CarChip E/X: a great gadget to teach green driving
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, MPG
CarChip E/X by Davis is a device that logs how you are driving. The CarChip E/X can even be set to beep if you break too fast, speed or accelerate too fast. Changing these behaviors are the top three things a driver can do to increase fuel efficiency without changing the car. The CarChip EX attaches to the OBD (On Board Data) port which is present on most cars made since 1996. From the video review below the fold and the segment I saw on the HGTV show, I Want That, it looks like a very quick and easy install. It can store up to 300 hours of driving data and downloads that data to your computer via a USB port.
Along with recording speed, Car Chip can log 4 of 23 possible engine parameters every 5 to 60 seconds. These engine parameters include RPM, Battery Voltage, Throttle Position, Timing Advance, Engine Load, Coolant Temperature, Fuel Pressure, Air Flow Rate, Fuel System Status, Intake Air Temperature, Short-term Fuel Trim, Intake Manifold Pressure, Long-term Fuel Trim and Oxygen Sensor Output Voltage. You can see how this could be useful for fleet managers, parents with teen drivers, green drivers and gadget freaks. Prices vary from $70 to $200.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-18-2007 @ 5:54PM
Jason Jungreis said...
acceleration and speeding, sure: but what does braking - either hard or soft - have to do with fuel economy (assuming you don't accomplish your deceleration by downshifting)?
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9-18-2007 @ 6:11PM
Chris M said...
To answer Jason: Coasting to a stop takes less fuel than keeping your foot on the accelerator then slamming on the brakes. It's also hard on the brakes.
It's even more important with hybrids and electrics, as heavy braking engages the hydraulic friction brakes, with more energy wasted as heat and less regeneration.
My question is: Do they have a version of this chip designed for the particular characteristics of hybrids? The Toyota hybrids get better milage with a more brisk acceleration.
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9-18-2007 @ 9:52PM
MetroMPG.com said...
Hands down, the best OBD2 tool for fuel consumption feedback is the ScanGauge. Instant, average (resettable) & trip fuel economy feedback... and more. Check out Scangauge.com (no, I have nothing to do with the company; just a very satisfied customer).
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