Increasing Your Fuel Economy / MpgWith increasing fuel prices and concerns over the environment and global warming, we all want to look at ways of saving money and helping our planet. When comes to your car and the driving you do, you have the opportunity to do both at the same time. Out of engine efficiency come both power and economy, so if an engine is more powerful for its capacity this allows it to run at a lower RPM to move the vehicle. Because we create more torque from the engine, you can move into a higher gear at an earlier point during acceleration and then maintain that higher gear for a longer time. We achieve an increase in torque by altering the fuel pressure, the injector timing and turbo boost pressure (obviously where applicable). Whilst this seems like it is going to increase the amount of fuel used it has the opposite affect when applied. OK lets be honest. If we increase the output of an engine, even if the emphasis is on economy, its going to be faster it goes hand in hand! If you are going to drive the car faster it is not going to take a genius to realize you are going to use more fuel! Therefore you need to appreciate that you need to be driving in the same style and at the same average speed (within reason) to obtain the benefits, but we will assume you are going to do this otherwise you would go for performance mapping instead. The most important aspect though is your driving style. The steadier your throttle foot the better your economy. Cruise control is superb for maintaining a steady speed, most cars have it use it if it has! By being able to change up a gear because of your improved torque is going to make best of your economy but not if you are then going to accelerate up and down when in top! The next thing is the state of your car. You need to make sure your car is in top condition, serviced regularly and that your tyres are at the correct pressure and in good condition. Check your tracking with a laser alignment specialist at least once a year! Ask your service centre / dealer to ensure you air flow sensor is working correctly, your oil is of the correct type and that your filters are replaced. And lastly, take a look at what you are carrying around in your boot! Additional and unnecessary weight all add up to using more fuel than necessary so remember to take the case of Chateaux Laffite 68 out the boot as its better off inside anyway! Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Econotune has been formed by a group of highly experienced tuning technicians to provide a service to obtain the best economy you re your vehicles. More details are available at www.econotune.com, please email us at info@econotune.com. |