Re: [Phys-l] Hybrid mileage

["Richard Tarara" <rbtarara@sprynet.com>]

I have noticed that the engine seems to be reving higher, at least for the
first ten minutes or so--guess I could check the Tach, but with an automatic
I never paid much attention this summer (new car) so I don't have a
reference point.

Rick

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From: "Shapiro, Mark" <mshapiro@Exchange.FULLERTON.EDU>
Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 4:44 PM
To: "Forum for Physics Educators" <phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu>
Subject: Re: [Phys-l] Hybrid mileage

> In order to meet emission requirements the cc has to be at a certain
> minimum temperature.  A sensor monitors the cc temp and tells the car's
> computer to run the engine at high enough rpms to bring the cc up to temp.
> For a hybrid that may mean going from zero rpms to finite rpms.  For a
> non-hybrid that may mean increasing the idle speed.
>
> (These days you don't "drive" a car, you just point it.  The computer
> drives it!)
>
> Mark
> ________________________________________