How to Turn Eco Mode On/Off on the Toyota Corolla

Eco Mode is a nifty feature in many modern cars. It helps you save on fuel – which is increasingly important these days – and drive more efficiently. But depending on the make and model of the car you drive, figuring out how to activate (or deactivate) Eco Mode isn’t always easy.

This guide will explain how to turn Eco Mode on and off in Toyota Corollas from various years.

Eco Mode: What Drivers Need to Know

Before we look at the specific methods for turning Eco Mode on or off, there are a few key pieces of info that drivers need to know. First, Eco Mode doesn’t exist in Toyota Corollas pre-2014. If you’re driving a 2013 Corolla or earlier, you won’t be able to find or activate any kind of Eco Mode.

Second, it’s important to understand the difference between the actual “Eco Mode” feature, present in some Corollas, and the “Eco” light which appears on others. On some Corollas, made from 2014-2020, you can configure an “Eco” light to appear on the dashboard.

This light is not the same as a full-on, dedicated “Eco Mode.” Instead, it’s basically just an indicator light to let you know when you’re driving economically and minimizing your fuel consumption. It doesn’t actually change or impact how the car drives in any way.

Eco Mode itself, which features on all new Corollas from 2021-2023, as well as some older models, is different. This is an actual driving mode which impacts your acceleration and is designed to reduce the amount of fuel you use.

How to Turn On/Off Eco Mode

If you want to benefit from the unique economic advantages of the Toyota Corolla Eco Mode, you’ll be glad to hear that it’s really easy to activate. All you have to do is find the relevant button and push it (or push it again to turn it off).

1. Start up your car in park.
2. Find the button labeled “Eco Mode.” It’s usually either on the steering wheel controls or somewhere on the center console.
3. Push the button to turn Eco Mode on. You should see an indicator light on the dash to let you know the mode is activated.
4. If you want to deactivate Eco Mode at any time, push the button again.

How to Turn On/Off the Eco Light in Older Corollas

As explained above, some Corollas don’t have a dedicated Eco Mode. They just have an Eco light which will illuminate on the dash to let you know when you’re driving well. This can be handy to help you monitor your driving performance. But it might also be a source of annoyance.

In Corollas like this, you won’t find an “Eco Mode” button anywhere. Nor will you find any other obvious button that lets you turn the light on or off. This is why a lot of people get confused when they see the Eco light flashing up and want to know how to turn it off.

Fortunately, there is a method – albeit it a slightly complicated one – to control this light.

1. Turn the ignition on.
2. Keep your eye on the dashboard display.
3. Push the “Display” button on your steering wheel to scroll through the various options, like average MPG, range, and so on. You should see each option show up on the dashboard display.
4. When you get to the odometer screen, stop. Then, press and hold down the “Display” button for a few seconds.
5. You should see a message appear saying “Eco Mode On” or “Eco Mode Off” depending on whether it was activated or not at that point.
6. You can then tap the Display button again to turn the mode on and off, as desired.

Alternatively, if you vehicle happens to have a Multi-Information Display (MID), you can try this method:

1. Tap the screen to access the “Settings” menu.
2. Find the “Eco Driving Indicator Light” setting and turn it on or off according to your needs.

FAQs

What does Eco Mode actually do?

As the name implies, it’s designed to make your Corolla (or other Toyota models) more efficient. It does so by adjusting the sensitivity of the accelerator, effectively making it a little less responsive. Thanks to this, you won’t burn through quite as much fuel while increasing speed. It also reduces the amount of power dedicated to systems like the heating and AC.

What are the downsides of Eco Mode?

There are two main downsides. First, your car’s performance will take a hit when you have Eco Mode enabled. It’ll take a little longer to accelerate and pull away from a stop, as well as taking more time to reach high speeds. Second, some other car systems – like the AC – will take longer to work and feel less effective. On the other hand, this all helps to minimize fuel usage.

I have Eco Mode enabled, but why doesn’t the Eco light show on the instrument panel?

There are a few situations when you may not notice the Eco light on your dashboard. For example, if the transmission isn’t in “Drive” at the time, or if you’ve activated “Sport Mode.” Additionally, when the vehicle speed exceeds 79mph, the Eco light won’t show, as it’s not possible to drive very economically at such high speeds.

Summing Up: Is Eco Mode Worth It?

As you can see, switching Eco Mode on or off is relatively easy. It’s just a case of pushing a button (or adjusting the display settings if you have an older model). As for whether or not it’s worthwhile, that all depends on your personal preferences. Some drivers like the Eco Mode or Eco light to help them save fuel. Others prefer to just drive their own way.

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