I need to know...

[SilverCrown9701]

Hello all,


Is there any way to program (reprogram) the car or modify the car in a way to get better mileage in lower gears and/or assist in getting up to speed much more quickly to reduce fuel consumption by accelerating harder to reach top gear?

A manual transmission swap is out of the question for me. I wish I had more than 4 gears to use as well as torque converter lockup at each shift.

Acceleration is one of the major detriments to fuel economy, along with aerodynamic drag and weight of course.


I feel that this one of the last frontiers for me to overcome to achieve "hypermiling bliss".

[2000mc]

Originally Posted by SilverCrown9701

Hello all,


Is there any way to program (reprogram) the car or modify the car in a way to get better mileage in lower gears and/or assist in getting up to speed much more quickly to reduce fuel consumption by accelerating harder to reach top gear?

I thought it was the point of bsfc charts
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...-got-1466.html

So long as I stay in closed loop, and it doesn't cause me to do any additional braking, accelerating faster or slower hasn't made any discernible difference.

[Daox]

The short answer to your question is no.

The trick with automatics is to get them to lock up the torque converter as much as possible. Every car is different in how its programmed. If you're handy with electronics, you can probably develop a controller that would allow you to control torque converter lockup.

[OG VX]

SilverCrown, why is a manual tranny car out of the question? Not to be counterproductive at all, just curious. Is it possible to sell your vehicle and buy a manual? Or possibly swap with someone on an enthusiast forum who has a well-maintained manual that they would rather have an auto?

[freebeard]

Is there any way to program (reprogram) the car or modify the car in a way to get better mileage in lower gears and/or assist in getting up to speed much more quickly to reduce fuel consumption by accelerating harder to reach top gear?

...

Acceleration is one of the major detriments to fuel economy, along with aerodynamic drag and weight of course.

You've sort of answered your own question. Drop weight and add an airdam+boattail. Then what 2000mc sez.

[SilverCrown9701]

Originally Posted by 2000mc

I thought it was the point of bsfc charts
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...-got-1466.html

So long as I stay in closed loop, and it doesn't cause me to do any additional braking, accelerating faster or slower hasn't made any discernible difference.

I've searched and searched for a BSFC chart for my car but to no avail.

[SilverCrown9701]

Originally Posted by Daox

The short answer to your question is no.

The trick with automatics is to get them to lock up the torque converter as much as possible. Every car is different in how its programmed. If you're handy with electronics, you can probably develop a controller that would allow you to control torque converter lockup.

I wish I was that technically inclined lol. My car takes about 15 seconds to get from 0-45 MPH.

[SilverCrown9701]

Originally Posted by OG VX

SilverCrown, why is a manual tranny car out of the question? Not to be counterproductive at all, just curious. Is it possible to sell your vehicle and buy a manual? Or possibly swap with someone on an enthusiast forum who has a well-maintained manual that they would rather have an auto?

For several reasons in all honesty...

I cannot afford to do it nor do I have the skill nor any connections with reputable people.

Besides, if I were to do that, I'd rather just sell it and buy a manual. However, I paid $4,000 for a new engine a few years ago. It only has 35,000 miles on it as of today, so I'd like to hang on to it as long as I can until I can afford a second car.

[SilverCrown9701]

Originally Posted by freebeard

You've sort of answered your own question. Drop weight and add an airdam+boattail. Then what 2000mc sez.

I don't really want to add any conspicuous aero mods to my car. I really just want to use driving technique as my main arsenal.

However, I would like to add an inconspicuous grill block but first I need to know what to use and how to install it.

[Daox]

If you don't want to mod your car, a manual transmission would serve you vastly better than an automatic. I know you don't have money, put a new engine in, etc. Its just something to keep in mind.