05-27-2006, 05:13 PM
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Active Enthusiast
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Real Name: Kip
Hybrids: 06 Escape AWD
Posts: 160
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Re: Neutral Coasting
Ok, missed this part by Green FEH:
Quote:
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Ford patent 6,793,034 titled “Wheel-End and Center Axle Disconnects for an Electric or HEV” describes how neutral disconnects the traction motor from the drive wheels, which would eliminate drag that is present when deadbanding. Thus, when in EV mode, neutral allows you to coast further with the engine off, and thus helps FE. However, when the ICE is not off, putting the FEH in neutral allows the ICE rpms to “drift” to higher levels, which seems to slightly increase fuel consumption. (Sorry, I don’t have a Scangauge to confirm this.) So while there is less drag in neutral with ICE-on and the FEH can coast further, there is a probably a slight increase in fuel usage leading to no observable (at least to me) FE improvement.
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