Software patch could improve car engine efficiency upto 2.6%
Many modern cars could reduce fuel consumption by 2.6% simply by uploading new software to the engine's computer, a Dutch scientist claims.
"Just by adding a piece of software and a simple cable, cars can save 2.6% of fuel consumption," John Kessels at the University of Eindhoven says. The same approach is already used to improve the efficiency of many hybrid vehicles.
The software is not proprietary to Ford and can be used in any vehicle with an engine computer, which includes the vast majority of cars sold today, Kessel says. However, the software is not quite ready for release. "We don't yet know how much it might degrade the battery," he adds.
A more significant fuel saving of 5% to 6% could be achieved if the car engine itself were to be rapidly switched on and off, but this would mean serious adjustments to the engine, including the addition of a powerful starter motor to ensure the car gets going quickly after each engine shutdown.
Posted on Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Labels: automobile, consumption, green-world, Innovation
