Driving with Engine Efficiency in Mind

[bikeracer]

Will do a controlled speed test as well, but it will be less than CC precise: the car is without AI.

[MetroMPG]

Pulse and glide absolutely beats driving with load, in my experience.

But I've given up P&G for longer highway trips simply because I find it taxing on me, and it stands to reason it's also harder on the car.

Why does DWL work?
Does it? Is it simply causing a lower average speed and thusly saving gas?

Does it work compared to what?

I guarantee it's more efficient than "cruise control" style driving, or even constant throttle driving, even at the same average speed. Mostly, I suppose, because momentum on downgrades isn't squandered through engine braking, which is likely to happen on cruise control, and may possibly happen even with the constant throttle approach.

DWL is a happy medium between pulse & glide and cruise control/brainless throttle use.

PS: I actually prefer to think of driving with load as "target driving", since when I do it, I normally pick a "target" MPG, and modulate the throttle to achieve/maintain it on the instant MPG readout. I don't ever actually monitor the LOD value on the ScanGauge.

[99metro]

Interesting thread. My mindset is 100% with MetroMPG. I'm sure in theory that most gas engines are more efficient at 80% load, however I have a hard time believing that this even remotely translates into better MPG. There are just too many variables that affect MPG other than engine load - and these require intuitive driver interaction.

I am very interested so see how these tests go.

[MetroMPG]

Oh, I have absolutely no doubt about engine efficiency being greater at high load. But whether or not that translates into better MPG depends on what you do after that "high load, high efficiency event".

[pgfpro]

How are you guys maintaing a steady speed without accelerating with this high load? Or is it all PG driving?

On all the BSFC maps that are posted aren't these maps at WOT?

On my car I have been only doing steady state driving. The turbo makes boost way to fast and then I have to run the A/F ratio a lot richer for thermal management reasons.

[MetroMPG]

Talking about P&G in terms of high load, not steady state.

The only way to drive at high load all the time at steady speed is to always go uphill, or leave the parking brake on, hard... or tow a giant trailer...

[pgfpro]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Talking about P&G in terms of high load, not steady state.

The only way to drive at high load all the time at steady speed is to always go uphill, or leave the parking brake on, hard... or tow a giant trailer...

OK this explains it

Thanks I was a little lost there.lol

I'm still just your average guy that drives like the norm, without any crazy laying into it.