Right there on the gear selector, alongside the familiar letters “P,” “R,” “N,” and “D,” sat a mysterious extra letter:
E.
I stared at it for a moment. “Electric?” I guessed. “Emergency mode?” my friend suggested. Neither of us had any idea.
After several minutes of confused debate, I finally searched it online — and the answer opened the door to a fascinating piece of automotive history that many younger drivers have never heard about.
The mysterious “E” stood for Economy Mode.
And once you understand why it existed, you’ll realize it was actually decades ahead of its time.
What Did the “E” Gear Actually Do?
Back before cars had touchscreens, drive modes, and smart fuel-saving computers, automakers were already searching for ways to improve fuel efficiency.
