When Honda begins deliveries of its 2010 Insight hybrid this spring, it will come with a technology designed to help owners improve their driving habits to maximize fuel efficiency. Called Eco Assist, the system consist of a driver-activated ECON mode that automatically optimizes fuel use, plus a set of gauges to encourage “environmentally responsible driving.”
“Hybrid drivers enjoy trying to get the most fuel economy from their vehicles,” said Dan Bonawitz, vice president of American Honda. “The visual nature of Eco Assist is intended to help drivers improve their efficient driving skills by making the hybrid experience more fun and rewarding.”
The ECON mode does most of the work for the driver, by optimizing CVT transmission, engine, and related powertrain components to conserve fuel. ECON mode also adjusts air conditioner operation, increases the potential for engaging the idle stop feature sooner and increase battery charging during regenerative braking.
Even without ECON activated, the car will use the speedometer background color to provide real-time guidance on driving behavior. Fuel-saving activities like smooth acceleration and braking make the meter glow green. Somewhat less efficient driving makes the meter glow blue-green. Aggressive starts and stops that consume extra fuel make the meter glow blue.
A scoring system gives motorists keep an overall measure of their fuel efficiency by providing long-term feedback through graphic ‘leaves,’ which grow over time as drivers learn and implement driving practices that increase fuel economy.
11/20, 3:59 AM
posted by:
andy
turn the car on… ECO assist suggest you ‘turn car off’ to save fuel. there simple
11/20, 8:23 AM
posted by:
Gundy
HA! Excellent. Now people can absolutely DRED being behind a Honda Insight too just like when you’re behind a Prius, who’s driver is trying to squeeze another 0.04309 mpg out of that thing by watching the gauges. Sigh.. I’m all about getting great mpg, but man. Hybrid Diesel = power and mileage.
11/20, 9:38 AM
posted by:
Stinky007
Stop putting leaves on “eco” mode buttons and displays! Using less fuel, contrary to popular belief, will NOT generate trees or “save” trees!
11/20, 10:47 AM
posted by:
aexcorp
Damn, so Ford and Honda are going nearly the same route with the leaves thing. I smell a lawsuit coming.
Anyways, lets celebrate the fact that now people won’t need to be on a cell phone or putting on make-up to be distracted while driving.
Can’t wait to see all these cars in the left lane at speed limit all out to get that extra 0.1 mpg from their gauge so they can brag about it to their friends. I’m also curious to see how accidents related to these cars will shape up.
11/20, 12:02 PM
posted by:
bigjimid
If leaves doesn’t immediately spark the image of the environment for you, what does it bring to mind for you? Would you rather they use a lump of dirt as “Earth Friendly”?
11/20, 12:05 PM
posted by:
global_lightning
There is a school of thought in the hypermiling community that calls for wide open throttle acceleration runs. Completely opening the throttle reduces airflow resistence in the induction system, increasing efficiency. Futhermore the fuel injection system optimizes the Air/Fuel ratio, so there no net decrease in fuel used per RPM. This means that you’ll use more fuel for a short burst, but overall you’ll get to your intended speed using less gas.
11/20, 2:28 PM
posted by:
Borat
@global_lightning,
You are correct, but that will not win you Nobel prize or admittance into Green club. That not what they want to believe.
11/20, 3:07 PM
posted by:
LeftLaneVy
i love playing games to save fuel on the road
11/20, 5:04 PM
posted by:
bigjimid
“But officer, I am just trying to be environmentally friendly and save some fuel.”