ECO Mode bad for the vehicle?

[Ike582]

The reduction of AC performance in Eco has been discussed, even confirmed by some. Whether it actually does that or not (and to what degree), I'd need to see documentation from Toyota to determine.

Thanks, I saw the reference to that in the manual, but there's no info on the degree of performance loss. We are headed into Summer here so I'll leave it in full ECO mode for the moment to see if the AC performance seems less than I'm accustomed to in other vehicles.

 

[LCOceans]

When it gets hot outside, I think you will notice the inside temp/humidity level is a bit high regardless of A/C being on when in ECO. To me it was apparent but not overly so. This was last summer - I still left on ECO most of time but would turn the thermostat down or, if extremely hot outside would cycle to NORMAL drive mode.

 

[ptahkeem]

Drive modes only function is to electronically change throttle response and shifting behavior.

Think of it like; what is equivalent to pressing the throttle 20% on normal mode corresponds to 10% on eco and 30% on sport.

Turbo engagement is tied to engine load and demand. Eco mode makes it look like there is less turbo usage, since it electronically makes the drivers foot lighter.

taken straight from AI.

No, in a modern turbo engine, the activation of the turbocharger is not solely tied to engine load. While engine load is a primary factor, modern turbo systems also incorporate other factors like engine speed (RPM) and even potentially driver input or specific driving modes.


Here's a more detailed explanation:

• Engine Load:
  This is a key factor. As engine load increases (meaning the engine is working harder, like during acceleration or climbing a hill), more exhaust gas is produced. This increased exhaust flow spins the turbine faster, which in turn spins the compressor and increases boost pressure.
  
  
• Engine Speed (RPM):
  Even at low engine loads, the turbocharger can become active at higher RPMs. As the engine spins faster, the exhaust flow increases, and the turbocharger can spool up and provide boost even at lower load levels.
  
  
• Other factors:
  Some modern systems use variable geometry turbochargers (VNTs) or electronic controls. VNTs use adjustable vanes to optimize exhaust flow, enhancing low-end torque and responsiveness across different RPMs and loads. Electronic controls allow for more precise management of boost, potentially taking into account driver input and different driving modes.
  
  
• Boost Threshold:
  A turbocharger needs a certain amount of exhaust flow to start building boost. This is known as the boost threshold. It's influenced by engine load and RPM, but can also be affected by the design of the turbocharger itself.
  
  
• Actuator:
  A turbo actuator regulates the wastegate, which controls the flow of exhaust gases around the turbine wheel. The actuator can be controlled by vacuum or electronic signals, further influencing when the turbocharger is activated.
  

In essence, while engine load is a primary driver for turbocharger activity, modern systems are designed to be more dynamic and responsive, using a combination of factors to optimize performance and efficiency.

 

[EOD Guy]

All turbos are driven by the exhaust, period! The amount of boost is governed by waste gates or blow off valves, depending on the design of the vehicle’s system.

 

[jayce]

I have driven in ECO mode exclusively for almost a year. My original change was to reduce throttle sensitivity, which I found to be an annoyance in NORMAL and SPORT modes. Excessive throttle sensitivity can disturb the balance of the car, especially when cornering. ECO mode does a good job of reducing this problem.

ECO mode causes the car to shut down the engine frequently when there is minimal demand, such as when traveling on a downhill section of road. There is little question that this feature increases the number of start/stop cycles substantially. Nonetheless, when full power is demanded the response of the hybrid system is immediate and impressive. The LC rockets up a steep, rough gravel road that I travel frequently to access our weekend cabin.

With respect to AC, it has worked ok for us. It has only been necessary to increase the fan speed or lower the temperature setting. Nothing seems unusual about this to me.

 

[Pavman2473]

I've been driving around in ECO mode during my first month of ownership just to see what kind of mileage I'm getting. Interestingly, yesterday I was in bumper to bumper highway traffic and registered 26mpg for the trip. I could tell that the electric battery was generating my power way more than in my normal driving.

For those who are driving in ECO, do you notice a significant reduction in air conditioning performance? If so, I'm absolutely going to turn off the ECO AC setting.

Eco mode does reduce the efficiency of the AC to help “save” gas.

 

[Bad1975]

Eco mode does reduce the efficiency of the AC to help “save” gas.

Eco A/C can be switched off in the infotainment and disabled completely with GTS+ and possibly with Carista.

 

[cccbryan]

As a new owner of a LC this thread answered a lot of questions for me. I like the throttle response in ECO mode because it is similar to my previous vehicle, Honda Ridgeline truck. Based on what I have read above, it seems like ECO mode is safe to use all the time but the jury is still out on whether or not it actually improves mpg. I'll keep experimenting with my new LC and see what the differences are.