When I'm coasting downhill in gear with the car in eco mode with the eco symbol lit up then the computer says I'm using 0 petrol. When the car slows down it kicks into gear and the eco mode symbol goes off - but the computer still shows I'm using 0 petrol.

 

So what is the point of eco mode?

Edited 8 February, 20251 yr by rit
Spelling

There's more to ECO mode than you might realise.

It changes the throttle response as well as the fuelling map.

When driving, coasting preserves momentum as engine braking is eliminated.

 

I find ECO mode less useful than I previously did, now I've learned to use cruise control more effectively.

IMO cruise control is better for economical driving than ECO mode, though I do use ECO now and then.

Basically any amount of coasting vs no coasting at all will get you longer way without fuel. However, car needs enough momentum to recover engine operation without too much disturbance so it has to stop coasting at some point.

 

In other words, without the coasting before going back to gear, the car would need to start using fuel at earlier point. Now you travel longer distance without using fuel, even tho you dont start to use fuel immediately on gear. But at some point the car has to be ready to use fuel again and thus get on gear.

 

IMO cruise control reduces mpg. The car unnecessary keeps the speed up even on uphill. While you instead cud travel bit slower uphill and bit faster downhill.

I used to use Eco mode most of the time but in hilly regions the lack of engine braking means you need to use the brakes more, so I've switched to Drive mode to regain the engine braking - and not noticed any reduction in mpg.

53 minutes ago, RattleWagon said:

 

IMO cruise control reduces mpg. The car unnecessary keeps the speed up even on uphill. While you instead cud travel bit slower uphill and bit faster downhill.

I have found this to be the case, particularly with cars that regulate the speed more closely. 

4 hours ago, PetrolDave said:

I used to use Eco mode most of the time but in hilly regions the lack of engine braking means you need to use the brakes more, so I've switched to Drive mode to regain the engine braking - and not noticed any reduction in mpg.

Exactly what I've done.  In eco coasting mode you are using fuel as it basically shifts into neutral but the engine is still running at idle speed. In D you get the benefit of engine braking and no fuel is being used.

10 hours ago, PetrolDave said:

I used to use Eco mode most of the time but in hilly regions the lack of engine braking means you need to use the brakes more, so I've switched to Drive mode to regain the engine braking - and not noticed any reduction in mpg.

This is also my experience. I actually saw someone on YouTube testing the idea that Sport mode is more economical and claiming it was in some circumstances. 🤨

 

11 hours ago, RattleWagon said:

Basically any amount of coasting vs no coasting at all will get you longer way without fuel. 

Agreed, as a general rule. Engine braking slows the car. However coasting uses fuel, where lifting the throttle and not coasting uses no fuel.

 

However, car needs enough momentum to recover engine operation without too much disturbance so it has to stop coasting at some point.

Not sure what you're getting at here. 🤷‍♂️

 

In other words, without the coasting before going back to gear, the car would need to start using fuel at earlier point. 

I don't see how you reach this conclusion. Please explain.

 

Now you travel longer distance without using fuel, even tho you dont start to use fuel immediately on gear. 

What do you mean by this?

 

But at some point the car has to be ready to use fuel again and thus get on gear.

Eh? What do you mean by this?

Can you clarify your post, please @RattleWagon?

Edited 9 February, 20251 yr by EnterName

Okay now looking at this I was not thinking straight yesterday. The latter theory was based on assumption that no fuel is used during coasting and the momemtum is used to restore engine rpm. Obviliously this is not the case. Sorry.

 

However, any idea why the car claims 0 petrol used during coasting? Perhaps so little is used that with the shown decimals it rounds down to 0? In that case, I guess there is a speed limit (depending on incline at least) where it is more beneficial to coast than be on gear? Meaning, in high enough speed, idling while coasting uses less fuel than would be used if engine breaking is done and more fuel would be needed sooner.

Edited 9 February, 20251 yr by RattleWagon

@rit

Maybe say what engine and gearbox you have, size of a TSI, Manual or Dry or wet clutch DSG.

 

Just because different drivetrains do it different.

Then ECO, or ACT,s cylinder deactivation, then Coasting as disengaging from being in gear with a DSG. (Diesels different again.)

Edited 9 February, 20251 yr by Ootohere

3 hours ago, Ootohere said:

@rit

Maybe say what engine and gearbox you have, size of a TSI, Manual or Dry or wet clutch DSG.

 

Just because different drivetrains do it different.

Then ECO, or ACT,s cylinder deactivation, then Coasting as disengaging from being in gear with a DSG. (Diesels different again.)

 

I have the 1.8 tsi 7 speed dry DSG.

 

I've found this car disengages from eco mode a lot earlier than my 1.4 used to

Maybe it does, but then what age was the 1.4 TSI and what is the 1.8 TSI.

Was the 1.4 TSI a euro 5 and 150 ps and is the 1.8 TSI 180 ps? 

On 09/02/2025 at 14:00, Ootohere said:

Maybe it does, but then what age was the 1.4 TSI and what is the 1.8 TSI.

Was the 1.4 TSI a euro 5 and 150 ps and is the 1.8 TSI 180 ps? 

 

The 1.8 is 2015, the 1.4 was 2016. Both euro 6

On 09/02/2025 at 02:17, ords said:

Exactly what I've done.  In eco coasting mode you are using fuel as it basically shifts into neutral but the engine is still running at idle speed. In D you get the benefit of engine braking and no fuel is being used.

This is true, but when coasting you will travel much further than when ‘off throttle’ in gear, for instance when leaving a motorway,  or approaching a roundabout, when you know you have to slow down, you can lift off so much earlier.

28 minutes ago, rit said:

The 1.8 is 2015, 

 

We've a 2015 Polo 1.8 GTI with the same DQ200.  A mate had a 2015 Fabia 1.2 with the same DQ200.  Obviously different settings due to the differences in power, but they feel like very different DSG's.  Across the three DSG's we have/had, I've never found Eco mode to live up to its name.  Quite possibly my driving style, but with the vRS (DQ250) I had, I tried over a sustained period with Eco because people on here thought there might be something up with my car because of relatively poor mpg - turned out it was fine, just my crap h-t-w journeys that were killing it.

 

IIRC Andy (Auric) on here always had his meteor grey vRS in Sport mode, never anything else, and with no reported detrimental effect on his mpg.

 

Gaz

 

Different car altogether but I drive in Sport Individual mode all the time now..........

 

The car used to be in Standard mode and I have seen no noticeable difference in MPG.

 

There is quite a difference in how the car responds / behaves though, with better engine braking and sensible throttle response.

 

It behaves like a 'Normal' car now, it actually 'Goes' when I press the 'Go' pedal, Lol.

On 10/02/2025 at 17:32, Tilt said:

It behaves like a 'Normal' car now, it actually 'Goes' when I press the 'Go' pedal, Lol.

Yes, sadly a symptom of Skodas and VWs.  Their accerators are set in Logarithmic mode; in sports mode, they go to Linear mode or Audi mode.  You can adjust the standard mode for the car - and IMHO I find that if you have a DSG gearbox, it makes a huge difference because the engine and the gearbox stop fighting each other.

For me with a DSG, eco & D have the same shifting characteristics but in sports mode it holds onto the gears far too long for my liking

^^^ Which is just what many want and need on Country Roads, Hilly mountain routes, hold the RPM and point and Squirt.  Sporting / Spirited driving in Sport Mode.

Works on other roads as well. Works fine if crawling in slow traffic. 

18 minutes ago, Ootohere said:

^^^ Which is just what many want and need on Country Roads, Hilly mountain routes, hold the RPM and point and Squirt.  Sporting / Spirited driving in Sport Mode.

Works on other roads as well. Works fine if crawling in slow traffic. 

 

Maybe depends on the car or / and gearbox though G.

 

With my Octavia MK2 6 speed wet clutch 2005 DSG the sport setting revved the nuts off the thing ......

 

The normal 'D' setting though was just fine for as if you started uphill it seemed to hold the gear a little longer as you press the accelerator a bit more.

 

Maybe depends on the engine too if Diesel, with the different characteristics PD vs CR

@Tilt   Driving depends on many things. Just as well there are choices. 

 

As it is the OP has a 1.8 TSI with a DQ200 dsg, and had a 1.4 TSI with a DQ200 DSG. 

 

Apples and pears, oranges and lemons. 6 speed wet, 7 speed wet. or 7 speed dry.  Petrol or diesel. 

 

@RattleWagon

Cruise control has never ever decreased fuel use in any vehicle i have driven. 

5 decades of driving Automatics, and pre and post the introduction of coasting modes.  My vehicles or others and me paying for the fuel.

Same now with EV,s.  Cruise Control does not reduce energy ised. 

Edited 12 February, 20251 yr by Ootohere

@Ootohere Don't the DSG's learn and adapt to an individuals driving style re accelerating and gear changes / revs???

 

Iirc I remember reading this was the case but seriously, Sport mode would red line mine every time (Ok, almost, Lol)

 Dynamic mode used to be in Mk2 Fabia Owners Manuals.  DSG,/ DQ200,s from 75ps - 180 ps. 

.  When some other drives your DSG it can then feel like crap.   Demonstrators and used cars can.

They have no brain but they are not stupid so drive spirited and it behaves spirited.  

.............

 

They say Automatic 

The Automatics were Tiptronics, and then DSG,s were introduced.

This really applies to the DQ200 DSG / s-tronic as it they were  for the 150-180 PS 1.4 TSI / TFSI,s  (Twinchargers.)

(Being able to Re-map the DQ200 was not possible at that time, and the DQ200 was used in 48 applications with VW Group and different software to suit the engines. 

I got my Software & uprated Clutch packs from Australia early on as i could.

Edited 12 February, 20251 yr by Ootohere