Does ECO mode actually effect throttling?

[PMK]

With regard to the 2014 RT, there is a brief but informative explanation of how ECO works. It is silly to just speculate on such things when you can read about it from the manufacturer.

Sharing here for all. Copied from the 2014 owners manual.

PK

10) ECOMode Icon
The ECO (fuel economy mode) setting
reduces fuel consumption by limiting
throttle response and maximum
throttle opening to maintain an optimal
cruising setting.
To activate ECOmode press the mode
button for 2 seconds when in the main
screen.

1. ECO mode icon
When ECO mode is activated, a green
arrow will alternate with the gearbox
position indicator to indicate the optimal
timing to shift up transmission.
NOTE: Gearbox position indicator will
returnwhen transmission is shifted.
To deactivate ECO mode, press the
mode button for 2 seconds when in
the main screen.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I have seen throttle response curves from BRP published on this very website and at least for the 2014 RT, it does indeed affect throttle response and power throughout the whole RPM range. It reduces the response by what looked to me like about one third. The behavior of ECO mode is also briefly explained in the owner's manual. You have to physically turn this mode off. It does not detect the rider's intentions on hard acceleration. I have experimented with ECO mode and fuel economy. My conclusion is that you get better mileage using ECO mode than regular mode, even if you take it really easy in regular mode. My personal opinion is that even with only 2/3 of the available power, the Spyder will still easily out-accelerate most cars in ECO mode and is not at all unsafe. I don't normally use ECO mode because I like strong performance and I didn't buy a Spyder to get good gas mileage. I guess I want to act like a hooligan every once in a while as JayBros says. :roflblack::2thumbs: I just did all this research and experimentation because I was curious.

Please read post #5 from Lamont on this subject http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?61713-Eco-Mode-and-Shifting-RPM

So?

Art you made the statement that it does not detect the riders hard acceleration and I am saying you are incorrect. Here is what Lamont posted:
Throttle map changes to a more progressive rather than linear acceleration .
o During hard acceleration there will not be an indication to shift – the ECM understands you are accelerating and will not recommend a shift at this time.
o Only when the vehicle speed and acceleration have stabilized for a certain time and the ECM judges there is enough engine torque available in the next gear to keep the same speed and acceleration will an upshift indication be displayed.

 

[ARtraveler]

Great points and counterpoints on the ECO mode from all posting so far.

I faithfully used ECO mode for one full gas tank worth of operation.

:ani29:: I found looking for the green arrow to be annoying and distracting.

:ani29:: I noted about 2 miles per gallon increase in mileage on that tankful. Your mileage and results may vary. :thumbup:

:ani29:: Did not note a difference in power, but was not paying a lot of attention to that detail.

My personal choice is to not use ECO mode, I would rather have the electronic frunk release. :roflblack::roflblack: Probably the last time you will see that rant from me.

I shift my 1330 right around 3000 rpm--which seems to be the "sweet spot" on my RTS. I shift more by sound than tachometer reading, but that is where the shift ends up most of the time. I always let the 1330 shift down by itself, compared to manually down shifting on the 2011 RT.

 

[Art Mann]

Art you made the statement that it does not detect the riders hard acceleration and I am saying you are incorrect. Here is what Lamont posted:
Throttle map changes to a more progressive rather than linear acceleration .
o During hard acceleration there will not be an indication to shift – the ECM understands you are accelerating and will not recommend a shift at this time.
o Only when the vehicle speed and acceleration have stabilized for a certain time and the ECM judges there is enough engine torque available in the next gear to keep the same speed and acceleration will an upshift indication be displayed.

Of course, the engine controller knows where the throttle is any time the engine is running, ECO mode or not. What you highlighted refers to the behavior of the little green shift light, not the throttle response. What I was trying to say is the engine controller does not drop the engine out of ECO mode under hard acceleration as some people speculated. ECO mode cuts throttle response even if the throttle is wide open. You don't need a post from Lamont to find that out. All you have to do is observe WOT acceleration zero to 60 with and without ECO mode activated.

 

[trikermutha]

Well question was asked and was answered...Be safe and enjoy!:clap:

 

[PMK]

Of course, the engine controller knows where the throttle is any time the engine is running, ECO mode or not. What you highlighted refers to the behavior of the little green shift light, not the throttle response. What I was trying to say is the engine controller does not drop the engine out of ECO mode under hard acceleration as some people speculated. ECO mode cuts throttle response even if the throttle is wide open. You don't need a post from Lamont to find that out. All you have to do is observe WOT acceleration zero to 60 with and without ECO mode activated.

I could be wrong, but it seemed the power was soft even without the shift light. I do believe the above is correct.

PK

 

[Bob Denman]

 

[ThreeWheels]

View attachment 100398

OK. So if you are driving down the highway at 65 mph with the throttle set to specific opening, and then engage ECO mode, the bike slows down. This in turn requires you to open the throttle more to maintain your original speed. And this saves gasoline how?
Maybe there is some benefit to it but I haven't seen it in 2500 miles. Maybe I can find the benefit sometimr in the 2015 riding season.

 

[Art Mann]

I could be wrong, but it seemed the power was soft even without the shift light. I do believe the above is correct.

PK

The power is soft in ECO mode -- always. The little green shift light has nothing to do with that. That is an unrelated fuel economy feature that tries to control the rider, not the Spyder. We are talking about how rapidly the engine responds to a particular throttle position within a particular gear. The twist grip does not directly control the amount of fuel going into the intake manifold. There is no carburetor. There is no venturi effect. The engine controller reads the twist grip position in real time and uses that information plus O2 sensor readings and lots of other things (including ECO mode) and pumps fuel into the throttle body through the single fuel injector accordingly.

I think maybe we are misunderstanding each other.

I think the best way to look at ECO mode is that BRP has used the engine controller to simulate the performance of a smaller engine in this mode. Less power. More fuel economy. Its that simple. It does cycle the cute little upshift light as well.

 

[MikeinGA]

ECO Mode on the 2011

Is the ECO mode on the 14s nothing more than a reminder on the screen? Seems like I read somewhere that it actually affects throttling. Is that true?

ECO mode on my 2011 RS-S SE5 is, DRIVE DOWN HILL!

Mike

 

[rollingstone]

OK. And this sSo if you are driving down the highway at 65 mph with the throttle set to specific opening, and then engage ECO mode, the bike slows down. This in turn requires you to open the throttle more to maintain your original speed.aves gasoline how?
Maybe there is some benefit to it but I haven't seen it in 2500 miles. Maybe I can find the benefit sometimr in the 2015 riding season.

My thoughts exactly. Travelling at a steady speed requires a certain amount of energy, ECO mode or not, so I don't see an advantage in using ECO while cruising on a highway. Some say that doing this improves their fuel economy but I don't understand how; any explanations?

 

[ThreeWheels]

My thoughts exactly. Travelling at a steady speed requires a certain amount of energy, ECO mode or not, so I don't see an advantage in using ECO while cruising on a highway. Some say that doing this improves their fuel economy but I don't understand how; any explanations?

Looking at the curve and the description, I don't think you can really save much gas if you're cruising down the highway at a steady speed.
If you have a hot wrist in the city, restraining the throttle will reduce your acceleration and save gas. You can do the same with a more measured response, but the ECO mode forces it on you.

Now if they did something drastic, like shutting down one cylinder while cruising on the highway.............