We are hardwired to look at MPG figures and horsepower when we look at new vehicles. Our desire for a powerful but fuel-efficient vehicles has been difficult to fulfill in past model years. The gap between a stylish car with a gas-guzzling engine and a sensible car with good mileage was significant until recently. Automakers are turning to technologies like cylinder deactivation, direct fuel injection and turbo-charged engines to appease their customers. You can decrease your fuel use while finding the right vehicle for your needs by hunting for these engine technologies.
Most drivers would be surprised to know that their engine cylinders are going full force whether they are going 15 or 65 mph. DaimlerChrysler and Honda have developed engines with cylinder deactivation technology that conserves fuel by using the appropriate number of cylinders. If you have a six cylinder engine with cylinder deactivation technology, it may switch to three cylinders as you ease your foot off the gas pedal. The Department of Energy and the EPA has calculated that the average savings for a vehicle with this technology would be $2,000 over the life of the vehicle.
This engine technology is not widely available yet in the United States. You can find direct fuel injection engines in Audis, VWs and other foreign-made vehicles. These engines cut out the middle man by injecting gasoline from the fuel line into the cylinder to cut down on wasted gas. Audi and VW have expanded their selection of direct fuel injection engines because they create higher compression rates and better gas mileage. Fueleconomy.gov notes that direct fuel injection could save a driver $3,200 over the life of a vehicle in optimal driving conditions.
Truck and SUV drivers who are new to fuel-efficient vehicles can keep some of their engine power with turbochargers. The average turbocharger uses the force of engine exhaust to power a fan that pushes air into cylinders to facilitate combustion. This novel approach to engine design keeps exhaust in the system and generates a high amount of power without using extra fuel. The lifetime savings for a turbocharged engine is $2,000 according to Fueleconomy.gov.
