Glendale Nissan Official Blog

When you drive a Nissan, you might notice you have the opportunity to experience different driving modes. If, like many of us, you’re accustomed to a vehicle that has one driving mode, you might be confused about what the difference is between the Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes in your vehicle. For Nissan owners who have been keeping it on the standard “Normal” mode the whole time you’ve owned the vehicle, you might want to consider your other Nissan driving modes.

Why use different driving modes?

Traditionally, you get just one driving mode in automatic or CVT-equipped vehicles. Put your key in the ignition or push start and you’re off. But what if you could change your driving mode? This is the thought behind the Eco, Normal, and Sport driving mode selection.

So what do they do? 

Your Normal driving mode is just that. The everyday mode you might use that feels well-paced and offers average fuel economy ratings. Think of it as the mode you’re used to when you don’t have the options of other modes.

Eco mode is just as it sounds. It’s the most economical mode and is best saved for longer trips. It’s a bit like putting a leash on power, as it limits acceleration, so it isn’t ideal for trips around town when you have a lot of stop-and-go traffic situations.  Eco mode is best used when you’re spending a long time on the highway. Whether you’re going on a road trip, have a long commute, or are simply driving far to visit friends and family. If you’d be inclined to use cruise control, you might as well switch on Eco mode to save some fuel while you’re at it.

Finally, there’s Sport mode, which you might consider the opposite of Eco mode. Instead of throttling you back to save fuel, you’re given more power to hold a higher RPM before automatically shifting into the next gear. This makes it more fun to drive. It also means you won’t be as efficient, so it’s not necessarily a mode to try all the time. It also only works at speeds above 20 mph, so it’s another mode you might save for when you know you’ll be going faster.

Learn More at Glendale Nissan Today

Stop into Glendale Nissan today to learn more about your favorite models and take a brand new Nissan car for a spin to test out the different driving modes.