No ECO at temps below 15F (2013 Pilot EX-L)

[baegerter]

Purchased 2013 Pilot EX-L this weekend and drove from Texas to northern Minnesota. ECO light quit coming on when temps dropped below 15F. Temps fell to -27F this morning. Don't know if its just a coincidence the ECO went out with falling temps or if they're responsible.

Intend to see if ECO returns with warmer temps this coming weekend; and then take the Pilot in to a dealer to have it looked at. (Got a little over 20 mpg with ECO and around 17.5 mpg without it. Vehicle's computer shows mileage figures about 1.5 mpg higher than I'm actually getting.)

Has anyone else had similiar ECO issues?

[Tmuchacho]

Baegerter, my initial response when I saw your post was: "Luck You". Wish I could get my ECO to engage less to avoid the shudder and vibration it causes. I have noticed mine will not kick in until Pilot reaches full operating temp, but that doesn't last too long down here in SC. Good luck with your new Pilot, probably normal condition for those temps you were driving in. Use to work for a company based out of MN, brutal winters up there.

[yabazid]

My ECO doesn't work till it warms up. I always thought its normal, isn't it?!!


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[Brolan]

I know the engine has to warm up and oil pressure has to get to a certain point before ECO kicks in. I'll see what happens on my drive to work tomorrow because I live in MinniSnowTa.

[baegerter]

Appreciate all the replies! I also found some related 2011 posts under "ECO Light Failure" that indicated ECO will not come on until the engine warms up and might not come on if the heater poses a heavy load.

With the extremely cold weather this week (below 0), the engine may not be warming up enough (even on the hiway) and/or the heat load may be too much to let the engine cut back on active cylinders. I'll check it again on Sunday when its suppose to make it to the upper 20's.

[RinconVTR]

This is 100% normal.

Consider not only the engine needs to be at operating temp, but very cold air requires more fuel. Thus, you see the ECO light, less often.

[Brolan]

I was driving in zero degree weather this morning and it took twice as long for it to come on, and it shut off quicker than usual. I don't think you have anything to worry about.

[baegerter]

Thanks! I'm in Baxter, MN this week. Drove to Little Falls Veterans Cemetary in the afternoon. Temp was between 0 and 3F with a side wind and the ECO light was working occasionally. Coming back, the temp was -3F and falling slowly, with a head wind, and the ECO light never came on. Heater was on going both directions. Despite my initial fears, it seems the ECO system is working normally and is a function of temp and how hard the engine is working.

[1YESfan]

I am so looking forward to Spring. ;-)

[split71]

I have a scan tool attached to my pilot all the time and the VCM doesn't become active until engine temp reaches 170d. I don't know if I can scan the oil temp to see if this is part of the equation....

[baegerter]

Thanks! Temps are up to around 10F with calm winds this morning. ECO light is coming on frequently now. Good to know the system appears to be operating as designed. Also good to know what the engine temp is (170F) when the VCM kicks in ... especially if I have a turkey sandwhich I want to strap to the motor to reheat :-).

(Looking forward to Spring also.)