Fuel consumption is one of the main things you look at when buying a new car. Are there any systems to reduce fuel consumption? We check!
The Start-Stop system is an electronic system designed to start and stop the engine. It is designed to reduce CO₂ emissions and fuel consumption. The idea for the Start-Stop system originated in the 1970s when the world was facing a huge oil crisis. The Start-Stop system made it possible to reduce fuel consumption by up to 10%.
The principle of the Start-Stop system is very simple. When stuck in traffic, or stopped at a red light, drivers put their foot down on the clutch and take their foot off the pedal. This tells the car to turn off the engine. This is done by the electronic Start-Stop system. It is worth noting that all other on-board devices are fully functional. In a situation when the driver wants to start, he presses the clutch pedal before he even enters first gear. The pedal sensor then sends a message to start the engine. Start-Stop systems are also present in cars with automatic transmissions. In their case, you must take your foot off the brake or significantly reduce pressure on the pedal
One of the most important components of the entire system is the starter, the design of which is slightly different from the classic. It must work very quickly, and also much more often. After all, every traffic light and traffic jam, which in urban traffic is almost an everyday occurrence, come into play. Other important components are also the alternator and the battery
An interesting solution is the possibility of deactivating the Start-Stop system. This can be done by using a button usually located on the dashboard. Thanks to this, the driver can at any time resign from the automatic switching off and on the engine
ACC, or Adaptive Cruise Control, is an extension of conventional cruise control that can take the strain out of driving, especially on long journeys. However, this solution has one drawback – in city traffic it does not work at all, because every now and then it is deactivated by overtaking a slower car or sudden braking. So engineers came up with the idea of creating an adaptive version of cruise control. How does it work?
Most adaptive cruise control systems can reduce speed to around 30-50km/h when approaching an obstacle or another vehicle. After that, unfortunately, the driver must take the initiative to bring the car to a full stop. The principle of operation of such a cruise control is based mainly on radars placed in the front of the vehicle. Most often these are called lidars, a variation of radars using laser technology. The signal is sent into the environment, and when there is an obstacle in its way, the wave bounces off it and returns to the car. The distance between you and the object is then calculated.
ACC system increases comfort and safety of driving but this is not the end of its advantages. A major advantage is that it can save up to 5% on fuel. This is due to the engine operating in the optimum speed range. Adaptive cruise control automatically maintains the set speed and ensures a safe distance from cars driving in front of our vehicle
The direct injection system is one of the most modern automotive solutions. What are the benefits of direct injection? First of all, lower fuel consumption, better driving dynamics and excellent performance. The system is most often used in diesel engines, although it is becoming increasingly popular among gasoline engines. Experts estimate that direct injection can reduce fuel consumption by up to 20%!
The first vehicle in which such a solution was used was Mitsubishi in 1995. As for the design itself, it is characterized by the fact that the injection is directed directly into the cylinder. Injection into the combustion chamber takes place due to very high pressure.
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