Ever since we’ve had the car the drive mode has been set to normal, which I believe to be the default. And then subject to how I’m driving, ECO will intermittently appear in the dash. If we’re only running out a few miles say to the shops, does it make any odds whether I’m in normal mode or should I adopt ECO mode? Similarly if we’re on a longer run, on a motorway or A road, am I better to change to something other than normal? 
I assume that the various modes would marginally affect my mpg but wondered if the car automatically adjusts any way as it’s certainly seeming to do so at present. 
Had a look in the handbook and all it says is what each mode is best suited for 🤔

Edited 13 January, 20242 yr by BTandSid

If it is the eco symbol similar to the one in photo attached, then it shows that the engine is in 2 cylinder mode that occurs on light throttle on a flat surface.

 

https://youtu.be/yoohR8sar5g?si=wPNmfLBd1DheMGyN

 

Edited 13 January, 20242 yr by Kenny R

Quote

but wondered if the car automatically adjusts any way as it’s certainly seeming to do so at present.

 

The Driving modes change throttle response, steering weight and (if DSG) the gearchange points

Compared to Normal mode :-

Sport mode sharpens throttle response, increases steering weight and holds lower gears for longer.

Eco mode (never used it!) softens throttle response , dont think it changes steering weight from normal but changes up gears earlier.

 

Sport mode, I believe, also disables 2-cylinder mode and coasting mode(on DSG). On earlier vehicles coasting was only enabled in ECO mode, but later ones have it enabled in Normal as well . 

If you change the mode the icon on the display that looks like a road will change. Normal is a straight road, sport is a curved road, custom is a couple of gears. I've never used eco which is a leaf symbol wth Eco next to it. I run in either normal or sport mode but the only difference I can feel is that the steering isn't quite as light. I feel no difference in throttle response.

"ECO" icon comes on when you're not pressing down on the throttle / cruise control not doing it for you, so basically coasting and going downhill.

 

A rather useless icon I think, but IIRC it helps the car get a better economy rating.

@JohnArm as @Routemaster1461 said above, the ECO icon shows when the ECU has switched to 2-Cylinder mode. The throttle does not need to be closed, it can be light throttle on level or downhill i.e light load.

Coasting (with a DSG) is completely different, when you close the throttle, the DSG will sometimes disengage the clutches and the revs will drop to idle, the vehicle is then 'coasting' with no drive or engine braking. Touching the throttle or brake will immediately engage the clutches.

2 hours ago, NottsIan said:

 

Sport mode, I believe, also disables 2-cylinder mode and coasting mode(on DSG). On earlier vehicles coasting was only enabled in ECO mode, but later ones have it enabled in Normal as well . 

Using the DSG sport mode disables coasting but 2cylinder mode still operates on my 2022 Kodiaq.

5 minutes ago, Kenny R said:

Using the DSG sport mode disables coasting but 2cylinder mode still operates on my 2022 Kodiaq.

You could well be right!. Whenever I use Sport mode, I'd never really use light throttle, so would never see an Eco icon😀

The name of each mode obviously lends itself to what style of driving it’s intended for. I was intrigued more by whether for general running about it’d pay to use normal or ECO? Guess it wouldn’t make a lot of difference

Following on from my initial posting I’ve been chopping and changing more frequently now across the modes, using eco for just popping around local streets, down the shops and then normal for most other everyday journeys. Sport I’ve saved for motorway journeys but have wondered how that affects mpg. For example we travelled probably 50 miles down the A2/M2 at the weekend, there was little traffic so pretty much managed 70mph for most of the journey, in sport mode. Would there have been any real difference in mpg had we run in normal mode? Without rerunning the exact trip, I’m not sure how we’d compare?

Impossible then unless repeating trips pretty much and using different modes and 'Coasting' or not coasting. 

The usual way is to brim the tank and do the trip and then brim it and see how many litres are needed, and do that for similar and dis-similar trips, weather, seasons and see what you can see. 

1 hour ago, BTandSid said:

Following on from my initial posting I’ve been chopping and changing more frequently now across the modes, using eco for just popping around local streets, down the shops and then normal for most other everyday journeys. Sport I’ve saved for motorway journeys but have wondered how that affects mpg. For example we travelled probably 50 miles down the A2/M2 at the weekend, there was little traffic so pretty much managed 70mph for most of the journey, in sport mode. Would there have been any real difference in mpg had we run in normal mode? Without rerunning the exact trip, I’m not sure how we’d compare?

Interested in you saying 'using eco for just popping around local streets'. Didn't know you could select  ECO mode. Is it a feature of the Sportline DSG that's absent from the SE Drive DSG?   

Edited 1 April, 20242 yr by fabill

4 hours ago, BTandSid said:

Following on from my initial posting I’ve been chopping and changing more frequently now across the modes, using eco for just popping around local streets, down the shops and then normal for most other everyday journeys. Sport I’ve saved for motorway journeys but have wondered how that affects mpg. For example we travelled probably 50 miles down the A2/M2 at the weekend, there was little traffic so pretty much managed 70mph for most of the journey, in sport mode. Would there have been any real difference in mpg had we run in normal mode? Without rerunning the exact trip, I’m not sure how we’d compare?

I did a run to Devon and back a 130 miles ish. Eco Mode on the way there, 'Individual' on the way back (which is set to the 'Normal' settings just with the silly noise generator switched off). There was, according to the in car display, 0.1mpg difference between to two. However, the car is a lot less pleaseant to drive in Eco. Have only used 'Individual' mode since.

I only use normal and sport in my manual Karoq. The only difference I can tell is that the steering isn't quite as light in sport.

42 minutes ago, Routemaster1461 said:

I only use normal and sport in my manual Karoq. The only difference I can tell is that the steering isn't quite as light in sport.

Please clarify for me. You only use 'normal and sport'.

Does that mean you have Eco mode but don't use it, or your don't have option of Eco mode.?

I like the "eco" setting as the engine braking isn't as noticeable. But, I go for "normal" when using the cruise control in hilly areas as the car often doesn't maintain the desired speed otherwise.

32 minutes ago, JohnArm said:

I like the "eco" setting as the engine braking isn't as noticeable. But, I go for "normal" when using the cruise control in hilly areas as the car often doesn't maintain the desired speed otherwise.

How do you select ‘eco’ mode???

Here's a tip for anyone who doesn't know how modes affect economy or think there's no difference. Set your display to show intantaneous fuel consumption and then change modes in various situations whilst you drive along and you'll see what affect it's has on economy.

 

What do modes do?  To take it to the extremes, ECO will try to maintain the highest gear possible without labouring the engine. Sport on the otherhand will change gear later without redlining the rev counter.

 

I'm not saying these figures are  true, just using it as an example -  If you travel at a steady 30mph on the flat, ECO may select gear 6 whereas NORM may select gear 5 and SPORT gear 4.   That's why ECO will be more economical in certain situations. However if you want to accelerate fast or get a heavy car moving, is it sensible to select a high gear and keep your foot depressed on the accelerator for what seems like forever?  In certain situations therefore, Normal or even Sport will be more economical.

 

Motorway driving? I get why someone would select ECO for around town ( as long as it's not a hilly area ) but why SPORT on a motorway? Irrespective of what mode you're in, each mode will have selected top gear so it won't make any difference. 

 

Bottom line is if you're looking to save fuel then use as light a right foot as possible.

 

Edited 2 April, 20242 yr by kodiaqsportline

35 minutes ago, fabill said:

How do you select ‘eco’ mode???

 

Buy a better car

 

No seriously, I believe drive mode select was an optional extra on SE and SE Drive. ( £105 back in 2020 ? ) Your car obviously doesn't have it.

Edited 2 April, 20242 yr by kodiaqsportline

12 minutes ago, kodiaqsportline said:

 

Buy a better car

 

No seriously, I believe drive mode select was an optional extra on SE and SE Drive. ( £105 back in 2020 ? ) Your car obviously doesn't have it.

I don’t know if it has or it hasn’t.

Hence my question: How do you select Eco mode????
 

5 minutes ago, fabill said:

I don’t know if it has or it hasn’t.

Hence my question: How do you select Eco mode????
 

 

If you have it it will be here at (I)

 

3 hours ago, fabill said:

Please clarify for me. You only use 'normal and sport'.

Does that mean you have Eco mode but don't use it, or your don't have option of Eco mode.?

 

I have Eco and 'custom' (whatever the term is) but I use neither.

35 minutes ago, kodiaqsportline said:

What do modes do?  To take it to the extremes, ECO will try to maintain the highest gear possible without labouring the engine. Sport on the otherhand will change gear later without redlining the rev counter.

 

 Obviously only with DSG, which I don't have.

1 hour ago, Stonekeeper said:

 

If you have it it will be here at (I)

 

Finally, someone answered my question.

Thank you, Stonekeeper👍

21 hours ago, fabill said:

Interested in you saying 'using eco for just popping around local streets'. Didn't know you could select  ECO mode. Is it a feature of the Sportline DSG that's absent from the SE Drive DSG?   

Mines a 2020 Sportline with the dsg box and has Eco, Normal, Sport and Individual settings