Feb 18, 2011
Ford has introduced an in-vehicle software application on the 2011 Focus that’s designed to improve drivers “eco-driving” skills and maximize vehicle fuel efficiency. The software recommends specific on-road driving behaviors that can improve fuel economy, such as smooth acceleration and deceleration, maintaining constant speeds and anticipating traffic flow, and avoiding excessive idling, among other techniques.
It also generates a scorecard based on monitoring engine rpm, vehicle speed, accelerator position, clutch position, selected gear and engine temperature when the driver is shifting gears, anticipating traffic conditions by adjusting speed and distance to other vehicles and whether he or she is using a cruising speed on open roads.
On the instrument cluster, EcoMode will display their scores via a “leaf” scoring system, ranging from 1-5, with 2 as the default score. Scores are cumulative, but a driver can restart the system by resetting the average fuel consumption.
Ford stated that internal tests showed that drivers who used the “eco-driving” techniques suggested by EcoMode improved fuel economy by 24 percent. EcoMode is standard on Focus SE, SEL and Titanium models.
[via Automotive Fleet]
Photo courtesy of Stuart Axe and re-used under the Creative Commons license.