FAQ’s
Is Improved Fuel Economy Really Possible??
After all, if it were possible, why aren’t the car companies already doing it?
The whole topic of improving fuel economy has received quite a bit of bad press, from web sites, forums, magazines, as well as YouTube videos. Throughout the history of the automobile, there have been milestones that changed the industry forever. It all started with the basic carburetor. Prior to that, fuel was mixed with air using rather clever — albeit ineffective — methods that were cantankerous and unreliable. Electric starters ditched the hand crank. Overhead valves demoted the inefficient flat-head engine to lawnmowers. Electronic ignition eliminated the high-maintenance points & condenser. Fuel injection — mechanical at first, electronic later on — introduced excellent cylinder-to-cylinder AFR variations as well as precise delivery control. The oxygen sensor enabled cost-effective feedback to trim AFR on the fly. Coil-On-Plug (COP) eliminated the distributor, cap, rotor, and high-voltage wires. Over-Head Cams (OHC) eliminated the flex associated with pushrods. Variable Cam Timing (VVT, V-Tech, and other industry names) allowed powerful torque at low RPM by advancing the cam(s), with high horsepower at the top end by retarding the cam(s). Turbochargers deliver big engine performance and small engine fuel economy. On-Board Diagnostics Generation 2 (OBD-II) ensured that every command was properly executed by installing additional sensors to verify the command. Hybrid electric vehicles employ a small internal combustion engine with an electric motor to improve both performance and fuel economy.
Ok, I could go on, but hopefully you can see that the car companies may not know everything — yet. After a century and a half of development and engineering, there are still new ideas emerging that yet again change the automobile for the better. Knowing what you know now, transported back in time through a hypothetical portal, what would you say to someone in 1950 that asks, “If it were possible, why aren’t the car companies already doing it?”
Historically, many of the technologies we take for granted today were developed by a sole inventor in his garage. The intermittent windshield wiper is an example (there is even a movie about it). In the past, car companies would develop engines, fuel delivery systems, ignition, and so forth in-house, then spend the big bucks to get their systems certified (EPA, CARB, etc.). The current trend is for companies like Bosch, Siemens, and others to develop systems, spend the money for certification, then sell “certified packages” to the car companies. This reduces engineering and certification costs per car sold. But on the down-side, it also thwarts innovation from bright car company engineers.
As an example of how new technology influences automobiles, the 1970 Ford Boss 302 Mustang — an iconic muscle car — was rated at 290 HP, with a 5.0 liter carbureted pushrod V-8 engine. The 2021 BASE Mustang (with a 2.3 liter 4-cylinder) is rated at 310 HP — 20 HP more than the Boss! The 2021 Mustang GT has the same sized 5.0 liter engine as the Boss, but puts out 460 HP! The mojo Mach 1 is rated at 480 HP!! Oh, and the 1970 Boss 302 probably got around ~10 MPG (hard to find credible numbers) while the new GT delivers 25 MPG combined. Wow! More power (165% more), better fuel economy (by a factor of 2.5X); and we haven’t even explored the emissions aspects!
Another perspective is to look at how efficient our gasoline powered engines are. According to the US EPA, modern engines are between 18% and 25% efficient. Compare that to the least efficient electric motor — the brushed DC — at a best of 80%. The more efficient brushless DC motor (BLDC) can reach >95% efficiency. I guess that means there is plenty of room for improvement in fuel economy without violating any scientific laws!
Check out “An Interesting Fuel Economy History” video and Combustion Characteristics Considered.
What’s Right For Me?
Your site lists quite a few possible modifications. What do you recommend for me?
Each vehicle is different, so the approach needs to be tailored for your needs. That is why we recommend trained experts to walk you through the decision process, and why we invest so much on the MPGerent Program. Some examples:
- Heating the fuel on carbureted engines is usually a bad idea, as they are prone to vapor lock. However, they are the best candidates for ignition system upgrades.
- COP (Coil-On-Plug) equipped engines may see little benefit from ignition upgrades, but are excellent candidates for the MHE (Magnetic Heat Exchanger).
- Performance engines probably already have excellent induction and exhaust systems, so they would gain very little from aftermarket parts there. However, the MHE, harder tires, and possible lubricant upgrades can still make you smile.
- - Dry climates like the US Southwest suffer little from rust and corrosion issues. However, most of the rest of the world nurtures poor grounding on the electrical system due to corrosion. Upgrading the electrical grounds can magically fix intermittent issues while improving performance and fuel economy simply by smoothing out computer signals.
The list is quite extensive, but hopefully you can see why a trained expert knows what to look for and the best approach for your needs.
How Much Can I Save?
If I spend money on upgrades, will it save me money?
If you are retired, go 2 miles to church on Sunday, and 4 blocks to the grocery store on Wednesday, probably nothing. If you live far from work, traveling 15k+ miles per year, probably enough for you to recoup your investment in a few months. After that, it’s money in your pocket.
At 30 MPG, you burn 333 1/3 gallons of fuel for every 10k miles driven. At $4.50 per gallon, you spend $1500 on fuel. With a 10% improvement in fuel economy, you now get 33 MPG, burn 303 gallons of fuel, and spend $1365.50; saving $136.50 per 10k miles driven. A 20% improvement will give you twice the savings; or $273 per 10k miles. If you drive 15k miles per year, and experience a 15% improvement in fuel economy with the upgrades, your annual savings would be (34.5 MPG) $293 per year! Hopefully this gives you a good idea. (See Establishing Economy.)
How Do I Know This Isn’t Just More Snake Oil?
So many “magic bullets” have been debunked, I don’t know who to trust.
The Ecoceptor team was involved in the Progressive Automotive 100 MPGe X-Prize Fuel Economy Race back in 2010 with entry #20, Liberty Motors (See X-Prize). We entered a stock-bodied 2008 Hyundai Sonata. Modifications were mostly bolt-on items, including many of the technologies listed on this site. We achieved an unofficial 57 MPG during one of the test trials at Michigan International Speedway, and an official 44.7 MPG from Roush Labs in Livonia, Michigan. The car’s window sticker shows 30 MPG! That’s an official certified 40% increase! We’ve been aggressively developing and testing ideas ever since. Over the years we have tested dozens of different technologies for multiple applications. We are recommending simple, cost-effective, and easy-to-implement upgrades that deliver a reasonable ROI. What you see on this site reflects what could be considered the “best approach”.
Can I Double My Mileage?
I’ve heard about the 100 MPG Carburetor. How good can it get for my car?
First let me say that the concept behind the 100 MPG carburetor is backed by sound science (research Tom Ogle, Charles Nelson Pogue, Bruce McBurney, and others; see the History of Fuel Economy video and Super Carbs). However, these inventors didn’t have to contend with the “EPA Police” (emissions inspectors) or factory computers. Technically the answer is “yes”, but not cost effectively (at this time).
Fuel economy gains in the 10% to 25% range are usually fairly easy, and can certainly be cost effective. You could modify your car with “every trick in the book” and probably won’t see more than a 40% increase. The reason is the “Gate Keeper” — the car’s computer. It is programmed with certain parameters that it simply will not go beyond. To get more, you would have to either reprogram the ECU (the computer), or replace it with a stand-alone ECU. Both options become costly and less reliable. Our IXR (and future EHI) work with the factory ECU to compensate for improved combustion efficiency.
Do You Have Science to Back Your Claims?
You’ve mentioned “science”, where’s yours?
I’m glad you asked! We share our research openly at www.Ecoceptor.com/Library so you can review our laboratory, university, and government sources yourself. Our own validation has been with Roush Labs, in Livonia, Michigan, as well as the expensive equipment we use for personal testing.
Much of our testing starts on a small engine. There is no computer to fight us, so we can test scientific principles unhindered. Later, we transfer the technologies to automobiles for real-world testing. We usually build our own controllers. This starts with a block diagram (the fancy term is an “algorithm”). Next we create a schematic to spell out components and connections. Then we design a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) to put it all together. Depending on complexity, most are either connected to a touch screen, or to a laptop via USB. We can change values and parameters on-the-fly, and see what is going on inside the engine (through sensor feedback).
We utilize a rather high-end EMS 5003 5-gas emissions analyzer [link to EMS Page {not yet created}] with LabView analytical software. It gets factory serviced every 2-3 years to ensure reliability and accuracy. Any modifications we make are tested with the “sniffer” to verify emissions results.
As a team, we have worked with Tecumseh (WI), Ford Motor Company, Keshi Group (China), Weichi Diesel (China), KAUST University (Saudi Arabia), Lambourghini (Italy), BAC (China), The Progressive Automotive 100 MPGe X-Prize competition (2010, MI), Roush Labs (MI), Free-Col Labs (PA), and Paul Moller’s Flying Car (CA). In addition, we have worked with several smaller companies to help them refine and validate their technologies, and develop training programs. We have worked with PhD’s, engineers, and even a rocket scientist (retired from NASA). We have tested technologies on small generators, gasoline powered automobiles, and diesel powered underground mining equipment (as a sample). Our chief engineer has been working in this arena for over 30 years, and is recognized by the US Federal Court System as a “Fuel Economy Expert”. Cumulatively we have over a half century of experience!
In addition to the technologies recommended for the MPGenie Program on our Ecoceptor.com web site, we have developed and tested innovations for electrolyzers (HHO/Brown’s Gas), ozone, high-end engine control systems, fuel additives, Zero-Point (aetheric) energy harvesting, electric motor control, power supply efficiency upgrades, mechanical engine designs, and target-specific emissions reductions.
In summary, with some effort you probably could find a better qualified team. However, it is evident that we are at least adequately qualified to make fuel economy claims, and offer advice.
Will Any of This Violate My New Car Warranty?
I’ve heard of people doing “upgrades” only to find out they voided their warranty.
Excellent question, but unfortunately there is no definitive answer. There was a 1997 (most recent revision, 2003) US Federal Court ruling known as the Magnesson-Moss Act that prohibit car companies from voiding the warranty based on the use of an aftermarket part, unless the car company could prove the part caused damage. Unfortunately, the car companies seemingly have found ways around that. GM would void a warranty if you didn’t get your oil changed at one of their dealerships.
The short answer is “probably”. In reality, some modifications would be acceptable, while others would certainly void the warranty. So if you have a new vehicle, you could consult your local dealership (where they will most likely tell you anything you do will void your warranty), or buy a used vehicle for your daily commute (that has no warranty to void) and modify it. Total money spent between the used car purchase and modifications will put you thousands of dollars ahead of a newer vehicle purchase immediately!
FE-NR
