Eco Drive dial - Does anyone understand it?

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early adopter
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Post by early adopter »

As per the title. With over 5,000 miles and 3 months of ownership I haven't really understood what the dial indicates. I'm talking about the dial on the driver display that replaces the rev counter when in eco mode.

For example:

- there's a marker on the outside of the dial, I don't get that
- the needle moves clockwise round to the 3 o'clock position when auto stop kicks in, why?
- the "ready" text is sometimes bold sometimes not, I don't get it
- and just what is the needle / dial indicating, is it power usage, rev's, or what? I haven't worked it out.

I could read the manual but that wouldn't be fun. Although I did read the manual when the car was new and I don't remember seeing an explanation?

Anyone able to explain?

andygou
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Post by andygou »

No worries early adopter - the manual isn't much help in answering your questions anyway!

As far as I can make out, the gauge is a glorified vacuum gauge (remember them?) as it does seem to vary with throttle opening.

However, there are a few added gizmos which seem to be of limited value:

The little pointer on the outside is meant to represent where a (presumably good) reference driver would have the needle, i.e. if you are below that you are an eco-driving star.

Sorry, I can't answer your other queries, hope someone can!
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pjm007
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Post by pjm007 »

early adopter wrote: Tue Jun 12, 2018 5:34 pm
- there's a marker on the outside of the dial, I don't get that
- the needle moves clockwise round to the 3 o'clock position when auto stop kicks in, why?
- the "ready" text is sometimes bold sometimes not, I don't get it
- and just what is the needle / dial indicating, is it power usage, rev's, or what? I haven't worked it out.


Anyone able to explain?

Watched mine in operation today having read your post.

- Marker - nothing to add to the last reply by andygou;
- I think the needle goes to 3 o’clock when the automatic brake kicks in (and start-stop hasn’t) because that’s not very Eco. The engine is idling while you aren’t moving. If start-stop kicks in additionally, the needle goes to 9 o’clock because that’s very Eco - ie no engine idling;
- My READY is always in caps but I don’t think bold. Do you mean bold or capitals as opposed to lower case?;
- I think the dial simply indicates the degree of Eco “ness”. ie 9 o'clock indicates the most green and the best Eco position. 3 o'clock indicates least green and worst Eco scenario. It’s all meant to encourage the driver to keep the needle in the greenest part of the scale while driving. I don’t think it indicates units of anything at all.

Other thoughts most welcome.
Two XC40s - so far! Inscription Pro T5 AWD Auto - Glacier Silver/Blond/21”, fully loaded, from Jan thro Sep 2021. Polestarred. :) Also one of the first FEs - a D4 AWD Auto - Bursting Blue/Charcoal/20" from Mar thro Aug 2018. Also Polestarred. :o
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pjm007
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Post by pjm007 »

I understand the manual may not be fun but I found this page which gives part of an official answer. I only found this after posting my thoughts above - honest!

87108E98-01B9-42DB-83C8-EA9E7407D499.jpeg

Two XC40s - so far! Inscription Pro T5 AWD Auto - Glacier Silver/Blond/21”, fully loaded, from Jan thro Sep 2021. Polestarred. :) Also one of the first FEs - a D4 AWD Auto - Bursting Blue/Charcoal/20" from Mar thro Aug 2018. Also Polestarred. :o
early adopter
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Post by early adopter »

Great response PJM, thanks.

I do mean bold. Its always caps but sometimes bold, or illuminated.
early adopter
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Post by early adopter »

By the way, the illustration is optimistic to say the least. 600 miles range with 2/3rds of a tank left!
Luigiwhattt
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Post by Luigiwhattt »

I currently obsess over what my mpg is. I have this on my display on the DS3 and if it’s more that 50 mpg, I’ve lost. This is going to be a nightmare for me. Fortnite for adults.
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pjm007
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Post by pjm007 »

early adopter wrote: Fri Jun 15, 2018 7:24 pm Great response PJM, thanks.

I do mean bold. Its always caps but sometimes bold, or illuminated.
:?: I will keep an eye on it
Two XC40s - so far! Inscription Pro T5 AWD Auto - Glacier Silver/Blond/21”, fully loaded, from Jan thro Sep 2021. Polestarred. :) Also one of the first FEs - a D4 AWD Auto - Bursting Blue/Charcoal/20" from Mar thro Aug 2018. Also Polestarred. :o
iainrelliott
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Post by iainrelliott »

In Eco mode, what happens when you remove your foot from the accelerator on an automatic? I’ve an automatic Audi just now, and it goes into a kind of freewheel mode and will just coast along without engine breaking kicking in. Interested if the XC does something similar?
Michaelxc40
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Post by Michaelxc40 »

Yes, if you take your foot off the accelerator it comes up on the screen
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Until you either accelerate or brake then it goes back to normal mode
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