Improving fuel efficiency - Revision history

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported

2018-09-03T22:23:36Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 22:23, 3 September 2018
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energy>Jmdonev at 02:29, 13 August 2018

2018-08-13T02:29:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:29, 13 August 2018
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	[[~~Category:Done 2018-05-18]]~~		#REDIRECT [[Improving fuel economy]]
	[[File:tyre-pressure-tread-wear-tyre-tracks-comparison.jpg\|300px\|thumbnail\|A slightly deflated tire can decrease fuel efficiency. It is important for cars to always have properly inflated tires as it also makes a difference in how the tire threads wear.<ref>Image taken from: http://www.tyresizecalculator.com/tyres/tyre-pressure, accessed May 18th, 2018.</ref>]]		[[Category:Done 2018-08-03]]
	~~<onlyinclude>'''~~Improving fuel ~~efficiency''' refers to the attempt to achieve higher [[fuel efficiency~~]] through a variety of means in a vehicle in an attempt to save money and reduce emissions.</onlyinclude> To learn about technical ways car manufacturers are trying to create cars with a greater ability to use fuel efficiently, please see [[kinetic energy recovery system]]s, or [[regenerative braking]].

	~~People commonly talk about conserving~~ [[energy]], but the [[conservation of energy]] is unavoidable since it's a physical law! This page discusses ways to conserve (use less) [[fuel]] (usually [[gasoline]]); reducing fuel use in cars saves money as well as reducing environmental impact.

	~~==Speed==~~
	Certain factors like a car's brakes and shape affect fuel efficiency. It is possible to install improved brakes, but the cost-benefit trade off is usually not worth it. However, where and how the driver operates the vehicle also affects the efficiency. During highway driving, [[power]] output correlates to the [[air drag]]. This drag is due to the [[air drag#Drag coefficient\|drag coefficient]] (a constant for a particular shape) multiplied by the [[velocity]] cubed. This means that slowing down by 10% uses 27% less power from the engine!<ref><math>\frac{P_{final}}{P_{initial}}\times100\% = \frac{1/2AC_d(0.9v)^3}{1/2AC_d v^3}\times100\%=73\%</math> which is 27% less power. Keep in mind that while this also means less energy is used, more time is spent using the energy. It's still an improvement (about 18% instead of 27%), but not as strong of one, please see [[energy vs power]].</ref> This does not mean that people should drive everywhere at 30 [[kph]], but at the same time, it does mean that in fifth gear while driving on the highway, considerably better fuel efficiency can be achieved in most cars by slowing down just a bit (going 120 kph uses 70% more power than going 100 kph).

	~~==Acceleration==~~
	In a similar vein, limiting rapid [[acceleration]] is an excellent way to conserve fuel. In most cases, when the [[engine]] is in [[gear]], efficiency relates to how fast the wheels are turning. Modern car engines (approximately year 2000 and up) will not use any fuel at all when the gas pedal isn't being pressed and the vehicle is rolling. This means that when driving down a hill, removing foot pressure from the accelerator will cause the engine not use any fuel at all. However, floor it, and the injectors will insert the maximum amount of fuel.

	An exception to this rule is at idling speeds, even if the pedal isn't being pressed the vehicle must burn fuel to keep the engine from stalling while sitting still. This means that turning off a car's engine while waiting for someone at the side of the road will save fuel, but don't turn off the engine at a stop light, that could cause a bad car accident!

	~~==Engine speed==~~
	When at a constant cruising speed in a Mazda Protege, for example, the highest fuel efficiency is at around 3000 [[RPM]]. This is because the engine converts the fuel to work more efficiently, meaning it requires less fuel to run at 3000 RPM than it does at 1200 RPM. The same holds true for most small cars and can be tested with a manual transmission by driving at a set speed in two different gears. See how far down the pedal needs to be pressed when both accelerating and maintaining speed in the different gears. The closer to the floor the gas pedal is, the more fuel it is injecting into the engine, so it is possible to tell which gear is using more fuel (i.e the one with the least amount of foot pressure). Furthermore, more modern vehicles have gauges that denote exactly how much fuel is being consumed at any given time making it much easier to find the optimal cruising speed or RPM for differing vehicles.

	~~==Tire pressure==~~
	Perhaps it doesn't seem like it matters much, but where a vehicle comes in contact with the road—the wheels— is highly important for fuel efficiency. The EPA estimates that fuel efficiency can improve by up to 3.3% by having properly [[pressure\|inflated]] tires, thus decreasing [[rolling resistance]] between the tires and the road.<ref name=A>http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/maintain.jsp</ref> This is true for anything with wheels—even peddling a bike with deflated tires is extremely difficult and requires much more energy. The only difference is where that energy comes from—most vehicles harness [[chemical energy]] by burning [[fossil fuel]]s, whereas a person peddling a bike harnesses energy by consuming [[food]]. To help quantify the difference in rolling resistance, notice how much slower a mountain bike rolls down a hill compared to a road bike.

	[[File:proper_tire_inflation.jpg\|800px\|thumb\|center\|Properly inflated tires can improve fuel efficiency. They also help with safety, control, noise, and [[friction\|traction]].<ref>Image and ideas taken from: https://www.tirebuyer.com/education/tire-~~pressure~~-~~and-performance, accessed May 18th, 2018.</ref>]]~~

	~~== For Further Reading ==~~
	~~For further information please see the related pages below:~~
	*[[Regenerative braking]]
	*[[Kinetic energy recovery system]]
	*[[Friction]]
	*[[Transportation energy use]]
	*[[Electric vehicle]]
	*Or explore a [[Special:Random\|random page]]

	~~==References==~~
	~~{{reflist}}~~
	~~[[Category:Uploaded~~]]

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported

2018-05-18T22:53:16Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 22:53, 18 May 2018
(No difference)

Jmdonev: /* For Further Reading */

2018-05-18T20:50:25Z

For Further Reading

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:50, 18 May 2018
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[Category:Done ~~2015~~-06-01]]		[[Category:Done 2018-05-18]]
	[[File:~~Flatfoot~~-~~76564 640~~.jpg\|300px\|thumbnail\|A slightly deflated tire can decrease fuel efficiency. It is important for cars to always have properly inflated tires.<ref>http://~~pixabay~~.com/p-~~76564/?no_redirect~~</ref>]]		[[File:tyre-pressure-tread-wear-tyre-tracks-comparison.jpg\|300px\|thumbnail\|A slightly deflated tire can decrease fuel efficiency. It is important for cars to always have properly inflated tires as it also makes a difference in how the tire threads wear.<ref>Image taken from: http://www.tyresizecalculator.com/tyres/tyre-pressure, accessed May 18th, 2018.</ref>]]
	<onlyinclude>'''Improving fuel efficiency''' refers to the attempt to achieve higher [[fuel efficiency]] through a variety of means in a vehicle in an attempt to save money and reduce emissions.</onlyinclude> To learn about technical ways car manufacturers are trying to create cars with a greater ability to use fuel efficiently, please see [[kinetic energy recovery system]]s, or [[regenerative braking]].		<onlyinclude>'''Improving fuel efficiency''' refers to the attempt to achieve higher [[fuel efficiency]] through a variety of means in a vehicle in an attempt to save money and reduce emissions.</onlyinclude> To learn about technical ways car manufacturers are trying to create cars with a greater ability to use fuel efficiently, please see [[kinetic energy recovery system]]s, or [[regenerative braking]].

	People commonly talk about conserving [[energy]], but the [[conservation of energy]] is unavoidable since it's a physical law! This page discusses ways to conserve (use less) [[fuel]] (usually [[gasoline]]); reducing fuel use in cars saves money as well as reducing environmental impact.		People commonly talk about conserving [[energy]], but the [[conservation of energy]] is unavoidable since it's a physical law! This page discusses ways to conserve (use less) [[fuel]] (usually [[gasoline]]); reducing fuel use in cars saves money as well as reducing environmental impact.

	~~==Tire pressure==~~
	Perhaps it doesn't seem like it matters much, but where a vehicle comes in contact with the road - the wheels - is highly important for fuel efficiency. The EPA estimates that fuel efficiency can improve by up to 3.3% by having properly [[pressure\|inflated]] tires, thus decreasing [[rolling resistance]] between the tires and the road.<ref name=A>http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/maintain.jsp</ref> This is true for anything with wheels - even peddling a bike with deflated tires is extremely difficult and requires much more energy. The only difference is where that energy comes from - most vehicles harness [[chemical energy]] by burning [[fossil fuel]]s, whereas a person peddling a bike harnesses energy by consuming [[food]]. To help quantify the difference in rolling resistance, notice how much slower on a mountain bike rolls down a hill compared to a road bike.

	==Speed==		==Speed==
	Certain factors like a car's brakes and shape affect fuel efficiency~~, and are set from car to car~~. It is possible to install improved brakes, but the cost-benefit trade off is not worth it. ~~Other factors~~, ~~however, can be highly influenced by~~ the driver. During highway driving, [[power]] output correlates to the [[air drag]]. This drag is due to the [[air drag#Drag coefficient\|drag coefficient]] (a constant for a particular shape) multiplied by the [[velocity]] cubed. This means that slowing down by 10% uses 27% less power from the engine!<ref><m>\frac{P_{final}}{P_{initial}}\times100\% = \frac{1/2AC_d(0.9v)^3}{1/2AC_d v^3}\times100\%=73\%</m> which is 27% less power. Keep in mind that while this also means less energy is used, more time is spent using the energy. It's still an improvement (about 18% instead of 27%), but not as strong of one, please see [[energy vs power]].</ref> This does not mean that people should drive everywhere at 30 [[kph]], but at the same time, it does mean that in fifth gear while driving on the highway, considerably better fuel efficiency can be achieved in most cars by slowing down just a bit (going 120 kph uses 70% more power than going 100 kph).		Certain factors like a car's brakes and shape affect fuel efficiency. It is possible to install improved brakes, but the cost-benefit trade off is usually not worth it. However, where and how the driver operates the vehicle also affects the efficiency. During highway driving, [[power]] output correlates to the [[air drag]]. This drag is due to the [[air drag#Drag coefficient\|drag coefficient]] (a constant for a particular shape) multiplied by the [[velocity]] cubed. This means that slowing down by 10% uses 27% less power from the engine!<ref><math>\frac{P_{final}}{P_{initial}}\times100\% = \frac{1/2AC_d(0.9v)^3}{1/2AC_d v^3}\times100\%=73\%</math> which is 27% less power. Keep in mind that while this also means less energy is used, more time is spent using the energy. It's still an improvement (about 18% instead of 27%), but not as strong of one, please see [[energy vs power]].</ref> This does not mean that people should drive everywhere at 30 [[kph]], but at the same time, it does mean that in fifth gear while driving on the highway, considerably better fuel efficiency can be achieved in most cars by slowing down just a bit (going 120 kph uses 70% more power than going 100 kph).

	==Acceleration==		==Acceleration==
Line 18:		Line 15:
	==Engine speed==		==Engine speed==
	When at a constant cruising speed in a Mazda Protege, for example, the highest fuel efficiency is at around 3000 [[RPM]]. This is because the engine converts the fuel to work more efficiently, meaning it requires less fuel to run at 3000 RPM than it does at 1200 RPM. The same holds true for most small cars and can be tested with a manual transmission by driving at a set speed in two different gears. See how far down the pedal needs to be pressed when both accelerating and maintaining speed in the different gears. The closer to the floor the gas pedal is, the more fuel it is injecting into the engine, so it is possible to tell which gear is using more fuel (i.e the one with the least amount of foot pressure). Furthermore, more modern vehicles have gauges that denote exactly how much fuel is being consumed at any given time making it much easier to find the optimal cruising speed or RPM for differing vehicles.		When at a constant cruising speed in a Mazda Protege, for example, the highest fuel efficiency is at around 3000 [[RPM]]. This is because the engine converts the fuel to work more efficiently, meaning it requires less fuel to run at 3000 RPM than it does at 1200 RPM. The same holds true for most small cars and can be tested with a manual transmission by driving at a set speed in two different gears. See how far down the pedal needs to be pressed when both accelerating and maintaining speed in the different gears. The closer to the floor the gas pedal is, the more fuel it is injecting into the engine, so it is possible to tell which gear is using more fuel (i.e the one with the least amount of foot pressure). Furthermore, more modern vehicles have gauges that denote exactly how much fuel is being consumed at any given time making it much easier to find the optimal cruising speed or RPM for differing vehicles.

			==Tire pressure==
			Perhaps it doesn't seem like it matters much, but where a vehicle comes in contact with the road—the wheels— is highly important for fuel efficiency. The EPA estimates that fuel efficiency can improve by up to 3.3% by having properly [[pressure\|inflated]] tires, thus decreasing [[rolling resistance]] between the tires and the road.<ref name=A>http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/maintain.jsp</ref> This is true for anything with wheels—even peddling a bike with deflated tires is extremely difficult and requires much more energy. The only difference is where that energy comes from—most vehicles harness [[chemical energy]] by burning [[fossil fuel]]s, whereas a person peddling a bike harnesses energy by consuming [[food]]. To help quantify the difference in rolling resistance, notice how much slower a mountain bike rolls down a hill compared to a road bike.

			[[File:proper_tire_inflation.jpg\|800px\|thumb\|center\|Properly inflated tires can improve fuel efficiency. They also help with safety, control, noise, and [[friction\|traction]].<ref>Image and ideas taken from: https://www.tirebuyer.com/education/tire-pressure-and-performance, accessed May 18th, 2018.</ref>]]

			== For Further Reading ==
			For further information please see the related pages below:
			*[[Regenerative braking]]
			*[[Kinetic energy recovery system]]
			*[[Friction]]
			*[[Transportation energy use]]
			*[[Electric vehicle]]
			*Or explore a [[Special:Random\|random page]]

	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}
	[[Category:Uploaded]]		[[Category:Uploaded]]

J.williams: 1 revision imported

2015-08-26T21:31:12Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 21:31, 26 August 2015
(No difference)

J.williams at 16:54, 12 August 2015

2015-08-12T16:54:46Z

New page

[[Category:Done 2015-06-01]]
[[File:Flatfoot-76564 640.jpg|300px|thumbnail|A slightly deflated tire can decrease fuel efficiency. It is important for cars to always have properly inflated tires.<ref>http://pixabay.com/p-76564/?no_redirect</ref>]]
<onlyinclude>'''Improving fuel efficiency''' refers to the attempt to achieve higher [[fuel efficiency]] through a variety of means in a vehicle in an attempt to save money and reduce emissions.</onlyinclude> To learn about technical ways car manufacturers are trying to create cars with a greater ability to use fuel efficiently, please see [[kinetic energy recovery system]]s, or [[regenerative braking]].

People commonly talk about conserving [[energy]], but the [[conservation of energy]] is unavoidable since it's a physical law! This page discusses ways to conserve (use less) [[fuel]] (usually [[gasoline]]); reducing fuel use in cars saves money as well as reducing environmental impact.

==Tire pressure==
Perhaps it doesn't seem like it matters much, but where a vehicle comes in contact with the road - the wheels - is highly important for fuel efficiency. The EPA estimates that fuel efficiency can improve by up to 3.3% by having properly [[pressure|inflated]] tires, thus decreasing [[rolling resistance]] between the tires and the road.<ref name=A>http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/maintain.jsp</ref> This is true for anything with wheels - even peddling a bike with deflated tires is extremely difficult and requires much more energy. The only difference is where that energy comes from - most vehicles harness [[chemical energy]] by burning [[fossil fuel]]s, whereas a person peddling a bike harnesses energy by consuming [[food]]. To help quantify the difference in rolling resistance, notice how much slower on a mountain bike rolls down a hill compared to a road bike.

==Speed==
Certain factors like a car's brakes and shape affect fuel efficiency, and are set from car to car. It is possible to install improved brakes, but the cost-benefit trade off is not worth it. Other factors, however, can be highly influenced by the driver. During highway driving, [[power]] output correlates to the [[air drag]]. This drag is due to the [[air drag#Drag coefficient|drag coefficient]] (a constant for a particular shape) multiplied by the [[velocity]] cubed. This means that slowing down by 10% uses 27% less power from the engine!<ref><m>\frac{P_{final}}{P_{initial}}\times100\% = \frac{1/2AC_d(0.9v)^3}{1/2AC_d v^3}\times100\%=73\%</m> which is 27% less power. Keep in mind that while this also means less energy is used, more time is spent using the energy. It's still an improvement (about 18% instead of 27%), but not as strong of one, please see [[energy vs power]].</ref> This does not mean that people should drive everywhere at 30 [[kph]], but at the same time, it does mean that in fifth gear while driving on the highway, considerably better fuel efficiency can be achieved in most cars by slowing down just a bit (going 120 kph uses 70% more power than going 100 kph).

==Acceleration==
In a similar vein, limiting rapid [[acceleration]] is an excellent way to conserve fuel. In most cases, when the [[engine]] is in [[gear]], efficiency relates to how fast the wheels are turning. Modern car engines (approximately year 2000 and up) will not use any fuel at all when the gas pedal isn't being pressed and the vehicle is rolling. This means that when driving down a hill, removing foot pressure from the accelerator will cause the engine not use any fuel at all. However, floor it, and the injectors will insert the maximum amount of fuel.

An exception to this rule is at idling speeds, even if the pedal isn't being pressed the vehicle must burn fuel to keep the engine from stalling while sitting still. This means that turning off a car's engine while waiting for someone at the side of the road will save fuel, but don't turn off the engine at a stop light, that could cause a bad car accident!

==Engine speed==
When at a constant cruising speed in a Mazda Protege, for example, the highest fuel efficiency is at around 3000 [[RPM]]. This is because the engine converts the fuel to work more efficiently, meaning it requires less fuel to run at 3000 RPM than it does at 1200 RPM. The same holds true for most small cars and can be tested with a manual transmission by driving at a set speed in two different gears. See how far down the pedal needs to be pressed when both accelerating and maintaining speed in the different gears. The closer to the floor the gas pedal is, the more fuel it is injecting into the engine, so it is possible to tell which gear is using more fuel (i.e the one with the least amount of foot pressure). Furthermore, more modern vehicles have gauges that denote exactly how much fuel is being consumed at any given time making it much easier to find the optimal cruising speed or RPM for differing vehicles.

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Uploaded]]