Drive mode ECO

Driving mode ECO mode optimises the car's driving characteristics for more fuel efficient and environmentally-conscious driving.

Use this drive mode to save fuel and the environment.

The following properties are adapted for Eco driving:

  • Gearbox gearshift points.
  • Engine management and response from the accelerator pedal.
  • The Eco Coast freewheel function is activated and engine braking is deactivated when the accelerator pedal is released at speeds between 65 and 140 km/h (40 and 87 mph).
  • Some of the climate control system's settings work at reduced power or are deactivated.
  • The level control function* provides a low ground clearance in order to reduce wind resistance.
  • The driver display shows information in an ECO gauge which facilitates environmentally-conscious and fuel-efficient driving.

Selecting ECO mode

The Eco mode is deactivated when the engine is switched off, and it must therefore be activated after each time the engine is started. The driver display shows ECO when the function is activated.

With drive mode control*

P5-1507-drive mode scroll wheel
Press the drive mode control DRIVE MODE.
A pop-up menu is opened in the centre display.
Roll the wheel upward or downward until the desired drive mode is highlighted.
Press the drive mode control or tap directly on the touch screen to confirm the selection.

In the centre display's function view

P5-1507-icon ECO drive mode

A car without drive mode control has a function button for Driving mode ECO in the centre display's function view.

Press the button in order to activate the function.
An indicator in the button illuminates when the function is activated.

Freewheel function Eco Coast

The freewheel function Eco Coast means in practice that engine braking ceases, meaning in turn that the car's kinetic energy is used to freewheel for longer distances. When the driver releases the accelerator pedal the gearbox is automatically disengaged from the engine whose speed is reduced to idling speed with reduced consumption.

The function is best used where it is possible to freewheel a long way, e.g. roads with a slight downhill gradient or when there is a predictable speed reduction to freewheel into a zone with a lower speed limit.

Activating the freewheel function

The function is activated when the accelerator pedal is fully released, in combination with the following parameters:

  • Drive mode Eco is activated.
  • The gear selector is in D position.
  • Speed within the range of approx. 65-140 km/h (40-87 mph).
  • The road's downhill gradient is not steeper than approx. 6%.

The driver display shows COASTING when the freewheel function is being used.

Limitations

The freewheel function is not available if:

  • Engine and/or gearbox are not at normal operating temperature.
  • The cruise control is activated.
  • The gear selector is moved from the D position and the manual position.
  • The speed is outside the range of approx. 65-140 km/h (40-87 mph).
  • The road's downhill gradient is steeper than approx. 6%.
  • Manual gear changing is performed with the steering wheel paddles*.

Deactivating and switching off the freewheel function

In certain situations it may be desirable to deactivate or switch off the function in order to use engine braking. Examples of such situations may be on steep downhill gradients or before an imminent overtaking manoeuvre - in order to be able to do it in the safest way possible.

Deactivate the freewheel function as follows:

  • Actuate the accelerator or brake pedal.
  • Move the gear selector to manual position.
  • Changing gear with steering wheel paddles*.

Switch off the freewheel function as follows:

  • Change drive mode*, or switch off the Driving mode ECO in the function view.

Even without the freewheel function, it is possible to freewheel for short distances. This, in turn, reduces consumption. However, for the best fuel economy it is better to have the freewheel function activated and be able to freewheel for longer distances.

ECO gauge in the driver display

The ECO gauge indicates how fuel-efficient the driving is:

  • With fuel-efficient driving, the gauge shows a low value with the pointer in the green zone.
  • With non-fuel-efficient driving, e.g. during heavy braking or heavy acceleration, the gauge shows a high value.

The ECO gauge also has an indicator to show how a reference driver would drive the car under the same driving conditions. This is indicated with the short pointer on the gauge.

P5-1546-XC90- Eco guide in driver display 12 inch
Eco gauge in the 12-inch driver display.
P5-1546-XC90-Eco guide in 8 inch driver display
Eco gauge in the 8-inch driver display.

ECO climate control

In the Eco drive mode, ECO climate control is activated automatically in the passenger compartment in order to reduce energy consumption.

 Note

When the ECO function is activated, several parameters in the climate control system's settings are changed, and several electricity consumer functions are reduced. Certain settings can be reset manually, but full functionality is only regained by switching off the ECO function or adapting Individual* drive mode with full climate functionality.

In the event of difficulties due to misting, press the button for max. defroster which has normal functionality.

  1. * Option/accessory.