It is true that the great increase in fuel prices in Spain forces drivers to look for all kinds of tricks to reduce the consumption of their cars, since saving fuel is becoming essential for family economies, and the way to ECO driving is one of the most common mechanisms.
Virtually all new cars incorporate various equipment to reduce consumption, the ECO button is one of the most common.
The obsession with consumption causes the majority of drivers to drive with the ECO system activated, without considering that, in addition to the consumption benefits it provides, it is very possible that its continued use could cause serious damage to the vehicle, especially in diesel engines.
ECO system operation
Current cars offer various driving modes that are usually useful in various situations and scenarios behind the wheel, these systems being the ones that modify various parameters of the car to adapt its operation to the driving characteristics necessary or preferred by the driver.
For example, the Sport mode helps driving in a more dynamic and sporty way, and when activated, the damping is stiffened or the engine rpm is even increased to provide greater peak power.
However, the Comfort or Normal mode seeks a more relaxed driving, which generates more balanced parameters in the vehicle.
For its part, the ECO mode clearly seeks a reduction in fuel consumption, as well as particle emissions, and to achieve this it seeks circulation in high gears and a lower rpm, in some cases limiting the engine response to offer only part of its potential performance, acting on vehicles with automatic transmission by raising the ratios earlier so that the operating revolutions are low.
In some vehicles, the ECO mode even affects the steering and the air conditioning system in order to reduce the significant consumption generated by it.
With all of the above, it is estimated that the ECO mode can reduce fuel consumption by close to 20%, as proven by studies from various manufacturers.
Abuse of ECO mode can cause breakdowns
In particular and more directly in diesel engines, its abuse can lead to major and costly breakdowns, although it is also possible that it could have consequences in gasoline vehicles, although this is less likely.
This limitation of performance represents, without a doubt, an extra effort for the engine at certain times since it can make the engine’s work more difficult during certain maneuvers such as overtaking or a steep climb, which could affect the vehicle’s anti-pollution systems in the long run. such as the particle filter or the EGR, since when driving at low rpm the accumulation of debris in the EGR valve is much more constant, potentially clogging it and consequently causing a major breakdown. We must not forget that at normal revolutions the waste is even expelled in a programmed manner and with complete ease.
For the same reason, the particle filter can also break down since normal waste removal requires around 600 degrees, which can only be reached by driving at a higher engine revolution cycle.
If the particulate filter becomes clogged due to use at low rpm, cleaning it in the workshop usually costs around €200, although if the problem persists it may be necessary to change the filter, which can cost between €500 and €2,000 depending on the engine. vehicle in question.
Our suggestion is to eliminate the usual habit of pressing the ECO mode button when starting the car, keeping it active on all routes regardless of the type of route or circulation used.
The best option will always be to combine the various driving modes, using them whenever necessary, seeking further reductions in consumption through efficient driving in order to correctly maintain good “health” of the engine, without demanding it. useless efforts.