Investigation of fuel economy potential of six 1976-model vehicles

Technical Report · Fri Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5379965· OSTI ID:5379965

Fleming, R D; Campbell, A D

Experimental work was performed to determine the fuel-economy potential of eighteen 1976 model automobiles representing six different models ranging in weight from 3,000 to 5,000 lb. The fuel-economy potential was determined by adjusting the engines to best fuel economy achievable with acceptable driveability but without constraints on emissions. Comparable data obtained on the vehicles adjusted per manufacturers' specifications provided baseline data from which to quantify fuel-economy differential brought about by imposing emission controls to meet 1976 Federal emission standards. In results of tests with six different 1976 model automobiles, combined city/highway fuel economy improved within the range 4.3 to 14.1% when constraints upon engine parametric adjustments were removed. The average fuel-economy improvement for all six car models was 8.6%. Results on fuel economy and emissions for urban, highway, and steady-state driving cycles are discussed.

• Research Organization: Energy Research and Development Administration, Bartlesville, Okla. (USA). Bartlesville Energy Research Center
• OSTI ID: 5379965
• Report Number(s): BERC/RI-77/5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330600* -- Advanced Propulsion Systems-- Vehicle Design Factors
330701 -- Emission Control-- Nitrogen Oxides
330702 -- Emission Control-- Carbon Monoxide
330704 -- Emission Control-- Hydrocarbons
AUTOMOBILES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
DYNAMOMETERS
EXHAUST GASES
FUEL ECONOMY
FUEL-AIR RATIO
GASEOUS WASTES
HYDROCARBONS
IGNITION SYSTEMS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
ROAD TESTS
TESTING
VEHICLES
WASTES
WEIGHT