Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - (Page 22c) INSIGHT NOVEMBER 10, 2008 • 22C Cutting energy loss: A nibble here, a nibble there … There are three main ways to cut energy loss from sources other than the powertrain, says Roland Franz, product marketing manager at Hella Corporate Center USA Inc.: 1. Switching off the energy. 2. Managing the energy. 3. More efficient use of energy by the consumer. Take vacuum pumps, for example. The pumps for braking typically are belt-driven, which means they run when the engine runs. An electric pump connected to a sensor in the vacuum reservoir can be turned on and off as needed, saving energy, says Franz. The pump is activated when pressure in the reservoir goes above a certain level. Then there’s the alternator. A conventional battery charges using a constantly running alternator. Sensors that monitor battery voltage can be used to reduce the alternator load or switch off the alternator, cutting energy use. And look at lighting. Light-emitting diode lighting is four times more energy efficient than incandescent lighting. An LED light also has an average life of 100,000 hours, compared with 5,000 hours for an incandescent bulb. Franz estimates that 50 percent of car taillights have been converted to LEDs and thinks the car interior will be 100 percent LED in the near future. “In the beginning, the cost of LEDs was prohibitive, but that is improving every year,” says Franz. Still, prices remain so steep that LED headlights are barely making inroads in premium vehicles. Cruise control is another potential energy saver. Drive tests have shown that using cruise control can improve mileage 7 to 14 percent, except in hilly areas. Adaptive cruise control can help a driver keep the feature activated, even in heavy traffic. Franz says. Adaptive cruise control uses sensor technology to monitor traffic and adjust the speed of the driver’s car to the speed of the car in front. Lear Corp. supplies electrical distribution systems designed to cut weight and boost fuel economy. The technology consists of hybrid wiring such as copper-clad steel and copperclad aluminum, along with solid-state electronics. Lear says it can slash electrical system mass in half, saving about 25 pounds on a typical car. Delphi Corp. produces about 1.5 billion feet per year of its halogen-free, ultrathin-wall cable. The insulation of conventional cables is about two-hundredths of an inch thick. The insulation on Delphi’s cable, which debuted on the 2007 Toyota Tundra, is half that. Although that weight saving is not going to triple a car’s mileage, Delphi’s efforts show that the industry is trying for any improvement, no matter how small. “There’s no one big way to save energy,” says Franz. “We’re looking at ways to save a little here and there.” — Michael LeGault continued from previous page has been cooled, passengers usually adjust the temperature upward. In a conventional air conditioner, the air is split between cooled and heated streams, then recombined to deliver air at the selected temperature. Electronic controls regulate the compressive displacement needed to cool air to a given temperature, thereby reducing energy used for reheating. Delphi’s Giardino reports that electronic controls save 20 to 25 percent of the energy used by a conventional compressor. “Electronic controls have allowed us to change the compressor from a dumb device into a smart device,” he says. Giardino says compressors with electronic controls have about 25 percent of the market in Europe but are just entering North America. Webasto Solar GmbH has developed a solar-powered ventilation system for cooling the interior of a car parked in hot weather. Photovoltaic cells, integrated into Webasto’s sunroofs, generate enough electricity to run the car’s fan without drawing power from the battery. Webasto says the ventilation can reduce the interior temperature by as much as 20 degrees Celsius — to the same level as the outside temperature. Say you’re in Death Valley. The outside temperature is 95 degrees Fahrenheit, but the blazing sun pushes the car’s interior temperature to 131 degrees. The ventilation will keep the interior at 95 degrees. Currently, the Webasto sunroofs are available as an aftermarket option. HOW TO LO S E WE I G HT and STO P S M O KI N G TO DAY. The industry is working to meet stricter emissions and fuel economy standards. At Tenneco, we’re already there with advanced emission and CLEAN DIESEL TECHNOLOGIES CLOSE-COUPLED FABRICATED MANIFOLDS Improved horsepower and torque output – and 30-40% lighter than traditional cast-iron manifolds. Perfect for turbocharged gasoline direct-inject (TGDI) engines. ULTRA LIGHTWEIGHT MUFFLERS Up to 50% lighter than conventional ride control technologies designed to help OEMs meet their target weight and breathe easier. And that’s just what the doctor ordered. Seat-of-the-pants testing The National Renewable Energy Laboratories uses a thermal comfort mannequin in its climate control lab to model real human comfort inside an automobile. The lab and its supplier partners have evaluated low-mass seating, which requires less energy to cool down, as well as air-cooled or airheated ventilated seating. A typical ventilated seat would contain a flexible hollow chamber inside the seat. Passenger-compartment air is pulled into the chamber by fans in the seat. A solid-state thermal electric device is used to heat or cool the air, and then the air is blown out around the occupant through the seat’s perforated fabric. Ventilated seating would supplement conventional air conditioning. NREL’s Rugh says tests show that thermally electric-cooled seating reduces air-conditioner-related fuel consumption by 7 percent.c catalysts and selective catalytic reduction and burner systems that meet even strict California emission standards. LOW BACKPRESSURE VALVE MUFFLERS Patent-pending technology that produces superior backpressure management for improved fuel economy. LIGHTWEIGHT SHOCKS AND STRUTS Hollow rods, variable thickness tubes, and plastic spring seats delivering Monroe® -quality performance. WWW.TENNECO.COM http://WWW.TENNECO.COM http://WWW.TENNECO.COM
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - November 10, 2008 Life at 11 million: Slash, rethink The options: Bailout or disaster Can Toyota reheat the frozen Tundra? Chrysler dealers cheer halt to merger talk VW will unveil roadster at Detroit auto show BMW boosts dealers' year-end ad money Mercedes' $220 million flagship Mercedes hit hard in Northeast, once a sales stronghold Mercedes will kill CLK, add larger coupe, convertible Mitsubishi reclaims its finance business Toyota's Esmond to speak at congress Loss is more: Europe snatches bigger share of U.S. market Cash burn rates threaten GM, Ford GMAC: We're nobody's captive As losses mount, suppliers risk cash-flow crunch Tata: Yes to Jaguar XF derivative, no to SUV U.S. aid is needed now, but not to help Cerberus They are too big to fail Why should we help GM and Chrysler? First and foremost, you must be flexible U.S. trade policy gives it all away To the Editor: A rough ride is nothing new for autos Dealer's politics were pertinent Chrysler's 1st electric: Probably a cargo van Auto meltdown forces Mercedes to scrap prediction of sales record Boosting mpg will bump up stickers, too Adding up the tab for fuel economy Camaro Black: Eye-catching, affordable and available Honda sees green in Civic HFP's street performance Honda offers peek at future Fit Ford F-150 Raptor flies off-road Souped-up, tricked-out â and headed for the showroom Report: Toyota plans $5,000 car Amid gloom, Mazda chief sees revival in 2009-10 Report: Past-due subprime loans jump Toyota aims to win loyalty with credit card Study: Car buyers turn green for different reasons Thanks, buddy Hyundai helps Dealers Metaldyne offers pennies to bondholders Obituaries Personnel As expected, Oct. sales sank Another Chinese automaker plans Mexico factory Honda backs off U.S. clean diesels Industry pal, foe vie for key post in Congress Industry expects more activism from D.C. N.A. output falls 19.9% Toyota moves in striking distance of GM's U.S. sales crown Going, going . . . An ex-GM exec's view: It's going to get nasty Sex, Nazis, chicken and BMW: A scandal that puts fiction writers to shame Recession rips up roadster market Toyota takes heat for 'the herpes of the advertising world' Want to boost mpg? Turn up the heat on AC Cutting energy loss: A nibble here, a nibble there ... Carbon slashes weight, but it's still too pricey Carmakers shift to gears in search of mpg gains Natural gas draws interest as alternative fuel Friction? Ay, there's the rub Electric for a week Automotive News - November 10, 2008 Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - (Page Intro) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - (Page Bellyband1) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - (Page Bellyband2) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - The options: Bailout or disaster (Page 1) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - The options: Bailout or disaster (Page 2) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - VW will unveil roadster at Detroit auto show (Page 3) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Mercedes hit hard in Northeast, once a sales stronghold (Page 4) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Mercedes hit hard in Northeast, once a sales stronghold (Page 5) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Loss is more: Europe snatches bigger share of U.S. market (Page 6) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Loss is more: Europe snatches bigger share of U.S. market (Page 7) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - As losses mount, suppliers risk cash-flow crunch (Page 8) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - As losses mount, suppliers risk cash-flow crunch (Page 9) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Tata: Yes to Jaguar XF derivative, no to SUV (Page 10) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Tata: Yes to Jaguar XF derivative, no to SUV (Page 11) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - First and foremost, you must be flexible (Page 12) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - First and foremost, you must be flexible (Page 13) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Dealer's politics were pertinent (Page 14) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Dealer's politics were pertinent (Page 15) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Auto meltdown forces Mercedes to scrap prediction of sales record (Page 16) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Boosting mpg will bump up stickers, too (Page 17) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Boosting mpg will bump up stickers, too (Page 18) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Boosting mpg will bump up stickers, too (Page 19) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 20) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 21) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 22) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 22a) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 22b) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 22c) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 22d) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 22e) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 22f) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 22g) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 22h) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 22i) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 22j) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 22k) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 22l) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Adding up the tab for fuel economy (Page 23) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Souped-up, tricked-out â and headed for the showroom (Page 24) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Amid gloom, Mazda chief sees revival in 2009-10 (Page 25) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Toyota aims to win loyalty with credit card (Page 26) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Hyundai helps (Page 27) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Dealers (Page 28) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Personnel (Page 29) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Personnel (Page 30) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Personnel (Page 31) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Personnel (Page 32) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Personnel (Page 33) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Personnel (Page 34) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Personnel (Page 35) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Personnel (Page 36) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - As expected, Oct. sales sank (Page 37) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Honda backs off U.S. clean diesels (Page 38) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Industry expects more activism from D.C. (Page 39) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Industry expects more activism from D.C. (Page 40) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - N.A. output falls 19.9% (Page 41) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Toyota takes heat for 'the herpes of the advertising world' (Page 42) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Toyota takes heat for 'the herpes of the advertising world' (Page 43) Automotive News - November 10, 2008 - Toyota takes heat for 'the herpes of the advertising world' (Page 44)
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.