[Electric Al]

Hi People

Any Leaf users use the ECO button ? does it do much for the range of the vehicle , any long term benefits ?

Thanks

 

[DBMandrake]

Hi People

Any Leaf users use the ECO button ? does it do much for the range of the vehicle , any long term benefits ?

Thanks

The Eco button mainly just remaps the accelerator pedal forcibly turning a heavy right foot into a light right foot.

You can achieve the same result just being gentle with the accelerator pedal. I think it also reduces the maximum power of the heater however I can't say I've noticed much difference there and you could get a similar effect by turning the temperature down 1-2 degrees perhaps more effect.

It completely nerfs the feel of driving the car as it becomes a big heavy unresponsive lump and IMHO it can be a little dangerous if you get caught out needing a squirt of instant acceleration to clear a busy junction. You can get full acceleration in Eco mode if you push the pedal past the "detent" near the bottom but this causes a sudden surge of acceleration that is not easy to control which is not ideal. (The Eco mode bypass detent is intended mainly for motorway overtaking I suspect)

I can see use for the Eco mode as a "snow mode" as it makes the acceleration much more gentle and controllable for the same pedal depression, so if you find yourself in very low traction icy conditions trying to get moving, Eco mode will make it easier to do so.

It's also good if you have a passenger who doesn't like being chucked about as it forces you to drive very smoothly - many passengers don't like being chucked back and forth by the instant acceleration and regenerative braking of an EV, and it's sometimes difficult for the driver to realise how their driving style feels to the passengers.

 

[badmanwimmaculatelips]

Hi People

Any Leaf users use the ECO button ? does it do much for the range of the vehicle , any long term benefits ?

Thanks

The ECO button is absolutely essential - to increase the feeling of smugness and superiority over fossil 'fule' road users. Innit ?

Srsly, it may increase the regen braking a bit (i think it does in pre-2012 models, maybe not in later ones).

 

[dk6780]

As Simon says it remaps the accelerator and increases the regen available on both D and B modes. Nissan's research found a 2% increase in range - frankly not worth it for the feeling of dullness that it induces.

 

[DBMandrake]

As Simon says it remaps the accelerator and increases the regen available on both D and B modes. Nissan's research found a 2% increase in range - frankly not worth it for the feeling of dullness that it induces.

Are you sure it increases the regen ? I haven't noticed any difference there, although I haven't tried to measure it accurately.

 

[Drewby80]

In the wet it makes the poor grip from the low rolling resistance tyres on a leaf much more manageable.

It has the added charm that you can be lazy and lead footed and the car just accelerates calmly and smoothly without the need for a great deal of finesse on the accelerator.

Without eco mode you only have to be very slightly over eager with your right foot to instantly light up the front tyres on wet roads, eco mode it sorts this.

As stated above though if you do suddenly need full power aka “oh sh*t I’ve just realised that that this guy I’ve pulled out in front of is actually doing 60 in a 30 limit” when you kick down it overrides and in the wet you can spin the wheels at circa 30mph it is manageable but you have to be on your toes to keep the front end in check.

 

[ahutcheon]

Are you sure it increases the regen ? I haven't noticed any difference there, although I haven't tried to measure it accurately.

My S model (no B mode) definitely has more regen in Eco, I sometimes use this on downhills to save having to use the brake (i.e. there's more off-throttle regen, but I think I can get the same regen by touching the brake gently so it doesn't really change efficiency). The throttle mapping in Eco is horrible (unresponsive), so I don't use it otherwise.

 

[Drewby80]

Having read different peoples accounts on here I have a feeling that eco mode in a 40 Leaf may be a very experience than the 30.

I can’t comment on this because I haven’t driven the 30 but eco in the 40 isn’t especially dead or sluggish, I rarely switch eco off unless I find myself in the wrong lane.

Without eco mode on the 40 is really responsive an pretty quick, the Dunlop eco tyres really struggle to handle the torque it produces without breaking traction.

Its no issue in the 40 I guess it’s possible that the extra 40 HP makes all the difference.

Can anyone comment who’s driven both?

 

[Hermit Dave]

The regen braking for eco is greater than D and less than B.

Frankly the cars too pathetic in Eco mode as throttle response is too dull.

Leaf doesn’t have snow mode so I’d only use it when in icy condition


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[badmanwimmaculatelips]

Another point of view on the ECO button is that it make make a difference if/when used by a significant number of users, even though the individual savings on energy are low. It's worth considering the potential gains 'in total' across all Leafs though these are hard to measure.

If the ECO is used by drivers that don't mind (or notice) much difference in performance, then this will lead to some energy savings 'across the population'. But, it needs users/drivers to think beyond their own experience or perspective (perhaps not a strength of the species, in general...).

 

[DBMandrake]

In the wet it makes the poor grip from the low rolling resistance tyres on a leaf much more manageable.

It has the added charm that you can be lazy and lead footed and the car just accelerates calmly and smoothly without the need for a great deal of finesse on the accelerator.

Without eco mode you only have to be very slightly over eager with your right foot to instantly light up the front tyres on wet roads, eco mode it sorts this.

Or put some decent tyres on?

Mine used to spin the front wheels away from traffic lights on an even slightly wet road without careful finesse of the accelerator.... and that was with plenty of tread depth. Since I swapped to Michelin CrossClimate+ I can (at least straight ahead) floor it from stationary while the front wheels are standing in a puddle with zero wheel spin or drama. Wet roads just feel like dry roads to drive on the wet grip is so good. And unlike finessing the accelerator pedal gently I can also stop that much better in the wet.

The factory Dunlops are dangerously unsafe in the cold and wet IMO. I have so much more confidence in the car in the cold and wet now with better tyres.

As stated above though if you do suddenly need full power aka “oh sh*t I’ve just realised that that this guy I’ve pulled out in front of is actually doing 60 in a 30 limit” when you kick down it overrides and in the wet you can spin the wheels at circa 30mph it is manageable but you have to be on your toes to keep the front end in check.

Yes, the Eco kickdown feature is not very safe to use in low traction conditions - it's a bit like kicking down a powerful petrol auto in slippery conditions - if it kicks down one gear you're OK, if it decides (at it's whim) to kick down two gears instead you could be in a world of wheel spin...

Better tyres does help a lot but I choose not to use the Eco mode and just be careful with the accelerator when I need to, unless its super slippery like ice. Eco takes all the life out of the car and makes it unpleasant to drive IMHO.

 

[DBMandrake]

My S model (no B mode) definitely has more regen in Eco, I sometimes use this on downhills to save having to use the brake (i.e. there's more off-throttle regen, but I think I can get the same regen by touching the brake gently so it doesn't really change efficiency). The throttle mapping in Eco is horrible (unresponsive), so I don't use it otherwise.

I think the Eco mode in poverty spec models (I think your S is equivalent to a UK Visia) is different. I'm describing how Eco works on an Acenta or Tekna which has B/D modes on the gear lever and a separate Eco button on the steering wheel.

 

[Barfly]

I only use it when I have passengers in the car. It will definitely give them a smoother ride, although to the driver it's like driving a sofa bed. Someone else on here mentioned the jerky effect of the untempered ordinary D mode on the passengers, the driver has a steering wheel; passengers can get thrown about and if susceptible can soon feel quite nauseous.

As a taxi driver school trainer in Perth (amongst other things), this was one of the primary skills I used to attempt to impart to my pupils. One day I had 4 of the assorted Somalis, Indians, Brits, Kiwis and Aussies attending the class in my training car and the first Somali got into the driving seat; before we had travelled 100 mtrs approaching a school crossing he was already doing 80kms in a 25km zone.
I used to despair for the poor passengers they were going to carry in the future.

 

[Drewby80]

Or put some decent tyres on?

Mine used to spin the front wheels away from traffic lights on an even slightly wet road without careful finesse of the accelerator.... and that was with plenty of tread depth. Since I swapped to Michelin CrossClimate+ I can (at least straight ahead) floor it from stationary while the front wheels are standing in a puddle with zero wheel spin or drama. Wet roads just feel like dry roads to drive on the wet grip is so good. And unlike finessing the accelerator pedal gently I can also stop that much better in the wet.

The factory Dunlops are dangerously unsafe in the cold and wet IMO. I have so much more confidence in the car in the cold and wet now with better tyres.

Yes, the Eco kickdown feature is not very safe to use in low traction conditions - it's a bit like kicking down a powerful petrol auto in slippery conditions - if it kicks down one gear you're OK, if it decides (at it's whim) to kick down two gears instead you could be in a world of wheel spin...

Better tyres does help a lot but I choose not to use the Eco mode and just be careful with the accelerator when I need to, unless its super slippery like ice. Eco takes all the life out of the car and makes it unpleasant to drive IMHO.

CrossClimate+ are on my to do list, I want my wear out of these Dunlop’s first though.

Seems daft / wasteful to scrap a perfectly serviceable set of tyres!

How have you found the difference in economy / ride?

The Dunlop’s do soak up the bumps nicely is it a harsher ride on the CrossClimates?

 

[motco]

Are you sure it increases the regen ? I haven't noticed any difference there, although I haven't tried to measure it accurately.

It does increase regen on mine. Non-ECO running is more or less freewheeling with power off, but in ECO there's a couple of green blobs showing on a trailing pedal. 2014 UK built Tekna. It also raises the GOM range figure a touch.

 

[motco]

I only use it when I have passengers in the car. It will definitely give them a smoother ride, although to the driver it's like driving a sofa bed. Someone else on here mentioned the jerky effect of the untempered ordinary D mode on the passengers, the driver has a steering wheel; passengers can get thrown about and if susceptible can soon feel quite nauseous.

As a taxi driver school trainer in Perth (amongst other things), this was one of the primary skills I used to attempt to impart to my pupils. One day I had 4 of the assorted Somalis, Indians, Brits, Kiwis and Aussies attending the class in my training car and the first Somali got into the driving seat; before we had travelled 100 mtrs approaching a school crossing he was already doing 80kms in a 25km zone.
I used to despair for the poor passengers they were going to carry in the future.

My colleague with whom I spent a good amount of time back in the 1970s on trips to Japan, used to claim that the ubiquitous Datsun Cedric taxi had no accelerator pedal, only an ON-OFF switch!

 

[Barfly]

CrossClimate+ are on my to do list, I want my wear out of these Dunlop’s first though.

Seems daft / wasteful to scrap a perfectly serviceable set of tyres!

How have you found the difference in economy / ride?

The Dunlop’s do soak up the bumps nicely is it a harsher ride on the CrossClimates?

I changed my perfectly good originals for these Pirellis. Cinturato ALL SEASON PLUS - Car tyre | Pirelli
They are so quiet I can now hear this sort of rushing noise when I accelerate on a bit of new tarmac. I could never do that before. The ride is better and there is the added bonus of self-seal that's great for the Leaf with no supplied spare or even a jack. They stick like glue to the road even in icy conditions.
The only downside is a) the price £538 and b) the slight reduction in range of about 3 miles per 100miles.

 

[dk6780]

Are you sure it increases the regen ?

The regen braking for eco is greater than D and less than B.

I agree with @Hermit Dave - adding Eco to D takes the regen somewhere between "non-Eco" D and B, and adding Eco to B seems to make the regen come in earlier and harder. But I don't think that it increases the absolute limit - if I use B at 50+ adding Eco seems to make no difference to the regen effort.

 

[JonJ]

You obviously can drive eco without using it, but Eco mode will generally result in more gentle acceleration, which may be good in the long term for the final reduction gear in the Leaf drive unit.

From reading other post this can be a weakness.
Lots of high torque acceleration and lack of routine gear oil changes in the Nissan service schedule has resulted in broken noisy drive units at higher mileages. (from what I've see mostly Taxis)

Naturally like any car, if you thrash it, moving parts will wear about more quickly, so with Eco Mode you are limiting your ability to thrash it.

 

[motco]

Not to mention tyre wear and power consumption!