Dutch scientist says software can cut car fuel use

Iria · Feb 7, 2007, 08:31 PM

Source: Reuters
______
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Modern cars can reduce fuel consumption by more than 2.5 percent just by adding a piece of software to the engine computer, a Dutch scientist found in a university research project together with Ford.

University of Eindhoven scientist John Kessels said on Wednesday he had managed to reach optimal engine performance more often by adding a piece of software to a car's computer.

Kessels's software dynamically switches the dynamo, which charges the car battery, on and off.

"Just by adding a piece of software and a simple cable, cars can save 2.6 percent of fuel consumption," he told Reuters.

Dark Lord · Feb 7, 2007, 08:53 PM

so on my 20mpg car, i can gain .5 gallons a mile? keeping the car properly tunned and gentle driveing will save me a whole hell of alot more gas then that. *edit* wait a sec.... little slow on my thinkings here. that should be half a mile per gallon more.

oh, and then theres this big WTF? "A more significant fuel saving of 5 to 6 percent can be achieved if the car engine were to be switched on and off, but this would require adjustments to the car engine, he said."

explain to me how saveing a couple of bucks on gas is offset by the exsessive wear and tear that would be sure to ensue from doing this. not to mention a multitude of other probelms that i can think of right off the top of my head.

Judas · Feb 7, 2007, 09:10 PM

rotfl.

hey a .5 gallon a mile extra can get you quite a good extra distance.

SFOSOK · Feb 7, 2007, 09:14 PM

When I was riding in a friend of mine's hybrid it was really amazing the amount of thought that went into it. On the LCD panel it showed the distribution of electric energy as well as fuel energy and also the distribution of power to the wheels.

Zelig · Feb 7, 2007, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Lord

explain to me how saveing a couple of bucks on gas is offset by the exsessive wear and tear that would be sure to ensue from doing this. not to mention a multitude of other probelms that i can think of right off the top of my head.

Some hybrids do this already, they shut the engine off automatically if idle for 2-3 seconds, and it turns on again when you hit the gas.

Iria · Feb 7, 2007, 09:37 PM

Yep, that's my Prius.

Feb 7, 2007, 08:31 PM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 89	Dutch scientist says software can cut car fuel use Source: Reuters ______ AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Modern cars can reduce fuel consumption by more than 2.5 percent just by adding a piece of software to the engine computer, a Dutch scientist found in a university research project together with Ford. University of Eindhoven scientist John Kessels said on Wednesday he had managed to reach optimal engine performance more often by adding a piece of software to a car's computer. Kessels's software dynamically switches the dynamo, which charges the car battery, on and off. "Just by adding a piece of software and a simple cable, cars can save 2.6 percent of fuel consumption," he told Reuters.

Feb 7, 2007, 08:53 PM	#2
Dark Lord HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 5,945 Rep Power: 125 System Specs	so on my 20mpg car, i can gain .5 gallons a mile? keeping the car properly tunned and gentle driveing will save me a whole hell of alot more gas then that. edit wait a sec.... little slow on my thinkings here. that should be half a mile per gallon more. oh, and then theres this big WTF? "A more significant fuel saving of 5 to 6 percent can be achieved if the car engine were to be switched on and off, but this would require adjustments to the car engine, he said." explain to me how saveing a couple of bucks on gas is offset by the exsessive wear and tear that would be sure to ensue from doing this. not to mention a multitude of other probelms that i can think of right off the top of my head. __________________ Last edited by Dark Lord; Feb 7, 2007 at 09:13 PM.

Feb 7, 2007, 09:14 PM	#4
SFOSOK 939 Goin Strong Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ontario Posts: 7,033 Rep Power: 90 System Specs	When I was riding in a friend of mine's hybrid it was really amazing the amount of thought that went into it. On the LCD panel it showed the distribution of electric energy as well as fuel energy and also the distribution of power to the wheels. __________________ Warning - Explicit Content Preceeding METAL!!

Feb 7, 2007, 09:37 PM	Thread Starter #6
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 89	Yep, that's my Prius.