With gas prices on the rise, the demand for fuel efficient vehicles is ever increasing. Car companies recognize this trend and are striving to make more fuel efficient engines. They are using several methods to achieve this goal. Here, we will explore the different ways in which car companies are making more fuel efficient vehicles.
Variable Cam Timing
The air and fuel flowing into an engine's cylinder's is controlled by valves. The valves in old engine designs had unchangeable timing and lift settings that were a compromise between slow and fast speeds. Newer engines have variable cam timing. The difference here is that as the vehicle picks up speed, the setting for the valve lift and timing automatically changes. Engines with variable cam timing can change timing and lift according to speed, therefor getting the best performance from air and fuel flow.
Cylinder Deactivation
Cylinder deactivation, or cylinder management, makes engines more fuel efficient by shutting off unnecessary cylinders. With this method, when a vehicle reaches cruising speed, fuel is no longer pumped to one or more of the engine's cylinders. Cylinder deactivation is applied to six and eight cylinder engines.
Turbo/Supercharging
Fans that coerce air into the engine's cylinders are known as turbochargers and superchargers. The difference between super and turbochargers is that turbochargers run off the vehicle's exhaust whereas superchargers run off the engine. Fuel efficiency is increased by turbo and superchargers because the air coerced into the vehicle's cylinders make a stronger ignition of air and fuel.
Direct Fuel Injection
Injecting fuel directly into a vehicle's cylinders in order to more accurately control the timing and shape of the fuel mist is referred to as direct fuel injection. In standard multi-port engines, gas is injected into a port and allowed to combine with air before it goes into the vehicle's cylinders.
Integrated Starter/ Generator
With the invention of the integrated generator or starter, wasted fuel while the vehicle is idling is a thing of the past. An integrated starter automatically shuts off a vehicle's engine when it comes to a stop. Upon engaging the accelerator, the vehicle restarts immediately.
Each of the methods explained above directly involve the engine, however, there are even more, less direct techniques, used by car companies that increase a vehicle's fuel efficiency. Here are several more techniques that car manufacturers use to increase fuel efficiency in their vehicles.
A vehicle's transmission uses the power produced by the engine and transforms it into rotational energy of the vehicle's tires. Some transmission technology can contribute significantly to a vehicle's gas efficiency.
Continuous Variable Transmissions
Standard auto transmissions use an unchangeable amount of metal gears to control the ratio between motor and tire speed. Continuously variable transmissions use a set of adjustable diameter pulleys attached to a chain or belt that can produce an indefinite amount of engine to wheel ratios. Continuously variable transmissions eliminate lurching or jerking caused from changing gears or downshifting. This kind of transmission provides a smooth ride, steady acceleration rate and increased fuel efficiency due to the engine not having to work as hard.
Automated Manual Transmission
Automatic transmissions allow for the shifting of gears without the need for the driver to depress a clutch. However, manual transmissions produce less energy loss during the shifting of gears because they are lighter. Automated manual transmissions are a cross between automatic and manual transmissions. With these types of transmissions, the vehicle is electronically shifted, combining the smoothness of automatic transmission with the fuel efficiency of manual.
In addition to the techniques described above, anything that reduces the amount of work on a vehicle's engine will also increase the fuel efficiency of the engine. Decreasing wind drag is another method that car manufacturer's use to increase gas mileage. This is done by cleverly designing the vehicle's exterior into a wind-resistant, aerodynamic shape. Another method is to simply decrease the weight of the vehicle. Car maker's do this by using lighter weight material in the production of the vehicle.
About the Author
Fuel efficient cars are important in today's time. If you travel long distances in your daily commute, you are concerned about the cost of fuel. For efficient buy here pay here used cars, visit a J.D. Byrider. dealer.
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