I know there a differences in the config for both but I was expecting better MPG from the Eco mode.  I regualrly undertake the same 60 mile round trip, uing some B roads, mainly A roads and about 6 miles of dual carriage way. After 3 trips on Eco and 3 on Normal the overall MPG is the same. The same to almost the same decimal point on the computer thingy. And it is always 3mpg better on the way back due to some very long inclines on the outward journey.  

 

So why use Eco?  Any benefits i'm missing?

 

Otherwise I might as well just use Normal mode.

 

 

 

Others have found the same thing. Coupled with the faff required to get the Eco mode active again after you stop, there seems little benefit in having the Eco mode at all!

Your driving style has a lot more impact on fuel efficiency than the drive mode; if you are in the habit of sharp accelerations and sudden braking, you’re screwed anyway!

 

Having said that, what transmission do you have? The drive modes make more of a difference (though still not a massive amount) on DSG cars because ECO mode doesn’t just alter the throttle response as with the stick shift, it also makes the DSG gearbox change up earlier, and also allows it to coast (i.e. go into neutral) when you take your foot right off the accelerator.

 

But it’s still more down to you as the driver - I can get really good mpg figures while in Sport (with the gearbox hanging onto low gears for all it is worth!) and I can get really bad mpg figures in ECO.

27 minutes ago, WiggosSideburns said:

Your driving style has a lot more impact on fuel efficiency than the drive mode; if you are in the habit of sharp accelerations and sudden braking, you’re screwed anyway!

 

Having said that, what transmission do you have? The drive modes make more of a difference (though still not a massive amount) on DSG cars because ECO mode doesn’t just alter the throttle response as with the stick shift, it also makes the DSG gearbox change up earlier, and also allows it to coast (i.e. go into neutral) when you take your foot right off the accelerator.

 

But it’s still more down to you as the driver - I can get really good mpg figures while in Sport (with the gearbox hanging onto low gears for all it is worth!) and I can get really bad mpg figures in ECO.

 

Quite agree with your comments, I drove all tests in 'chauffeur' mode to ensure consistency, I don't race or rally as the roads are generally too busy.  It was more of a test or exercise to see what the difference was and not specifically related to saving pennies on fuel.

 

It just struck be as odd that the Eco is MPG-wise the same as Normal. 

So far as I can see, there are two benefits to Eco mode: the throttle mapping discourages hard acceleration, so you’re less likely to waste fuel accelerating over a short time up to a high speed only to have to brake hard again for the next roundabout. Gearbox coasting allows you to reduce transmission losses in some situations - like coasting very gently to a stop when you can see traffic lights in the distance, when you can see gently slowing traffic in the distance so there’s no point hurtling up to it, or when going down a moderate hill and gravity is sufficient to keep your momentum up.

 

That requires a particular driving style to achieve any benefits though, and as Wiggo says, your driving style can completely outweigh any benefits that the car mode might produce. 

 

I find there are a couple of my journeys that lend themselves to Eco mode and produce a noticeable benefit to economy, but plenty of others (such as sitting at constant speed on the motorway) where it makes absolutely no difference.

It's a bit of a gimmick to me, more of a marketing opportunity. Mine stays in normal.

 

I'm not yet sold on the additional Eco mode the petrol engines get either, otherwise known as ACT (Active Cylinder Technology) where the engine shuts down a cylinder or two under no or low engine loads.

 

No doubt each individual fuel saving feature contribute their own small amount to the overall opportunity, but I'd echo what others have said, that the soft squidgy lump behind the wheel has the greatest influence on fuel consumption.

 

Given the overall cost of buying the car, together with insuring, taxing and servicing it, I do find it a little strange sometimes how infatuated with fuel economy some owners can get (not aimed at you R1100). It's a big, heavy, bluff fronted SUV. A couple of extra miles saved per tank of fuel pales into insignificance.

 

Drive it and enjoy it.

 

Edited 23 January, 20197 yr by silver1011

I think Eco Mode is there because all the manufacturers seem to feel the need to have at least 3 driving modes. In my previous BMW 5-Series there was a slight benefit to using Eco, in my Kodiaq there's none at all. I think that's mainly because the Normal mode on the Skoda is pretty much like Eco mode on a BMW, the throttle response is pretty muted unless you boot it. In the BMW the throttle response is much sharper. Mind you, at lower speeds even my 95bhp diesel DSG Seat Arona feels "nippier" than my 190bhp DSG Kodiaq!

I can remember years ago that “coasting” was illegal, lol.  I think that if you leave it in eco then they are making more money by having more frequent brake pads/discs as a result.

1 hour ago, Platlet said:

I can remember years ago that “coasting” was illegal, lol.  I think that if you leave it in eco then they are making more money by having more frequent brake pads/discs as a result.

 

Coasting a manual gearbox car is very different to an auto disengaging drive when there’s no throttle input. 

 

The only reason youll you’ll experience more brake wear is if you fail to anticipate and are lead footed with the brake pedal. Neither have much to do with eco mode. 

What wastes brakes and pads is the rubbish ones VW Group fit that have cosmetic corrosion so easily and need drivers to clean rust off at the start of journeys.

Difficult with e-brakes for rears.

 

'Coasting function' does not require more braking, you can touch the accelerator and go back onto gear, or tap the brake and with a DSG it is an Automated Manual, drop a gear or 2 with the paddles or shifter.  As you can with a manual.

17 hours ago, Platlet said:

I can remember years ago that “coasting” was illegal, lol.

 

When I did my driving test, they failed you for it!

3 hours ago, TheRobinK said:

 

When I did my driving test, they failed you for it!

Am sure coasting in the Highway Code used to be illegal

UK Highway code is not 'law'.  Not even current to real world these days and Cornering Fog lights which can be on and only one when no fog or poor visibility.

On as a driver selects reverse, and automatically.

Autohold on some cars that has the  brake lights when stopped for more than short stops.

Sidelights /position lights during lighting up time in speed restricted / street lit area.  and Parking Lights that people tend not to understand.

 

But anyways,

Coasting as in putting in the clutch of a manual or taking out of gear and into neutral or an Auto or Semi Auto into neutral and being out of gear would not be obvious to anyone other than a passenger in a car, and that might need to be a Police Officer before anyone would be reported for a moving traffic crime, 

or a Driving Examiner in the car to be saying 'fail'.

 

Coasting Function as Car Manufacturers that passed Type Approval & Construction and use will be a EU Grey Area like front Fog Lights being used as Cornering Lights in the UK.

Like cars not Type Approved for towing and can not tow or have a tow bar, but can have a Bar that could tow fitted so that a Bike Rack can be fitted.

 

Coasting Function is fandabbydozy IMO,

and plenty cars that do not have 'Eco' mode in the car can have 'Coasting Function' that is just there if the enable it for when in 'D' or 'S'.  

Edited 26 January, 20197 yr by Skoffski

UK Highway code is not 'law'.  I’ll let you argue that one in court?  Lol

Edited 26 January, 20197 yr by Platlet

18 minutes ago, Platlet said:

UK Highway code is not 'law'.  I’ll let you argue that one in court?  Lol

No-one would need to. Courts (and the police) are aware of the difference.

 

You can’t be charged with breaking a rule of the Highway Code - but you can be charged with breaking a specific (and quite separate) law which is the basis of a rule within the Code.  In considering whether certain driving was careless or dangerous, a court can also take into account whether the driver followed the Code.

 

Where there is a law underlying the guidance in the Code, the wording says we “must” or “must not” do something.

Edited 26 January, 20197 yr by DaveMiller

http://highwaycodeuk.co.uk/control-of-the-vehicle.html

 

The OP still has not said whether his car has manual or dsg transmission. 

Comments by others have pretty well covered the topic but I would agree that modes are more relevant on an auto box and allow the ability to freewheel (legally).

Coasting can be very economical in the right circumstances but conditions do not always allow it to be used safely or without inconvenience to others.

Those old specialised vehicles that got 2000 mpg did so by heavy use of accelerate and coast techniques. Interesting of course that PV powered vehicles have made those sorts of events redundant

@Gerrycan

 

Sorry been out a lot.

I have a 2.0tsi DSG 4x4

 

Cheers

@Gerrycan   What about Coasting Function functioning would be an inconvenience to others?

Driver modes are right up there with launch control for uselessness. Sport mode mostly just keeps you in a lower gear taking too long to change up- which probably is even less useful in a diesel. 

One of the things that Eco mode does is to back off the strength of the aircon, so perhaps there’d be more effect in summer?

Sport mode or selecting 'S' with TDI / DSG is perfectly useful on unsalted / gritted roads IME.  

Or on certain types of roads, and not all diesels are slugs.

 

Good to have plenty of choices that can be used or ignored as a driver wants, location location location type thing.

22 hours ago, R1100 said:

@Gerrycan

 

Sorry been out a lot.

I have a 2.0tsi DSG 4x4

 

Cheers

As I am on the verge of ordering a 2.0 TSi (now 190bhp) I would be interested in learning what MPG you have been getting?

42 minutes ago, Retrac said:

As I am on the verge of ordering a 2.0 TSi (now 190bhp) I would be interested in learning what MPG you have been getting?

 

Hmm, overall mine does vary as I quite often take it along rough tracks and into fields which obviously does impact on MPG.  Apart from the tests above I have not really tried to keep any accurate MPG records.  Mine has now covered 3,500 miles so I assume it is now loosening up.

 

All I can say is -  for normal local running around within my local town I suggest about 32MPG, on longer cruising runs of about 150 miles of A roads and motorways I have seen 37-38MPG on the trip computer. This is a very rough guide not at all measured precisely.

 

 

Those figures are what I was hoping for so I’d be happy. Appreciate they may not be 100% accurate but good as a guide. Thank you.