Dropping wot by 50% idea

[Saskwatchian]

I seriously considered putting a spring under the accelerator of an Isuzu van I had in New Zealand. after 80% throttle it would start belching black smoke and burn oil.

It was a bit anemic on the power side with a 1.6 L naturally aspired diesel engine pushing a 5.5 meter (18 foot) square nosed van. It took a bit of finesse keeping the speed up without rolling coal and a spring that would increase resistance at that threshold, but would also allow WOT when necessary would have been nice.

[Fat Charlie]

That's a great move- a throttle discourager.

[teoman]

That is actually a semi active research topic, mechanical manipulation of user interfaces. Konbs etc that get significantly harder to turn as output os system becomes more undesirable etc.

[ThermionicScott]

Isn't that what some "eco" modes do? Remap the throttle-by-wire so that the 50% open position is nearer to the end of the pedal travel and you're spending more time fine-tuning smaller throttle openings.

[LittleBlackDuck]

Originally Posted by ThermionicScott

Isn't that what some "eco" modes do? Remap the throttle-by-wire so that the 50% open position is nearer to the end of the pedal travel and you're spending more time fine-tuning smaller throttle openings.

That is exactly what the Lexus / Toyota hybrid eco mode does. It re maps the throttle curve so that low openings are way less sensitive and can still achieve WOT. It also plays with steering sensitivity, cruise control and aircon settings to use less fuel.

It works well for me on the RX450h, CT200h and Gen3 Prius.

Simon

[MeteorGray]

When I was a kid I put a small block of 2x4 wood under the accelerator to keep me from pushing my old car too fast. I always had a sense of "saving" my car from too much stress, and it stretched my gas money too. After all, regular gas was selling for an outrageous 25 cents per gallon back then (which actually might be equivalent to what we're paying today, but back then it was in 1958 dollars that were backed by gold).

Today, I use a Scan Gauge. It does much better at helping me keep my wild side down.

[Magician]

Agreed. Scan gauge, mpguino or other digital instrumentation is pretty effective at motivating you to press the pedal just enough to get to your destination.

[Frank Lee]

Paying for fuel with cash motivates me.

[Magician]

Yes, good point. Plus paying with cash is safer from those credit card hacks.

[freebeard]

Which is why I use it for everything, except the rent (credit union check) and utilities (Postal money orders).

I can remember the Diner's Club ads on black and white TV (i.e., before credit cards). I still don't get were the money for 'bonus points' comes from.