Can you enjoy both power and efficiency ?

Can you enjoy both power and efficiency ?

Author
Discussion

RideOrDie

Original Poster:

8 posts

111 months

Saturday 6th December 2014
quotequote all
This is my first post, I am 19, and I have a desire to learn about cars, how they work, how they don't work, and modifications.
As the title suggests, is it possible to be able to flick a switch and have your car remapped to a set program (saved on a set computer i'm guessing) ?
Take for example, a 2003 BMW E46 319ci, the model lower on power has 118hp, if set up correctly, could you map it to have more than say 150 ? (model higher on power has 143), then have the other setting to focus just on efficiently ?

It's just an idea.
All opinions welcome smile

Jimmyarm

1,962 posts

177 months

Saturday 6th December 2014
quotequote all
It isn't as simple as that but in theory you could program a more efficient map.

Look at the owner reported mpg for e46 320 to 330 cars (all six cylinder engines).


anonymous-user

53 months

Sunday 7th December 2014
quotequote all
There isn't really a car that has been released in the last 15 years that wasn't already calibrated for optimum efficiency at light loads! Ok, you could have a "map" that doesn't open the throttle fully or something, but the same effect is gain by just not pressing the accelerator to the floor fully!

A "Post registration" map could make some fuel savings, by running the engine lean, something that is prevented by the emission regulations that manufacturers must meet in order to sell the car. In effect, you trade of tailpipe pollutants (CO, NOx, HCs) for lover fuel consumption (and lower CO2).

However, there is no requirement to have this as a separate "map", as you can just optimise the low rpm / light road parts of the map to suit, leaving the high load/rpm portions unchanged (optimised for power)

stevieturbo

17,229 posts

246 months

Sunday 7th December 2014
quotequote all
RideOrDie said:
This is my first post, I am 19, and I have a desire to learn about cars, how they work, how they don't work, and modifications.
As the title suggests, is it possible to be able to flick a switch and have your car remapped to a set program (saved on a set computer i'm guessing) ?
Take for example, a 2003 BMW E46 319ci, the model lower on power has 118hp, if set up correctly, could you map it to have more than say 150 ? (model higher on power has 143), then have the other setting to focus just on efficiently ?

It's just an idea.
All opinions welcome smile
Every car already has a feature like that. The controller is located under your right foot.

Press it down harder and you get more power and of course uses more fuel. Lift it up and it does the opposite biggrin

RideOrDie

Original Poster:

8 posts

111 months

Sunday 7th December 2014
quotequote all
cheers for the replies! I am well aware that the key variable is the right foot!
We all know the motor companies are paid off to keep efficiency "low", and we know the easy part is to improve performance. I just think it would be cool to have some sort of contraption that would be like having two ecu's. One that may get you 50+ MPG, and the other may get you some power. Cars use so much technology it must be possible?
What do you think would be best for this, petrol or diesel ?
Do you think it's bad to run lean ?

Super Slo Mo

5,368 posts

197 months

Sunday 7th December 2014
quotequote all
Sorry, don't think I'm understanding; we all know what? The motor companies are paid off? By whom? Can you provide links to support this?

stevieturbo

17,229 posts

246 months

Sunday 7th December 2014
quotequote all
RideOrDie said:
cheers for the replies! I am well aware that the key variable is the right foot!
We all know the motor companies are paid off to keep efficiency "low", and we know the easy part is to improve performance. I just think it would be cool to have some sort of contraption that would be like having two ecu's. One that may get you 50+ MPG, and the other may get you some power. Cars use so much technology it must be possible?
What do you think would be best for this, petrol or diesel ?
Do you think it's bad to run lean ?
Motor companies are all about efficiency. The problem is, what you deem efficient means and what efficiencies they have to meet are clearly very different.

Given cars already do exactly what you are asking for...via your right foot, the question is simply down to a lack of understanding.

And "bad to run lean" compared to what exactly ?

trashbat

6,005 posts

152 months

Sunday 7th December 2014
quotequote all
Cylinder deactivation is a form of this, is it not? I suppose getting rid of cams would also give you a lot more flexibility - can't remember what manufacturers have done this.

RideOrDie

Original Poster:

8 posts

111 months

Sunday 7th December 2014
quotequote all
They are paid off by oil companies so that more oil is used, do you really think they just dont want to start selling a super efficient car, they have the cars already, tyres alone are already made that can double mpg, hydrogen (water) cars etc.
I was also informed by somebody that in my lifetime it'll be illegal to drive cars, they'll be self driven. do ye really think these google cars or whatever they are will be getting "only" 55mpg ?


trashbat

6,005 posts

152 months

Sunday 7th December 2014
quotequote all
Now you're talking nonsense. I think it's a more interesting question than some have given you credit for, but you've just wandered off into the realms of nutjob conspiracy.

RideOrDie

Original Poster:

8 posts

111 months

Sunday 7th December 2014
quotequote all
trashbat said:
Now you're talking nonsense. I think it's a more interesting question than some have given you credit for, but you've just wandered off into the realms of nutjob conspiracy.
which part can you not process ?

RideOrDie

Original Poster:

8 posts

111 months

Sunday 7th December 2014
quotequote all
trashbat said:
Now you're talking nonsense. I think it's a more interesting question than some have given you credit for, but you've just wandered off into the realms of nutjob conspiracy.
which part can you not process ?

otolith

55,899 posts

203 months

Sunday 7th December 2014
quotequote all
The conspiracy theory is tinfoil hat nonsense. At least one of the people who has replied to you does this for a living!

trashbat

6,005 posts

152 months

Sunday 7th December 2014
quotequote all
I don't know why I'm humouring you, but "paid off by the oil companies"? Are you twelve years old?

Presumably this payoff eclipses the profit that would have been made by market leading fuel efficiency.

Presumably this explains why Tesla are doing so badly with a share price in the pence and forever falling.

Never mind the bit about you being "informed" - implying some sort of insider fact - about self-driving cars.

RideOrDie

Original Poster:

8 posts

111 months

Sunday 7th December 2014
quotequote all
I'm not here to argue with people who don't accept change for whatever personal reasons. just search "google chauffeur", I know we wont be seeing this anytime soon, but it was launched almost 10 years ago. Whether you chose to believe it or not (not i'm guessing?), the world is moving closer to "driverless" cars. Take for example the 2015 merc s class. pretty much as high end as it gets ? filled with technology that relies less and less on the driver. These technologies will be passed down to the everyday car as time goes on.

and i'm 19 years old, but you do sound more immature not allowing room for a discussion about the future, it's okay tho, we all can't be perfect wink

otolith

55,899 posts

203 months

Sunday 7th December 2014
quotequote all
Fuel economy will continue to improve as quickly as manufacturers can manage. Self driving cars will be mainstream in 10-20 years. Electric car market penetration will continue to increase. None of this is down to shady conspiracies. Hydrogen fuelled cars look like a dead end at the moment. It's not a particularly convenient technology.

stevieturbo

17,229 posts

246 months

Sunday 7th December 2014
quotequote all
RideOrDie said:
which part can you not process ?
The part where you're talking, or perhaps just repeating b u l l s h i t

RideOrDie

Original Poster:

8 posts

111 months

Sunday 7th December 2014
quotequote all
stevieturbo said:
The part where you're talking, or perhaps just repeating b u l l s h i t
stevie "turbo" i better watch out please don't hurt me. I've a feeling you live with your mother? awkward enough littleman

RideOrDie

Original Poster:

8 posts

111 months

Sunday 7th December 2014
quotequote all
otolith said:
Fuel economy will continue to improve as quickly as manufacturers can manage. Self driving cars will be mainstream in 10-20 years. Electric car market penetration will continue to increase. None of this is down to shady conspiracies. Hydrogen fuelled cars look like a dead end at the moment. It's not a particularly convenient technology.
out of interest what do u think will be the best alternative to oil ? my guess is electric.

stevesingo

4,848 posts

221 months

Sunday 7th December 2014
quotequote all
A by product of shale gas.