Super Economy via BA Falcon Service Pack 1..... - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

Luke Plaizier · 06-16-2003, 04:38

You know, if the computer is in control of the actual throttle-position, the auto gear selection, the fuel delivery and the ignition timing, it would be just a matter of developing the software to support an 'Economy' and a 'Super Economy' mode - or even several intermediate settings - for the Falcon.

For instance, an Economy setting can maximise fuel efficiency with only a minimal reduction in performance by doing the normal early-upchange late-downchange tricks, by setting fuel delivery to the lean side of stochiometric, and by buffering the actual throttle position to cushion the effect of sudden position changes of the foot, and to restrict maximum fuel-flow unless the foot travels to within the last 10% of it's range.

Super-Economy would result in sluggish 4-cylinder performance but would result in 4 cylinder economy - perhaps even better.

In fact, if you had the option of dialling in a range of several settings via the Central Command Console, not one single bit of hardware would need to be changed.

So what do you say Ford, when will you release BA Falcon Service Pack 1 ?

And when can we get cool downloadable screen savers for the Command Centre?

Lukeyson

ricecooker · 06-16-2003, 13:39

Good Idea in principle, but seems fraught with a few potential probs, for instance if the acceleration is buffered to kind of delay accidental jabs of the throttle to even out the fuel usage etc, this raises the question of what might be the consequences of this system if emergency acceleration is needed to get out of the shit, eg, some car threatening to t-bone you at an intersection etc. You put the boot down to get out of its way only to find the car thinks its better if you save .02 cents worth of fuel by not being in such a hurry.. Outcome: splatt!!... NOt pretty.
Hmm cant think what other point i was going ot make but there was another.. Ill add it if I remember..

I like the idea of the computer cutting off 4 or so cylinders when just putting round town or when the power isnt needed though. I think audi do this with some of their cars to save fuel.. If you need the power the computer senses it and reacts instantaneously to fire the other cyclinders..

Or using the energy captured when braking to pressurise air that could be used to assist with acceleration at the next lights or whatever.. Or maybe to pressurise the air fuel mixture in a turboesque kinda way for the take off.. But like that system that i think ford was fiddling with that gives a shot of cooled air to give 30 seconds boost for the car.. if you know what im on about...
I can remember what they called it... chargecooler or something..
It might save on brakewear too..

AUForte · 06-16-2003, 14:57

That system is available on some of the Mustangs. It involves coolant being cooled by the air conditioning system, then at the push of a button, uses the very cold coolant to cool intake air

FANTM1 · 06-16-2003, 16:10

I would imagine the throttle buffering would be overridable with a meaningful push on the pedal.

[atomic]nexus · 06-17-2003, 05:38

yeah.. when the pedal is floored the car overrides the economy mode and flys into action

IPhido · 06-17-2003, 19:10

Service pack is a nice idea..
I don't know how flexable there setup is however..

You could certainly have a Economy mode that adjust light throttle opening actions, gearbox changes.