- New-age Ford engines offer low fuel consumption and low CO2 figures without compromising on driving pleasure
- As several European countries look to reduce motorway speed limits to reduce fuel consumption, Ford is already leading the way in fuel efficient solutions
- Cutting-edge technology in Ford vehicles can help customers to keep their motoring costs as well as their speeds low
COLOGNE, Germany, Mar. 17, 2011 – With the price of oil increasing and consequently pushing up the cost of fuel at the pumps, it’s no wonder people are looking for more economical ways to drive. However, there’s no need to leave your car keys at home and struggle with public transport thanks to Ford’s dedication to designing cars that are not just great to drive, but also highly efficient to run.
“Ford’s attitude to greener driving is not a recent fashion but part of our long-term commitment to fuel economy and low emissions. This is why we can offer an unmatched range of fuel economy features and engine technology to our customers across the world. The Ford Focus, for example, features a wealth of such technology that is unsurpassed by any other vehicle in its class,” says Frank Davis, vice president of product development, Ford of Europe.
Efficient Engine Technology
Ford’s latest generation of Duratorq TDCi diesel engines offer impressive performance while maintaining excellent economy. The flagship Mondeo fitted with the new high performance
200 PS 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi engine achieves 6.0l/100km (47mpg) yet emits 159g/km CO2 – impressive stats for a car capable of 0-100km/h in 8.1 seconds and a top speed of 230km/h.
For those keen on even greater economy then the Fiesta ECOnetic model is ideal. Using a
1.6-litre TDCi engine it offers staggering combined fuel economy of just 3.6l/100km (78.5mpg). With exceptionally low CO2 emissions too, the Fiesta ECOnetic is about as frugal as possible, which is great news for customers’ pockets.
One of the newest highlights of Ford’s green thinking though is the EcoBoost turbocharged petrol engine line-up. With direct injection, variable valve timing and turbocharging technology they give the performance of a larger engine with the fuel economy and lower CO2 benefits of a smaller engine. In short; more power, less fuel. The clever technology also allows for a broader spread of torque, which significantly helps the driving pleasure for performance enthusiasts, and equally for those attracted by the lower running costs.
On some models, the economical engines are coupled with further fuel saving technologies such as Ford Auto-Start-Stop – which automatically shuts down the engine when idling and restarts it when the driver wants to move off – and the Active Grille Shutter, which optimises aerodynamics by using vents to control airflow through the grille to the cooling system and engine compartment according to specific requirements at any given time, reducing aerodynamic drag and cutting CO2 emissions by up to 2 per cent.
Ford EcoMode
EcoMode is available on an increasing number of Ford vehicles, offering a fun way for drivers to keep an eye on how economical their driving style is. The software-based system uses algorithms developed from a database of ‘eco-driving’ techniques to help motorists achieve maximum real world fuel economy.
Drive in an efficient manner by changing gear earlier, avoiding unnecessary braking and keeping speeds down and EcoMode will reward you. In the instrument panel are three flowers with five petals each, one flower representing gear shifting behaviour, one representing how smoothly the vehicle is being driven and another representing speed.
If you drive economically, you are rewarded with illuminated petals on the flowers. The more efficiently you drive, the more petals you light up. Motorists who score more than 75 per cent efficiency will be rewarded with an advanced ECO Driver graphic in the cluster. Achieve 95 per cent and they’ll be crowned ECO Champion.
EcoMode is designed to help drivers alter their behaviour behind the wheel, and it’s possible that by doing this some drivers can improve their efficiency by up to 40 per cent. Even the average driver is statistically likely to see improvements of around 5 per cent should they aim to light up as many petals on the display as possible.
To help even further, Ford offers ECO drive training in certain European markets that can continue the philosophy behind EcoMode. Driving behaviour is the key aspect in reducing fuel consumption and by taking advantage of dedicated instruction Ford customers can make noticeable savings on their motoring costs.
Ford Econo Check
Ford customers can benefit from further fuel savings thanks to Econo Check – a unique and innovative service that could reduce their fuel bills by up to 25 per cent. Econo Check, launched in 2010 by Ford of Europe’s Customer Service Division (FCSD), offers both a vehicle inspection and an extended electronic analysis of driving style to generate a unique report for each driver and provide advice on how to improve fuel economy.
Econo Check is simple and begins with a vehicle check, where a Ford technician carries out a series of checks including items such as tyre condition and pressure, and air filter cleanliness. The technician then fits a small data logger to the vehicle, which stores data on driving speed, acceleration, anticipation, braking and gear changes for the next seven days. At the end of the monitoring period, the logger is removed from the vehicle – either by the dealer or the customer – and returned to Ford by post. A dedicated Econo Check personal report will then be emailed to the customer, showing the potential annual savings for fuel, CO2 and money if the report’s conclusions and advice are followed. With full implementation of these recommendations by the customer, the Ford Econo Check package can save up to 25 per cent on fuel, depending on individual driving style.
Adaptive Cruise Control
Driving at a constant speed can help reduce fuel use and driveline wear, both things that are offered by traditional cruise control systems. But Ford’s Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) takes this a step further by being able to read traffic ahead using radar technology and react accordingly. Once it detects a vehicle ahead travelling at a lower speed, ACC starts to reduce throttle and fuel supply to the engine. If this isn’t slowing the equipped vehicle fast enough the brakes are also employed, allowing for a gentle reduction of speed and a safe distance to be kept with the car in front. As the vehicle ahead pulls over ACC then gradually increases speed back up to the set limit, smoothly accelerating to be as efficient as possible.
Speed Limiter
While the Ford Speed Limiter was designed primarily with safety in mind, it can also have noticeable positive effects on fuel consumption. If the driver wishes they can set a maximum speed that they would like to travel at. The sophisticated Ford software at the core of the system constantly monitors how fast the vehicle is travelling through sensors mounted in the front wheels. Once it detects the desired speed has been reached it communicates with the engine management system, which in turn limits the amount of fuel being delivered to the engine. The engine will then use the bare minimum of fuel to maintain that speed. The extra clever part of this system is that drivers can simply press the accelerator to the floor to override the feature, meaning overtake manoeuvres can readily be performed if required.
Top 10 Tips for Economical Driving
1. Low revs and right gear – Engines operate most efficiently below 3,000 revs per minute. The optimum point for changing gears is at around 2,500rpm in a petrol car and 2,000rpm in a diesel.
2. Anticipation – Read the road. Anticipating road hazards ahead can help you to be lighter on the brakes. This helps to keep a more constant speed. Avoid unnecessary accelerating and braking.
3. Load – The more weight you carry, the harder the engine has to work and the more fuel it uses. It’s a good idea to check the luggage area and get rid of any unnecessary junk.
4. Roof Racks – If you’re not using it, take it off! Racks and roof boxes increase wind resistance and can make your engine work harder.
5. Tyres – Keep tyres properly inflated to the recommended tyre pressure. This alone can reduce the average amount of fuel use by 3-4 per cent. Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance and reduce fuel economy. They also wear more rapidly. Check the vehicle’s door-post sticker for minimum cold tyre inflation pressure.
6. No idling – Today’s engines don’t need a warm up. Start the car immediately and gently drive away. Don’t leave your car idling. Prolonged idling increases emissions and wastes fuel.
7. Air conditioning and other devices – Use the air condition system and other energy consuming devices like the heated windscreen only when you need to. Remember though, opening windows increases wind resistance and fuel consumption too.
8. City Driving – Avoid darting in and out of traffic, and accelerating hard. It uses more fuel and speeds up component wear.
9. Choose the right oil – Use good quality oils with the viscosity grade and quality recommended in the owner guide.
10. Servicing – Be kind to your vehicle. Maintain proper engine tune-up to keep vehicles running efficiently. Keep the wheels aligned. Wheels that are fighting each other waste fuel. Replace air filters as recommended. Use a fuel with good detergent additives to keep the vehicle engine clean and performing efficiently. Always consult the Owner's Manual for proper maintenance.
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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 164,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.fordmotorcompany.com.
Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 51 individual markets and employs approximately 66,000 employees. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford of Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 22 manufacturing facilities, including joint ventures. The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.
