Excess Fuel Consumption Due to Selection of a Lower Than Optimal Gear—Case Study Based on Data Obtained in Real Traffic Conditions

Wojciech Adamski, Krzysztof Brzozowski, Jacek Nowakowski, Tomasz Praszkiewicz and Tomasz Knefel
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Wojciech Adamski: BOSMAL Automotive Research and Development Institute Ltd., Sarni Stok 93, 43-300 Bielsko-Biała, Poland
Krzysztof Brzozowski: Department of Transport, Faculty of Management and Transport, University of Bielsko-Biala, Willowa 2, 43-300 Bielsko-Biała, Poland
Jacek Nowakowski: Department of Combustion Engines and Vehicles, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Bielsko-Biala, Willowa 2, 43-300 Bielsko-Biała, Poland
Tomasz Praszkiewicz: BOSMAL Automotive Research and Development Institute Ltd., Sarni Stok 93, 43-300 Bielsko-Biała, Poland
Tomasz Knefel: Department of Combustion Engines and Vehicles, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Bielsko-Biala, Willowa 2, 43-300 Bielsko-Biała, Poland

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 23, 1-15

Abstract: Appropriate driving technique, in compliance with eco-driving principles, remains an effective method to reduce fuel consumption. The selection of the correct gear is one of the pertinent factors when driving a car with a manual gearbox. In this study we have analyzed fuel overconsumption based on data recorded in real traffic conditions for vehicles driven by experienced drivers, using a black-box model. It was found that the total share of trip time with a lower than optimal gear selected amounted to from c.a. 3% for motorway driving up to 28% on rural roads. The mean fuel consumption reduction factor (following selection of the next gear up) amounted to from c.a. 2% up to 20%, depending on the selected gear and type of driving. Unfortunately, the potential for reduction of fuel consumption is not evenly distributed over the entire operating area of the engine. Thus, the cumulative reduction of fuel consumption, due to selection of the optimal gear, amounted to from c.a. 0.2% for motorway driving up to 3–6%, for urban and rural driving. It was shown that due to the selection of the appropriate gear, there still exists a real possibility of reduction of fuel consumption, even in the case of experienced drivers.

Keywords: fuel consumption; real traffic; gear; driving mode; black-box model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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