Belt squeal, engine on and off (Pulse & Glide)

[elhigh]

Originally Posted by steensn

Do you guys ever experiance booster runout? With the engine off and there possible being heavy traffic, aren't you afraid you'll run outta vaccum on your booster? This the whole reason hybrids need a special braking system, so that you have boosted pressure if you need it.

Maybe it is common practice not to cut the engine in heavy traffic?

My vacuum booster is good for two full stops before the pedal gets hard - really hard. Of course, by the time I've come to a complete stop, there's a better-than-even chance I'm going to need the engine to get up to speed again, so there's my booster restocked with, um, nothingness.

Lots of light taps on the brakes will run the booster down, too, but if I find I'm having to tap the brakes while coasting, I'll engage the tranny to spin the engine in high gear, which provides some drag, recharges the booster, and give me plenty of spin to refire the engine if needed.

As to the original thread: It sounds like one of your engine accessories doesn't want to spin up as fast as you're trying to make it spin. Either you're dumping the clutch for engine restarts, which could be alleviated with a gentler reengagement, or one or more accessories is experiencing a lot of drag. Also consider checking the belt tensions.

[NoCO2]

His last post makes me think he's dumping the clutch a little too hard. To the op: you might want to try letting the clutch out very slowly until you figure out where EXACTLY you have to release it to, to get the engine spinning again. Make sure, also, that when the engine spins up you are dis-engaging the clutch almost immediately to take any excess strain off the engine and allow you time to RPM match and put it in the proper gear for your speed.

[AnDoireman]

Yeah, this was quite a while ago though. It's no longer an issue, when I ease the clutch out. It doesn't feel very good for the car to do it though, so I haven't really been doing it much lately.

[vtec-e]

Originally Posted by AnDoireman

Do you know of any Irish or European sites similar to this one?

This is the closest i could find:

http://www.askaboutmoney.com/showthread.php?p=630785

It's not a hypermiling forum, just a thread in the askaboutmoney froum. Interesting to read what the general public think about "certain" techniques!
Like coasting. Thats where the real gains are to be made!!
Anyway, i don't think the Irish are quite ready for all this carry on just yet....which is crazy given the cost of fuel. Heads in the sand i reckon.

ollie

[MetroMPG]

Hey, stick around! 1/4 of my ancestors came to Canada from Ireland. :P

[vtec-e]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Hey, stick around! 1/4 of my ancestors came to Canada from Ireland. :P

Of course i will! I learn far more here at ecomodder than i could anywhere else!

ollie

[RH77]

Originally Posted by vtec-e

i don't think the Irish are quite ready for all this carry on just yet....which is crazy given the cost of fuel. Heads in the sand i reckon.

ollie

Honestly, the U.S. and Canada seems to generate the same kind of response. On the flip side, there is probably a a larger number who view the information and begin to consider it.

It's like the comment card at a restaurant -- most of the feedback is generally from complaints. People don't bother to fill it out if their in the middle or the experience was good. If it was good to great, people will tell their friends, etc.

Brake Booster:
I often run a brake booster down to nothing. An example: I became stuck in a highway traffic jam on a long downhill last week (it took 30 minutes to go 1/4 mile). The car will still stop, but it takes extra effort (both feet to push). It's like the days of "manual brakes" -- you just have to replace vacuum with your own energy.

It takes quite a bit of attention. Once the third car ahead starts moving, it's time to coast. Leaving enough space, it's possible to either use the foot pedal or emergency brake. In this case, the e-brake was the ratcheting foot style, which is a pain.

Granted, top speed was 4 mph in this case -- so higher speeds typically require that vacuum for panic stops and steers.

Good to see that you're staying!

RH77