buick e-assist technology

[mcrews]

or how a car maker 'ecomods'!!!!!

■An automatic start/stop technology that shifts from gas to electric power and back seamlessly-conserving fuel. When you step off the brake, the engine restarts instantly-lag free.

■A process called regenerative braking, which transforms your vehicle’s forward momentum into energy when you slow or come to a stop.

■A state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery pack stored in the trunk, which uses the energy created via regenerative braking to power the radio, climate control, and other accessories whenever the engine operates in auto stop mode.
eAssist Fuel Efficient Technology | Fuel Efficiency | Buick

[jakobnev]

It really bugs me that OEM's still insist on waiting until the car has stopped before shutting down the engine with their start-stop systems. You can often shut the engine off far far earlier, and i don't think that even Buick drivers would find a ¤#%"% coast button that hard to operate!

[cfg83]

mcrews -

Yeah, sounds like renamed "mild hybrid" technology. At some point I hope this stuff just becomes standard across all models.

Buick Regal DNA : The Buick Regal is the Opel Insignia, and was destined to originally be the new Saturn Aura, which already had mild-hybrids in the Vue and the Aura. But I don't think they sold well.

Buick Regal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Beginning in the 2012 model year, Buick will offer a mild hybrid system in the Regal, called "eAssist". The Regal will be the second GM vehicle to offer eAssist after the 2012 Buick LaCrosse. eAssist is standard in the LaCrosse, but the eAssist powertrain will be optional in the Regal.

The eAssist system adds a lithium-ion battery housed in the truck along with regenerative braking, engine stop/start, fuel cut-off, grill louvers that close at speed, underbody panels and low rolling resistance tires. The eAssist system adds up to 15 hp (11 kW) to the standard 2.4L Ecotec engine during acceleration. Fuel economy for the Regal with eAssist is estimated at 26 mpg-US (9.0 L/100 km; 31 mpg-imp) city, 37 mpg-US (6.4 L/100 km; 44 mpg-imp) highway.

CarloSW2

[mcrews]

Originally Posted by jakobnev

It really bugs me that OEM's still insist on waiting until the car has stopped before shutting down the engine with their start-stop systems. You can often shut the engine off far far earlier, and i don't think that even Buick drivers would find a ¤#%"% coast button that hard to operate!

well maybe you should think before you let things 'bug' you.
What would power the brakes and steering??????
hello??????
How do YOU spell L I A B I L I T Y????????

Obviously you have no idea of what mass marketing a product intails.
What about the third owner who buys it at 120,000 miles and the owner's manual is gone????

[Ladogaboy]

The problem with making something foolproof... as the saying goes.

I would say that the number one problem with automobiles as they are sold today is the drivers themselves. People who understand how their vehicles can and do function are a rare breed. Essentially, auto manufacturers must cater to the lowest common denominator, so yes, completely unpowered braking is off the bargaining table.

I've noticed this most in the EV DIY sector, where people create workarounds for problems that simply don't exist in the ICE world. Some are safe, some are unsafe, some are genius. BUT, what you also end up with are vehicles that might be difficult or impossible for the general public to operate properly. And that is always a dangerous situation.

Just like the old joke about the retired couple who got into an accident and wrecked their brand new motor home. When the CHP arrived on scene and asked the old man who was driving what happened, he responded: "I have no idea, sir. I was driving along and started to feel tired. So I turned on the cruise control and went back to make a pot of coffee."

[Piwoslaw]

Second generation start-stop is supposed to kill the engine while coasting below a certain speed.
Second-gen Stop-Start technology coming 2013

[jakobnev]

Originally Posted by mcrews

What would power the brakes and steering??????

Electricity??????? - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

hello??????

Hello.

Obviously you have no idea of what mass marketing a product intails.
What about the third owner who buys it at 120,000 miles and the owner's manual is gone????

http://manuals.buick.com/2012/LaSabre_ultracoaster.pdf

And the whole thinking thing - i do that. It's not like i imagined Buick or anyone else selling a car the driver couldn't steer or stop.

[user removed]

The worst part of human nature is defined by intolerance for the input of others. It destroys communication as demonstrated by our current (in the US) political intransigence. When practiced in the pitiful way it is today it proves the point that you have to design for extreme stupidity or you will be sued because you FAILED to make your design impossible for the most stupid driver to operate dangerously.

Capacitive storage of otherwise lost inertia when deceleration is necessary. Better batteries to allow operation of ALL systems seamlessly. These are simple but effective ways of making the vehicle the principal participant in the better efficiency equation.

In the mean time can we not just interact with some respect and compassion. It reminds me of two canaries in an old diesel submarine, sitting on the bottom of the ocean after a catastrophic failure of some kind.

While the canaries wait to suffocate so their lives sacrificed will inform the crew that it is time to get out of their coffin, they are tearing each other to pieces because they just can't stand each other.

Any car and any system that, even to a small degree, informs and assists the otherwise completely ignorant driver in ways to improve their efficiency, should be applauded. Increasing the efficiency by just a single percentage point, IN EVERY VEHICLE ON THE PLANET would make a huge difference in overall consumption.

I know when I read a post by mcrews, it will contain useful information.

Thank you for your time
Mech

[cfg83]

Piwoslaw -

Originally Posted by Piwoslaw

Second generation start-stop is supposed to kill the engine while coasting below a certain speed.Second-gen Stop-Start technology coming 2013

Yes, I think it's similar with DFCO (Deceleration Fuel Cut Off). In my 1999 SW2 the point where DFCO disengages is about 2500 RPM. In today's cars it will be closer to the idle RPM, which would be below 1000 RPM on my car.

CarloSW2

[gone-ot]

...on the new Eco Cruzes, DFCO occurs at engine speeds above 1300 rpm for both manuals and automatics.

...I added one to my 1953 flathead Ford 3-speed manual transmission.