Police cars to get voltage monitors

Adjustment will help cops avoid battery drain

By Kathleen Moore
Gazette Reporter

SCHENECTADY — A hundred-dollar adjustment to city police cars may allow them to nearly double their gas mileage.

The Crown Victorias, which now average 8 mpg because police idle them between patrols, could get up to 15 mpg in the city if police turn them off during lengthy stops.

For two years, police have been trying to adjust their engines so they could turn off their cars. Now, they appear to have finally solved the problem.

Timers now turn off almost all of the equipment in the car before it drains the battery during stops. Only the video camera is left running.

Full Story: http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2009/mar/30/0330_copcars/