Switch Econ-Buttom/Gear on the move?

[wilsonckl]

Hi everyone,

Pardon me for asking this question but I have been driving AT all along. So I wonder if it's OK to turn-off the Econ-button or switch to Sport mode while you are accelerating?

The reason I ask is because during a roadtrip I was driving a long uphill (couple miles) and I found a hard time to keep up with the speed (75 mph) when is in Drive mode.

I was under the impression that the Econ-button changes CVT gear ratio and fuel injection so switching it on and off when accelerating may damage the transmission IMO. Please correct me if I am wrong

[jmatero]

You can press the econ button or shift into S anytime you want. If you need a little more oomph on the hills just shift into S or (if you have an EX) tap town a couple/few "gears".

[Cobb]

Right, no damage. It just changes the programming for mix of electric, gas and gearing. The transmission has an infinite number of gears. When in sport mode it uses a loweer ratio to keep the engine in the sweet spot for most power. I use sport in city traffic heavy traffic. For interstate I turn off econ to increase throttle response.

[wilsonckl]

Cool....Thanks for the advice. I did try it today when I was on the way to work. it works pretty well