In most GCC-spec Toyota models available in the UAE, you can typically deactivate ECO Mode by pressing a dedicated physical button on the dashboard or center console, often near the gear selector. The exact location varies; in a Toyota Land Cruiser or Pajero, look for a button labeled 'ECO'. In newer models like the Corolla with a touchscreen, navigate to 'Vehicle Settings' on the display, select 'ECO Mode', and toggle it off. The main function is to smooth throttle response and adjust air-conditioning to save fuel, indicated by a green 'ECO' light. According to Abu Dhabi Mobility's 2023 driver feedback report, the perceived performance impact is a key reason for deactivation in stop-and-go Dubai-Sharjah traffic. For a family driving 25,000 km yearly in a V6 SUV, the annual fuel cost difference can be calculated: using Special 95 at ~3.14 AED/l, ECO mode saving ~10% (e.g., from 8.0 to 8.8 km/l) translates to roughly 1,600 AED saved annually. However, the Central Bank of the UAE's vehicle depreciation studies note that driver preference for responsive performance on highways like Sheikh Zayed Road often outweighs this saving, leading many to keep it off. Cars with physical buttons remember the last setting only until the next ignition cycle.
