The Elio Engine

[skygazer6033]

One of the side benefits of drive by wire is the fact that you already have most of the hardware in place for cruise control. The ECM controls the engine throttle by input from a pedal position sensor or from the vehicle speed sensor (same sensor that provides speed data to the speedometer). The rest is basically the switches which should be available on the Camaro steering wheel. This is also assuming the bare bones ECM has provisions for cruise control programming.

 

[NSTG8R]

My '92 Suby SVX is old-school cable operated, and same with the cruise control actuator (plus vacuum line). 22+ years old, works as good as the day it rolled off the line. And if it were to 'stick', and needed replacement, it'll be less than $100 for both. I'll take whatever comes on the Elio, and like it. But I wouldn't start a "I can't believe Paul's using friggin' cables on a 21st Century vehicle" rant thread [admit it, someone would start one ] if it did have cables.

 

[wheaters]

$1000 for a new throttle module against $5 for a new steel cable. Elio have a design conflict to solve because of the mpg target they have set for themselves, but having had trouble with two cars so far and I suspect a third with my wife's present car, which has begun to hesitate, I'd prefer the simple cable and say hell to the mpg.

 

[Bert]

Keep in mind now, a lot of what a part costs for us depends on the supply and demand! Off the shelf parts also indicates more than one place to get these parts. Competition from different manufacturers will help bring replacement costs down! IMO.

I'd be happy either way. I love the simplicity of a cable, but understand the advantages of drive by wire. the "feel" of the pedal can be adjusted with simple springs.

 

[skygazer6033]

I've had cars with drive by wire and cable and have had no problems with either.

 

[goofyone]

$1000 for a new throttle module against $5 for a new steel cable. Elio have a design conflict to solve because of the mpg target they have set for themselves, but having had trouble with two cars so far and I suspect a third with my wife's present car, which has begun to hesitate, I'd prefer the simple cable and say hell to the mpg.

I just looked up how much it would cost to replace the throttle module on my 2003 Hyundai Sonata V6 and the part is only $150 brand new at retail.

EM's OEM cost for something like that is likely not much money at all so while it true that it is more expensive than a cable they likely feel it is worth the cost.

 

[Ty]

I just looked up how much it would cost to replace the throttle module on my 2003 Hyundai Sonata V6 and the part is only $150 brand new at retail.

EM's OEM cost for something like that is likely not much money at all so while it true that it is more expensive than a cable they likely feel it is worth the cost.

Car And Driver tested a bunch of "mileage aids" to include vortex intakes, magnets on fuel lines, snake oil, etc. The single best way to improve fuel economy was to have an instantaneous mileage display for the driver. Apparently, bad habits cause poor mileage. Assisting the driver by preventing quick fuel changes, the electronic throttle control helps even out the fuel pulses and prevents inadvertent acceleration/deceleration from minute pedal modulation. Everytime I come to a green light with some speed left over (I coast to a stop when it won't affect traffic around me because my truck shuts down fuel flow and lets the transmission turn the motor as I slow down), I say "I saved 15 of them that time." Refering to the MPH that I won't have to accelerate back up to. All acceleration costs fuel and if you can avoid it, good. Plus, it is easier on the brakes.

 

[JEBar]

Car And Driver tested a bunch of "mileage aids" to include vortex intakes, magnets on fuel lines, snake oil, etc. The single best way to improve fuel economy was to have an instantaneous mileage display for the driver. Apparently, bad habits cause poor mileage. Assisting the driver by preventing quick fuel changes, the electronic throttle control helps even out the fuel pulses and prevents inadvertent acceleration/deceleration from minute pedal modulation.

agree .... automotive technology has come a long ways and continues to evolve .... my first vehicle was a '65 Jeep CJ5 .... a heater was an option that came in a box in the back floorboard .... no top .. no radio .... the gas tank was located between the bottom of the driver's seat and the floorboard .... I installed the first cruise control by gluing 2 magnets on the drive shaft with a sensor mounted close by .... until recently I was able to get better mileage out of whatever I was driving by using my foot to control the throttle than it would get using the cruise .... those days are gone .... when traveling the fine adjustments made by the computer in our 2011 Chevy 1500 delivers better mileage than I can get without using the cruise

Jim

 

[W. WIllie]

Bad mpg in any car is caused by the "loose" NUT on the steering wheel. A vacuum gauge installed and learning how to use it is a great benefit. I guess you could call it PEDAL PRESSURE. Ballerina training also helps with the foot action on the gas pedal.

Willie
This is my best MPG.= 150 mpg for 29 miles.

 

[Charlie G]

Car And Driver tested a bunch of "mileage aids" to include vortex intakes, magnets on fuel lines, snake oil, etc. The single best way to improve fuel economy was to have an instantaneous mileage display for the driver. Apparently, bad habits cause poor mileage. Assisting the driver by preventing quick fuel changes, the electronic throttle control helps even out the fuel pulses and prevents inadvertent acceleration/deceleration from minute pedal modulation. Everytime I come to a green light with some speed left over (I coast to a stop when it won't affect traffic around me because my truck shuts down fuel flow and lets the transmission turn the motor as I slow down), I say "I saved 15 of them that time." Refering to the MPH that I won't have to accelerate back up to. All acceleration costs fuel and if you can avoid it, good. Plus, it is easier on the brakes.

My dad taught me to "drive like my right foot is attached directly to my wallet" and that's stuck.
Gas pedal, brake pedal - they both cost money every time you touch them.