Question re: Econ mode

Blade Hunter · 23-01-2006, 02:25 PM

OK So I picked up the Fairlane (AUIII) recently. When my dad sold it to me he told me the Econ mode is not like in normal cars but has to be actually configured or something (this is what the dealer told him) and that simply turning it on does nothing until you program it.

My questions are:
a) Is this true?
b) Do I have to read the manual or is it a really easy thing to configure?

Cheers

EA2BA · 23-01-2006, 02:28 PM

econ is lower revs at gear change and a little sluggish to respond to accelerator changes, i.e. plant it, and it thinks then does it.

never heard of it needing to learn.

AWD Chaser · 23-01-2006, 02:34 PM

Also gear changes are a little more jerky - good at hard accleration

:

jmc-007 · 23-01-2006, 02:50 PM

I think he is talking about Adaptive Shift. the AUII/AUIII Tickford equiped I6 and a few other of the cars got this as standard.

Power Mode, Learn Mode and Econ mode.

if you do a search for adaptive shift you can find the procedure on here how to chage it.

jonbays · 23-01-2006, 02:53 PM

If you have an Economy button by the tbar then there is no programming its off or on. In economy it changes up earlier and is less responive to kickdown. With Ecomony mode off it holds gears a bit longer and will change down earlier.

There was adaptive shift available in some models (XR and T series) which has six modes which learn from driving patterns or could be manually set by a key on tbar position sequence.

if you buy an AU XR6 VCT Auto ecu you can get this adaptive shift.

Blade Hunter · 23-01-2006, 03:30 PM

Thanks guys, its just the AUIII Fairmont, without the tickford motor. The last Fairmont my folks had was an AUII Ghia and it had the Tickford 6 but I have seen very very few of these around, were they not common?.

Thanks for the help re: econ mode, Lets see if I can get the fuel econ below 10.2 now

.

HLC · 23-01-2006, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blade Hunter

Thanks guys, its just the AUIII Fairmont, without the tickford motor. The last Fairmont my folks had was an AUII Ghia and it had the Tickford 6 but I have seen very very few of these around, were they not common?.

Thanks for the help re: econ mode, Lets see if I can get the fuel econ below 10.2 now

.

10.2? :| i want your fuel economy.

Blade Hunter · 23-01-2006, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HLC

10.2? :| i want your fuel economy.

Hehehe it was 8.2 coming home from QLD

. Thats NOT in econ mode either

Funny my last car revved out to 8,200 RPM and I used to do it constantly, my fuel econ in that was 11.4 average because at 120KMH it was doing 4,000RPM in 6th gear but in this new car, I dunno its auto and a 6, I just have no desire to floor it. I think im also a little nervous, I have only ever owned FWD 4 Cyl < 2 Litres so its a big change for me

.

JC · 23-01-2006, 10:29 PM

Econ mode makes little difference on the highway. And really makes bugger all difference around town too. Better just to turn it off and let your foot decide when to drop down gears or not.

Dauphin · 24-01-2006, 01:23 PM

I have a strange question. If you're in Econ mode and you put the throttle down just a little less than is required to trigger a kickdown, does the throttle pedal position still dictate the amount of fuel being sent to the engine?

So, in theory, does putting the pedal down to the same spot in both Econ and Power modes use the same fuel, just restricting the gears changing and therefore revving?

AWD Chaser · 24-01-2006, 03:42 PM

hahaha - thats not how engines work mate - your foot controls a buttlerfly flap in the throttle body that controls the amount of air the engine takes in - more foot = more air = more fuel. You skipped a step - more foot = more fuel isn't how it works.

I think there was something in the technical section. I was reading it last night, but now I can't find it.

Blade Hunter · 24-01-2006, 04:14 PM

Also, the revs are not a massive contributor, standing on the accelerator in 5th (in a manual) at low revs will use more fuel than just touching the accelerator in 3rd at higher revs but the same speed.

a great example is my previous car sat at 4,000RPM in 6th gear at 120KMH but was not what I would call a gas guzzler.

jonbays · 24-01-2006, 04:42 PM

Have a look here for some good info on what the modes do.

http://www.fordforums.com.au/vbporta...warticle&id=36

AWD Chaser · 24-01-2006, 07:19 PM

Thanks jonbays - thats what i was looking for.

GK · 24-01-2006, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

Econ mode makes little difference on the highway. And really makes bugger all difference around town too. Better just to turn it off and let your foot decide when to drop down gears or not.

I've never really driven long distances on the highway out of economy mode. In fact I hardly drive it out of economy mode full stop.

I don't mind the way it changes up, still fine but it's annoying when trying to get it to kick down, especially with the aircon on in these hot months!

GK