Torque App Questions

[Hypochondriac]

How many of you use the Torque app? If you use plugins for the APP what plugin do you use? What information do you have displayed? I have MPG, trip MPG, total MPG, Trip speed, and Fuel consumption. How do I find the volumetric efficiency for a 2000 accord, googling 2000 accord volumetric efficiency didn't give any results

If I wanted to check for DFCO, what sensory would I have Torque display?

[ksa8907]

Injector pulse width if available, fuel gallons per hour, intake temp, coolant temp, load, spark advance, vacuum.

[Hypochondriac]

Originally Posted by ksa8907

Injector pulse width if available, fuel gallons per hour, intake temp, coolant temp, load, spark advance, vacuum.

Why coolant and intake temp?

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Hypochondriac

Why coolant and intake temp?

These are important to watch when using a grill block. If you see the coolant temp rise into the 215 F range and then suddenly drop down, you know the radiator isn't cooling well enough, and then the fans kick on.

Same with the intake temps. Too much grill blocking can make the intake air too warm, which might retard engine timing or if severe enough, cause the engine to knock.

I probably have 80 gauges that I monitor on a 7" tablet. This is because my car is a plug-in, so I have 12 battery voltages and resistances to look at, along with other EV specific stuff.

My main page on all cars is

MPG instant, Coolant temp, Timing Advance
MPG Cumulative,Intake Temp, Engine Load

[JockoT]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

My main page on all cars is

MPG instant, Coolant temp, Timing Advance
MPG Cumulative,Intake Temp, Engine Load

For a total beginner to Hypermiling, as I am, can you explain how you make the most use out of monitoring the Timing Advance and Engine Load?

[redpoint5]

A gasoline engine is most efficient when it runs around 80% engine load, and very inefficient at low loads. I shoot for 85% engine load when I accelerate, but the truth is that engine load isn't very useful for steady cruising because it doesn't take that much power to maintain speed.

This is the reason why the pulse and glide technique is fuel efficient. The engine is run at high load briefly, and then the car is coasted until it's time for another speed boost.

Timing advance isn't too useful either except that it can be an indicator of engine warmup (timing is retarded when the engine is cold), intake temperature (too hot and the timing retards), acceleration (timing retards during higher engine loads), and fuel grade. My Acura specifies 91 octane, but can run on regular 87. This comes at a cost of slightly retarded timing. Fuel economy generally improves with more advanced timing, so everything is a balancing act.

As a beginner, the main thing to focus on is avoidance of using the brakes. This means anticipating what traffic will do, looking down the road to see what traffic lights are doing, etc. Usually this also means leaving a larger gap ahead of you, so that you have time to coast or change lanes.

Braking is energy wasted. Other details such as engine load are very minor compared to what is lost due to unnecessary braking.

You have already read through this link, right?

[JockoT]

Brakes have always been my main method of economy driving. I pride myself in seldom needing to use them (and seldom needing to replace them). Since signing up here I have been intrigued by all the other tips and methods employed.

[PASY]

I use it for three month now. What a great app!
I display Km per liter, Liters/100km, air intake temp,coolant temp, battery voltage, fuel gauge % and fuel trip cost.

[seifrob]

This is how my dashboard looks like. Since I drive a diesel, i am using fuel rail pressure to check if DFCO is active or not. Engine revs and load to be in sweet spot regarding torque and consumption, and turbo boost pressure to avoid driving with load in too low revs ( i do not want to clog it.) I use different themes for day and night driving.
Edit: I use my 3.5" smartphone, so the dials are a bit crammed.

[Frank]

I use it on an electric motorcycle, great app.