SMART SYSTEMS FOR SAVING FUEL - Girteka - Responsible Logistics

SMART SYSTEMS FOR SAVING FUEL

2010-03-05
2010-03-05
Modern trucks are equipped with smart systems that “see” a certain section of the road ahead, i.e. the features of the terrain on a cruise control system mode: they accelerate, roll, and brake. Using these systems correctly can save you a lot of fuel. These systems activate with the cruise control system (autopilot) and allow you to use the cruise control system on mountain roads.

VOLVO I-See system

Operating principle of I-See:

1. The vehicle accelerates uphill, increases cruising speed to maximize inertia.
2. The system avoids shifting down the gear by utilizing the optimum torque.
3. Acceleration is completely deactivated; the I-Roll mode is activated (the vehicle turns over the top of the hill or slope).
4. Going downhill further.
5. The engine brake is started to prevent the vehicle from exceeding the set speed.
6. Rolling is turned on and the vehicle accelerates by inertia.

It is very important to choose the right ECO settings – these can be found by pressing the ECO button on the left hand side of the steering wheel:

Available options:

Level 1 in intense traffic (speed loss -3 km/h, speed excess 4 km/h).

Level 2 in normal traffic intensity (speed loss -4 km/h, speed excess 5 km/h).

Level 3 in non-intensive traffic (speed loss -5 km/h, speed excess 6 km/h).

When I-See is active, the letters IS appear on the display. Whenever possible, it is recommended to drive at level 3 to achieve maximum economy:

You can always adjust the speed override settings. This can be done by pressing and holding the adjuster wheel when the star lights up on the screen:

There is a speed override setting that can be adjusted to your driving speed.

MERCEDES BENZ PPC system

PPC (Predictive Powertrain Control) veikia analogiškai kaip ir Volvo I-See sistema.

Sistemos veikimo principas:

1. The system recognizes the uphill gradient and prepares to overcome it by increasing the speed before it.
2. The uphill gradient is overcome with the highest possible gear using the optimum torque, avoiding unnecessary gear shifting.
3. The top of the hill is simply overridden, when the EcoRoll system (rolling) is activated before the peak is dependent on the settings of the PPC system that are changed by the driver.
4. The excess speed is controlled by the motor brake.
5. The EcoRoll system is restarted to roll down the slope if the next uphill gradient is in front.

Unlike the Volvo I-See system, the setting freedom is higher, the system is set by selecting two parameters – minus and plus. Settings are available on the right hand side of the steering wheel:

The plus number is the limit on how much you will be allowed to exceed the set speed.
The minus number determines what the speed loss will be when turning the top of the hill or slope.
IMPORTANT: Before driving, it is necessary to check whether the PPC system is turned on, and whether EcoRoll (rolling) is switched on. This can be done in system settings of the truck.
When the PPC system is active, the system settings are green on the display.

Driving instructor recommendations:

For example: we are driving at 84 km/h:

Intensive Traffic

Medium Intensity Traffic

Not intense traffic

Keep in mind that all these systems are based on the experience of professional drivers, so the driver must know how to manage the truck economically, and these systems can help us.

Have a safe trip!