The “E” gear was one of those early solutions.
When drivers selected “E” for Economy mode, the transmission changed how the car shifted gears. Instead of allowing the engine to rev high before shifting, the transmission shifted earlier at lower RPMs.
The result?
Better fuel economy
Lower engine strain
Smoother highway cruising
But there was a trade-off.
Cars in “E” mode often felt slower and less responsive. Acceleration became more sluggish because the car prioritized saving fuel over performance.
In many ways, it was the mechanical ancestor of today’s Eco Mode buttons found in modern vehicles.
