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From: jnp@calmasd.GE.COM (John Pantone)
Newsgroups: sci.misc,rec.autos
Subject: Re: Economical driving
Message-ID: <2246@calmasd.GE.COM>
Date: Mon, 18-May-87 15:34:30 EDT
Article-I.D.: calmasd.2246
Posted: Mon May 18 15:34:30 1987
Date-Received: Wed, 20-May-87 04:45:14 EDT
References: <397@its63b.ed.ac.uk> <759@edge.UUCP>
Organization: G.E.- Calma R&D, San Diego, CA
Lines: 29
Xref: mnetor sci.misc:304 rec.autos:2170

In article <759@edge.UUCP>, doug@edge.UUCP (Doug Pardee) writes:
> But I have seen many references that the old "drive as if there was an
> egg between your foot and the gas pedal" method is an inefficient way to
> accelerate.

There are two very distinct "versions" of efficient, when applied to
acceleration in an automobile.

Version 1 - use minimum gasoline

Version 2 - use minimum time

Neither version can be solved, as a general rule, by holding the accelerator
in one position.

Automobile engines have a "best-gas-milage" rpm and a "best horsepower"
rpm.  They can be, but usually are not, the same.

Maximizing either version requires modification of accelerator position
with reference to manifold pressure, vehicle speed and engine rpm. Automatic
transmissions are actually fairly good at this sort of thing (or can be
anyway).  Perhaps the "drive like you have an egg between your foot and the
accelerator" arose because given no tach, or manifold pressure gauge, and an
automatic transmission at least this would let the trans. do most of the
decision work.
-- 
These opinions are solely mine and in no way reflect those of my employer.  
John M. Pantone @ GE/Calma R&D, Data Management Group, San Diego
...{ucbvax|decvax}!sdcsvax!calmasd!jnp          jnp@calmasd.GE.COM