Pulse and Glide (Hypermiling trick)

[Winnetou]

Saab models had a free-wheel function until the early 1970s. It was originally introduced so that the two-stroke engines of the earlier models would not be starved for oil on extensive deceleration, but was retained after the transition to four-stroke engines because of its felicitous effect on fuel mileage. The free-wheel works very well for this, and I have always used it, despite the fact that it can be locked by pulling a handle, if one chooses.

The smart is just the sort of car to greatly benefit from a free-wheel, but I suspect that idiotic—not to mention immoral—laws, driven as always by the failings and parasitism of the lowest individuals, now preclude this function on new cars sold in the U.S.

[anthonype3]

I think MMeat should be banned from all forums.
If that doesn't happen no one should ever mention him or respond to his idiotic posts.
P&G does work even if he doesn't like it!

[Aerotaz]

Originally Posted by anthonype3

I think MMeat should be banned from all forums.
If that doesn't happen no one should ever mention him or respond to his idiotic posts.
P&G does work even if he doesn't like it!

Ban someone that exposes foolishness? I CERTAINLY HOPE NOT!

[bananawho]

P & G works for me. All the mileage distant contestants from all the universities use it. Your engine is more efficient under a load.
Think of it like this. Back when you were a kid on the merry go round and you were providint power to keep it turning. You wouldn't run constantly to keep it at a high constant speed, or you would be tuckered out quickly. You'd run for a while, jump on, let it coast and when it got a bit slow, you would run like the dickens to top speed and then repeat the process, and you could go at least an hour like this.
Remember?

[Alan Smithee]

Originally Posted by unicycle

Hypermilers have been able to squeeze incredible mpgs out of hybrids with this technique -- over 100 mpg is quite common for them.

But the smart isn't a hybrid.

I'm surprised this hasn't been mentioned yet, but the primary reason hybrid freaks use this 'technique' is to take advantage of the regenerative process and avoid using their ICEs. When 'gliding' a hybrid generates electricity, and when gently accelerating ('pulsing') they are able to use only the electric motor.

Our internal combustion engines are more efficient with constant throttle.

[Alan Smithee]

Originally Posted by bananawho

Think of it like this. Back when you were a kid on the merry go round...

Poor analogy. Cars have gears to keep the powerplant efficiently maintaining speed (which is the objective); your legs do not.

[forestacademy]

Originally Posted by Alan Smithee

Poor analogy. Cars have gears to keep the powerplant efficiently maintaining speed (which is the objective); your legs do not.

Don't be so sure about that. Between about 45 and 90 the smart only uses one gear, 5th. So if your using P&G between 50 and 70 then the merry go round analogy works.

[Alan Smithee]

Still different objectives, and human exercise capacity has nothing to do with mechanical efficiency.