[mertz44]

It can and does give you better fuel economy, but it's different for every individual. If you're used to driving with a heavy right foot and air conditioning blasting all the time, you'll notice a big difference with econ mode on. If you're already easy on the gas and brakes, then you won't see as big a difference. It just changes the throttle response and some of the air conditioning operation and a few other things, which can give you a noticeable improvement in fuel economy. It all depends on how you're used to driving.
It's not just marketing, it does help.

 

[Tidewater BE]

From what I've read a lot of people who don't normally use Eco mode hate it when they do try it. Those of us who use it all the time have gotten used to the decreased throttle response so it's no big deal. It's all personal preference.

 

[FTM1]

From what I know even though I don't have new Ridgeline yet but try to learn everything about them.
Also being a Honda/Acura owner since 1980 try to stay up with this new stuff. Anyway from what I know the Economy mode button changes 4 things Transmission, Air Conditioning, Cruise Control and Throttle Response
When On the Air Conditioning compressor clicks on off more often so on hot day if economy button is on car interior may be warmer making you want to turn economy off. Transmission Shift points are also changed in economic mode. The Throttle Response changes so car will have different pedal feel less zip and feel sluggish.
With economic on Cruise Control I forgot what changes on that exactly.
Just this past week I had loaner Acura TLX sedan while my car was in dealership service. That car has IDS button
Economy /Normal/Sport/Sport + I played around with it and big difference in modes from way car sounded to pedal response handling and engine sound. You could really tell the difference between economy and normal.

 

[ualramper]

I use it all the time but when I get to a hilly section of road it gets turned off, you will notice the difference easily

 

[Mr. Black]

I use it all the time but when I get to a hilly section of road it gets turned off, you will notice the difference easily

You're missing out!

I've had multiple cars with eco econ buttons. It's obnoxious garbage. Just another feel good nanny gadget. If you use it the way it's intended around here you will hold people up. Kind of like those that drive Hybrids and try and keep it in electric mode.

 

[MrClam]

It's almost become my Snow mode instead of using the actual SNOW mode since it cuts the throttle response and it's easier to just press that button than going through the modes.

 

[schultp]

This concept is very old. I had a similar switch in my 1992 Saturn. I strongly suspect that what people refer to here as a 'change in throttle response' is simply a second 'fuel map' in the Engine Control Module. In my Saturn that was the only thing that changed when I toggled the switch. Yes, in the Honda other ancillary systems that would place a theoretical strain on the engine (albeit small strains) are also regulated (AC being the most notable) while in ECON mode in an attempt to squeak out as much MPG as possible.

So, my assumption is that, just like my old Saturn, there are 2 fuel maps in the ECM. One is the normal map, the other is the ECON map which slightly reduces the amount (or duration) of the fuel injected per cylinder stroke at a given throttle position. The "full throttle" map should be the same regardless of which mode the ECM is in. This is what we have seen in that when in ECON mode if you go full (or close to full) throttle the power returns as if in normal mode.

Paul.

 

[ualramper]

You're missing out!

I've had multiple cars with eco econ buttons. It's obnoxious garbage. Just another feel good nanny gadget. If you use it the way it's intended around here you will hold people up. Kind of like those that drive Hybrids and try and keep it in electric mode.

HAHA no way , it kills me on a few of the up hills and I wont do that to others.

But because our speed limits are so slow its good to throw on and cruise

 

[HondaCasey]

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/.../forums/138-second-generation-ridgeline-2g-2017/144106-driving-econ-mode-2.html

 

[larryr]

I don't have a new Ridgeline, but my CR-V and Pilot do have econ mode. I doubt that I will ever get one as the quality seems to be 1980's Ford or GM lately.

The cruise control allows for -3 MPH going up hill and +2 MPH going down hill. It sometime takes until -5 before it adds gas to get to set speed. In an really hilly road econ does worse than if it was off, but on gentle hills (Interstate style up and down no more than 50 feet) it does do what it is supposed to do and it pisses of the trucker that is following you.

The A/C switched to recirculate mode quicker and if you auto temp the temp is allowed to go +5 and -5 degrees from set (+5 on A/C and -5 on heat)

It does slow the gas pedal down but if you floor it - there is no difference econ on or off - it will give it all you have.

On the highway, after the transmission get to final temp ( it takes about an hour ) you do get 3 or 4 mpg better even with econ off - but no change when the transmission is below optimum temp.

 

[Danke]

A couple months ago I did some back to back daily runs of a couple hundred km+ in regular and econ mode.

The econ mode did increase the mileage but it was nothing dramatic.

The econ mode made the truck feel like I was suddenly back in my G1 with sluggish to nonexistant throttle response. It wasn't enjoyable to drive.

If I was on a long trip on relatively flat and traffic free roads I would use it to save a few bucks. All the driving here involves hills and mountain passes with lots of traffic, twisty roads and limited passing zones. Because of that being able to hit the gas and get somewhere is where it's at for me.

 

[Couture]

Up here in the mountains I don't use it. Very rarely will I use it on open freeway flatland driving which I do very little of. Did bump up the MPG about 2-3 on those occasions.

 

[Fernie2002chs]

Does anyone know if the EPA miles per gallon on window sticker is with Eco Mode on or off?

 

[longboat]

Does anyone know if the EPA miles per gallon on window sticker is with Eco Mode on or off?

Pretty sure it is with ECO mode off. In order for it to qualify for EPA ratings, it would have to default to "ON" each time you start the vehicle, I believe.

 

[NSIDER]

Pretty sure it is with ECO mode off. In order for it to qualify for EPA ratings, it would have to default to "ON" each time you start the vehicle, I believe.

This is correct. Same reason vehicles with auto-stop/start systems are always defaulted to ON each time you start the vehicle, even though they can be turned off manually. The system was used to set the EPA rating, thus must be ON without any driver input.

 

[Carsmak]

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