One of the most common questions I get from Sentra owners is what does Eco mode do, does it damage the engine, and is it worth using? I’ll answer all of these questions and more in this article.
What Is Eco Mode on a Nissan Sentra?
With the advancement of technology, new drive features are introduced into the automotive world.
The simplest and short answer is Eco mode is designed to help drivers save fuel and reduce their carbon footprint by optimizing their vehicle’s performance for efficiency.
It is part of the Nissan drive mode selector which includes normal and sport mode.
How Does Nissan Sentra Eco Mode Work?
When you activate “Eco Mode” on your Nissan Sentra, a couple of changes occur to how the vehicle behaves in order to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions, these include:
Delayed Transmission Shifts
The transmission shifts automatically to a lower gear for better fuel economy when you are traveling on the highway.
This reduces engine revs, which means less fuel is used and less CO2 is produced. The throttle response is also changed so that it doesn’t accelerate too quickly when you press down on the gas pedal.
Air Conditioning is Adjusted
The air conditioning will be set to use less energy, which means that the engine doesn’t have to work as hard when cooling the cabin. As a result, less fuel is required
Reduced Throttle Response
When “Eco Mode” is selected, the throttle response is reduced so that the Sentra doesn’t accelerate too quickly when you press down on the gas pedal. This improves the average fuel economy.
Advantages of Using Nissan Eco Mode
Just like most things in the world, there are both advantages and disadvantages to using Nissan Eco Mode. Some of the benefits include:
1. Improved Fuel Economy
The most obvious advantage of using eco mode on your car is that it will improve your fuel economy. This is especially beneficial if you drive a lot or have longer commutes because you can save a lot of fuel by enabling this feature.
2. Reduce Emissions
Using eco mode will also help you to cut down on emissions. This is especially important if you live in an area where there are strict emissions laws, or if you want to do your part to help the environment.
Disadvantages of Nissan Sentra Eco Mode
Now, let’s look at some of the disadvantages of using Nissan Sentra eco mode.
1. Restricted Engine Performance
If you are a spirited driver then you will likely find Eco mode to be quite restrictive.
While it will help you save on fuel and reduce emissions, it also cuts down on engine performance. The result is that you won’t get the same amount of power as you would if you were driving in normal or sport mode.
2. Limited Features like Air con
Another disadvantage of using Nissan Sentra Eco mode is that some of the features like air-con won’t work as well as they would in normal or sport mode.
This can be quite frustrating if you are traveling in hot weather and need to cool down, of cause, there is an option of rolling down your windows, but that’s not always a viable option.
3. Less Fun
Generally, Nissan Sentras are fun cars to drive especially when you have the 2-liter four-cylinder engine option,
From my experience, the turbocharged 1.6 liter paired with Xtronic CVT Transmission outputting 188 horsepower still feels fun, however, with eco mode enabled the car feels like it has lost some of its personality.
The acceleration is much slower and you really need to step on it before the turbo kicks in.
When to Use the Eco Mode Feature on a Sentra?
Now, let’s look at when it’s best to use eco mode and when it’s not feasible to do so.
It is advisable to use Eco mode anytime when you are looking to save some fuel, with city or highway driving.
It is not advisable to use eco mode when you are looking for power and performance, as it will feel a lot less responsive and will not go as fast as it would in normal or sport mode.
Eco mode is great for saving money on fuel but not so much for driving enjoyment.
Additional Sources
https://www.nissanbarbados.com/vehicles/new/sentra/performance.html
https://www.nissanusa.com/vehicles/cars/sentra/features/performance.html
https://money.howstuffworks.com/personal-finance/budgeting/how-to-drive-economically7.htm