If you drive a Honda vehicle, you might be tempted to push that ECON button, but should you? It’s supposed to make the drive more efficient, but there are clear times when it is appropriate to use and others when it should be avoided.
We take a closer look at what the Honda ECON button does and when you should consider pushing it. With our guidelines, you can ensure the most efficient drive possible.
What is Honda’s Econ Button?
Honda’s ECON button adjusts the throttle response, limits the shifting behavior, reduces A/C system capacity, and reduces the fuel injection to increase the fuel efficiency in your car engine.
Here are the adjustments the ECON button do more in detail:
1. Adjusts Throttle Response
ECON mode helps the vehicle consume less fuel by adjusting the throttle response. This is especially important when accelerating.
While the ECON mode will ensure that lower and higher-level throttle responses remain unaffected, the mid-range behavior is altered. The only difference you might see will be if you attempt to accelerate while cruising on the highway.
2. Limits Shifting Behavior
By frequently shifting up and down, the car’s fuel economy suffers. However, the ECON mode ensures that the transmission only shifts when it is really necessary.
By altering the shift points, the vehicle runs more efficiently. On the other hand, if you are driving on hilly terrain with your cruise control on, the ECON mode also limits downshifting, so you will sacrifice some speed.
3. Reduces A/C System Capacity
When it is hot outside, you rely on a powerful air conditioning system to keep you cool. However, this system uses a good amount of fuel to run and can hurt the efficiency of your vehicle.
ECON mode reduces the use of the air conditioning system. While you will still be able to run it, the system isn’t going to cool the cabin as quickly. On the bright side, you will save more fuel, keeping some extra cash in your pocket.
4. Reduces Fuel Injection
The fuel injectors are responsible for delivering gas to the engine, allowing internal combustion to work the way it should. Without the fuel injectors, the gas wouldn’t be able to get to the motor, where it creates power.
Depending on how you are using your vehicle, the amount of fuel needed varies. By activating the ECON mode, the amount of fuel injected into the engine gets reduced. While this helps your vehicle use less gas, it can also lead to performance issues if you need to accelerate quickly.
RELATED: How to Enter Honda Security Radio Code
When to Use the Honda ECON Button
There’s a time and place when the ECON button should be pressed. If you find yourself in these driving conditions, consider taking advantage of the fuel-saving mode offered by Honda.
You should use the honda ECON button when:
- Cruising on the highway at a steady speed
- Traveling through the city under normal conditions
- Driving across flat terrain
- Nothing is being towed by your vehicle
- The day isn’t unbearably warm, so you don’t need maximum air conditioning power
A little experimentation will help you determine when the ECON button is right for you. If you push it and aren’t satisfied with the performance, it’s just as easy to turn back off.
When Not to Use the Honda ECON Button
Knowing the appropriate times to use the ECON mode can help you maximize fuel efficiency without losing any valuable performance. However, there are clear times when you don’t want to attempt activating this mode.
For starters, when you enter the highway, you need all the power the car has. Using the ECON mode now will only limit the throttle response and reduce downshifting. You might have trouble getting the vehicle up to speed quickly enough during these moments.
RELATED: How to Reset the Oil Life Percentage in Your Honda
Additionally, if you need to pass a vehicle on the highway, you need all the speed you can find. Instead of using the ECO mode, it’s best to allow the engine the flexibility to pump out as much power as possible.
If you are driving on steep inclines or hilly terrain, you don’t want to activate the ECON mode. This drive mode reduces downshifting and limits power. As you hit the incline, your car will lose speed and end up consuming more fuel in the long run.
On top of that, when you tow with your Honda, you need maximum power and torque. The engine and transmission need to operate as they were designed. With ECON mode, you are going to reduce power and make it harder to tow. In the end, the vehicle will likely use more fuel and cause additional wear on the engine.
Finally, it doesn’t make sense to activate the ECON mode when you need the air conditioning. When the weather is brutal, you want maximum cooling power. You won’t be willing to trade this in exchange for superior fuel economy because you don’t want to show up at work covered in sweat. Additionally, when the ECON mode is activated on a hot day, the air conditioning system actually works harder, trying to keep up without full power. This condition leads to reduced fuel economy and excess wear on the A/C components.
John Randolph
If you can tolerate the downsides, if you leave the ECON button ON all of the time, are there NEGATIVE effects to your 2018 Honda CRV?
Karen
When I accelerate my 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid in Econ mode, at about 50 mph it makes a very loud engine sound which can actually be quite deafening. What is this and what should I do. If I take the foot off the accelerator, it stops the making the sound
Sandy rapp
I can't tell if my ECON buton is on or off. Nothing appears anywhere as an indication.
sonya barnette
My CRV rattles a little when I stop with ECON on. Why is that???
P. Burgess
My sister just bought a CR-V in Maryland a few months ago and she says the econ button is causing her problems that the dealership will not fix. Her new 2020 car stalls when she is stopped at a stop sign. I told her she needs to tell the dealership that this is a safety issue and they need to fix it. She tries to inactivate the econ button but it will not deactivate. Who should she contact who has some influence?
Matt Martin
It's not stalling, it's shutting the engine off to save gas. It's common practice with newer cars, if you listen at red lights, you can hear other new cars around you sound like they're just starting up. There should be a button that looks like an A with a circle around it to turn that function off.
Benard
I have recently changed my gearbox which I was advised to avoid using the Econ mode since it has an effect on the car especially the gearbox. Sometimes the car especially after stopping in traffic looses power and you have to give it time to pick..
Fina
Does having the Eco mode on constantly affect stress on the engine leading to changing rear differential fluid more often than normal?
Gary
What about the EV button on the 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid? Do you use the EV button along with the ECON button? If the EV and ECON buttons are disabled then you are using Sport mode in their place? Please clear up my confusion with the three buttons on my car......thanks
BISHMA KUMAR
Is econ mode differs in city driving and highway driving...
robbo
where is the diagnostic plug inside crv -and can i plug trikle charge solar panel into it?
Manuel
What is considered a hot day?
Monica
I've been driving wit econ button on all the time since I bought Honda insight 2009 even on big highways and hot days hope I haven't done damage have car 3 weeks and now it's got battery and fuel pump pic on dash it's under warranty for 2 more months have I mess up battery scared now
Mony
Can it be safe to use the Econ button while driving locally around the same city flat roads. Is that when it's preferably to use it?
Ali jaber
When econ button is on , and i am refelling my car with gas , do they go out side ??
Sue
After reading this In guessing you only use the econ button around town on flat roads on cool days when you don't have the air on .Is that correct.