Eco Pro Mode in BMW – Does It Save Gas?

Although BMW is usually associated with high performance, many people also value these cars for their comfort and everyday practicality. This obviously encompasses fuel efficiency. So, for the best mileage possible, Bavarians arm their models with the Eco Pro Mode, which allows you to drive much more economically and, in the case of electric vehicles, improves the range. 

Join us to find out what the BMW Eco Pro Mode is, if it actually saves gas (or electricity), and what are its other benefits. Along the way, we’ll also try to explain the remaining driving modes you can find in Bimmers.

BMW Eco Pro – The Fuel-Efficient Mode 

Before we get to the myth-busting part, let’s start with the most important question: what exactly does Eco Pro Mode do in BMW? Well, the main change in Eco Pro Mode is the way your gas pedal responds to your inputs. To optimize fuel usage, the characteristics of the throttle become smoother – forget sharp acceleration and instantaneous revving up. 

Additionally, cars equipped with the automatic transmission (meaning most newer BMWs) start shifting gears differently. The Transmission Control Unit upshifts earlier, preventing your engine from reaching high RPM and, depending on the model, can enter the so-called “coasting” mode when decelerating. This keeps the engine running at almost idle revs, limiting the amount of fuel sprayed into the combustion chamber. 

However, all of the above doesn’t mean you’ll be unable to get out of trouble. If necessary, you’ll still have full engine power available after pressing the accelerator pedal fully. So in an emergency situation, you can “floor it” and use the engine's full potential.

When paired with active cruise control, the BMW Eco Pro Mode provides drivers with a route prediction system. While it might seem like something more useful for getting home sooner during rush hours, that very traffic avoidance is where it’s at for smart eco-driving. The system recognizes signs, terrain, and road conditions, using the data to inform the driver to slow down in advance. All for managing driving speeds more effectively. 

Lastly, the Eco Pro mode in BMW allows you to check an approximation of how much fuel or energy you saved by turning on the mode. In addition, you can check the driving economy optimization suggestions on the car's computer, based on the journey data, such as the route or driving dynamics on its specific sections.

Does Eco Pro Save Gas?

Alright, but does Eco Pro really help your fuel economy? 

Among different BMW driving modes, this one is supposed to be the most effective in terms of fuel consumption. Thanks to advanced software optimizations, BMW claims that you can save up to 20–25% on fuel, which seems extremely economical. 

In reality though, users are able to save slightly less gas after activating this mode: according to forum reviews, it’s possible to achieve around 10–15% better mileage with it turned on. If you’re wondering about the average fuel consumption of your BMW model or considering buying a new BMW, you might be interested in visiting the website linked above.

When to Use BMW Eco Pro Mode?

It’s best to use Eco Pro BMW mode when you aren’t after the highest level of performance. For example during your everyday commute or on long highway road trips. Even though the car will be running more economically, you shouldn't experience any problems when overtaking or performing other maneuvers that require more “oomph.” 

Other Driving Modes of BMWs Explained

Apart from the Eco Pro, BMWs provide their users with a plethora of different driving modes meant for various occasions. For example: some of the Bavarian hybrids and electric vehicles also get the BMW Eco Pro Plus Mode, which builds upon the characteristics of the base version of this setting. 

The “Plus” variant basically introduces even more radical means of mileage optimization. Instead of just controlling the engine and transmission operation, it affects the heating, air conditioning, and other energy-consuming on-board systems. 

But what if you find the Eco Pro too sluggish? Or if you find yourself in a more playful mood? BMW has got that covered too!

BMW Comfort Mode

The BMW Comfort Mode is the most middle-ground of the available options. It allows for comfortable driving around the city, which is due to the smooth operation of the throttle and transmission, which makes for a driving experience that’s very balanced. Not too sharp, not laggy; perfect for almost all road conditions you might encounter. 

If your car is equipped with adaptive steering and suspension, both of these systems will also be affected by the setting. 

Driving comfort is also ensured by a smoother steering system. The suspension becomes softer, so you can better absorb all the unevenness of the terrain. Normally, this would limit the ability to dynamically enter corners, but this is precisely the characteristic feature of this mode. BMW Comfort Mode vs Eco Pro – the differences for the driver will be small, but noticeable thanks to lower fuel consumption. In Eco Pro, the car will also be less dynamic.

BMW Sport Mode

In contrast to the previously described driving settings, BMW Sport Mode is the quintessence of the sporty character of this brand. The main differences lie in throttle response and transmission operation. You don’t have to step on the gas pedal as much to provoke the engine into revving higher, while the gearbox will wait longer and shift quicker. All of that guarantees faster acceleration. 

Another significant change is a stiffer suspension (for the cars that come with an adaptive option). Thanks to BMW Sport Mode, you will be able to go through corners more dynamically and get much better feedback from your tires and steering wheel. The obvious drawback is that you’ll also feel all road imperfections clearly. But that’s a necessary trade-off for sportiness. 

BMW Sport Plus Mode (Sport+)

The final driving mode we’d like to touch on is the BMW Sport Plus Mode, sometimes spelled Sport+. It’s only available from the factory in the sportiest M-branded models. In addition to altering the engine and transmission operation, BMW Sport+ also changes the principle of traction control. 

Although it remains active to protect the driver from skidding off the road, it doesn’t react as quickly. This is an option for the most experienced drivers who know their car well and want to have some challenge while driving fast. It is also possible to completely disable the traction control – if you don’t know what is DTC in BMW, make sure to read our article covering this subject.

While Sport Plus Mode is most characteristic of the M version, it can be used in other models after a BMW iDrive coding session with our technician.

BMW Eco Pro vs Comfort vs Sport Mode

So, how do all these modes stack up against each other? Here’s a brief overview of their most important settings.

Mode/setting	Eco Pro	Comfort	Sport
Throttle & acceleration	Smooth, linear – you have to really step on the gas to accelerate faster	Balanced for everyday driving, not too sharp, but also not delayed	Sharp, reacts to the smallest of your inputs
Gearbox operation	Upshifts happen at lower RPM, the transmission is not that eager to downshift	Will not upshift as early as in the Eco Pro, but the gear changes won’t be as aggressive as in Spor	The transmission will hold revs longer and upshift at much higher RPM

As you can see, the differences between all three driving modes are very slight, but noticeable. The best way to utilize each of them would be to turn on the BMW Eco Pro Mode when cruising on a highway, use Comfort for your everyday city commute, and enable Sport Mode whenever you’re feeling like having some fun.

Be sure to check out our article BMW Sport Mode explained to learn all about this driving setting in particular. 

BMW Engine Tuning – Save Gas without Sacrificing Performance!

Do you find the fuel saving percentages quoted above lame? Or maybe you want to save gas, but wouldn’t like to compromise the fun or your driving style? Well, there is a solution for that as well. And it’s called Awaken Performance BMW Engine Tuning.

Thanks to the ECU tuning, not only will you achieve increased engine power, but also save fuel without any hardware modifications. The process takes care of the way fuel injectors operate, resulting in just the right amount of gasoline being sprayed into the combustion chamber each time. 

What does it all amount to?

In general, our customers experience 17% lower fuel consumption. Assuming the average cost of premium gas at around $3.90 per gallon and the average yearly mileage of 15,200 miles, you could be saving approximately $360 annually. Moreover, during our internal testing, a gas-guzzling BMW M6 (F06) was able to drop its thirst by 24%. Obviously you don’t buy a car like that to save fuel, but isn’t that a nice addition?

The best thing is that reduced fuel consumption is not accompanied by a decrease in power. On the contrary – after our Awaken Performance ECU tune you will enjoy greater power and torque, improving your car’s dynamics. And that’s not even the end of stark contrasts! Believe it or not, the longevity of your engine will also improve with the tuning.

Let us explain. While the turbo boost pressure gets increased to allow for power and torque gains, the adjusted air-fuel mixture leads to a lower temperature of the exhaust gasses. Additionally, we introduce changes to the thermostat operation, improving the cooling. Thus, performance, mileage, and longevity all become better than stock.

All of that can happen right at your driveway, since the Awaken Performance BMW Engine Tuning is conducted remotely. Simply book your session, connect with our technician, and let them take care of everything for you. 

Interested in engine tunes? Check out the article where we explain everything about the world of BMW ECU tuning or watch the video we have on this subject:

Other Ways to Reduce Fuel Consumption Apart from BMW Eco Pro Mode 

In recent years, BMW has been pursuing the Efficient Dynamics strategy, which aims to introduce many technical solutions aimed at reducing fuel consumption. The systems are important, but it’s the drivers themselves that are the most vital part of the equation. Users are responsible for the way they drive and how much fuel they use. That’s why it’s worth knowing that there are other important elements which affect the car's fuel consumption. 

1. Removing Unnecessary Loads and Accessories
   
   Extra weight always increases fuel consumption. Therefore, experts recommend that you always remove unnecessary accessories or loads before driving. Even remove things like roof boxes as they can affect aerodynamics and increase fuel economy.
   
   
2. Check the Tire Pressure
   
   Driving efficiently and saving fuel is also possible if the car has appropriate tire pressure. Be sure to check your tire pressure before driving, as lower than recommended pressure not only increases tire wear, but also fuel consumption.Don't forget that the best driving characteristics and BMW fuel economy are achieved with high-quality tires that are regularly replaced with new ones when they wear out. If you care about the mileage, be sure to check out tire models with low rolling resistance. They are now becoming more and more common due to intense range optimization measures for electric vehicles.
   
   
3. Range Extender in BMW i3
   
   If you have the BMW i3, to further increase the energy efficiency you can use the range extender. It is a small engine that does not drive the car directly, but supports the electric drive system. It will significantly increase the range by up to several dozen percent. The range extender must be properly programmed, which we can help you with. To learn more, read our BMW i3 Range Extender article.

Is it Worth Using BMW Eco Pro Mode? 

Using the Eco Pro BMW is definitely a good option if you want to save around 10–15% of fuel and don’t need the maximum possible dynamics that your car can offer. That being said, there is an even greater solution if you want your BMW fuel consumption to be lower, but don’t want to compromise your engine’s responsiveness and driving enjoyment. 

With the Awaken Performance ECU tuning, you’ll not only achieve significantly better mileage, but you’ll also increase the longevity of your car and its performance. Although it might sound too good to be true, it’s not – check out the reviews from our satisfied customers! Their wallets aren’t afraid of gas station visits anymore ;)