Can Fast Acceleration Save Fuel?

Summary

In this video, the creator tests the impact of different acceleration methods on fuel economy using a 2014 Sayan Lounge with a turbocharged petrol engine. The tests compare full throttle, half throttle, and gentle acceleration, with results showing that gentle acceleration yields the best fuel economy, providing up to a 30.1 MPG average. The creator also explores unconventional acceleration techniques and the effects of engine load on efficiency, concluding that while gentle driving improves fuel economy, a balance is necessary for practicality. The video provides insightful data for eco-conscious drivers seeking to optimize fuel usage.

Takeaways

• 😀 Full throttle acceleration results in lower fuel economy (21.8 mpg average) compared to gentler acceleration methods.
• 😀 Half throttle acceleration improves fuel economy significantly (27.5 mpg average), striking a balance between speed and efficiency.
• 😀 Gentle acceleration provides the best fuel economy, averaging 30.0 mpg, with a 9% improvement over half throttle.
• 😀 The gentle acceleration method is slower, taking up to 28 seconds to reach 50 mph compared to the faster full throttle method (15 seconds).
• 😀 Accelerating very gently and shifting at low RPM (around 1500 rpm) leads to the highest economy (32.6 mpg) but is impractical for real-world driving.
• 😀 Petrol engines tend to be more efficient when under load, unlike electric vehicles which lose efficiency under higher demand.
• 😀 The difference in fuel economy primarily affects the acceleration phase of the journey, not the constant speed or deceleration phase.
• 😀 Different acceleration methods may cause varying driving experiences, such as jerky or noisy rides, especially when shifting at unusual RPMs.
• 😀 Electric cars are efficient when doing less work, but their range decreases significantly when pushed hard, such as at high speeds on the motorway.
• 😀 The test vehicle (2014 Skoda Octavia) demonstrated that moderate driving practices, such as half-throttle acceleration, provided a good balance between economy and driveability.

Q & A

What was the primary goal of the video experiment?

The primary goal of the video experiment was to compare the fuel economy of a 2014 Seat Leon under three different acceleration styles: full throttle, half throttle, and gentle throttle.

How much improvement in fuel economy was observed when accelerating gently?

A 24% improvement in fuel economy was observed when accelerating gently compared to more aggressive acceleration methods.

What vehicle was used for the test, and what are its key specifications?

The vehicle used for the test was a 2014 Seat Leon with a 1.4 turbocharged direct injected petrol engine, a six-speed manual gearbox, 140 PS of power, and 250 Nm of torque (though actual figures are closer to 150 PS and 300 Nm).

How did the driving style impact the vehicle's fuel economy?

Gentler acceleration resulted in better fuel economy. For example, the gentle acceleration run achieved a mean average of 30 MPG, while the full throttle run averaged 21.8 MPG.

What factors could have influenced the test results?

Factors such as the road incline, ambient conditions (like the road being slightly downhill and wet during the full throttle test), and the vehicle's state of readiness (fully warmed up engine) could have influenced the results.

What was the impact of accelerating gently on the vehicle's time to reach 50 mph?

Accelerating gently took significantly longer to reach 50 mph, with the gentle run taking about 28 seconds, compared to the full throttle run, which took only 15 seconds.

How did the fuel economy change with different acceleration methods?

Fuel economy varied significantly with the method of acceleration. Full throttle resulted in 21.8 MPG, half throttle yielded a mean of 27.5 MPG, and gentle acceleration achieved the best result at 30 MPG.

What was the effect of changing gears at different RPM levels during the tests?

Changing gears at higher RPMs, such as 4,500 RPM, resulted in poorer fuel economy (26.3 MPG). Conversely, changing gears at lower RPMs, like 1,500 RPM, resulted in better fuel efficiency (32.6 MPG), though this was impractical for regular driving.

How does the driving style differ between petrol and electric vehicles in terms of fuel efficiency?

In petrol and diesel cars, more efficient fuel consumption occurs when the engine is under load (e.g., driving faster or accelerating harder), while electric vehicles tend to be more efficient when driven gently, as they use more energy when tasked with greater power demands.

What can be concluded about the efficiency of petrol and diesel engines compared to electric cars based on the test?

Petrol and diesel engines work more efficiently under load, meaning faster acceleration or higher speeds result in better economy. In contrast, electric vehicles tend to be more efficient when driven slowly and use more energy on highways or at higher speeds.