15Z06

I've read posts where some guys subscribe to never using ECO mode, and seem to be referring to some mechanical/maintenance concern. Lifter issues perhaps?

I'm not looking for "Why would you buy a Z and care about mileage" editorials please, just sound mechanical advice.

Thanks Gents

MikeLsx

uneven cylinder wear is what i can see happening. But not sure what kind of problems that can cause.

Speednet

I don't think cylinder wear is a problem. Everything except the valves continue to move in a deactivated cylinder.

BearZ06

Silly not to use it.

funz06

Just a FYI...........a few of us have played with this feature, and here is the consensus:

* It doesn't really make too much of a difference for the mileage-----based on one guy's 300 mile test. He said lees than 1 mile per gallon difference.

* It really isn't using just the 4 cylinders as much as you might think when in ECO mode-----maybe around 20% of the time it is in ECO will it be using just the 4 cylinders. There is a screen in the DIC that will show you how many cylinders are being used. Use this screen when in ECO mode and you will see for yourself. It stays with the 4cylinders as long as you are on level ground or going downhill; even the slightest incline where you have to step on the gas even a little puts it back to 8 cylinders.

But, I still play with it and use it on the highway sometimes.

mikegaan

With my A8, I see it go into 4 cyl mode while in "Tour", so I'm not sure what if anything changes when "ECO" mode is selected. Switching between ECO and TOUR makes no difference that I can see...while just cruising. Maybe it limits power/gas, or kick-down gears when you nail it. Some posts have claimed a better highway mpg in 8 cyl. mode than in 4 at 75mph???

67*427

As mikegaan says, I too have gone back and forth from Economy to other modes, Tour included and have seen NO difference in mileage. Looking at the instantaneous mileage and V8 vs. V4 I can't see that Economy makes any difference at all. I expected it to be more "aggressive" in going into V4 but I sure can't see any difference.

SD

Daisuke149

Eco mode main problem is that it kicks out of 4cyl too easy. Thus theres no real difference in mpg. Its a gimick.

I get better mpg using eco in 6th gear than 7th because it maintains 4 cyl mode easier.

The programming for 7th gear needs to change to stay in 4th alot more.

Other gears are fine.

Arctic6

I'm in the middle of my cross country tour and have put 3200 miles on the car in the last two weeks. I have about 1700 in Eco mode, 800 in Tour, 300 in Weather, 300 in Sport. There is no discernible difference between any of the settings as far as mpg. None. My overall average is 23.3 @ 56mph average. This is from across Texas through New Mexico and into the mountains of Colorado. I'm by Omaha right now. There is however a huge difference in the ride quality over crappy roads.

Tripleblk6spd

Eco mode doesn't just control the number of cylinders, it remaps the throttle, torque demand, and shift schedule. If you drive it with normal aggressiveness in Eco mode, it won't do anything. If you drive it relatively conservative, you will see better mileage. How much will be determined by how easy you are during acceleration.

OnPoint

OP - I've read that on other non-LT engines (GM and Chrysler) some folks have suffered timing chain and lifter failures. I don't know if those failures were the result of AFM engaging/disengaging on those other engines or if they were just bad parts. Having not owned any of those other engines, I never took the time to dig into it.

So far, I haven't heard/read of any negative mechanical issues with the LT1/4 AFM that were demonstrated to be tied directly to the operation of the AFM - other than the obvious negative of it limiting rpm range due to the heavier valvetrain.

Fastmikefree

M7 will go to V4 only in ECO mode. A8 will try to go to V4 in other modes when less than 3500rpm (not in Sport & Track mode).

z51vett

I used Eco mode in the stingray this weekend knew when it was in and out Eco mode.
z51vett
Doug

CaryBob

The M7 goes to ECO only when specifically selected. Only the A8 will do it in TOUR mode.

c7jim

funny, I never thought I would use eco mode. I'm too sporty. Or so I thought. I use it all the time. I don't use eco mode because of mpg, it just has a nicer ride when driving around town. If you need to get up and go, there is still plenty on tap.
Also, I noticed, even in sport mode, when driving say in stop and go traffic, it will still go into V4 mode.

zeshawn

eco mode makes quite a difference in my 2014 Sierra, I see about 2-3 mpg difference which isn't small, this is with mixed driving. I also learn how to control my right foot to keep it in v4 mode and it works nicely.

Dabigsnake

Eco mode on Sierra? I have a 2015 High Country w 6.2 and A8, I didn't get no stinking Eco mode. waz up w dat ?

zeshawn

there is no Eco mode, it just does it for you whether you like it or not , goto the current fuel consumption page and you should see a V4 or V8 sign indicating what mode the engine is running at.

SMFCPACFP

I did some testing on a perfectly straight and level stretch of highway. My car seldom would seldom shift into the 4 cylinder mode while in 7th gear in the Eco mode. It actually got slightly better mileage in the touring mode in 7th gear. Thus if I want the best mileage (at 62 mph), I will use the tour mode and 7th gear.

george vee

yep