I don't think there's any added benefit as it simply decreases the amount of fuel being used as accelerator is pressed as opposed to having it off while gently tapping the gas gives the same amount of fuel used. It's more like a failsafe if someone has a heavy foot.

 

We did a recent 300 mile trip with ECON on, cruise on, AC on Auto with four people in the car. Averaged 42.5 mpg for the trip. I have experimented with ECON on/off with Cruise on and it seems that there is a slower speed recovery time with ECON on. Didn't time it, but it was noticeable.

 

I use premium and Econ together and getting over 40 mpg lifetime average including a winter with about 60/40 highway. I could easily take a road trip and get over 50 mpg. At 55 mph I am seeing 70 plus on my ultra gauge and at 70 mph I am seeing 55 mpg.

 

It works best on the highway in hilly country with the cruise control on. I've tested the car with it on and off on the same long route and it does save gas mainly due to the cruise control slow down going up hills I think. Around town, I don't see any difference. It's another Honda experiment I think. Just like the S2000. It was a VTEC experiment car. Why people like them, other than it's a decent looking car, is beyond me.

 

The ECON feature to my knowledge only controls climate control response?

Correct me if I'm wrong but I work at a Honda Dealership lol

 

You are wrong. It re-programs the transmission shift points, changes the accelerator travel action, changes the AC compressor cycle time, and lets the cruise control drop the cars speed back by two or three mph when climbing hills before the transmission downshifts to maintain cruise control speed. So there. Maybe you will get a raise from your dealership for being so knowledgeable......

 

I only use it on the highway, because it makes the car so dang slow to accelerate around town

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The ECON also effects the gas pedal and how far down you can push it before getting the engine to rev up. It's a lot less sensitive basically. Push down half way with ECON on, and then do the same with it off, and you'll see the difference or feel i should say the difference. The engine will rev higher easier with it off.

That's the experience i get when driving my GF's car with the ECON on and off.

 

 

Just for fun, I did a 52.3 mile trip around I-465 in Indianapolis in the middle of the night. 2013 Civic LX sedan manual. I set the cruise control at 60 mph, all windows up, A/C off, ECON OFF and at the end, the trip odometer gave a read out of 43.9 mpg.

Oh, I forgot, I never use ECON.

 

I actually can't use it on the highway until after I've gotten in a lane with no traffic. Catching up to speed is so hard to do when you have the Eco settings on. You accelerate 1mph so slow unless you really want to put the pedal to the floor. So I wait until I am up to speed and can put on cruise control before engaging Eco settings. Great for the city, although it does cause slow acceleration.


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It works

You are correct that on a long trip with mostly highway cruising the econ feature would not be significant as to gas pedal regulation BUT it does reduce the A/C compressor use and also, when using cruise control, it limits the "resume" speed feature to a much slower recovery rate instead of aggressively downshifting to reach the set speed. I have experimented with the econ button on/off in both highway and city driving and it does make a small difference in MPG. In my informal tests it was 28-29 city with it off and 31-32 with it on. As for highway, it was something like 38-39 with it off and 40-41 with it on so it makes some difference. At first, its frustrating driving with it on but after yo get adjusted to it, it becomes more a natural feeling - it actually can "calm" your driving habits and helps you accelerate less aggressively. It also seems to smooth the power train shifts. Just a note, it you get into a panic situation and "floor it" the computer senses that and allows the car to downshift quickly as it would in normal mode to give you a burst of power if needed.

 

What ECON button?

 

On the Si I believe your Econ button is your right foot lol.

 

NO! Your engine wil explode killing you and anyone in a 50 yard radius.

In reality, the ECON button works as advertised for people that don't try to over-ride it with their right foot. I get two to three more MPG either highway or city. So, it does work.....for those with enough intelligence not to defeat how it works.

 

Econ mode

 

yo that shit is hilarious

 

I have noticed something over the last 20K miles regarding ECON use on the highway. I get better mileage with ECON off and Cruise Control on than with ECON on and CC on. It seems that CC acceleration with ECON on takes a lot longer to regain the set speed and keeps the lights out of the green longer. Doesn't make sense to me, but that's the way Black Betty works.

 

Do you use ECON button on highway or city?

I was told it was more of a city thing for the ECON button.

Would it be fine if I use it on the highway for a long trip (700 miles/1000km trip?)

Yes.

Yes.

The ECON feature to my knowledge only controls climate control response?

Correct me if I'm wrong but I work at a Honda Dealership lol

See PG. 123 in the Civic owner's manual.
Which says:
The ECON button turns the ECON mode on and off.
The ECON mode helps you improve your fuel economy by adjusting the
performance of the engine, transmission, heating and cooling system, and cruise
control.