The Nissan Rogue’s ECO mode can help you save gas, but only if you follow its acceleration guidelines.
Gas prices are soaring. Road congestion is heavy. Home, school, and work are at opposite ends of the city.
ECO mode is a solution for our times. Supposedly, it helps you save gas while driving. But how much efficiency can you expect? And what’s the best time to use it? We’re here to help.
Jerry, the trusted car insurance expert, is here to answer your questions. Read on for everything you need to know about ECO mode on the Nissan Rogue, plus the best way to lower your Nissan insurance costs.
What is ECO mode?
ECO mode optimizes the Rogue’s engine and transmission response for maximum efficiency. Basically, it reduces your acceleration so that you use less gas. However, ECO mode doesn’t always guarantee better fuel economy—it’s all in how you use it.
ECO mode helps you save fuel by letting you know when you’re driving economically. If you keep a light foot on the gas pedal, the ECO Pedal Guide on your instrument panel will glow green—that’s how you know you’re driving super economically. As you use more gas, the pedal guide will turn light green. Floor it and the meter will empty to let you know you’re wasting gas.
You’ll get better gas mileage if you keep the Pedal Guide in green for most of your trip, which you can see on the ECO Drive Report.
Key TakeawayThe Nissan Rogue’s ECO mode helps you save fuel by tweaking driving settings and providing an acceleration guide.
ECO Drive Report
The Nissan Rogue’s instrument panel displays an ECO Drive Report after each trip you complete with the help of ECO mode.
The top row displays your most recent trip’s fuel economy rating out of five stars. Below is a bar graph. The results of your previous five drives are displayed in black, while the results of your current drive are displayed in white. You can view your top mileage score to date in miles per gallon (mpg) in the box to the right.
Does ECO mode save fuel?
ECO mode’s fuel savings are only as good as your driving habits. It throttles acceleration, so if you’re impatient and floor the gas pedal, you might waste more fuel than if you’d stayed in Normal mode. Activate it on long drives and pair it with cruise control for best results.
Does ECO mode charge the battery?
Yes. As the Nissan Rogue’s engine spins, it turns the alternator, which converts that force into electricity to feed the battery. Since ECO mode reduces engine activity, the battery will probably charge a little slower than normal.
How to turn ECO mode on and off
If your Rogue is equipped with ECO mode, you can switch it on and off using the Drive Mode Selector (or ECO button).
To activate ECO mode on a 2021-2023 2WD Rogue, flip the drive mode switch until “ECO” appears on the instrument panel. To select ECO mode on an AWD model, turn the drive mode dial to the small leaf symbol; again, the instrument panel should confirm your choice. To turn off ECO mode, use the same method as above to select Normal mode.
Rogues from 2014-2020 have a dedicated “ECO” switch to the left of the steering wheel, near the trunk release button. Press it to turn on ECO mode, and press it again to turn it off. The speedometer will display a small green ECO symbol when ECO mode is active.
If in doubt, check the owner’s manual for more info.
How to customize ECO mode
The Settings menu lets you customize various aspects of ECO mode, including cruise control, idling, and air conditioning.
Enter Settings mode on the instrument panel by turning the ignition switch to the ON position and pressing the “Enter” or “OK” button on the steering wheel. Select ECO Mode Settings and enter the menu. There are a variety of customization options, including:
- Cruise control: select ON to reduce acceleration and improve fuel economy
- Idling stop: select ON to extend the idling stop time when the air conditioner is on
- Air conditioning: select ON to reduce air conditioner performance and improve fuel economy
- Tire Pres ECO Advice: select ON to display a “Check Tire Pressures for Best Fuel Economy” message with the ECO Drive Report
In Settings mode, you can also select when to display the ECO Drive Report. Select “ECO Drive Report”, then “Display”, and then choose “ON” or “OFF” to determine the position the ignition switch should be in to display the report.
Is ECO mode worth it?
Whether you see any benefits from ECO mode depends on your driving style. You can maximize fuel economy by following the instrument panel’s Pedal Guide. But if you’re set in your ways, the guide probably won’t be useful, and the ECO mode’s reduced throttle response may frustrate you.
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Jasmine Kanter is a non-fiction writer specializing in comprehensive content that\\\’s accessible to beginners, experts, and everyone in between. Since joining the Jerry team, Jasmine has penned over 300 articles on car insurance requirements, driving tips, and car maintenance. Prior to joining Jerry, Jasmine worked as a graphic designer, storyboard artist, and French customer service representative. She enjoys collecting hobbies and babysitting ducks in her spare time.
Jessica Barrett is a senior insurance writer and editor with 10 years of experience in the automotive and travel industries. A specialist in car insurance, car loans, and car ownership, Jessica’s mission is to create comprehensive content that car owners can use to manage their costs and improve their lives. As a managing editor for a team of writers and insurance specialists, Jessica has edited over 2,000 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from local insurance shopping tips to refinancing car loans with bad credit. Before joining Jerry as a senior content editor in 2021, Jessica created visual content for clients such as Expedia, Vivid Seats, Budget Direct Car Insurance, Angie’s List, and HomeAdvisor. Her content was published in Business Insider, Forbes, Apartment Therapy, and the BBC.
