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http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070207/...s_fuel_ford_dc

Wed Feb 7, 12:27 PM ET

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Modern cars can reduce fuel consumption by more than 2.5 percent just by adding a piece of software to the engine computer, a Dutch scientist found in a university research project together with Ford.
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University of Eindhoven scientist John Kessels said on Wednesday he had managed to reach optimal engine performance more often by adding a piece of software to a car's computer.

Kessels's software dynamically switches the dynamo, which charges the car battery, on and off.

"Just by adding a piece of software and a simple cable, cars can save 2.6 percent of fuel consumption," he told Reuters.

The software is not proprietary to Ford and can be used in any car with an engine computer, he said. In general this applies to most modern cars.

A more significant fuel saving of 5 to 6 percent can be achieved if the car engine were to be switched on and off, but this would require adjustments to the car engine, he said.

Fuel efficiency is a major topic for car makers as governments struggle to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to global warming.

Earlier on Wednesday, the
European Commission unveiled a broad strategy to cut carbon dioxide emissions from cars, proposing binding limits that automakers say will threaten jobs and lead to big price increases for consumers.

The
European Union executive, a world leader in fighting climate change, is targeting car companies to help meet goals to reduce emissions under the Kyoto Protocol

Skeorx13

Is this even worth bothering with? on a 14 gallon car this saves a little over a third of a gallon of gas. (about 90 cents at the current market value) You would see better savings just by driving more conservatively or just not driving unless necessary. Now if the guy found a way to increase it to about 10 percent, then it would be something fairly significant. Compare the savings to how much they would be asking to install said software as well...

Madzozs

It may not be worth it in an xB or something with that size, but imagine it in one of those Ford econoline vans. Or in bigrigs, or motor homes. They have tanks that are a bit over 14 gallons and could easily save a ton off of 2-3%