[parkern]

After buying my car, for the first little while I just wanted to enjoy the car, so I didn't ever try Eco mode. I got the V6 and wanted to take advantage of it's power. I didn't even know what the Eco button did, but I figured it probably made the throttle less responsive, and would make the car accelerate slower, so I didn't want to use it. I've had the car a few months now and recently started wondering about Eco mode.

So the next time I filled up, I used Eco mode to see how it would affect my gas mileage that tank. I went from averaging 23-24 mpg to 34 mpg on that tank (and my car actually understated the MPG, by my own calculations I actually got almost 35). So then I thought, well maybe I'm driving differently and that's affecting my gas mileage. So the next tank I kept Eco mode on, and purposely drove harder than I normally do. I got 29 mpg that tank. So then I decided to go back to having Eco mode off, just to verify the results I was getting, and after about 50 miles I'm back to getting 23-24 mpg. So I'll be turning it back on and leaving it on, except for the few times I want to have some fun.

By the way, I literally have the exact same commute every day of the week. If we are going out of town or anything, we go in my wife's car. My car gets me to the gym, to work, and back home, that's it. So the only variable that changed in my tests was the Eco mode being on or off.

 

[acutee]

That is a big difference on the V6. Thank you for sharing.

 

[Redryan98]

interesting, however thats contrary to a lot of other people who recorded their mpg differences between both modes. I highly doubt there's a 5-10 mpg difference and wonder if there are other variables.

I just picked up a '14 V6 mine and wanted to see if I had much of a difference between the two, but really can't stand how lazy the throttle pedal is in eco. Eventually I'll play around with it more.

 

[str8t six]

thats better than what my I4 gets mostly lol

 

[TH23]

I never noticed a difference like that on my V6. If anything, ECON gave me worse mileage because I was always mashing the gas just to get the car to move.

Using KTuner, I've changed ECON's throttle mapping to be more like normal Drive*. I mainly use it when I'm running the A/C to help minimize the mileage penalty. I usually see a 1-2 MPG improvement in my commute with ECON on when using the A/C. The A/C isn't as effective in ECON, but it's still better than not running it at all.

*For those who don't know, ECON uses throttle mapping that diminishes throttle response as vehicle speed increases. Meaning that, as you accelerate, with your right foot steady on the throttle, the computer is gradually decreasing the throttle opening as vehicle speed increases. For example, you might give it a steady 25% throttle from a stop to get up to speed, but by the time you reach your desired speed, the computer has dialed your 25% throttle opening back to 12.5%. So it basically helps you accelerate in a more gradual, fuel-efficient manner. At least, in theory.

It doesn't help me at all because I already drive that way. So when I turn on ECON (the factory version of it, anyway), I end up ticking off the cars behind me because I'm feathering the throttle out of habit while the computer is doing the same. So I end up having to step on it again just to get back up to and maintain cruising speed. It's very aggravating. I suppose more ham-fisted drivers would see a greater benefit...

 

[MikeNC]

On my ~16.5 mile (one way) daily work commute, I can average 29mpg without ECON mode, and with ECON on, I only gain 1 to 1.5 mpg better (V6-6AT). Not worth the PITA driving performance and enjoyability hit to my mind, so I leave ECON off.

 

[0REDSOX7]

I guess I am one of the few who always drive with ECON on and really see no adverse performance. Car accelerates nicely and no issues with not keeping up with traffic.

 

[Zx12-iowa]

So you got a 70% increase from pressing a button? Riiiiggghhhhhttttt. Lol

 

[Black on Black]

Yea... mine dose not do that

 

[Personatech]

Thanks for this very useful information! It's almost time to replace my '08 EX-L I4 (which, I might add, "only" gets 26.5 MPG on average) and I was thinking it would be the Hybrid, but if the V6 gets better mileage than my 4-banger - well, I have a little ammo to make the argument for the V6.

While there are many who claim that ECO sucks the fun out of the car, I think it's all a matter of perspective: V6 no ECO > V6 ECO > Hybrid > I4. I'd be happy employing the same strategy you mentioned: rely on ECO most of the time; turn it off when I want to have some fun.

BTW, is yours an EX-L or Touring? Sedan or coupe?

 

[Trixster22]

I've never bothered with the ECO button for many of the reasons stated above.

Your results are very compelling. I'll have to give ECO a shot under the same variables and see what I get.

 

[RickF]

I guess I am one of the few who always drive with ECON on and really see no adverse performance. Car accelerates nicely and no issues with not keeping up with traffic.

I also use ECON most of the time. It still accelerates nicely when needed, but for routine driving it just keeps the RPMs lower or sooner shifting. Note: this is with CVT. I average 29 - 32 mpg for combination driving.

 

[Flyboy]

The milage computer in my car is consistently 0.8 miles per gallon optimistic compared to calculating actual gasoline pumped verses miles driven. Econ mode on or off only makes about 0.3 miles per gallon increase.

I have been keeping my milaige here since my car was new.

2013 Red Coupe (Honda Accord) | Fuelly

 

[LUVMY6-MT]

I have used the ECON mode for a week on my 14 6mt sport. It does improve my gas mileage but...... it really makes the car jittery since it is a stick. I asked my wife to drive it and tell me what she thinks between ECON on and off. I decided not to tell her why I wanted her to try it because I kind of wanted an unbiased opinion. She was in agreement that driving with the ECON on "Sucked donkey....." her exact words. IN cruise control on the hwy its not noticeable and is pretty nice on the gas mileage. But driving around town... not so much.

 

[Das Chicken]

My guess as to OP's mileage improvement due to ECO, if he really is doing the same commute every time is that OP is the kind of person who wildly changes their throttle position every 3 seconds. If that is the case, then maybe ECO mode is smoothing it out.

 

[cristphoto]

So you got a 70% increase from pressing a button? Riiiiggghhhhhttttt. Lol

24mpg to 34mpg is a bit under 50% my rough math, but I agree with you that 10mpg is a bit of a stretch. When I tried the Econ button on my car just the driving response made it uncomfortable. Perhaps I'll try it on a trip when I have cruise control on. I understand it affects the AC too.

 

[Xinroth]

I don't gain any MPG on my V6 with the Eco Button. On some occasions, my MPG is LESS with it.

driving on a hilly highway absolutely wrecks my MPG with the Eco button because it's extremely sluggish and slows down when climbing. The car picks up much slower, thus speed is low, so by the calculation of MPG = Gas used/distance travelled, mpg is less.

Whether I'm crazy or not, the extra 1-2 MPG from the ECO button is definitely not worth making the car heavier than a 2001 Lexus ES350 that is towing 2 boats and a fighterjet

 

[200366HFP]

The car picks up much slower, thus speed is low, so by the calculation of MPG = Gas used/distance travelled, mpg is less.

Huh? Your math is wrong, as well as your logic.

MPG = Miles/Gallons

Less "pick up" and lower speeds will generally yield BETTER MPG.

 

[GreenandGold831]

The milage computer in my car is consistently 0.8 miles per gallon optimistic compared to calculating actual gasoline pumped verses miles driven. Econ mode on or off only makes about 0.3 miles per gallon increase.

I have been keeping my milaige here since my car was new.

2013 Red Coupe (Honda Accord) | Fuelly

.8 MPG optimistic has been my experience as well with my 16 CVT Sport.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[sandevino]

ECO mode and I don't like each other. :devil