Comments on: Nissan ECO Pedal system keeps lead-foot drivers in check

By: Dlr1

Dlr1 — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 02:30:52 +0000

Gee, they’ve re-invented Holden Manifold Vacuum Guage that featured on VB-VK Commodores when they were too tight to fit a useful guage like a tacho.

By: Stevo the Devo

Stevo the Devo — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 01:09:35 +0000

Toyota have had something similar for the last 40 years. The driver just has to put on a knitted woolen jacket – they call it a cardigan.

By: realcars

realcars — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 05:40:13 +0000

Another useless Jap gimmick!!!!

By: alec

alec — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:32:58 +0000

Reckess,
To start with I believe it is about ‘Optimal Throttle position’ to achieve best/required acceleration or cruising speed and NOT the ‘Optimal Acceleration’ as you suggest.

There becomes a point when accelerating (or when cruising at constant speed), where pressing the pedal further and pumping more juice into the engine isn’t going to increase acceleration (or maintain speed).
This has to do with the engine power/size, vehicle weight, road conditions (ie.. windy/uphill/aerodynamics etc)
For example, you might achieve the same acceleration (or maintain a constant speed) at 75% throttle opening that you would at 100%.

Diesel 4WD owners (and probably now TDi cars owners) would probably be able to understand this statement the easiest when trying to achieve better economy.
If you were to accelerate at 100%, then back off until you feel a decrease in acceleration (or a drop off in constant speed), then this is the optimal throttle position.

This is basically the method they use to achieve the ultra low l/100km for the fuel economy runs we see so much of now (eg hyundai i30 etc)

This is the method i used when driving my landcruiser and I am pretty sure is the same idea being implemented by Nissan’s ECO Pedal

By: Reckless1

Reckless1 — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:41:22 +0000

“When the ECO Pedal system is activated, it receives data on the rate of fuel consumption and transmission efficiency during acceleration and cruising, and then calculates the optimum acceleration rate.”

This whole idea seems a bit gay, since the optimal acceleration rate for the best fuel economy is to remain at a standstill.

Therefore, any other acceleration rate is NOT optimal, so how can you program a system to pick an optimal set of parameters when it is, by definition, operating in the least optimal range?

During cruising the situation obviously changes, but the program for that should be/could be/already is built into the cruise control, not the accelerometer circuit.

By: Skybreak

Skybreak — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:01:23 +0000

Can’t wait to see the ECO Pedal as on option on the GTR. LOL!

By: Lee

Lee — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 22:22:06 +0000

Oh, and the car is a M35/45. In V8 guise it’s a 5 series beater.

By: Lee

Lee — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 22:19:24 +0000

Infiniti already have this feature in the Infiniti FX35/50 as part of the distance control assist feature.

DCA uses the same sensors as Intelligent Cruise Control to detect the distance to an object ahead. As the vehicle moves closer to the object, the throttle pedal pushes up against the driver’s foot, encouraging deceleration. If the driver is not applying throttle, DCA will gently apply the brakes automatically (up to 25% braking power) to encourage deceleration.

By: No Name

No Name — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:34:07 +0000

Sounds a bit like Mitsubishis adaptive auto-box. Tries to do what it wants to do rather than what you want it to do.
Gosh lots of to’s n do’s.

By: smokin'R32

smokin'R32 — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:41:03 +0000

The system doesnt restrict acceleration, it merely gives some tactile feedback through the pedal to encourage you to lift off the throttle. You can still floor it when necessary, and if it bothers you that much, switch it off.

By: tedde

tedde — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:26:20 +0000

nice to see the nissan fuga (or its infinity equivalent) – wish they’d bring that to Oz.

anyway, on topic – how does the pedal tell the difference between general lead-footedness and tromping on it to get through an orange light or squeeze into a busy roundabout? Sounds like it may cause more trouble than its worth. because ultimately the pedal can only tell how quickly it is pushed…

By: Martin

Martin — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:11:26 +0000

Kia have already introduced a similar thing where a little light in the instument clutster changes colour according to how economically the user is driving.

By: realcars

realcars — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:45:12 +0000

Perhaps Lexus will follow suit(copy)with a similar idiot proofing system.LOL.

Gee,the Japanese are continuing to push that automotive envelope.LOL.