Fuel And Emissions System Description - Ecological Drive Assist System

Fuel and Emissions System Description - Ecological Drive Assist System

Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco assist)

The Eco assist provides drivers a way to maximize fuel economy by monitoring driving habits. Eco assist has two main components to assist in overall fuel economy: effective control and the driver feedback system. Used together, they provide the best possible fuel economy.













Effective Control

Effective control monitors several vehicle systems when the ECON button on the dashboard is on. These systems include PGM-FI, cruise control, CVT control, IMA, and air conditioning. Effective control keeps all of the monitored systems operating efficiently for the best fuel economy. Effective control is activated by the ECON button on the instrument panel. When the green indicator in the button is on, effective control is on.

When the ECON button is off, pressing it sends a signal to the gauge control module, and the gauge control module then sends an ON signal, via F-CAN and B-CAN, to the PCM, the climate control unit, and the MCM. When this occurs, the PGM-FI, cruise control, CVT control, IMA, and A/C systems revert to effective control. In addition, the PCM sends a signal, via F-CAN, to turn on the indicator in the ECON button and to display ECON ON in the MID Gauges System Description. When the ECON button is on, pressing it sends the opposite signal to the gauge control module, and reverse events occur to turn off effective control.

The ECON mode (on or off) remains set when the ignition is turned to LOCK (0).






ETCS (Electronic Throttle Control System)

To decrease fuel use when the accelerator is pressed quickly, ETCS keeps the throttle response smooth.
When the accelerator is pressed past a certain point, the throttle assumes normal response to maintain acceleration performance.






Cruise Control

To decrease fuel use when cruise control is in use, the cruise acceleration and cruise speed responses are milder than normal. When the vehicle speed is reduced by extra load conditions, cruise control assumes its normal response to maintain vehicle speed.

CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) Control

The shift pattern changes depending on how the accelerator is pressed. To optimize fuel economy, ratio changes are smoother than when the ECON button is pressed off.

IMA (Integrated Motor Assist)

The conditions for auto idle stop are expanded, regenerative braking during deceleration is increased, and power to the IPU (intelligent power unit) fan is increased.

Air conditioning system

To decrease fuel use when the ECON button is pressed on, the A/C switches to recirculation mode, the output of interior air volume decreases, and the compressor operates less frequently.

Driver Feedback System

The driver feedback system provides real-time driving information and gives drivers an interactive way to practice fuel-efficient driving. The driver feedback system includes two visual aids on the instrument panel: an ambient meter and an Eco guide.

Ambient Meter

The ambient meter is the background color of the speedometer. It changes color based on data the PCM receives from various control units and sensors. The PCM calculates this data, forms an Eco drive profile, and then sends the profile to the gauge control module via F-CAN. When the gauge control module receives the Eco drive profile data, it can respond by changing the background color of the speedometer. During low fuel economy, the ambient meter is blue; at medium fuel economy, the meter is blue-green; and at high fuel economy, it's green.

Eco Guide

The Eco guide is one of the screens in the MID. It rewards continuous improvement in fuel economy by "growing" five plant icons, one leaf at a time, based on fuel-efficient driving. The Eco guide has three progressively difficult Eco stages: The first stage can grow two leaves on each of the five plants; the second can grow four leaves on each plant; the third stage can grow a blossom on each plant.
In addition, an Eco drive bar at the bottom of the Eco guide gives the driver real-time fuel economy information. A longer bar indicates lower fuel economy, and a shorter bar indicates higher fuel economy.
The PCM adds data to the Eco guide by forming an Eco drive profile. The PCM sends the Eco drive profile to the gauge control module via F-CAN. When the gauge control module receives the Eco drive profile data, it responds by adding the data to the Eco guide.






Eco Drive Profile

The Eco drive profile contains information the PCM receives from control units and sensors monitoring driving habits. The profile consists of several rating components, including real-time driving information, the Eco score, the lifetime points, the Eco stages, and the Eco driving record.

Real-Time Driving Information
Real-time driving information includes the driver's acceleration and braking habits, viewed from a fuel economy standpoint. Based on information received, the ambient meter (background color of the speedometer) changes color: During low fuel economy, the ambient meter is blue; at medium fuel economy, the meter is blue-green; and at high fuel economy, it's green. In addition, the Eco drive bar on the MID changes from a long bar (during low fuel economy driving) to a short bar (during high fuel economy driving).










Eco Score


The Eco score is a fuel economy average calculated from real-time driving information, idle time evaluation, and the percentage of time the ECON button is on. The Eco score determines how many points (parts of the plant icon) are awarded on the Eco guide. Calculation of the Eco score begins when the ignition is turned to ON (II), and continues while the ignition is in ON (II). The Eco score begins to display on the Eco guide after 3 minutes of engine idling or 218 yards of driving. The calculation logic changes for each Eco stage, making it progressively harder to score points.

Eco Stages

There are three stages that can be reached on the Eco guide by accumulating Lifetime points. The first stage can grow two leaves on each of the five plant icons; the second can grow four leaves on each plant icon; the third stage can grow a blossom on each plant icon. Each stage is progressively more difficult to reach.

Lifetime Points

This is the accumulated point total for the lifetime of the vehicle. Lifetime points are used to determine which Eco stage has been achieved by the driver. Lifetime points are not deleted when the vehicle's 12 volt battery is disconnected, after resetting the PCM, or after a PCM update. The lifetime points can be reset.






Eco Driving Record

When the ignition switch is turned to LOCK (0) after a drive, the driving record for the drive is stored in the PCM. Up to five of the most recent driving records can be stored. The data from these drive records can be displayed using the HDS. An Eco driving record is not stored after a drive of less than 3 minutes, or less than 218 yards (200 meters). Eco driving records are deleted when the vehicle's 12 volt battery is disconnected, after resetting the PCM, or after a PCM update.