Comments on: GM Has Decided on the 1.4 L 4-Cylinder Engine as the Range Extender for the Chevy Volt http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/26/gm-has-decided-on-the-14-l-4-cylinder-engine-as-the-range-extender-for-the-chevy-volt/ Real-time news, information, and discussion about the Chevrolet Volt. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:07:32 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Dick King http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/26/gm-has-decided-on-the-14-l-4-cylinder-engine-as-the-range-extender-for-the-chevy-volt/#comment-60979 Dick King Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:36:08 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/26/gm-has-decided-on-the-14-l-4-cylinder-engine-as-the-range-extender-for-the-chevy-volt/#comment-60979 The ICE will almost certainly be started by running the generator as a motor. You avoid a heavy component and it would only be software in the generator electronic commutator. -dk The ICE will almost certainly be started by running the generator as a motor. You avoid a heavy component and it would only be software in the generator electronic commutator.

-dk

]]> By: Steve http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/26/gm-has-decided-on-the-14-l-4-cylinder-engine-as-the-range-extender-for-the-chevy-volt/#comment-56010 Steve Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:40:22 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/26/gm-has-decided-on-the-14-l-4-cylinder-engine-as-the-range-extender-for-the-chevy-volt/#comment-56010 The na 1.4L engine is a smart move. They're claiming it's more fuel efficient, and lighter than the 1.0L. I'm not in the least disappointed in loosing the turbocharger for that sort of trade off. Someone is worried about running out of gas? What happens in a non- EREV car if you run out? They're talking about about a TOTAL range of about 500 miles. That should be sufficient for anybody to find a gas station. The only excuse for running out would be doing something stupid. Products can be made idiot-resistant, but not idiot-proof. An emergency extra draw-down on the battery could encourage behavior that shortens battery life for the careless driver and then gives him a opportunity to complain when he fries the battery. I'm sure a lot of GM Volt customers won't have a clue about how the EREV system works in detail or even care. They are likely to only know that if they plug it in at night, it won't burn any gas on a short trip and they're getting at least 50mpg on the longer trips. GM has to build it with this customer in mind, not just the hyper milers, technogeeks and engineers. I think the average customer will like the quiet of little or no engine noise once accustomed to it. They won't care as long as it goes and stops like they think it should. The na 1.4L engine is a smart move. They’re claiming it’s more fuel efficient, and lighter than the 1.0L. I’m not in the least disappointed in loosing the turbocharger for that sort of trade off.

Someone is worried about running out of gas? What happens in a non- EREV car if you run out? They’re talking about about a TOTAL range of about 500 miles. That should be sufficient for anybody to find a gas station. The only excuse for running out would be doing something stupid. Products can be made idiot-resistant, but not idiot-proof. An emergency extra draw-down on the battery could encourage behavior that shortens battery life for the careless driver and then gives him a opportunity to complain when he fries the battery.

I’m sure a lot of GM Volt customers won’t have a clue about how the EREV system works in detail or even care. They are likely to only know that if they plug it in at night, it won’t burn any gas on a short trip and they’re getting at least 50mpg on the longer trips. GM has to build it with this customer in mind, not just the hyper milers, technogeeks and engineers. I think the average customer will like the quiet of little or no engine noise once accustomed to it. They won’t care as long as it goes and stops like they think it should.

]]> By: Tagamet http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/26/gm-has-decided-on-the-14-l-4-cylinder-engine-as-the-range-extender-for-the-chevy-volt/#comment-55751 Tagamet Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:04:58 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/26/gm-has-decided-on-the-14-l-4-cylinder-engine-as-the-range-extender-for-the-chevy-volt/#comment-55751 Noel@104 #103 Tagamet: Sorry if it makes you nervous, but I totally agree! "Nervous" doesn't even START to cover it (g). Be well, Tag Noel@104
#103 Tagamet:
Sorry if it makes you nervous, but I totally agree!

“Nervous” doesn’t even START to cover it (g).
Be well,
Tag

]]> By: noel park http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/26/gm-has-decided-on-the-14-l-4-cylinder-engine-as-the-range-extender-for-the-chevy-volt/#comment-55749 noel park Mon, 28 Jul 2008 23:56:15 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/26/gm-has-decided-on-the-14-l-4-cylinder-engine-as-the-range-extender-for-the-chevy-volt/#comment-55749 #103 Tagamet: Sorry if it makes you nervous, but I totally agree! #103 Tagamet:

Sorry if it makes you nervous, but I totally agree!

]]> By: Tagamet http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/26/gm-has-decided-on-the-14-l-4-cylinder-engine-as-the-range-extender-for-the-chevy-volt/#comment-55537 Tagamet Mon, 28 Jul 2008 02:34:25 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/26/gm-has-decided-on-the-14-l-4-cylinder-engine-as-the-range-extender-for-the-chevy-volt/#comment-55537 Kubel, I totally agree that the more control options the owner has, the better, BUT everytime you give the owner another choice, it's an order of magnitude added to the problem of getting the Volt out the door. As I'm fond of saying "Let's first get the Volt's wheels on the road!" I'm sure each generation of Volt and it's spinoffs will be an improvement over the one that went before, but for now, it should be "Keep It Simple Sweetheart". JMO, Tag Kubel,
I totally agree that the more control options the owner has, the better, BUT everytime you give the owner another choice, it’s an order of magnitude added to the problem of getting the Volt out the door. As I’m fond of saying “Let’s first get the Volt’s wheels on the road!” I’m sure each generation of Volt and it’s spinoffs will be an improvement over the one that went before, but for now, it should be “Keep It Simple Sweetheart”.
JMO,
Tag

]]> By: kubel http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/26/gm-has-decided-on-the-14-l-4-cylinder-engine-as-the-range-extender-for-the-chevy-volt/#comment-55535 kubel Mon, 28 Jul 2008 02:20:42 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/26/gm-has-decided-on-the-14-l-4-cylinder-engine-as-the-range-extender-for-the-chevy-volt/#comment-55535 I say drivers should decide for themselves what mode they should be in. There are certain times when I may want the genset to remain on (when it may normally turn off) so I have peak performance (or maybe just a fuller batter) available at a certain point of my trip (when I may otherwise be in 'limp-home-mode'). I say drivers should decide for themselves what mode they should be in. There are certain times when I may want the genset to remain on (when it may normally turn off) so I have peak performance (or maybe just a fuller batter) available at a certain point of my trip (when I may otherwise be in ‘limp-home-mode’).

]]> By: Tagamet http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/26/gm-has-decided-on-the-14-l-4-cylinder-engine-as-the-range-extender-for-the-chevy-volt/#comment-55404 Tagamet Sun, 27 Jul 2008 14:22:58 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/26/gm-has-decided-on-the-14-l-4-cylinder-engine-as-the-range-extender-for-the-chevy-volt/#comment-55404 canehdian@98 Some states down here are behind the curve about metering electricity. My provider here in Penna. does NOT charge different rates, though they "promise" to upgrade their meters before increasing their rate 50% in 2010 (when they are "de-regulated" And yes, we still have cheaper day old donuts (g) Be well, Tag canehdian@98

Some states down here are behind the curve about metering electricity. My provider here in Penna. does NOT charge different rates, though they “promise” to upgrade their meters before increasing their rate 50% in 2010 (when they are “de-regulated”
And yes, we still have cheaper day old donuts (g)
Be well,
Tag

]]> By: Ryan P http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/26/gm-has-decided-on-the-14-l-4-cylinder-engine-as-the-range-extender-for-the-chevy-volt/#comment-55374 Ryan P Sun, 27 Jul 2008 06:56:35 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/26/gm-has-decided-on-the-14-l-4-cylinder-engine-as-the-range-extender-for-the-chevy-volt/#comment-55374 #10 Texas: "...there could also be an interesting feature that when the nav system informed the main computer that the Volt was close to home the computer could choose not to fire up the engine so that it would arrive at a more reduced charge. More wall electricity and less gasoline." Interesting thought, but unworkable. What if all your driving in pure battery mode was for running errands close to home? The nav system would prevent the ICE from starting at all. If you missed the little warning light you would deplete the battery to 0% SOC and you would have to manually start the ICE to get home. Wouldn't doing this enough times kill the battery permanently? #10 Texas:
“…there could also be an interesting feature that when the nav system informed the main computer that the Volt was close to home the computer could choose not to fire up the engine so that it would arrive at a more reduced charge. More wall electricity and less gasoline.”

Interesting thought, but unworkable. What if all your driving in pure battery mode was for running errands close to home? The nav system would prevent the ICE from starting at all. If you missed the little warning light you would deplete the battery to 0% SOC and you would have to manually start the ICE to get home. Wouldn’t doing this enough times kill the battery permanently?

]]> By: Larry Parylla http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/26/gm-has-decided-on-the-14-l-4-cylinder-engine-as-the-range-extender-for-the-chevy-volt/#comment-55368 Larry Parylla Sun, 27 Jul 2008 05:05:14 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/26/gm-has-decided-on-the-14-l-4-cylinder-engine-as-the-range-extender-for-the-chevy-volt/#comment-55368 I have lived in 3 diffrent staes in the past 2 years (NY, TX, SC) and done of the offered off peak rates. I am willing to bet off peak billing is rare and not offered by many companies. I have lived in 3 diffrent staes in the past 2 years (NY, TX, SC) and done of the offered off peak rates. I am willing to bet off peak billing is rare and not offered by many companies.

]]> By: canehdian http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/26/gm-has-decided-on-the-14-l-4-cylinder-engine-as-the-range-extender-for-the-chevy-volt/#comment-55361 canehdian Sun, 27 Jul 2008 04:05:41 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/26/gm-has-decided-on-the-14-l-4-cylinder-engine-as-the-range-extender-for-the-chevy-volt/#comment-55361 #91 Steve: "Is that right?!? Must be a calculation error somewhere …" It's correct. No error ;) Electricity always costs the most in peak times (with the cheap rate comes a higher one from 11-5pm, mind you) So you pay more for things when everyone needs electricity, and get bargain price at night, since it "goes to waste" anyway. It's like getting day-old doughnuts. (Do places still do that anymore? Lol) #91 Steve:
“Is that right?!? Must be a calculation error somewhere …”

It’s correct. No error ;)
Electricity always costs the most in peak times (with the cheap rate comes a higher one from 11-5pm, mind you)
So you pay more for things when everyone needs electricity, and get bargain price at night, since it “goes to waste” anyway.
It’s like getting day-old doughnuts. (Do places still do that anymore? Lol)

]]>