Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > EcoModding Central
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 04-27-2008, 01:57 PM   This thread is in the EcoModder Project Library | #1 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Kampsville
Posts: 77

stinky - '97 geo metro lsi
90 day: 44.71 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Cruise Control (with MPG sensitive logic)

I was wondering if there was a way to set up a cruise control but instead of speed, You use mpg. of course you would need a min and max speed. Since I got my scangauge I have gotten great MPG by just tring to keep a certain mpg. Sorry i cant use other driving techniques as i have an auto and crowded highways. but a 36 to 41 boost is good for a start.

  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to guitarterry For This Useful Post:
caseyh (04-11-2013)
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 04-27-2008, 02:29 PM   #2 (permalink)
Batman Junior
 
MetroMPG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,513

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 52.71 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 60.16 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,058
Thanked 6,957 Times in 3,602 Posts
A smart cruise control would be a fantastic feature for many, and would save a lot of fuel. RH77 modified his so that it could only pull a certain amount of extra throttle when encountering hills, but nobody has done exactly what you're talking about.

FYI: What features on your ULTIMATE fuel economy instrumentation?

I bet there are lots of other small things you could do to improve MPG at either end of your drive on the crowded highway.

Watch for a new feature on the site later this week: 100+ efficient driving tips for all kinds of situations.
__________________
Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
  Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2008, 02:44 PM   #3 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Kampsville
Posts: 77

stinky - '97 geo metro lsi
90 day: 44.71 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
As you have stated, the biggest improvement u can do is driving mods. if you are not going to do any P&G driving then a mpg cruize control would be like the ultimate invention. Then any car mods you do will either make you go faster or allow an increase in ur mpg setting. This seems so amazing and also easy that why isnt anybody doing it.
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to guitarterry For This Useful Post:
Bruce_3 (06-21-2014)
Old 04-27-2008, 05:52 PM   #4 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Drayton Valley, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 52

duramax - '05 Chevrolet Silverado LT
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
You have given me an idea! This may be possible to do in a typical ECM, as the software already governs cruise control...

I'm going to see if I can modify this parameter in the ECM...
  Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2008, 10:50 PM   #5 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Kampsville
Posts: 77

stinky - '97 geo metro lsi
90 day: 44.71 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
thats what i wanted to hear, it seems simple easy and highly productive.
  Reply With Quote
Old 04-30-2008, 12:47 PM   #6 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Earth
Posts: 303

Pushrod - '02 Chevrolet Cavalier
Thanks: 0
Thanked 8 Times in 4 Posts
What happens when you hit a hill and can't maintain 40mpg? Your engine shuts down?

How about cutting the power to the cruise control motor once it's engaged? That way you can freeze a certain throttle position.
  Reply With Quote
Old 04-30-2008, 12:57 PM   #7 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
metroschultz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Norfolk, Va. USA
Posts: 869

CPT SLO - '93 GEO Metro plainjane
90 day: 53.91 mpg (US)

SilverHairBeauty - '01 Toyota Avalon XL
90 day: 24.06 mpg (US)
Thanks: 14
Thanked 33 Times in 28 Posts
Send a message via AIM to metroschultz
If you hack the cruise for MPG it may be easier on the input end to use TPS voltage instead of VSS volts.
This would allow constant throttle instead of constant speed.
Let me know how you do.
I am not a good hack but I can follow instructions.
Thanx,
S.
__________________


When you are courting a nice girl an hour seems like a second. When you sit on a red-hot cinder a second seems like an hour. That's relativity.
Albert Einstein
  Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to metroschultz For This Useful Post:
Joggernot (06-22-2014), jungle (12-13-2017)
Old 04-30-2008, 01:04 PM   #8 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Drayton Valley, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 52

duramax - '05 Chevrolet Silverado LT
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'll look into this for different cruise control systems when I get a chance. Right now I'm looking for software solutions.

Theoretically: Vacuum-controlled cruise, set cruise to specific throttle position and then isolate the vacuum source solenoid and electrically cut off the dump solenoid to maintain specific TP. Tap the brake going over a hill to release cruise, de-isolate cruise vacuum valves, then hit reset at bottom of hill, re-isolate...
  Reply With Quote
Old 04-30-2008, 09:17 PM   #9 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Kampsville
Posts: 77

stinky - '97 geo metro lsi
90 day: 44.71 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnnyGrey View Post
What happens when you hit a hill and can't maintain 40mpg? Your engine shuts down?

How about cutting the power to the cruise control motor once it's engaged? That way you can freeze a certain throttle position.
If you have to do a total system you would have a minimum and maximum speed. if not i would supose you would know you are going to slow. But that is the whole purpose IS to slow up going up hill. Do you have a scangauge. if not you wouldnt understand what maintaining a mpg setting details.
  Reply With Quote
Old 04-30-2008, 09:47 PM   #10 (permalink)
Liberti
 
LostCause's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: California
Posts: 504

Thunderbird - '96 Ford Thunderbird
90 day: 27.75 mpg (US)
Thanks: 0
Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts
I don't think you'll be able to maintain 40mpg going up any long, steeply graded hill...going slow works to a point.

If it is constant throttle you seek, why not just hook the throttle servo to a potentiometer.

I'd imagine using a cruise control based on MPG might pose some dangerous situations. A car will shift its speed greatly as it is loaded differently throughout a drive. I can't imagine that driving 65mph, slowing to 40mph, and speeding up again to 60mph would be particularly safe in any form of traffic. If you are completely isolated, then I suppose it might be useful, but not as a daily use item.

I'm interested in watching any developments, though.

- Lostcause

  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Honda IACV explained TomO Off-Topic Tech 16 12-21-2015 01:49 AM
3 ?'s (SuperMID; cruise control for Metro) Pillzilla EcoModding Central 16 03-31-2008 06:34 AM
School teams to compete in cross country MPG Challenge - Possible $1,000,000 prize ericbecky EcoModding Central 9 03-22-2008 09:15 PM
TP control? Harpo EcoModding Central 9 03-14-2008 06:54 PM



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com