As we are all shocked by the Japan earthquake and the nuclear power crisis (that may shift future power generation to fossil fuels), I am reminded of some basic ideas on conserving gasoline (the leading culprit for imported oil).
I have [briefly] advised on a number of new technologies designed to improve fuel mileage -- including additives, electromagnetic treatments, NG mixes, powertrain modifications, etc. Usually, the industry response is negative as the technologies tend to be "5% solutions" rather than hoped-for 10+% improvement answers. Beyond the cost-benefit analysis, it is not clear what the real source of resistance is to new technologies.
What amazes me is that automobile companies do not implement well-known solutions.
Tire pressure
- We all know this can make a significant impact on fuel mileage (in addition to tire wear and handling -- and how well your tire rim withstands potholes).
- Rather than merely indicating when the tire pressure is critically low -- the car really needs to tell us (on a temperature adjusted basis) whether our tires needs even 2-3 lbs. of pressure.
- Even better, cars should generally have systems that automatically adjusts tire pressure (on the run). In addition to fuel mileage, this would certainly help adjust to driving conditions (snow, rain, surface) and handling needs.
Dynamic Radiator Cover
- Many of us know that the fuel mileage declines during the winter -- seemingly due to lower engine operating temperatures (lower fuel and engine temperatures).
- Many in-the-know people will place a simple cover in front of their cars during the winter -- so the cold outside air does less engine cooling (and the converse should happen in summer).
- All cars could simply come with dynamic radiator covers (that adjusts air flow into the radiator and engine compartment) so as to regulate the engine operating temperature. Seems a cheap solution -- compared to the lengths they go in putting holes in the side of car, and fans/turbos to improve the air mixture.
Also on my wishlist:
- Flying Cars - At the Boeing museum, there is a model of a flying car from many decades ago. It would seem that we have the technology to do this cost-effectively (along with the guidance system so that we do not run into each other).
- 2-Wheel Cars -- Rather than the modestly useful 2-wheel person carrier -- I thought they were developing a larger one that could actually be more like a car. In addition to fuel mileage, these would help the environment with far less mechanical parts, be far more agile (including parallel parking), and safer (braking, agility, etc.).
- Steam-Engine Cars - Train engines run on diesel engines generating electricity (as does many hybrids) -- but it seems that the old steam engine model could be made to work (with greater fuel efficiency, no internal-combustion engines, and none of those batteries that will be hard to recycle).
