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ECON Mode Thoughts

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#61 ·
I typically have a heavy foot. This said, shortly after I first got my 2019 RL, I began playing around with the upgraded features provided from my prior truck, the 2011 RL. Several months later, we took a long drive from IN to FL. As I basked in the enjoyment of using the adaptive cruise control system, I also committed myself to use the Econ mode and made a real effort to maximize fuel efficiency on the trip. In doing so, I somehow managed 29 mpg on the way down and slightly less (27 or so) on the way back. This was a huge improvement over my 2011 Ridgeline. Rather than my typical pedal to the metal racing and pacing style of vacation commuting, my wife and I found that mindfully focusing on fuel efficiency lead to a more relaxing and enjoyable drive on long trips. I never use the Econ mode otherwise.
 
#62 ·
Tuckamore said:
I often read on this forum where owners regularly drive with ECON turned on and that would seem to indicate you like the experience and the fuel economy improvements. When I have it on I feel like I'm driving with a parachute deployed. It's not a pleasant experience and I turn it off very soon after.

If you use ECON regularly I would be curious to hear your thoughts.
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I tried it and fuel milage was worse.
 
#63 ·
Kluhjo said:
I always give myself plenty of time to get where I'm going and rarely exceed 5mph over the posted speed limit.
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You are one of those people I hate getting stuck behind... 😂
 
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#64 ·
In 2019 for my 2017 RTL E I installed the S-VCM Controller (CA made. $103.61 with shipping to NC) because of the engine hesitation etc. was awful. In NC mountains it needs all gears to work all the time. Works perfect now.
Had a 'Check Engine' flash few months ago and dealer could not find problem so they anointed the S-VCM as problem-reason by default for not finding anything else to blame it on. Cleared the fault, and after disabling the S-VCM and then reattaching it, they could not get the "Check Engine" to flash again. So they said "Well that's what we think flashed"... They know that the only reason I'm driving this is because the S-VCM makes a smooth operating engine. Before I put this gizmo on, they had changed the fluids per the tech sheet for this problem and nothing helped. Had I not tried the S-VCM I would have sold the Ridgeline but now it is just fine. I actually think it is quicker through the gears. Gas mileage in the mountains is poor anyway. They dealer did not raise issues with my extended warranty because I think they know the VCM is the problem.
 
#65 ·
edgeofridge said:
In 2019 for my 2017 RTL E I installed the S-VCM Controller (CA made. $103.61 with shipping to NC) because of the engine hesitation etc. was awful. In NC mountains it needs all gears to work all the time. Works perfect now.
Had a 'Check Engine' flash few months ago and dealer could not find problem so they anointed the S-VCM as problem-reason by default for not finding anything else to blame it on. Cleared the fault, and after disabling the S-VCM and then reattaching it, they could not get the "Check Engine" to flash again. So they said "Well that's what we think flashed"... They know that the only reason I'm driving this is because the S-VCM makes a smooth operating engine. Before I put this gizmo on, they had changed the fluids per the tech sheet for this problem and nothing helped. Had I not tried the S-VCM I would have sold the Ridgeline but now it is just fine. I actually think it is quicker through the gears. Gas mileage in the mountains is poor anyway. They dealer did not raise issues with my extended warranty because I think they know the VCM is the problem.
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I had the exact same experience. Without VCM I would have had to sell the RL.
 
#66 ·
I don't like the econ mode on my 2018 RTL-E. The throttle response is way too laggy, and the AC doesn't blow cold enough. But the econ mode on my wife's 2017 CRV works great- throttle response isn't much different so we just keep it on. Just like the rest of the features- it's not so great on the RL but fine on the CRV.
 
#69 ·
tedsmithhof said:
Why on earth use Econ when part of the reason we got the RL was for the powerful V6? Otherwise get the Subaru Forester…
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Ha ha. I have both a Forester and a Ridgeline. You aren’t far off. But I wouldn’t trade either for anything else. And to those who say the Ridgeline isn’t a real truck I say it has its place in the automotive world and in its place it is unsurpassed.
 
#71 ·
Boatman said:
Same here, a worthless green button. Doesn't belong in a "truck".
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I leave it on at all times in the Pilot. My wife drives it and only know 2 ways to drive. Gas pedal on the floor, brake pedal on the floor. She has never asked about the econ button and I will never tell her. It stays off on the RL at all times.
 
#72 ·
birdbrain13 said:
I ran it almost exclusively for 2 years (2019 w 90K on the clock). I was going for maximum fuel economy. but I turned it off a year ago and my fuel econ jumped up 2 mpg. I think its because i live in the mountains?

driver makes a big difference - my wife thinks there are 2 pedals so she has to be pressing one or the other all the time - she typically gets 20 - 20.5 mpg. I on the other hand shout the praises of looking ahead, coasting - saving brakes - that kind of stuff - and i typically get 24.7 - 25,8 mpg .
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Sounds like my wife.
 
#73 ·
wjfyfe said:
On a related note, what is the difference between ECON and SNOW Mode?

Bill
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Snow mode changes traction control and disables the ability to use cruise control.

ECO mode changes throttle response and turns off 2 cylinders when they aren't needed such as when you are on the highway with cruise control enabled.

AS for ECO mode, you'll get better MPG simply by keeping your tires inflated properly, your air filter clean, and by throwing in a bottle of Lucas Fuel every fillup.

I regularly get 28 mpg here in Florida and near 30 mpg when travelling out of state.
 
#74 ·
birdbrain13 said:
I ran it almost exclusively for 2 years (2019 w 90K on the clock). I was going for maximum fuel economy. but I turned it off a year ago and my fuel econ jumped up 2 mpg. I think its because i live in the mountains?

driver makes a big difference - my wife thinks there are 2 pedals so she has to be pressing one or the other all the time - she typically gets 20 - 20.5 mpg. I on the other hand shout the praises of looking ahead, coasting - saving brakes - that kind of stuff - and i typically get 24.7 - 25,8 mpg .
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I would think that using eco in the mountains could possibly be counterproductive. Every hill the pickup loses way too much speed and then it takes more fuel to reaccelerate back up to speed. The key to good fuel mileage is to be easy on the throttle but not so easy as to lose too much speed.
A careful, conscious driver should be able to beat the eco mode results easily but few people even try.
 
#75 ·
wjfyfe said:
On a related note, what is the difference between ECON and SNOW Mode?

Bill
Click to expand...
  • Drivers of Ridgeline two-wheel-drive models can select between Normal and Snow modes; Ridgeline AWD models add Mud and Sand modes as well.
  • To change modes, drivers press the Intelligent Traction Management button behind the shifter; the button is labeled SNOW on 2WD models, and has a vehicle-profile icon on AWD models.
  • On the first push, the MID will display the modes available; subsequent pushes will cycle through the modes.
  • When the desired mode is highlighted, it will be engaged after a 3-second interval. The selected mode will remain engaged until a new one is selected, or the ignition is shut off.
  • The system will default to Normal mode upon restart.
 
#76 ·
With gas prices going up, along with everything else, I decided to give Econ mode another go. I still don’t care for it, because I don’t like the loss of “pep”. So I think I’ll be turning it off sooner rather than later. I’d rather pay a little more for gas, but have a peppier truck, with more git up and go.
 
#77 ·
The eco button is at it's best in low speed bumper to bumper stop start city driving.

I suspect that there are a lot of people doing that type of driving based on the freak outs about not having low speed follow cruise control.
 
#78 ·
edgeofridge said:
In 2019 for my 2017 RTL E I installed the S-VCM Controller (CA made. $103.61 with shipping to NC) because of the engine hesitation etc. was awful. In NC mountains it needs all gears to work all the time. Works perfect now.
Had a 'Check Engine' flash few months ago and dealer could not find problem so they anointed the S-VCM as problem-reason by default for not finding anything else to blame it on. Cleared the fault, and after disabling the S-VCM and then reattaching it, they could not get the "Check Engine" to flash again. So they said "Well that's what we think flashed"... They know that the only reason I'm driving this is because the S-VCM makes a smooth operating engine. Before I put this gizmo on, they had changed the fluids per the tech sheet for this problem and nothing helped. Had I not tried the S-VCM I would have sold the Ridgeline but now it is just fine. I actually think it is quicker through the gears. Gas mileage in the mountains is poor anyway. They dealer did not raise issues with my extended warranty because I think they know the VCM is the problem.
Click to expand...
More total non sense ………………$103 is enough to create a large “Placebo effect”. Not the first CEL from the VCM controller. Surprised the dealer did not charge you for the diagnosis. They did you a favor…..more likely they know the S-VCM is the problem.
 
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