If you have a Honda, you might want to push that ECON button but should you? While it is designed to make a drive more efficient cities and roads, there are times when it is appropriate and times when it should be avoided.
I will take a closer look at what the Honda ECON button does and when you should or should not push it. With these guidelines, you will get the most efficient drive possible.
What is Honda’s Econ Button Does?
You first should understand what happens when you push your Honda ECON button. It isn’t magic, nor do little elves get inside the engine bay and change wires or turn tiny gears. It’s all fundamentally based on your powertrain’s computer settings.
When you push the ECON button, your engine’s control module optimizes settings to balance throttle response, cruise control, air conditioner, and the transmission’s response, to minimize the effort required by your engine during everyday driving.
The less effort your powertrain has to exert, the more improvement in fuel economy. And who doesn’t want to lower fuel costs?
Here are the changes that the ECON button does in more detail:
#1. Adjusts Throttle Response.
ECON mode will help the vehicle use less fuel through adjusting the throttle response. This is especially important in regards to accelerating.
The ECON mode will not change lower and higher level throttle responses, only the mid-range behavior. The only space you will see a difference will be if you attempt to accelerate while driving down the highway.
#2. Limits Shifting Behavior.
Fuel economy drops by shifting up and down constantly. The transmission shifts only when it is necessary with the ECON mode.
This means by adjusting shift points, the vehicle is more efficient. However, when using cruise control on hilly terrain, the ECON also limits downshifting which means you will stay at a slower speed.
#3. Reduces the A/C System Capacity.
When outside temperature increases, you rely on a powerful air conditioning system to keep your cool. This capable air conditioning system uses up a fair amount of fuel to cool the interior compartment which takes away from your vehicle’s efficiency.
ECON mode reduces the use of the air conditioning system. You will still be able to run the air conditioning system, but it isn’t going to cool the compartment as fast. On the positive side, you are going to save more fuel and keep some extra money in your pocket.
#4. Reduces Fuel Injection.
The fuel injectors deliver gas to the engine – necessary for internal combustion to give it power. No fuel injectors means no getting gas to the motor to create horsepower.
Depending on how you are using your vehicle, the amount of gas required varies. Activating the ECON mode reduces the amount of gas delivered to the engine.
This may help you reduce how much gas you are using; however, it can also create performance issues when you might need to accelerate quickly.
When to Use the Honda ECON Button?
There is definitely a time and place to push the ECON button. If you find yourself in these driving conditions – consider using Honda’s fuel-saving mode.
Press the ECON button when:
- You are cruising on the highway at a consistent speed
- You are in a city under normal conditions
- You are driving across flat terrain
- Your vehicle is not towing anything
- It isn’t terribly warm and you don’t need maximum air conditioning power
Some trial and error will help you find out when the ECON button works for you. If you press it and don’t like the vehicle performance when you used it, just turn it off again.
When Not to Use the Honda ECON Button
Utilizing the ECON mode at the right moments will help you achieve optimum fuel efficiency without sacrificing valuable performance. However, there are several clear instances when you will not want to try and activate this mode.
When you enter the highway, you are going to want all the power the car has to offer. Activating the ECON mode at this time will limit the throttle response and ultimately reduce downshifting, which means you may get stuck or have trouble getting to full speed at the right time.
If you need to pass a vehicle on the highway, you also want to have all the speed potential ready at your disposal—simply allow the engine to flex its muscles and not have to worry about the slower downshifting ratios.
When you are driving on steep inclines, and or hilly terrain, you want to refrain from activating the ECON mode. This drive mode limits downshifting and power’s supply to the wheels. As the incline rises, my guess is that your car will initially lose speed, and consume more fuel.
When towing with your Honda, you demand maximum power and torque directionally to the load. The engine and transmission need to operate as they were designed, and not to benefit the potential for lower fuel consumption.
To clarify, with ECON mode, it is going to reduce power to the wheels and its actual properties making it harder for towing. In the end, your vehicle is probably going to burn more fuel and damage its engine.
Lastly, it hardly makes sense to activate ECON mode when you use the air conditioning. In extreme heat, you are going to want all available power so you can create the maximum cooling potential.
You won’t be willing to trade superior fuel economy to show up to work soaked in sweat. Just remember, every time both the ECON mode is activated, the air conditioning is robbing power.
On a hot day, the air conditioning system actually is working harder, attempting to keep up without full power.
This condition will lead to both decreased fuel economy and increased wear and tear on A/C components.