March 11th, 2011
While more and more people are feeling the pinch at the gas pump, Ford is doing more to help drivers get the best fuel economy they can, and the company is continuing to introduce more fuel saving technology. Driving tools that coach people on reducing fuel consumption are available across several Ford gas-powered, hybrid-electric and all-electric vehicles and include EcoMode, MyFord Touch™ with EcoRoute, SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide and MyFord Mobile.
The suite of Ford green driving technologies enable consumers to modify their driving habits through coaching methods and rewards that encourage eco-friendly driving behaviors. By making simple adjustments in everyday driving habits – from rolling up windows when traveling more than 50 mph to staying on top of vehicle maintenance – consumers can increase their fuel efficiency while decreasing their impact on the environment and the cost of vehicle ownership. Additionally, safety features like Tire Pressure Monitoring
Systems further enhance fuel savings, reducing the average amount of fuel use 3 to 4 percent.
You can learn more about some of the Ford green driving technologies below.
EcoMode
EcoMode coaches consumers in the art of eco-driving using real-time feedback, while scoring and rewards are displayed on the instrument cluster. The software application generates a personalized driver operation scorecard by rating driver behavior that impacts fuel efficiency. Scores are displayed using an easy-to-follow five-leaf icon, with two leaves set as the default and five leaves being the maximum achievable score. Throughout a drive, the scoring system generates hints on how to gain more leaves by implementing eco-driving methods. It also allows drivers to review their generated score against the software’s optimized eco-driving patterns. Testing has shown a 24 percent fuel economy increase, on average.
MyFord Touch with EcoRoute
MyFord Touch provides drivers with real-time feedback on vehicle fuel efficiency and performance, helping coach drivers to maximize their miles per gallon. With the addition of EcoRoute, a map-based navigation system that instantly calculates the most fuel-efficient driving route, consumers are further empowered to control their fuel efficiency, with testing demonstrating fuel economy gains of up to 15 percent.
SmartGauge with EcoGuide
SmartGauge with EcoGuide is a unique instrument cluster specifically designed for hybrid vehicle owners. The technology creates a more connected driving experience, by coaching drivers to further maximize the fuel efficiency of their hybrid vehicle through real-time feedback and rewards. SmartGauge with EcoGuide features full-color LCD screens that can be configured to show different levels of information, including fuel and battery power levels, average and instant miles per gallon, and growing leaves and vines that track and reward the driver’s efficiency – more leaves and vines denote better driving habits.
MyFord Mobile
While electric cars are eco-friendly in their own right, the all-new MyFord Mobile app, exclusively for Focus Electric, helps extend eco-friendly driving behaviors by allowing consumers to make smart trip planning decisions that will extend the range of their vehicle, while also delivering driving behavior ratings ranging from Zen to zippy. Similar to SmartGauge with EcoGuide, Focus Electric also comes equipped with an instrument cluster display that uses blue butterflies to represent the surplus range beyond a charge point destination – the more butterflies there are, the greater the range and the better the driving habits.
Source: http://www.thefordstory.com/
About Parker Ford Lincoln, Inc.Parker Ford Lincoln Inc., is a multi-President Award-winning dealership in Murray, Kentucky offering new Ford and Lincoln Cars, Trucks, SUVs and Crossovers. Visit us online at http://www.parkerford.com/.
This was very interesting and helpful!
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