[Rockford622]

When I have ECO mode on, I get a slight vibration from the engine upon accelerating which I think is normal because 4 of the 8 cylinders are deactivated. Because of this, and because ECO really seems to neuter the HEMI's power, I usually turn it off. I have run a few tests (not very many, maybe others can chime in here) where I set the cruise control and make a note of the instant gas mileage. Then, I will toggle ECO mode (either turn it on or off, depending on what it's previous setting was) and my instant mileage will stay about the same. It might fluctuate 1 or 2 MPG, but nothing significant.

Shouldn't activating or deactivating 4 cylinders have much more of an impact on the mileage than that? It really seems like ECO mode is quite useless.

 

[ausgeflippt951]

Cylinder deactivation will only really occur under very specific conditions, namely:

- The engine is warm
- The computer thinks you will be cruising at the same speed and throttle position for a while (e.g., highway driving)
- You are stopped with the engine running (stoplight, etc.).

I've found it will be a bit more overzealous than that in its activation (or rather, deactivation), which does come with the slight vibration caused by only running on four cylinders.



City driving, in which you are continually varying speed and throttle position, will likely see negligible/minimal benefit from ECO. Highway driving, however, should significantly boost economy.

 

[Rockford622]

My test scenario would be driving on the highway with the cruise set. I would think that would be the most logical time for cylinder deactivation to occur, under light constant throttle. If I turn ECO mode off I would expect gas mileage to drop quite a bit as the other 4 cylinders become active, but that is generally not the case...in my experience anyway.

 

[fredansandy]

I don't believe turning ECO mode off actually prevents cylinder deactivation. ECO mode has more of an impact on the transmission shift points. In ECO mode the transmission will shift up sooner when accelerating and shift down later when decelerating.

I drive with ECO mode turned off most of the time. Even with it off, I can feel and see the cylinders deactivating. I can see it by monitoring the instantaneous MPG. On the highway, the MPG will jump from the teens to the mid 20's under normal driving conditions when the cylinders deactivate.

 

[Shelbyguy]

I don't believe turning ECO mode off actually prevents cylinder deactivation. ECO mode has more of an impact on the transmission shift points. In ECO mode the transmission will shift up sooner when accelerating and shift down later when decelerating.

I drive with ECO mode turned off most of the time. Even with it off, I can feel and see the cylinders deactivating. .

Really? I have turned it off while it's vibrating and the vibrations stop. I've never felt it vibrate with it off.

Marty

 

[Humy]

my R/T feels broken with ECO mode on, when I turn it off she feels perfect. Unfortunately, it defaults to ECO mode every time I start the truck. Anyone figure out how to turn off that default ECO mode?

 

[boomer775]

ECO mode only affects torque management and shift points in the tranny. You'll notice that when you turn it off while driving, most likely, it will downshift a gear. The only way you can shut off the MDS is via a tuner unfortunately

 

[boomer775]

my R/T feels broken with ECO mode on, when I turn it off she feels perfect. Unfortunately, it defaults to ECO mode every time I start the truck. Anyone figure out how to turn off that default ECO mode?

I think on the '15s the system remembers what setting you had it on the last time you drove and leaves it that way. Hopefully that means those of us with the '14s are only a software update away from getting that.

 

[Netmaster]

15's do remember the Eco Mode Setting.

I made this interface. I own a 14 Durnago and hated Eco mode so much i put a feature in it where it remembers your Eco mode setting.

Pac-Audio.com Product Details | iPod Integration for your car and More by Pac-Audio - Connecting you to the future

 

[Rockford622]

my R/T feels broken with ECO mode on, when I turn it off she feels perfect. Unfortunately, it defaults to ECO mode every time I start the truck. Anyone figure out how to turn off that default ECO mode?

This is how mine feels as well. Almost like ECO mode reduces engine HP by 75 or so.

I have never felt the engine vibration with ECO mode off like I do when it's on. The driving experience is much better with it off of course.

Either way, my gas mileage really doesn't change whether ECO mode is on or off, significantly anyway.

 

[ausgeflippt951]

ECO mode only affects torque management and shift points in the tranny. You'll notice that when you turn it off while driving, most likely, it will downshift a gear. The only way you can shut off the MDS is via a tuner unfortunately

How positive are you on this? I was told by both the salesman and the service guy that ECO is what triggers deactivation. Though we do know that this wouldn't be the first time salesmen and service guys didn't have a clue what they were talking about.

Does make sense that ECO simply modified shift points. Makes it much less appealing if so.

 

[upstatedoc]

I have run a few tests (not very many, maybe others can chime in here) where I set the cruise control and make a note of the instant gas mileage. Then, I will toggle ECO mode (either turn it on or off, depending on what it's previous setting was) and my instant mileage will stay about the same.

Eyes forward!!

ECO mode is why I was able to average 21 mpg on a 250 mile round trip a couple weeks ago. Don't think that would be possible without it.

Around town, eco pretty useless and annoying I must say.

 

[SBC350]

The dealer I bought my '14 D from, told me to disable eco for in-town driving.

And on my previous Dodge Caravan the gains with ECO on was so little against the annoyance of "harder shifting" and sluggishness.

 

[CSPTK]

So has anyone hit up their dealer connections to see if the 2015 programming for ECO mode (ie. saving your default setting) can be applied to our 2014 model years?

 

[dizzyD]

I have a mention on my v6 and diablo combo. Turn off ECO thru EVIC when your car is in park. I had Diablo intune installed for 3 months and granted the diablo tune on an unmodified engine, does wonders, but figure only 20 HP tops from butt o meter, Then I got the wild hair to turn off the ECO, as I saw this was possible from the Owners manual, Once off and the Diablo tune still installed, I must have had RESET the computer and the 2nd gear tire chirps happen, always had 1st gear chirps but not very pronounced! The performance is still there and the addition of better MPG has nearly paid off my investment (well if gas prices continue to fall, It maybe some time in July 2015 to pay it off)
On the MPG side of my story, before diablo I was seeing 25-27MPG for my typical daily driver 424-440 per tank, with diablo installed, it went up to 440-454, with diablo and ECO Off, I am seeing 484-500 out of my 19 gallon tank o gas. several other guys over on D-Talk followed my post and did the same ECO Off and saw a bigger change, as well. and the computer did not "learn" it out after 1000 miles.
Realize my #'s are driving 70-75 miles a day, flat land (less than 120ft elevation changes) and 90% highway driving with little stop & go traffic. And the way I drive I 80% of the time keep my rpm below 2200, and merging on the freeway I get up to speed pretty fast. My challenger still brings smiles everytime I floor it! Yeah I have my better driving days/ tanks of gas. even during those tanks, I still see better than 454 per tank, with ECO Off. I will never turn it back on!
Diablo supposedly can turn off eco mode for the V8 guys.

 

[Shelbyguy]

Can anyone point to a link where Dodge or some other mfr states that eco mode has no effect on MDS being active?


Marty

 

[kyjd75]

It is in the DVD owners manual. Eco mode has no effect on MDS.


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[michaelk]

When I have ECO mode on,
... It might fluctuate 1 or 2 MPG, but nothing significant.

Shouldn't activating or deactivating 4 cylinders have much more of an impact on the mileage than that? It really seems like ECO mode is quite useless.

even 1 mpg on 15 mpg is 6+ percent. That's pretty sizable- wouldn't you like if your bank account was earning 6% interest today? It's a good "investment" - basically add a 3 dollar button and some lines of code in a the transmission and/or engine computer and you can save a bunch over the course of the life of the vehicle.

That said- I'm not a big fan either.
If mileage was my main concern I'd be driving a prius ;-)

But as others have stated the feds are on the car manufacturers to make major gains in their fuel efficiency in the coming years. So gaining even an average of 0.5 or even 0.1 mpg makes a difference to the manufacturer as it's 0.1 that they dont have to get someplace else. I suspect that's the real driver.

edit: Thinking about it we should probably all be thankful the stupid button is there. At least it gives us the ability to get rid of it. If they have a choice of permanent eco mode or normal mode we might get stuck in always eco. :shock:

also- went poking in the service manual looking for info on the button. I really can't find much but it looks like the manual calls it

•Automatic Transmission Tow/Haul Mode Switch