does this actually change any tuning or only to activate the suggested shift points etc. for economy?
Besides providing suggessted shift points to optimise economical running, selecting ECO Mode does actually vary & 'de-sensitise' the throttle control a little to reduce the throttle opening rate on a linear scale from zero to 'Wide Open', so that WOT with ECO Mode selected is somewhat less than 'normal' WOT, if that makes sense to you?!
If you search on ECO Mode, you should be able to find the graph that's floating around here from the early days of ECO Mode that BRP put out showing how the throttle input varies between ECO & 'normal' settings.
To me, ECO mode simply reduces or retards the rapid acceleration which consumes more fuel than normal mode. The arrow indicates shift points at lower rpm's therby saving fuel. Don't become fixated on that arrow which indicates a shift point. Keep your eyes on the road and shift by feel. I'm in no hurry unless passing while going up hill and then I use normal mode and shift at hugh rpm's, however I run ECO mode 90% of the time. Saves ware and tear on everything.
Peter is right on. Eco Mode shows suggested shift points and "detunes" a little bit. When it first came out, I faithfully run a one tank test to see how good it was. I obeyed the little green arrows for a couple hundred miles (1 tank). My gas savings were about one mile per gallon.
Based on the fact that I don't like the computer telling me what to do, the aggravation of having to keep looking for the green arrows to shift, and the lack of any real benefits (pooey on 1 mpg savings), I don't use it ever.
Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.
I rather retain Voom Voom mode. If it lowers mileage so be it!
2018 RT Ltd - Asphalt Metallic - East Valley of Phoenix
2018 RT Ltd Chrome - Champagne Metallic - Lake Stevens, Wa
(Champagne/Hooker) Magic Mirrors, 360 LED head lights, BajaRon sway bar, H&R springs and shock adjusters, dash cam, foam grips, third brake light 4 LED strobe for 7 seconds and then on steady, rear LED turn signals/8 ohm 50W resistors, sequential turn signals on front fenders, Vredestein and PPA Orb wheels on front and General out back, and driver backrest.
Things that move between machines: Ikea sheep skins, Zumo XT GPS, and extra tools. Hooker is going to be my summer trike up North; and Hookie my winter trike down South.
(Asphalt/Hookie) Elka shocks on front - BajaRon sway bar, OEM driver's backrest, LED headlights, dual USB with voltmeter, dash cam, foam grips - Magic Mirrors - front tires Vredestein Quatrac SL on PPA ORB Chrome wheels.