Load based driving techniques?
 

From what I understand, the best way to manipulate the throttle for best economy is adjusting the fueling based on the load on the engine?
For example, lifting off slightly when going UP hill, and accelerate a little more to gain speed coming down the other side?
Basically, I want to keep a steady load on the engine?

Yes - that's known around here as "driving with load" (DWL).

Cruising techniques, in order of lowest to best efficiency:

1) constant speed or cruise control
2) constant throttle
3) driving with load or target driving

Another way to describe DWL is "target driving": using the "instant" readout on your fuel consumption display, you pick the target MPG or L/100km you want to achieve. You simply adjust the throttle to stay as close as possible to that target, which means lifting as load increases, adding more as it decreases. Your speed varies, but your consumption stays on target.

Obviously this technique works best where outside influences (mostly terrain changes) impose manageable load changes.

Thanks for the explanation...I can see how target driving can be beneficial.
However, I don't understand how the fueling changes with load...specifically, if you start climbing a hill, but keep the throttle constant, the ECU will increase the fuel to the engine based on load??
I can understand getting on the throttle more increases load, and therefore fueling, but with a steady throttle?

Under constant throttle, the fuel input isn't necessarily changing.

But the vehicle speed is falling as load increases, which means with the throttle held constant, fuel economy will also fall. (You are now covering less distance for a given amount of fuel being burned.)

Ahh, yes, of course! Because HP iz a calculation of work, which factors in distance.
Thanks!

Just think of it as riding a bicycle...if youre going uphill, its easier on you to go slower...if you go faster you will use more of your energy...take advantage of downhills to accelerate and conserve momentum

I have picked up a new idea on this kind of a hybrid P&G relating to hills. Seems like if I go at a hill and once I start to loose speed I load the engine to 75-80% on the way up it and coast down the back side (EOC if it is large enough), my MPG seems to do better. This is based on only a couple of trips for myself. I have also started taking off as if I'm P&Ging even if I'm not planning to coast right away, I just let up when I get to my desired speed (45mphish) and continue and try to coast as much as possible when it is time to stop/turn.

Does anyone see a flaw in my logic? Always open for input :).

I think I've found the same thing ps2fixer. If I go to the absolute bottom of 5th gear in my AT (about 45mph and 1500 rpm) I can get about 80% throttle without gaining speed going up a hill, like one big pulse. And because the pulsing technique is the most efficient way to produce energy, it's how I get up to speed in the city.

I rechecked my rpm and my 45mph runs more in the 1500rpm range. Been using this trick as much as possible, and getting rather good results with driving ~50% of my trip straight though a CITY vs 100% country roads...

Also finding P&G while the engine is cold is a HUGE help on mpg average.... just have to do it at slow speeds. In about 2 miles I hit 30mpg, and around another 2 my engine is up to temp to shift into over drive and average is around 38mph. Trip average today was 48mpg, best I have seen in a LONG time, and I don't think I ever seen it that good in cold weather (high 30s to low 40s atm for the drive home, <32 for night time in).

It is funny when I'm getting better mpg in cold weather going 5 mph slower, a little EOC (auto trans), and a route change. 50mph KILLS my mileage :(

I have my aftermarket cruise control receiving info from a Ford MAP sensor rather than my VSS & it drives with load automatically. I set my cruise at 55 MPG & will maintain speeds of 60-65 MPH on flat road, drop to 53 MPH up hills & up to 76 MPH down hills.