission is automatically disengaged from the engine to allow the vehicle to roll as far as possible, which helps reduce fuel consumption.
This feature is primarily intended to be used in driving situations where the vehicle can roll freely, such as down gentle hills or when a decrease in speed is expected, such as when approaching an intersection or a traffic light.
Eco Coast enables proactive driving with as little braking as possible.
Depending on the driving situation, Eco and Eco Coast can be used in different ways to help reduce fuel consumption:
- With Eco activated: this enables Eco Coast, which allows the vehicle to roll freely for as far as possible when the driver releases the accelerator pedal (e.g., when approaching a traffic light or intersection).
or
- With Eco deactivated: engine braking can be used when the vehicle will only roll for a short distance (in heavy traffic, etc.) or when driving down hills.
To help keep fuel consumption as low as possible, Eco Coast should not be used in traffic situations where the brakes have to be used frequently.
Activating Eco Coast
Eco Coast is activated when the accelerator pedal is released completely if:
- Eco is activated
- The gear selector is in D
- The vehicle's speed is between approximately 40 and 87 mph(65 and 140 km/h) Always observe posted speed limits
- The gradient of a down-slope is less than approximately 6%
COASTING will appear in the instrument panel when Eco Coast is being used.
Limitations
Eco Coast is not available if:
- The engine and/or transmission have not reached their normal operating temperature
- Cruise control is activated
- The gear selector is moved from D to "+/-" for manual shifting
- The vehicle's speed is not within the 40 and 87 mph(65 and 140 km/h) range
- The gradient of a down-slope is more than approximately 6%
- The steering wheel paddles* are used for manual shifting
Deactivating and turning off Eco Coast
In certain situations, it may be advisable to switch off the Eco Coast function, such as:
- When driving down steep hills, in order to utilize engine braking
- Prior to passing another vehicle, in order to do so as safely as possible
Deactivating Eco Coast (and reactivating engine braking) can be done in the following ways:
- Move the gear selector to the manual "+/–" position
- Change gears using the steering wheel paddles*
- Press the brake or accelerator pedal
Turn the function off by changing drive modes* or by turning ECO off in the center display's Function view.
The vehicle will roll for short distances even if Eco Coast is turned off to help conserve fuel. However, for the best fuel economy, the function should be used as much as possible.
ECO gauge in the instrument panel
The ECO gauge in the instrument panel helps improve driving economy.
- A low reading in the green area indicates economical driving.
- A higher reading indicates higher fuel consumption.
The ECO gauge also has an indicator showing how a "reference" driver would drive in the same situation. This is indicated by a diamond in the gauge.
Eco climate
In the Eco drive mode, eco climate is automatically activated in the passenger compartment to help minimize energy consumption.
To restart the climate system functions that may have been reduced, press the AUTO or defroster buttons.
In order to return to full functionality for all of the systems that may have been reduced to help improve economical driving, select another drive mode or adapt the climate system functions using the Individual mode to full functionality.