Friday, April 16, 2010

Ford MyTouch Adds Eco-Route Feature to Save Fuel [Video]


    Ford unwrapped its new MyFord Touch infotainment system at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show in January, The fuel-efficiency of an engine is one way to save gas, but how that engine is used greatly effects fuel economy too.

    The MyFord system also offers up a bar chart next to the fuel display that shows real-time fuel economy performance along with mpg averages for the past 5, 10, and 30 minutes. Impressive stuff, but Ford has some competition. Garmin's similarly titled ecoRoute software offers many of the same options--it maps the most fuel efficient routes, tracks fuel usage over time, and features a report that keeps track of mileage and fuel use on a per-trip basis.

    The new system also provides sophisticated data feedback on the car's fuel consumption that can "coach" drivers to maximize efficiency by pointing them towards the most economical driving techniques.

    MyFord Touch will launch on the 2011 Ford Edge this summer, and then in 2012 on the Ford Focus. MyLincoln Touch will be standard on new Lincoln vehicles, starting with the 2011 Lincoln MKX.


    Ford Eco Route Ford Eco Route Ford Eco Route Ford Eco Route Ford Eco Route Ford Eco Route Ford Eco Route



    Press Release

    NEW MYFORD TOUCH ‘COACHES' DRIVERS TO IMPROVE FUEL EFFICIENCY;
    NAVIGATION ADDS ECO-ROUTE FEATURE
    • New MyFord TouchTM driver connect technology provides an
      array of real-time feedback on fuel efficiency performance that helps
      coach drivers to optimize their miles per gallon
    • MyFord Touch map-based navigation offers an Eco-Route option, which
      instantly calculates the most fuel-efficient route for the driver. Ford
      testing shows Eco-Route can help achieve fuel economy gains of up to 15
      percent
    • MyFord Touch launches this summer on the 2011 Ford Edge and will be
      available globally on the 2012 Ford Focus. MyLincoln Touch will be
      standard equipment on new Lincoln vehicles beginning with the 2011
      Lincoln MKX

    DEARBORN, Mich., April 15, 2010 - When it comes to achieving the best
    possible fuel mileage the way you drive can be nearly as important as the
    vehicle you drive.

    Ford's advanced new in-vehicle system - MyFord TouchTM -
    offers an array of real-time information on fuel economy performance that
    can coach drivers to get more miles to the gallon and save on fuel costs. In
    addition, MyFord Touch's map-based navigation system offers an

    Eco-Route option that quickly calculates the most fuel efficient route a
    driver can take to get from A to B.

    MyFord Touch is the latest innovation from Ford to help drivers optimize
    fuel economy. It builds on the fuel efficiency "coaching" concept Ford
    pioneered on its SmartGauge
    TM with EcoGuide cluster for the 2010
    Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid as well as the all-new 2011
    Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The system provides real-time fuel economy data and
    promotes fuel-efficient driving by showing a graphic of growing leaves and
    flowers.

    "We have learned that when we provide drivers the information and tools
    in an interactive and entertaining way, they want to drive more fuel
    efficiently," said Jim Buczkowski, director of Global Electrical and
    Electronics Systems Engineering. "MyFord Touch provides an unprecedented
    level of information and interaction so drivers can make the choice to be
    more fuel efficient."

    The green road home

    When a driver provides a destination to the navigation system, MyFord Touch
    accesses historical and real-time traffic data as well as posted speed
    information to calculate three navigation options: Fastest, Shortest and
    Eco-Route.

    Eco-Route is not necessarily the fastest or shortest route but is the
    most fuel efficient. Typically, it charts a course that avoids congested
    freeways while maximizing the use of major roads where the driver can
    maintain an efficient rate of speed. When Ford of Europe engineers tested
    the feature, they achieved up to a 15 percent improvement in fuel economy
    using the Eco-Route.

    "When drivers use Eco-Route - particularly in combination with MyFord
    Touch's fuel-economy feedback and fuel-efficient driving techniques - they
    can achieve a noticeable increase in fuel efficiency," said Jennifer Brace-Mezigian,
    Ford user interface design engineer.

    In addition to its Eco-Route feature, MyFord Touch enables drivers to
    monitor and track their vehicle's real-time fuel economy performance and
    mile-per-gallon averages for the past five, 10 and 30 minutes in the form of
    a bar chart next to the fuel gauge on the display. Drivers can customize the
    amount of information provided to meet their needs and hone their
    eco-driving skills over time.

    "MyFord Touch not only gives drivers information they can use to improve
    their driving habits, but also expands on that capability by engaging the
    navigation system to give drivers a variety of options," Brace-Mezigian
    said. "The benefits will be greater because MyFord Touch and MyLincoln Touch
    will be widely available in the future."

    Eco-driving tips

    The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that the U.S. uses about
    150 billion gallons of gasoline annually. If every driver practiced
    eco-driving techniques, which can result in an EPA-estimated 15 percent
    benefit in fuel economy, more than 22 billion gallons of gas would be saved.

    Eco-driving techniques tested by Ford showed that motorists coached in
    eco-driving can significantly improve the fuel economy performance of their
    vehicles. Here are simple tips that any driver can use:

    1. Slow down and watch speed - Drive 55 mph instead of 65 to save fuel.
      EPA estimates a 10 to 15 percent improvement in fuel economy by
      following this tip. Also, aim for a constant speed. Pumping the
      accelerator sends more fuel into the engine. Using cruise control
      whenever possible on the highway helps maintain speed and conserve fuel.

    2. Accelerate and brake smoothly - Accelerating smoothly from a stop
      and braking softly conserves fuel. Fast starts, weaving in and out of
      traffic and hard braking wastes fuel and wears out some of the vehicle
      components, such as brakes and tires, more quickly. Maintain a safe
      distance between vehicles and anticipate traffic conditions to allow for
      more time to brake and accelerate gradually.

    3. No idling - Today's engines don't need a warm-up. Start the car
      immediately and gently drive away. Don't leave your car idling.
      Prolonged idling increases emissions and wastes fuel. Turn the engine
      off in non-traffic situations, such as at bank and fast food drive-up
      windows, when idling more than 30 seconds.

    4. Check your tires - Keep tires properly inflated to the recommended
      tire pressure. This alone can reduce the average amount of fuel use by 3
      to 4 percent. Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance and
      reduce fuel economy. They also wear more rapidly. Check the vehicle's
      door-post sticker for minimum cold tire inflation pressure.

    5. Be kind to your vehicle - Maintain proper engine tune-up to keep
      vehicles running efficiently. Keep the wheels aligned. Wheels that are
      fighting each other wastes fuel. Replace air filters as recommended. Use
      a fuel with good detergent additives to keep the vehicle engine clean
      and performing efficiently. Always consult the owner's manual for proper
      maintenance.

    6. Travel light - Avoid piling a lot of luggage on the roof rack. The
      added frontal area reduces aerodynamics and will hurt fuel economy,
      reducing it by as much as 5 percent. Remove excess weight from the
      vehicle. Unnecessary weight, such as unneeded items in the trunk, makes
      the engine work harder and consumes more fuel.

    7. Minimize use of heater and air conditioning - Use heating and air
      conditioning selectively to reduce the load on the engine. Decreasing
      your usage of the air conditioner when temperatures are above 80 degrees
      can help you save 10 to 15 percent of fuel. Use the vent setting as much
      as possible. Park in the shade to keep the vehicle cool and reduce the
      need for air conditioning.

    8. Close windows at high speeds - Don't drive with the windows open
      unless you keep your speed under 50 mph. Driving with the windows open
      at highway speeds increases aerodynamic drag on the vehicle and lowers
      fuel economy.

    9. Choose the right oil - Use good-quality oils with the viscosity
      grade recommended in the owner's guide. Ford recommends SAE 5W-20 oil
      for most cars and trucks to provide the best fuel economy. Only oils
      "certified for gasoline engines" by the American Petroleum Institute
      with the starburst symbol should be used.

    10. Consolidate trips - Plan ahead to consolidate your trips. This will
      enable you to bypass congested routes and lead to less idling.

    For additional information on how to save on gas, visit the Driving
    Skills for Life Web site and click on the "eco-driving" module. Ford's
    eco-driving initiative builds on the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers'
    comprehensive nationwide effort to promote eco-driving at
    www.EcoDrivingUSA.com.


    Source URL: https://hayleyatwellstuff.blogspot.com/2010/04/ford-mytouch-adds-eco-route-feature-to.html
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