You’re kidding me

Reason #2: Overdrive became standard. Overdrive (a gear ratio that reduces engine RPM at highway speeds) became standard on most automatic transmissions. You didn’t need an “E” setting to engage it—it was always on in “D.”

Reason #3: Driver confusion. Many drivers didn’t understand what “E” meant. They worried about damaging their car. They didn’t notice a difference in fuel economy. The feature wasn’t worth the confusion.

Reason #4: The rise of “Eco Mode.” The idea didn’t die—it just moved. Modern cars often have an “Eco” button on the dashboard that adjusts throttle response, transmission shift points, and even air conditioning behavior to save fuel. But it’s no longer a physical gear selector position.

Why Are Drivers Just Discovering “E” Now?
If “E” disappeared decades ago, why are people suddenly talking about it?

The used car market: As used car prices have risen, more people are buying older vehicles. A 20-something buying a 1980s classic car might encounter an “E” on the gear shift for the first time.

Social media: Photos of mysterious dashboards go viral on TikTok, Instagram, and Reddit. Someone posts a picture of an unfamiliar “E” and asks, “What does this mean?” The post gets thousands of comments, and suddenly everyone is learning about Economy mode.

Driving a parent’s or grandparent’s old car: Many of these cars have been sitting in garages for years. A new generation is inheriting them—and discovering features their grandparents never used or explained.