Simply put, Auto Start-Stop helps customers use less fuel, which is an important component of Ford’s Blueprint for Sustainability. By making Auto Start-Stop available on more vehicles, we are working to be part of the solution to environmental sustainability with effective, fuel-saving technologies.

—Bob Fascetti, vice president, Ford global powertrain

Auto Start-Stop turns off the engine when a vehicle stops, while a battery powers vehicle accessories and systems in place of the engine. The engine restarts instantly when the driver begins to release the brake pedal.

Actual fuel savings vary and depend on driving patterns. While average improvement in fuel efficiency equals roughly 3.5%, those who drive in heavy traffic such as congested urban environments could see fuel efficiency increase by as much as 10%.

Ford has years of experience with Auto Start-Stop via its electrified powertrain hybrid and plug-in hybrid offerings, and the feature is popular on a host of Ford models in Europe. By year-end, Ford expects to sell more than 500,000 vehicles equipped with Auto Start-Stop globally. In the United States, Auto Start-Stop is already available on the non-hybrid 2014 Ford Fusion with 1.5-liter EcoBoost. (Earlier post.)

Dynamic cruise control. Looking to the future of the Blueprint for Sustainability, Ford is also researching dynamic cruise control. The advanced system enhances real-world fuel economy performance through optimized torque control, which minimizes fuel consumption while maximizing powertrain efficiencies.

Dynamic cruise control modifies the driver-selected set speed in response to not only current road conditions, but also to predicted road conditions—all onboard and in real time, with no Internet connection or stored databases. Ford research shows this feature could improve fuel efficiency by up to 10%, depending on route.

Other fuel-saving technologies developed under the Blueprint for Sustainability plan already available on Ford vehicles today include:

• 100% use of electric power-assisted steering, which improves fuel efficiency by 3-5%;

• Six-speed automatic transmissions are now fully deployed across the lineup; six-speed transmissions improve fuel efficiency by 4-6%; and

• EcoBoost engines are now offered as an option on 90% of Ford vehicles, delivering better fuel efficiency with great power compared with traditional gasoline engines.