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Better explain.

I'm not talking about driver's skill - we can all do better.

Most of us can install ScanGage - not talking about that either.

What is the innovation that has improved engine efficiency the most?

Many people would say the hybrid engine, and I'd be in agreement.

What is the next best thing?

Some would say a turbo diesel, and I would not disagree.


My answer is the manual transmission.

In the 1970's, it seemed like stickshifts did quite a bit better than the same vehicle with a fluid automatic. The gap is less today, but it still seems significant. Automatics are great when just learning to drive and carrying a family around, but I think most people just got spoiled with automatics. I'm not talking about Toyota and Ford hybrid drivers - they can only have CVT transmissions. I'm talking about the other 98% of drivers.

I'd go so far as to say automatics have encouraged distracted driving. Not just with a free hand, but freeing the mind of shifting and appreciating fuel efficiency is still greatly determined by the driver.

Hi Chuck:

___Besides the techniques, I tend to think OEM FCD’s are a large contributor to higher FE in hybrids and non-hybrids to date. Not an aftermarket SG-II but the OEM’s in many cars today. After that, our low RRc based steel belted radials at high pressures are another important advance for higher FE. I believe you are asking about huge numbers however and Honda’s lean burn based ICE’s is probably the #1 advance in automobile FE over the years. All the Diesel’s should be included in this list since they are native lean burners without a throttle plate holding them back. The Hybrid drivetrain as a system, not just an Atkinson intake on a small ICE would probably be next imho. For everyone’s vehicle, the multi-valve, variable lift and timing cam(s) would be a larger contributor to today’s higher FE automobiles. DoD will be a big fuel saver over the next few years as well.

___The biggest fuel saver of all? That would be the all electric propulsion systems of tomorrows HEV’s and soon to arrive PHEV’s and BEV’s. The future is all electric and it’s only a matter of time :)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I'm not talking about Toyota and Ford hybrid drivers - they can only have CVT transmissions.

Ahem :D

Ahem :D

...and Honda hybrids since 2006 - sometimes I feel the need to think like an attorney before posting. :D ...somebody is going to point out the Insight CVT is SULEV but the Insight 5-speed is only ULEV.


_________________________________

I was trying to say before hybrids, 5-speeds may have been the next best thing for good fuel economy.

We own 3 5 speed vehicles and I agree that a 5 speed has the potential for good economy on gas above an automatic with some decent driving done with it. I definitely prefer a 5 speed. Though, can be difficult to buy at times! Low demand and the sales people always want to "upgrade" you. With the new fuel crisis I wonder if the 5 speed will become a little more popular. I choose a 5 speed over the Prius (got a Kia Optima instead) and the spread over the cost of the car and how long we keep them, miles on them, etc. worked out better for us with the Kia. :)

I have to agree, swapping out my automatic for a manual transmission made the biggest impact on my fuel economy. The second was dropping from 3.54 to 3.31 in the rear axle. Then lowering and synthetic fluids in the daily driver.

Interestingly, the EPA rates the ATX and MTX the same for my car.

Chen, those EPA ratings don't take into account the extra flexibility of a manual (FAS, bump start, control of shift points, etc) ;)

I would have to say as far as the Honda Insight 5spd goes, it would be the Lean burn mode. That's where the really sweet numbers come from.

Of course there is lots on the insight to talk about for fuel economy.

I would say that engine electronic controls have made a huge difference. I remember the mid seventies when manufacturers were forced to build lead free, low compression engines to cope with tighter emissions standards. Those cars had terrible FE. When the manufacturers began to bring engine control electronics to the table, the FE again began to climb.

I would have to say as far as the Honda Insight 5spd goes, it would be the Lean burn mode. That's where the really sweet numbers come from.

Of course there is lots on the insight to talk about for fuel economy.

You are correct -- for steady state driving. ;)

I don't do a whole lot of steady state driving around here... and an engine that isn't on is even "leaner" than lean burn. :D

Every car except one I have owned has been a stick. Even when I was looking for a CRV, I had to search high and low before I found one (I lived in NJ where it was next to impossible to find them) I will always have a stick, and if I can eventually get a hybrid, I hope they offer one in manual as well... Not only are they more gas efficient, IMO, I just feel I have so better control ingeneral, like in snow or rain for example. I get into an automatic and I forget how to drive! LOL..

Better explain.

I'm not talking about driver's skill - we can all do better.

Most of us can install ScanGage - not talking about that either.

What is the innovation that has improved engine efficiency the most?

Many people would say the hybrid engine, and I'd be in agreement.

What is the next best thing?

Some would say a turbo diesel, and I would not disagree.


My answer is the manual transmission.

In the 1970's, it seemed like stickshifts did quite a bit better than the same vehicle with a fluid automatic. The gap is less today, but it still seems significant. Automatics are great when just learning to drive and carrying a family around, but I think most people just got spoiled with automatics. I'm not talking about Toyota and Ford hybrid drivers - they can only have CVT transmissions. I'm talking about the other 98% of drivers.

I'd go so far as to say automatics have encouraged distracted driving. Not just with a free hand, but freeing the mind of shifting and appreciating fuel efficiency is still greatly determined by the driver.