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General What does the Eco button actually do?

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General What does the Eco button actually do?

JCarp16

JCarp16

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I realise this question could attract a series of disparaging remarks as it's not a hugely popular feature of the TA (although I like using it in town). But what technically happens under the bonnet when you press the button? Does it just 're-map' or does it do something to the turbo? Could you do any harm to the engine switching modes while on the move? Sorry about the ignorance but on looking online I've seen a number of vague explanations from 'it switches the turbo off?!' to it 'just electronically limits power and torque'.
 
JCarp16 said:
I realise this question could attract a series of disparaging remarks as it's not a hugely popular feature of the TA (although I like using it in town). But what technically happens under the bonnet when you press the button? Does it just 're-map' or does it do something to the turbo? Could you do any harm to the engine switching modes while on the move? Sorry about the ignorance but on looking online I've seen a number of vague explanations from 'it switches the turbo off?!' to it 'just electronically limits power and torque'.
Click to expand...

The ECO button just ease off the throttle response.
The Throttle never gives through what throttle input you give to it. (programmed)
There is always a delay to the throttle body (fly by wire) in throttle response.
Thats why the TwinAir feel sluggish when in ECO mode.
 
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It obviously alters the fueling map and I guess as a byproduct of that, it'll alter the ignition timing as well.

Not too sure of it's strategy in relation to the turbo, but given it's backed the fueling off, it would certainly need to back the air off to match, they can't run on air alone!

The quoted power output of these in Eco are very similar to the NA powered cars, which haven't made it to our market.

The NA Twin makes 60hp.
The turbo version in Eco knocks the normal 84hp back to around the 64hp mark methinks.

I sometimes switch on the move, hit a bit of a up hill drag and it's quick to bother you with a down change of gear, flick the switch and it saves you the gear change!
 
I think there's a fog of confusion over power figures and manufacturers tend to like it that way.

They interchange HP,Pferdestarke, Watts and metric horsepower to suit their needs.

Ask three different people and you'll get three different, yet correct answers!

I was under the impression it knocked out 84 fine british horses in normal and 64 sick and old pit ponies in Eco.
 
As others have said above the 'eco' mode (1) limits power and torque (2) changes the throttle response so the power is applied more gradually, essentially giving you a gentler right foot.

I question how useful limiting torque is - it may even be counterproductive. The way to get good economy from an engine like the TA is to change up gears early, using the extra torque afforded by the turbo. But with reduced torque you will need to use a lower gear more often - more revs, less efficient. In practice I find I got no better economy with the 'eco mode' on than I did driving very carefully in normal mode.

Since I got a tuning box fitted, I have used the 'eco' button for the first few minutes from a cold start to make sure the engine is properly warm before using the extra power. Eco mode with the tuning box is just a bit shy of normal mode without it.
 
TinyTurbo said:
As others have said above the 'eco' mode (1) limits power and torque (2) changes the throttle response so the power is applied more gradually, essentially giving you a gentler right foot.

I question how useful limiting torque is - it may even be counterproductive. The way to get good economy from an engine like the TA is to change up gears early, using the extra torque afforded by the turbo. But with reduced torque you will need to use a lower gear more often - more revs, less efficient. In practice I find I got no better economy with the 'eco mode' on than I did driving very carefully in normal mode.

Since I got a tuning box fitted, I have used the 'eco' button for the first few minutes from a cold start to make sure the engine is properly warm before using the extra power. Eco mode with the tuning box is just a bit shy of normal mode without it.
Click to expand...
How does the tuning box affect your fuel consumption?
 
JCarp16 said:
How does the tuning box affect your fuel consumption?
Click to expand...

Driven the same fuel consumption pretty much the same. RaceChip claim there should be a small improvement. I didn't find this: maybe it's to marginal to notice, but certainly the economy is no worse.

But if you're making a lot of use of the extra power, economy does suffers - that's only to be expected.

Of all the cars I've owned or used the economy on the Fiat twin airs (105TA, 85TA with and without the box) have been most dependent on driving style.
 
TinyTurbo said:
Driven the same fuel consumption pretty much the same. RaceChip claim there should be a small improvement. I didn't find this: maybe it's to marginal to notice, but certainly the economy is no worse.

But if you're making a lot of use of the extra power, economy does suffers - that's only to be expected.

Of all the cars I've owned or used the economy on the Fiat twin airs (105TA, 85TA with and without the box) have been most dependent on driving style.
Click to expand...
Yes. I've noticed a big difference. My partner gets 55mpg whereas I get closer to 45. We're currently averaging 51. She uses ECO a lot more than I do - so it could be that - or the fact she drives a little more sedately...
 
TinyTurbo said:
Driven the same fuel consumption pretty much the same. RaceChip claim there should be a small improvement. I didn't find this: maybe it's to marginal to notice, but certainly the economy is no worse.

But if you're making a lot of use of the extra power, economy does suffers - that's only to be expected.

Of all the cars I've owned or used the economy on the Fiat twin airs (105TA, 85TA with and without the box) have been most dependent on driving style.
Click to expand...

Big heavy 16" wheels/tires does not help either.
I got 323 Km far with just 29 liters, meaning 9 liter per 100 Km.
 
Hmm I tried the Eco button today on journey home. The words abysmal and dangerous spring to mind. 40 in top foot flat to the floor up a slight hill, virtually nothing happened. Extra weight of 4x4 over the 1.2 means it's probably slower. Button off again and goes like a stabbed rat, which was the whole point of buying 2 of them out of the. 8 Fiats owned so far. (y)
 
Al D said:
Hmm I tried the Eco button today on journey home. The words abysmal and dangerous spring to mind. 40 in top foot flat to the floor up a slight hill, virtually nothing happened. Extra weight of 4x4 over the 1.2 means it's probably slower. Button off again and goes like a stabbed rat, which was the whole point of buying 2 of them out of the. 8 Fiats owned so far. (y)
Click to expand...

I did a spirited 400 Km journey today, and also play around with the Eco button. :D
"Eco off" when speeding up, "Eco on" when i reaching spirited cruising speed.
Normally with "Eco on" there are not much Ponies home. ;)

The result 6.25ltr per 100 Km, or 1ltr per 16 Km. :D
 
I think it (ECO mode) gives a little better driveability around town. I haven't really noticed a big difference in economy - but I don't use it enough on its own to compare. I always switch it off when out on the open road. My other half uses it all the time, though, she seems to get better economy figures than me - I can't tell if that's down to the button or a difference in driving style.
 
The Pretender said:
I did a spirited 400 Km journey today, and also play around with the Eco button. :D
"Eco off" when speeding up, "Eco on" when i reaching spirited cruising speed.
Normally with "Eco on" there are not much Ponies home. ;)

The result 6.25ltr per 100 Km, or 1ltr per 16 Km. :D
Click to expand...


This is using the ECO button the wrong way round. It will have virtually no effect on fuel consumption when at crusing speed. It's main benefit is stop start type driving by limiting acceleration. The changes made by ECO mode basically make it easier to drive the car economically, it will not do much if you just plant your foot harder to compensate.


Robert G8RPI.
 
g8rpi said:
This is using the ECO button the wrong way round. It will have virtually no effect on fuel consumption when at crusing speed. It's main benefit is stop start type driving by limiting acceleration. The changes made by ECO mode basically make it easier to drive the car economically, it will not do much if you just plant your foot harder to compensate.


Robert G8RPI.
Click to expand...

Eco is always off, just was playing around with it; don't really care what it does or not. :D
With Eco On the car is no fun at all. ;)
 
86bhp or 74bhp. I cannot for the life of me work out what is changing. There is NO relationship I can determine to link the throttle and turbo response between the two modes. Eco id a gimmick to deal with euro economy tests and a pretty poor one at that.

Fiat are not able to say what this thing actually does probably because they are so ashamed of what it really does and their part in economy and emissions cheating activities.

Sound advice and information from here said the engine would improve over time, and my car is now much livelier in eco than it was in power mode when new. I would really like to know the answer to this question so I could improve my economy. However as previously said after his performance in snow this year he can drink and I will try and accept his bad habits!!! I could rant on this subject for hours.
 
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