 |
|
|
A 2005 PT Cruiser GT is the test car for efficient-mileage.com. The goal is to find out just how well each of the fuel-saving strategies work. Measurements will be recorded by a dynamometer, a DashDaq data logger, and on a drag racing strip. Data recorded from each alteration will be compared against a baseline reference. Each strategy represented by a single product will be sorted in a chart to rate the value of the modification. This way the readers can choose what to do based on unbiased data.
The PT Cruiser averages 20.28 mpg on my regular driving circuit. It averages 20.28 mpg if the engine speed is kept low, and the rate of acceleration kept slow. It averages 20.28 mpg under normal driving behavior mixed in with a few traffic light drag races. If the car sees a lot of wide open throttle or frequent traffic light drag races the gas mileage will average between 13 - 17 mpg. Spending 99% of the time on the open freeway yields 24 mpg. For gas mileage comparisons I'll stick to normal driving on my regular driving circuit since that produces repeatable results. The PT Cruiser GT test car reference point has a maximum horsepower of 196 bhp and maximum torque of 260 ft lbs. The average gas mileage is 20.28 mpg. Your results may vary. Different cars will yield different results. All engines
may be governed by the same natural forces, however different forces
are at work in different engines. And of course your results will
vary if you have a mischievous family member who secretly siphons
and fills your gas tank. Generally though, I would expect the benefits
to be proportional to the engine displacement. Measure Twice Peak engine power will be measured on a dynamometer after each modification. A dynamometer measures engine power under load at wide open throttle. Engine torque is the work directly measured and horsepower is calculated by the rate (time) at which work is done. Fuel stoichiometry will be measured on the DashDaq with a wideband oxygen sensor. Stoichiometry is the measure of ratios between combustible chemicals. In this case, we're measuring the ratio of air molecules to gasoline by observing the exhaust content. As engine conditions such as load, rpm, and air temperature change, so does the stoichiometry. The ideal air to fuel ratio is 1 part fuel to 14.7 parts of air. If the ratio goes higher than 14.7, then the engine is running lean and is in danger of knock or detonation (that's bad). If the ratio goes below 12, then the mixture is rich and the engine is wasting fuel unnecessarily. It's always safer for the engine to run a little rich. The DashDaq will record the relationship between the air fuel ratio to engine load, rpm, air temperature, etc. It can also log calculated changes in acceleration, power, and fuel consumption in relation to part throttle and various engine loads. The Dashdaq will also measure 60-0mph braking distance. What's tested engine computer reprogramming compared to reference water/methanol injection compared to reference water/meth + reprogramming compared to reference CermetLabs oil additive compared to reference CermetLabs + reprogram + water/meth compared to reference Fuel saver program on the DashDaq + modifications compared to reference ported bolt-on engine components + reprogram + water/meth + CermetLabs compared to reference Fuel saver program on the DashDaq + all modifications compared to reference
'How to' section The How To section shows the installation processes on the test car. There are tips, photos, shopping lists, and detailed explanations that support each modification. Water / methanol injection installation Ported turbo and ported manifold New charging wires and battery
Copyright 2008 - 2009. Efficient-Mileage.com. All rights reserved. |
