Archive for Fuel Article
More Customers Opting For Alternative Fuel Cars
The prices of gas and fuel have already gone down but it seems like the market has already learned much during that experience. You see, according to dealers and retailers as well as manufacturers of vehicles in the auto market, more and more American customers are purchasing cars and vehicles that run on alternative fuel. The list of alternative fuel vehicles include those hybrid vehicles as well as those that could run on diesel and ethanol.
According to Fred Webber, the current president and chief executive of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, “Our priority is to get the word out that alternative fuel autos are on sale now, and these vehicles are the quickest way to reduce gasoline use. No one wants to see high gas prices and concerns about energy security, but the good news about today’s energy situation is that more Americans are purchasing one of the many fuel efficient automobiles on sale today.” The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is actually an organization that represents nine of the automakers which sell their products around the globe as well as in the United States.
Sure enough, more and more people are opting to own one unit of these alternative fuel vehicles. One thing is that they would be getting much on savings. Fuel prices may have gone down but the alternative sources of energy for a vehicle to run do cost much, much less. Plus, maintaining them is not that difficult for many replacements parts for these alternative vehicles are readily available in the market along with other partslike Pontiac performance parts. The auto world is now opening up their arms to these alternative fuel vehicles so much so that keeping them in good condition now becomes an easy and economical task.
Webber even further adds, “Every model of auto is available today with some kind of fuel efficient technology, such as variable valve timing, continuously variable transmissions, and cylinder deactivation. We urge all consumers to check out these fuel efficient options on dealers’ lots today.” The list of fuel efficient vehicles in the market includes hybrids like the Honda Insight, the Toyota Prius, the Ford Escape Hybrid, and the Toyota Sienna Hybrid.
About the Author
As a former news correspondent for an auto-related website, Stacey has gathered extensive knowledge and experience in the automotive industry. This 34 year old mother of two from Memphis is a genuine car lover.
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Are Flex Fuel And Biodiesel Viable Options?
Once thought of as only a dream, Flex fuel vehicles are fast becoming a reality. The high cost of gasoline and fuels like Diesel have prompted auto makers around the world to start building automobiles that will burn more than one type of fuel. For example, the country of Brazil for over 10 years now have been producing there own Ethanol product and are almost completely independent of Middle Eastern oil. It seems now the big three auto makers in this country are behind producing and building more automobiles that will run on E-85 ethanol or gasoline. This is good far all of us, not only will ethanol cost less, it will make the United States much less dependent on that black gold that has been coming into the US from those middle eastern country’s. And as an added bonus, the air we breathe will be much cleaner.
Ethanol in itself is not new, E15 and on a small scale E85 have been around for some years. The production was not at a point where auto makers got to excited about it, and as a result only a token amount of vehicles were produced that would burn the E85 ethanol, although most automobiles could and still today burn the E15 ethanol. The E15 and the E85 is the percent of ethanol that is added to gasoline to make the product. Ethanol can be made from several different sources, in this country most of our ethanol at this time is made from corn. In the future other products will be used in the making of ethanol that should also help get the cost down for all Americans. GM has said the cost to convert automobiles that were not already flex fuel to be some where around $500.
American companies are starting to produce more ethanol. This will help get more cars rolling off the assembly line, and get some of those big gas guzzlers off the road. Toyota is another company that seems to have a lot of interest in the flex fuel vehicles. They seem to be working very hard to catch up. Things will not happen over night, it will take some time to change the thinking of some of our politicians and get them behind ethanol and flex fuel vehicles. Once the ball gets rolling things can only get better for all of us.
There is another fuel out there for the folks who burn diesel. It’s called BIODIESEL. This product is a combination of animal fats and diesel fuel. Again like the ethanol product it contains a small amount of diesel and a large amount of the animal fats. This product can and is being made by some people to burn in their own vehicles, making the fuel from byproducts of oil from many of their local restaurants. Most automobiles need a conversion kit, but the high mileage they receive per gallon is worth the investment. As far as places across the country that sell Biodiesel, there are only a few at this time, but they are gaining every day. Watch for this product to become more popular and thus increasingly available in the future as things get rolling. I guess the high price of fuel has helped in some way. Only time will tell.
About the Author
For all your biodiesel information and tips, visit http://biodiesel.factslink.com
[13:58] EU onderzoekt import biodiesel VSANP - De Europese Commissie start vrijdag een onderzoek naar ongeoorloofde subsidies op Amerikaanse biodiesel en het dumpen van diezelfde diesel op de Europese markt…. (13:58, 13-06-08)…Read the full post from de Volkskrant | Laatste Nieuws via Blogdigger blog search for biodiesel.
Simple Fuel Saving Ideas And Tips
With today’s gas prices now well over $3.00 a gallon in many areas we all need to find ways to cut our fuel costs. I think most would agree we can do a better job cutting our cost with a little effort in how we drive and maintain our vehicles.
First we need to pay close attention to how we drive. Speed I think most would agree is one area we all need to do a better job in. SLOW DOWN. This in itself will increase our mileage a great deal. Another area is using our brakes, when just driving a little slower would get us there just as fast and again save fuel. Be ready when it is your turn at a stop light or sign to start moving, this will save a jack rabbit start which again takes more fuel than a smooth start. By anticipating and being more alert as to what is going on far ahead and being ready when it is time to change lanes, will also add to our fuel savings. Most of these things just take a retraining of ourselves and habits. You might think these little things don’t really make a difference, but all added together you will be pleasantly surprised.
Other things to consider include things like using the best route for the time of day we’re driving. If for example we could find a route with less stop and go traffic, this would help. Once your engine heats up most will use less fuel, but idling at a stoplight for more than 30 seconds at several stops will cost you. Try to combine errands and trips by planning ahead, instead of say 4 trips a week making only 2 is again a winner. Although most of us like the free feeling of driving our own car, we might take a look at car pooling as another way to save fuel. Most of these things might at first seem like a lot of work, you might be surprised how much more relaxed you feel knowing you are doing a better job driving and are saving money.
Other tips, be sure to turn off the air conditioning when not needed again this could add as much as two miles per gallon to your fuel savings. Proper maintenance is another area that should not be over looked. Keep your engine tuned up, this in it self could be a big fuel saver. You might also want to consider switching to a different brand of motor oil for further fuel saving. For this I would check with the person who does your oil changing, he can explain the different oils that could save you money on your fuel cost.
Keep your tires at the proper pressure. As you make changes in your driving habits and maintenance you might want to keep a log for awhile so you will know how much the change has helped you save fuel. Once you see the savings it will be like a game to see where else you can find ways to cut your fuel cost. I believe many of us out there have accepted the rise in fuel cost as a way of life, let’s not settle for that. Things can get better for all of us if we all do what we can to conserve fuel, and save money on gas.
About the Author
Simple money saving tips and more great ideas on how to save gas are available at FuelFrugal.com
Firm abandoning plans for biodiesel plant near EvansvilleChicago Tribune, United States - 15 hours agoNorth Prairie Productions says it's abandoned plans to build a $42 million biodiesel plant near Evansville due to continuing high soybean oil prices. …
Toyota Prius. Worth The Fuel Savings?
With today’s petrol prices not appearing to be heading south any time soon, it is little wonder that more and more hybrid cars are coming onto the market. These cars use a combination of petrol and electrical power so that you save at the service station. And if you have a social conscience, they’ll also help save the planet through reduced emissions. While Honda was first to introduce a hybrid into the Australian market, it was the Toyota Prius that made hybrid motoring a real option for fuel conscious motorists.
The Toyota Prius has a small petrol motor and a small electrical motor that work in unison to propel the car along. To the driver, there probably isn’t much difference between driving the Prius or any other smallish car. The engine switches from the petrol to electrical motor without any need for the driver to do anything, so in that respect, it’s business as usual for the driver. The electrical motor recharges its batteries during deceleration. All these actions are performed automatically thanks to the on board computer under the bonnet of the Prius.
If you enjoy a little power under the bonnet, then the Prius is obviously not for you. The small motors push the car along respectably but the acceleration is not what you would describe as being exhilarating.
The Toyota Prius comes with power mirrors and windows, a CD player and remote central locking as standard equipment. It also comes with dual front air bags and anti-lock brakes.
So, how much fuel will you save by driving a Toyota Prius? Well, you can expect to go through five or six litres for every 100 kilometres you drive. This figure is pretty much the same regardless of whether you are driving about town or on the freeway. As the Prius is not a particularly cheap car, you’d need to be spending quite a bit on fuel around town before it really became economical for you. If your driving is mainly on the freeway or in the bush, then it’s probably not going to be such a viable option.
One important aspect to check if you are in the market for a used Prius is to check the log books for regular servicing. As these engines are rather complicated, you’ll be best avoiding any car serviced by anyone other than a Toyota dealer. Also remember that the batteries, when they do need replacing, will not be cheap. So make sure you check the condition of the batteries first in earlier models.
If you’re worried about the spiralling prices of fuel at the petrol pump, and if most of your driving is about town, then a Toyota Prius may be right for you. But remember, if you’re only buying one in order to save money on fuel, do some calculations first. With the higher price of the Prius compared with other comparable non-hybrid cars, it may take a long time before you start saving any real money.
About the Author
oneowner is an online classified specialist in new and one owner used cars.
In an effort to help the environment the Regional Transit Authority is purchasing 39 buses that will run on biodiesel fuel and those buses should hit the streets soon.
