[Don7019]

Got my 2011 SRX in Nov '10 so have driven it mostly during the winter. I used the remote start feature quite a bit to warm the car so that, I'm sure, helped contibute to a very low 16 MPG I have experienced since I got the car. Getting Turbo and AWD has contirbuted as well. As an experiment with my last fill up, I decided to start driving with the "Eco mode" engaged and not doing any remote starts that would waste gas. I am only a week into this "test" but, so far, I'm getting 19 MPG doing the same commute that I was driving over the winter. It's a little bit of an unfair comparison because I know I'm checking it and, as a result, I am "babying" the car. I leave "instant MPG" mode on my dash so that I can check my progress constantly and I coast when I can just to get the MPG number as high as possible. But still I'd have to believe that even if I wasn't "babying" it I would be getting 18 MPG. So the Eco mode works.

However, while driving in the Eco mode my ride is not very smooth. Not sure how to explain it other than it feels like the car is fighting me. Also, at certain times I feel a vibration that I didn't feel without the eco mode. Maybe the Turbo is having a fight with the eco mode? Just wonder what other's experiences are with driving in the Eco mode?

Thanks

 

[NoobNox]

I didn't realize the SRX had an Eco mode even with the turbo I4, but it sounds like it's working the same way it does on the normally aspirated 2.4 in the Nox/Terrain. What it does is lower your idle speed slightly (meaning more vibration at idle) and changing the transmission programming to upshift sooner. Personally I leave Eco off on my Nox since the MPG gain isn't huge and the rougher idle gets on my nerves.

 

[2011LTZ]

I've had my Equonix now for about three weeks. Currently the vehicle has about 1,000 miles. I leave the ECO on all the time. I'm trying to stretch mpg as far as I can. I do notice a difference when ECO is engaged as the transmission shifts quicker. It does take a little time to get used to.

 

[Terrain]

I didn't realize the SRX had an Eco mode even with the turbo I4

The SRX turbo is a 2.8 litre V6 not a four-banger.

 

[Motorman]

My 2010 3.0 V-6 Performance, does not have a ECO button. Only TURBO's got it. And yes they are v-6 eng, 2.8L as NoobNox states.

Terrain's description of the ECO's feel is exactly as my friend describes his 2010 Equinox I4 when using it. He claims maybe 1 more MPG gained. Of course depends on your driving style/speeds.


MM