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Going Further on the Same Tank
MIT Technology Review ^ | August 19, 2010 | Julie Halpert

Posted on 08/20/2010 12:37:03 PM PDT by epithermal

A technology coming to Chrysler vehicles can improve the fuel economy of standard gasoline engines by 25 percent.

Chrysler is unveiling a way to squeeze more fuel efficiency out of existing gasoline engines, adopting a technology pioneered by Fiat, which controls Chrysler. The effort represents the latest strategy by automakers to meet federal standards that require an automotive fleet to get an average of 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016.

(Excerpt) Read more at technologyreview.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Science
KEYWORDS: cars; chrysler; energy; fiat; fuel; italy; michigan
Wait and see
1 posted on 08/20/2010 12:37:04 PM PDT by epithermal
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To: epithermal

Fuel-saving technology invented by Fiat...isn’t that called “breaking down on the side of the road?”

}:-)4


2 posted on 08/20/2010 12:44:55 PM PDT by Moose4 (November 2, 2010--the day that "YES WE CAN" becomes "OH NO YOU DIN'T")
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To: Moose4

FIAT: “Fix it again Tony”


3 posted on 08/20/2010 12:48:19 PM PDT by mylife (Opinions $1 Halfbaked 50c)
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To: Moose4

Electronically controlled hydraulic valves, it looks like. No reason this type of variable valve timing (and lift?) shouldn’t be a good thing.


4 posted on 08/20/2010 12:49:40 PM PDT by Paladin2
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To: Moose4
...isn’t that called “breaking down on the side of the road?”

I thought that was already a core Chrysler technology back in the 70s and early 80s.
5 posted on 08/20/2010 12:51:39 PM PDT by chrisser (Starve the Monkeys!)
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To: epithermal

What they fail to mention is that both passengers and drivers will now have holes beneath their seat to help pedal-push the car along Fred-Flintstone style.

Saves some gas, but you’ll need more shoes.


6 posted on 08/20/2010 12:52:53 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (I'd like to tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.)
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To: epithermal

7 posted on 08/20/2010 12:53:16 PM PDT by Larry Lucido
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To: Moose4

FIAT:

Fix
It
Again,
Tony


8 posted on 08/20/2010 12:53:16 PM PDT by Pessimist
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To: chrisser

Perfected in the K-Cars of the era.


9 posted on 08/20/2010 12:53:31 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (I'd like to tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.)
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To: epithermal

Chrysler still makes cars?


10 posted on 08/20/2010 1:02:01 PM PDT by iowamark
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To: Moose4
Fuel-saving technology invented by Fiat...isn’t that called “breaking down on the side of the road?”

As a former owner of a Fiat which I believe is an acronym for Fix It Again, Antonio!, I suspect it is. I have to hand it to the edit or MIT Review having written: "The effort represents the latest strategy by automakers to meet federal standards that require an automotive fleet to get an average of 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016." instead of "The effort represents the latest strategy by automakers to meet federal fiat that require an automotive fleet to get an average of 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016."

11 posted on 08/20/2010 1:05:15 PM PDT by MIchaelTArchangel (Obama makes me miss Jimmah Cahtah!)
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To: epithermal
This technology lends itself to mandatory dealership troubleshooting and repair.

"We had 2 service techs troubleshoot the MultiAir system for 3 days, and it looks like all your solenoids, valve timing computer, and the muffler bearings need to be replaced. The solenoids aren't in stock, but they should be here by next Monday and all of them will run you $8941.56 The computer is on backorder from China, and sells for $1426.98. We do have the muffler bearings in stock, though, and they sell for $4.95 each... you'll need 2. Want me go ahead and order everything?"

FYI, my VW 1.6L diesel has 288k on it... I can do all the work on it myself with the most basic set of tools. My fuel economy is consistantly above 40 MPG. As measured at my last fillup, my most recent fuel cost/mile was 7.6 cents.

This vehicle was manufactured 20 years ago.

12 posted on 08/20/2010 1:10:43 PM PDT by Rodamala
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To: epithermal
I used to get 35 miles per gallon with my 1979 Vega with a 151 four cylinder engine. I got 24 miles per gallon with a 58 Chevy pickup. Why is Dodge so far behind?
13 posted on 08/20/2010 1:27:12 PM PDT by mountainlion (concerned conservative.)
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To: Rodamala
This vehicle was manufactured 20 years ago.

Yeah, but does it have chrome muffler bearings and fuel injected floormats ? How about high rise windshield wipers ?

14 posted on 08/20/2010 1:27:18 PM PDT by jimt
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To: Moose4

Will be in this case, I am afraid. Yet another mechanical weak point in the system.


15 posted on 08/20/2010 1:33:31 PM PDT by TheBattman (They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature...)
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To: Pessimist
Or:

Fix
It
Alla
Time

16 posted on 08/20/2010 1:43:20 PM PDT by PCBMan (Buh.)
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To: grellis

Nice to see the investment of some Fiat money. /rimshot


17 posted on 08/23/2010 3:14:13 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Democratic Underground... matters are worse, as their latest fund drive has come up short...)
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