Hybrid Cars, Alternative Fuels, And The Environment

Alternative Energy: Can Algae Replace Oil for Our Energy?

2011-12-24T16:05:00.000-08:00

By Johnson R Masterson

Anyone who drives a car can see that the cost of gas bounces up and down in the short term but in the end will always continue to move higher as our fossil fuel reserves diminish. This makes the development of alternative fuels an unavoidable necessity in the future. It's vital that we discover cost-effective and economically viable alternatives. Thankfully scientists are hard at work creating alternative fuel technologies that may be practical to implement and better for our environment. There is one alternative fuel source that hasn't garnered as much attention as wind or solar power. This under-appreciated potential new power source is algae. Algae is endlessly renewable and can be grown in basically endless quantities.

Approximately half of algae's weight is comprised of lipid oil which scientists believe can be converted into biodiesel a fuel that burns more cleanly and efficiently than petroleum. In contrast to oil, algae are renewable and ubiquitous. Algae grow almost any spot on earth. Oil does not get replenished. Algae might be grown anywhere so long as it has access to carbon dioxide water and sunlight. Everybody has seen pond scum. This is probably the most know algae and is also probably the most productive form for producing biofuel. Far from depleting the food supply, the parts that are not converted to biodiesel might be used for fertilizer and feedstock.

Big energy as well as agricultural companies around the globe are beginning to see the windfall that algae might represent in the area of energy production. The majority of research in the field is done by private organizations. Many proponents of algae as a renewable energy source are frustrated at the lack of funding and attention directed at research in this area by public institutions. Many people feel passionately that algae is critical to altering our power mix away from fossil fuel and that algae could create most of our electrical power and fuel our vehicles if only more funding and effort were put into the research necessary to perfect the technology. Despite the large amount of interest from the private energy sector compared to the public sector skeptics maintained that oil companies will not easily allow oil to be usurped as the energy source of choice for the world electricity grids and transportation needs.

Oil prices will continue to go up as the basic laws of supply and demand dictate. Oil companies are well-positioned to make unprecedented amounts of profit from this endgame in oil as they can realize much higher margins from turning over less product. The fossil fuel revolution has facilitated a period of unprecedented prosperity for mankind. But it has not come without a price. Because algae can be grown in every corner of the globe it has the potential to be a great equalizer when it comes to the geopolitical implications of energy. Localizing energy production in the form of algae farms and biodiesel fueled electricity plants means local jobs, economic stability, and opportunity for many nations of the world that today lack these things.

We have grown accustomed to electricity rates which are quite low compared to what they may become when fossil fuels begin to run out. The promise of an algae driven electricity grid and transportation system is truly encouraging. Although lab results and early field test have shown promise, the technology has a long way to go to be perfected.

Johnson is an energy writer who follows issues and trends that impact Texas electricity rates.

Article Source: Can Algae Replace Oil for Our Energy?

Emergence of the Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

2011-12-23T16:56:00.000-08:00

By Michael Vargas

While hybrid cars use the combination of electric with fossil fuels, the result have been only a relatively small increase in fuel efficiency. Electric cars are becoming more popular, but they have a very limited range when compared to gas engines. Natural gas has been providing heat in homes for decades, but it use in cars has been limited due to concerns over the pressurization.

This leaves the fuel cell as perhaps the best chance to produce a practical energy source for vehicles that has the range of gas engines, but provides a clean energy alternative. A solid oxide fuel cell produces electricity from the oxidization of the fuel source. The electrochemical conversion provided in the cell creates a highly efficient method of power generation for a vehicle that's both stable, has few emissions and a relatively low cost.

The development of the technology dates back to the 20th century, but the program got a significant boost almost a decade ago when more government incentives were used to help promote the program. Today the fuel cell car is still in the experimental stages though it has progressed significantly over the past 10 years. The recent hikes in oil prices have help to expand interest in the development of the fuel cell.
The major technical problems that must be overcome with the cell centers on the high operating temperature needed to produce the electrical current. This result is a longer start up time for the fuel cell that includes mechanical and chemical issues that have yet to be fully fleshed out.

Current research to improve the fuel sources is currently being conducted by several companies around the world. The main effort is to reduce the temperature needed to provide the electrical current from the cell which would significantly reduce the cost of the materials needed to house the fuel cell.

One of the more promising areas of research, though it is still in the initial stages is to combine gas turbines to the cell to help augment the chemical reaction. This would be a similar step to the current hybrid vehicles on the market which combine electrical batteries and a gas powered engine.

There are many different chemicals including fossil fuels that are being tested, particularly natural gas and diesel fuels to try and reduce the temperature but these fuels have their own issues which interfere with the electrical process of the cell itself.

With the growing need for renewable energy sources around the world, solving the final issues of the fuel cell may revolutionize the way vehicles are powered leading to a cleaner, healthier environment with more resources being used to solve other energy concerns.

Michael Vargas is the founder and principal consultant of Atlas Project Support. Mr. Vargas has more than 10 years of construction and energy accounting and utilization experience, and is a Certified Business Energy Professional through the AEE, a California Energy Commission Certified Energy Plans Examiner, LEED Green Associate and GBCI Advisory Panel Member.. Mr. Vargas also holds a BSBA from SDSU, MBA and MPM from Keller Graduate School. For more information contact Michael at mvargas@myatlasproject.com or via the web at http://www.myatlasproject.com.

Article Source: Emergence of the Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Porsche Hybrid Cars Past and Present, A Brief Guide

2011-12-21T17:06:00.000-08:00

By Gregory Greene

The Porsche luxury sports car manufacturer has always been one of the leaders in sports innovation, technology and in the competition sports car racing world. Many of the race tracks and courses around the world have not only been a proving ground for the famous sports car Marque, but also as laboratory to race test many of their innovations, thus to strive to constantly improve the technology used by the famous sports car manufacturer.

As an innovator from the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century Dr. Ferdinand Porsche is credited for the design and development of the Lohner Porsche in 1898, the first hybrid motor vehicle (petrol-electric). The vehicle was developed and produced by Dr. Porsche while he worked for Jakob Lohner & Co, where he was a leading technical engineer.

The Lohner Porsche Semper Vivus ("Mixte Hybrid"), as it was known, was partially powered by two electronic motorised wheel hubs on one axle and a petrol motor which powered on the remaining axle. The car also featured an electric generator to sustain the battery charge. This vehicle was also offered as a fully electrical version with four hub powered motors, instead of two.

So if you now skip forward to the present, it's no surprise to see Porsche excelling in the world of hybrid sports car technology. The Porsche 911 GT3 R was launched recently at the Geneva Motor Show and has had some rave reviews for its own design and innovations using Porsche Intelligent Performance (or PIP) through unique hybrid technology. This clever hybrid technology has been developed to make racing cars even more efficient, but this technology will ultimately filter down into road going production cars eventually.

The Porsche 911 GT3 R uses a mixture of clever hybrid technology which has been specifically developed for racing, but differs from the technology found in other hybrid cars. As the 911 GT3 R powered configuration is what makes this car unique from conventional hybrid systems, because the front axle is driven by a two electric motors, which develop 60 kW each. In turn these electric motors supplement the rear driven 480-bhp four-litre flat-six petrol rear engine and driven-train.

Another significant point is the "electrical flywheel power generator" fitted in the interior next to the driver delivers energy to the electric motors, as this replaces the usual batteries in a hybrid road car. The flywheel generator can rotate up to 40,000 rpm, this energy can then be stored mechanically. Then when required the driver can access this generated energy to supply an extra 120kw to the electric motors in the form of kinetic energy, which can be used for additional power when over taking or pulling away from a corner. So to coin a phrase "the car in front is probably a Porsche."

Gregory Greene is writing on behalf of Bramleys in Surrey, the best choice for a Porsche Dealer or when choosing a specialist garage for Classic Car Restoration to bring back your car to its former glory.

Article Source: Porsche Hybrid Cars Past and Present, A Brief Guide

Comparison of Magnetic Power Generator to Other Energy Generation Devices

2011-11-25T07:54:00.000-08:00

There are many different sources of alternative energy, but there is a new one which has begun to be noticed...the magnetic power generator.

So, how does this new source of power compare to existing methods?

Compared to windmill power:

To build a windmill one requires the following: a large area, huge investment, maintenance and favorable weather in order to produce energy. The central idea is power generation by wind depends on weather conditions.

Any variations on weather, such as: low wind pressure or bad weather makes the generation system to slow down or stop altogether.

Therefore, the windmill system is an unreliable medium. It is very crucial to maintain the windmill system at regular intervals. In comparison with a Magnetic Generator, we see that Magnetic Generator works without any external help and the weather doesn’t affect its performance at all.

Compared to solar power resources:

Solar power is derived from solar energy (sunlight) and is not very reliable in the cloudy weather. This source of power solely works under sunlight; equally it needs of a large area for installation. The areas where sunny weather is certain throughout the year is the most appropriate for the solar system. So the above mentioned reasons give a vivid contrast between magnetic and solar power.

Compared to normal fuel generators:

In our comparison between the fuel generators and magnetic power generators, there is a huge difference of cost. Fuel generators require a great amount of fuel as compared to the magnetic power generators. Also maintenance, space for its installation, its sound and repairing of the generator (if needed) are other issues. The purchasing price is also too high to handle. You should keep in mind the possible dangers from it and you will have to prevent the children or pets to go near it. However, the Magnetic Power Generator is easy to use and it saves lot of money and fuel as well.

Compared to thermal power generators:

These generators consume the biggest area; need lot of money, man power and constant maintenance. It is based on water steam. Also when we compare it with Magnetic Power Generators we come to know that there is a huge difference in cost, space occupation and fuel consumption. Thus, magnetic power generator wins the comparison again.

Learn more about the magnetic power generator at HoJoMotor.com.

A Discussion of the Benefits of Owning a Hybrid Car

2011-05-24T19:05:00.000-07:00

I bought my Toyota Prius back in 2006. It has over 130,000 miles and still gets right around 50 MPG. The following article discusses some value you might find in owning a hybrid car yourself.

The Benefits Of A Hybrid Car
By Anwar Saja

Global pollution, which is largely caused by motor vehicles, has exceeded the permitted level. Oil prices also have increased significantly over the last 5 years. Recently many car manufacturers have started to produce cars with hybrid technology to overcome these problems.

Hybrid technology reduces fuel consumption, and produces less pollution. This green technology has the potential to replace the conventional petroleum based energy technology. It was first developed more than a hundred years ago. The first car equipped with hybrid technology was built in the year 1950. In the last decade, car manufacturers have shown significant improvements on hybrid technology. Many types of hybrid vehicles have been unveiled in many car exhibitions or motor shows. Some are already out in the market.

There are many advantages of hybrid cars, and below are some you know need to know:

1. Hybrid technology helps reduce fuel consumption significantly. This ground breaking technology combines the use of electricity and fuel to run a car. As a result of this, a hybrid car use up to 50% less fuel than gasoline powered cars. With reduced fuel consumption, you can reduce your monthly expenses as well.

2. Hybrid vehicles only produce 30% of the amount of emissions produced by conventional vehicles. This means less air pollution, which is good for the Earth. Air pollution is one of the main causes of global warming. When you use a hybrid car, you help slow down global warming. Perhaps some people are still not aware that global warming has caused numerous natural disasters, extreme weather changes, and rising sea levels. You do not have to wait for the government to take actions against global warming. You can start acting now to help slow down global warming by using a hybrid car.

3. If you buy a hybrid car, the government will give you tax incentives. The government encourages their citizens to use hybrid cars as a means of reducing pollution by granting tax credits for green technology users. The amount of incentive given varies depending on the type of the car. You can ask car dealers for more information about the tax credit policy.

4. Besides reducing monthly gasoline expenses, cars with green technology can reduce maintenance cost, because it needs less maintenance than conventional cars. Although hybrid cars are a little bit expensive than ordinary cars, they are more economical in the long run. Sooner or later, the prices of hybrid cars will decrease. When that time comes, they will be affordable for anyone.

Article Source: The Benefits Of A Hybrid Car
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Rebuild Your Prius Battery

Converting Your Car From Gas to Electricity

2011-05-09T06:33:00.000-07:00

There's a lot of talk out there about electric cars. However, they are not yet readily available, they are expensive, and most people are not ready to take the leap anyway.

There is an alternative to buying a new electric car, for those willing to invest a little "sweat equity" into the project. You can actually convert a gasoline powered car to an electric car.

Your three major questions will be:

1. How hard is it?

2. How much will it cost?

3. Why would I want to do it at all?

Well, if we take question #3 first, the answer is probably going to be that you want to do something about the environment, cut down on noise pollution, and you want to stop supporting "big oil". Some might also say that they want to save money.

I think that brings us to question #2.

It can actually cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars to convert a gas powered car to an electric one. It is hard to come up with an exact estimate because so many factors, including the year, make, and model of the car you are converting come into play. This will influence the size of the battery pack you will need. Local availibility of parts, and your personal skill and knowledge come into play.

That's probably question #1.

Even if you are a skilled mechanic, which will make some aspects of the process easy, ou probably have little or no experience building an electric car. You will need a kit, a mentor, or at least a set of instructions. There are many suck instructional manuals around. I cannot say that one is "better" than another, but I do know that there is one at www.electricity4gas.com which seems to be fairly comprehensive, and, at a cost of only $32.95, it's a cheap way to get the info you need to decide whether or not to pursue the project. The site owner also claims that you can convert a gas car to an electric one for about $300 using his manual.

If you are interested in possibly converting a gasoline powered car to an electric one, but have no idea how to get started, it's worth a visit to www.electricity4gas.com to at least get some basic information about the project.

Review: Mercedes Benz Hybrid

2011-05-06T10:03:00.000-07:00

Once again, we provide a little information about a hybrid car. However, you might not expect a hybrid from this source! Let's see what Mary has to say:

2011 Hybrid Mercedes Benz M-Class
By Mary Peach

When we think about Mercedes-Benz, luxury, class, durability and safety come in mind. The 2011 hybrid Mercedes-Benz M Class is no exception either. The 5-passenger, 4-door luxury car comes with 5 trims and ranges from ML350 Blue TEC SUV to ML63 AMG. The other Models in M-Class include ML350 RWD SUV, ML450 Hybrid SUV and ML550 SUV.

At the start of the range, ML350 has 7 automatic gears giving fuel utilization of 16 mpg in city and approximately 20 mpg on highways. Engine Specifications: Horsepower of 210[@]3800, Torque 400[@]1600, Fuel Tank Capacity - 25.1 gal approximately. Size - 3.0L/182.

Specific features of this model include: Child Safety Door Locks and Power door Locks

Anti Theft Alarm and Vehicle Theft Tracking Notification, Selective Unlocking, Front and Rear Power Disc Brakes, Front and Rear Body Color Bumpers, Turbocharger and intercooler, DVD Player and SD Card Reader. In addition to this there are 2 Fog lights in front, Tire Pressure Monitor and Trip Computer. You will also find a Digital Clock, Compass, Automatic Climate Control and Tachometer.

The ML63 model has 7 speed automatic transmissions and gives fuel consumption of 11 mpg in city and approximately 15 mpg on highways. Engine Specifications: Horsepower of 503[@]6800, Torque 465[@]5200, Fuel Tank Capacity - 25.1 gal approximately. Size - 6.3L/379.

Specific features of this model include: Six Seated Air Bags, 4-Wheel ABS, Traction Control and Auto-on Headlights. Apart from this you have Electronic Stability Control, Back-up Camera and Vehicle Anti-theft System. For the comfort factor it has Dual Zone Front Air Conditioning. Some more features include Keyless Entry, Mirrors with Memory, Driver and Passenger Illuminated Vanity Mirror, Front and Rear Reading Lamps, Heated Driver and Passenger Seats, and last but not the least the Navigation System.

The ML350 comes with a price tag of $50,490 and the more advanced ML63 comes at $92,590. The other models in the range are ML350 SUV Type priced at $48,990, ML450 Hybrid will cost $55,790 and ML550 SUV will cost $57,590. All Grand edition M Class Models come with 19-inch light alloy wheels with Y-spoke design, which makes them a class apart from the rest. Comfort and Style have been prioritized with Power trunk Closing Assist, Rear Seat Entertainment System and One touch Window functionality. Safety and Security features are as detailed as you will find in any Mercedes-Benz, keeping up with the company's reputation of making some of the safest cars on road.

Available in 10 colors, the 2011 hybrid Mercedes-Benz M-Class will give you abundant options to choose from. With Auto-dimming driver rearview mirrors, Brushed Aluminum Running Boards with Rubber Studs and Enhanced Voice Control, the 2011 hybrid Mercedes-Benz M Class is the car to buy if you're looking forward to driving perfection!

Related Page: Rent Hybrid Car

Article Source: 2011 Hybrid Mercedes Benz M-Class
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REBUILD TOYOTA PRIUS BATTERY

Hybrid Car Review: 2011 Nissan Altima

2011-05-04T09:16:00.000-07:00

New cars come and go, but every year, more new hybrids are hitting the streets. Personally, I spend a lot of my time keeping track of health and fitness and blogging about that, and don't keep track of what's going on. Also, I have been driving my 2006 Toyota Prius for the last five years and intend to keep it for 10 more. However, there are people who can keep the both of us up-to-date on what's new in the hybrid car arena. Erica Christensen is one of these, and I hope you enjoy, and benefit from, her article which I have posted below:

2011 Nissan Altima Hybrid Review
By Erica Christensen

The Nissan Altima is now available both in sedan as well as coupe styles. The hybrid models really represent success if they are judged according to the design. The base price of Nissan Altima Hybrid 2011 is about $19,900. The 2.5 model includes several features such as, CVT, power windows, steering wheels are tilted or telescoping, adjustable driver's seat and the temperature indicator.

The 2.5 sedans as well as 2.5 S sedans and the coupe have got 175 HP which you can enjoy. The feeding rate of fuel is not lowest but is pretty good for an engine of 2.5. In the market Nissan Altima Hybrid has got no competition from other models such as Toyota Camry or the hybrid Chevrolet Malibu. All the sedans of Altima comes with the CVT which acts as an automatic transmission but only delivers power such as rheostat. The 2011 Nissan coupes are now available with CVT choice or 6 manual transmission speeds, which is regardless of the engine size.

Over all Altima hybrid provides a smooth ride, quick as well as agile. The car is sporty but it is family friendly. It is really a fun to take a ride in this car and for comforts you don't have to sacrifice the performance. The V-6 hops starting from 0 to 60 mph within 6.6 seconds.

There is a small distance between the rear and front axles, the coupe is easy to handle. The base Nissan Altima rel=nofollow [http://www.hybridcarblog.net]hybrid car with 4 cylinders of 2.5 L is good but now the competitors have also got sportier models of same range price. The length of Altima has been cut down by 2 inches as compared to the last model, which result in small legroom. The sedan can hold about 4 adults comfortably but the headroom as well as legroom will be small.

Nissan Altima Hybrid uses top materials for its design and class as compared to others. It has an aggressive as well as unique personality. It has been a favorite family car for many years. The blend of style as well as sport rolled in this family vehicle has made it popular.

This 4 cylinder model has about 23 MPG in the city road and 32 MPG on the highway. The engine V6 should have about 19 MPG in the road of city and on highway it has 27 MPG. Nissan Altima offers a warranty of 36,000 mile for 3 years and 60,000 mile warranty for 5 years.

See also: Rent a Prius

Article Source: 2011 Nissan Altima Hybrid Review
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Guide to Rebuilding Your Toyota Prius Battery
Save as much as $4,000 by following these five
easy steps.

Dangerous Winds Raise Questions About Wind Energy

2011-05-01T19:37:00.000-07:00

Despite the devastation in the South from the recent tornadoes, wind farms seem to have escaped relatively unscathed. However, some point out that wind turbines in the affected area are somewhat scarce.

On the other hand, many wind farm operators were quick to point out that wind turbines used in areas of the country where high winds ARE fairly common, are designed to withstand extremely high winds.

Even so, most wind turbines are designed for operation in winds ranging between 25 and 50 mph. They are not designed for winds of tornadic strength, and even sub-tornado winds in excess of this range can cause severe damage to wind turbines.

On the other hand, in most instances, wind farm operators will have enough advance notice so as to be able to set the vanes on the turbines so that they will be less affectd by high winds.

Operators of American wind farms, which are found in 38 of the 50 states, are encouraged by the survival of most wind turbines in Japan recently.

Wind, which has long been an important source of power for man can also be a source of destruction.
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MAKE YOUR OWN ENERGY

The Alternative Home Energy Guide from Earth4Energy.com

2011-03-20T06:52:00.000-07:00

If you are interested in knowing how to generate power and reduce your electricity bills, there are many companies which can help you do this.

Once such company which helps people do this is Earth4Energy.com.

With the ever increasing costs of living and global warming, there might never be a better time to stop throwing money out the window and save some by starting to generate our own electricity.

Whether you want to simply cut your power bills to half or completely eliminate them – one solution is to take advantage of the resources found at Earth4Energy.com.

After all, why should you continue to pay a huge amount to the electric companies for use of their solar or wind power when you can have the opportunity to build your own home made solar system for less than $200.

Only $200?

Well, that's an estimate based on what it costs most people, and the final cost will vary from place to place depending on prices where you are and how well you can follow instructions, but still, it's a real cost.

Sure, there are plenty of guides that promise to teach you everything you need to know about generating your own electricity by using wind and solar power. With the complete step-by-step setup fully illustrated manuals and easy to follow video instructions found in the guide from Earth4Energy.com, you will be able to create renewable energy at home.

Solar and wind power systems which you can buy from the market cost a lot more. However, the guide and the program in it gives you all the information that is required to get the same results at much lower cost.

Once you have learned what you need to know about generating your own energy for your home, and have built and installed your alternative energy supply, you will find that you will save hundreds of dollars on your electricity bill.

You do not need to build a 500 hundred foot high wind turbine to save lots of money on energy. A much smaller unit can be built by following the instructions present in the Earth4Energy home power kit.

The Earth4Energy kit is one of the best, if not "the best" system for people who are looking to save money on their home energy bill and want to build a home energy generator.

There really is no other kit out there in the market like the one from Earth4Energy.com. that explains the steps as clearly with manuals or even videos. One important point if you are reading this online is that the Earth4Energy kit is available online. Many people from around the world can now have access to alternative solar and wind energy.

The Earth4Energy kit also suggests a popular alternative energy device that has been proven to drop home energy costs by 50-80%. The kit also shares information on where to purchase the batteries required for your project. These batteries store the alternative energy you produce, making it also a portable energy source.

You can take them anywhere, for any use!

Eartth4Energy is the best and most friendly system I have found for preparing an alternative home energy system...especially if you are new to all this

So if you are planning to save money on those high energy bills, then you should check out this guide and start learning what you need to know. At it's currently discounted price of $49.97, even if you don't build THEIR system, you will get an education on alternative home power systems that is still worth the cost.

Make power at home with solar and wind energy to eliminate your power bill. Get the complete guide at www.earth4energy.com.

Heating Water using Solar Power

2011-03-17T09:49:00.000-07:00

Once you have decided to convert your main power source over to solar power you will need to make some adjustments to the appliances that carry the power source. Your water heater is one of these appliances.

When you opt for alternative energy and choose to use solar power to heat your water you may find that you have to purchase a solar powered water heater specifically designed to do that. You might be able to make adjustments to your existing one but whatever steps you take to turn it into a solar powered appliance, it will be worth it.

There are several ways you can choose to heat your water using solar power.

You can even make your own solar power source.

The water entering your home runs through pipes before it actually comes into the home.

Heating water using solar power will generally occur before the water gets into your home as it passes by or through the solar source that attracted the light. You may also haveto have a tank to store the water in that can then heat the water up. In order to heat your water successfully you will need to have both a solar collector and a storage tank.

A flat plate collector is the most common collector used.

It is designed as a thin, flat rectangular box that has a see through cover and it can carry some sort of fluid to be heated. This fluid could be the water itself or it may be a solution, such as antifreeze, that will prevent the water from freezing. In the next step, the water moves through the tubes to an absorber plate. This plate is surfaced with black paint to attract and absorb the heat from the sun. Once the collector gets hot, it will heat the fluid that passes through the tubes. As the water passes through the tubes it goes into the storage tank. The storage tank holds the heated water. It is usually pretty well insulated so the water will stay warm longer.

Then the water flows into the home on demand.

Solar water heating systems are divided into two groups: Active and passive.

When the heating systems are active, that means that they rely on the pumps or other mechanical device that can move the water between the flat plate collector and the storage tank. Active is the most common because it is quicker and more efficient as it uses a mechanical means to tranport the water. The passive system relies on gravity to feed the water from the flat plate collector to the storage tank. This may be slow at times and may not be sufficient enough to keep up with the demand.

Both ways are logical and are a choice or preference for you to make. Another thing that you need to consider is that if your flat plate collector and your storage tank is not angled right it may be hard for the gravity to feed the liquid through.

Heating water using solar power is a very affordable and relatively cheap "off the grid" option, and most systems can be installed with minimal effort and expense.

Choosing to heat your water using solar power is a wise choice and a first step in making a choice to help preserve our environment. We know how easy it is to use solar power to do a lot of things, including heating our water.

European Union Orders Stress Tests for Nuclear Plants

2011-03-16T08:47:00.000-07:00

Events in Japan the last few days has caused the EU (European Union) to order nuclear plants tested in member countries. The 27 nation members will begin testing plants to see how well they would hold up under natural disasters such as the earthquake in Japan. Germany has already moved to switch off seven older reactors for the moment, with one of them being taken off-line permanently.

Many nations in the EU have been working on alternative energy sources, and the current events may spur even more research and development in this area.
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GET OFF THE GRID - MAKE YOUR OWN ENERGY

Japan Nuclear Crisis Wake Up Call for Alternative Energy?

2011-03-14T12:42:00.000-07:00

I guess if you are trying to make lemonade out of a lemon, Japan's bad news may be good news for the rest of the world...in some respects at least.

On the other hand, it may be bad news.

Depends on where you stand on energy, pollution, climate change, and a lot of other issues.

It is sure to raise worldwide interest in alternative energy options. However, it may cause the public to demand the older, less frightful, but more polluting sources of power, such as coal.

"'The accident in Japan is not a death sentence for nuclear power,' stressed Jean-Marie Chevalier, an economist and energy expert at the Universite Paris Dauphine, pointing to the hundreds of billions of dollars invested in existing reactors and plants under construction."
-SOURCE: Yahoo News

Since the 1986 Chernobyl accident, nuclear power has begun to make a comeback and overcome the fears of the general population. Japan's nuclear power problems in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami are probably going to cause a major setback.

While alternative energy sources such as wind and solar power are growing and provide an ever increasing amount of the world's energy, it will be a long time, if ever, before such methods will provide the majority of the world's energy needs.

Societies will have to balance the need for power, real or imagined, and the drawbacks of the possible sources of that power.

--Donovan Baldwin

New Alternative Energy Jobs

2011-03-12T06:01:00.000-08:00

Poland, one of Europe's most coal-dependent nations has decided to make a big move into the green revolution. They are tranitioning from coal to green energy and are on line to create 350,000 new green jobs related to alternative energy by 2020.

Even better news for the country at large is that the number of these new green jobs is nearly double that of those currently in the coal-mining industries.

Poland presently relies on coal powered energy for 94% of its energy needs. This move towards the use of alternative energy is intended to eliminate as much as possible of Poland's nearly total dependence on fossil fuels as part of the EU's climate package limiting greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.

One Way to Save Energy is to Have an Efficient Vehicle

2010-11-08T16:31:00.000-08:00

Performance Parts - Enhancing Performance of Your Car
By James K Allen

One always thinks of saving fuel in his/ her cars being a car owner. The main thing which comes in mind is also to get the best performance out of the car with minimum fuel consumption. Many Performance Parts are available worldwide now a day for all types of car models and brands. Some examples of the best car Performance Parts are:

Superchargers.

The cold Air Intake System.

Wheels and Tires etc.

Evosport Pulley kit.

Exhaust parts etc.

One of the best ways to save fuel consumption or to minimize the fuel consumption is Chip Tuning. Updating the software of your car's ECU by installing performance chip as the new software will control the flow and proper use of the fuel going inside the engine. Most of the cars manufactured today consume lots of fuel and updating the software of you ECU will help in saving the fuel and will enhance the performance of the car.

Also the mostly used Performance Part now a days is the Cold Air Intake system which helps in reducing the temperature of the air going into the engine. The Cold Air Intake system helps in taking in maximum oxygen into the engine which is useful for proper combustion of the fuel and in return it gives high performance too. Also there are efficient filters in the Cold Air Intake system which helps in filtering the air going inside the engine. A cold Air Intake system guaranteed provides your car a more horsepower and torque.

There are many manufacturers of the Performance Parts available worldwide, one must choose the best mechanics to get these on your car for proper installation and efficient working of these Performance Parts. Still for an overall excellent performance of a car, there must be a complete set of Performance Parts installed in the car. A proper engine check up is also required for maintaining the life as well as performance of the engine.

Changing the engine oil on time helps a lot for the car to perform well especially in times of need.

James Allen is the author of this article. For more information about Performance Parts like Cold Air Intakes and Supercharger please follow this link Turbo kits.

Article Source: Performance Parts - Enhancing Performance of Your Car
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Make Your Own Energy

A Unique Vacuum Cleaner

2010-10-28T16:02:00.000-07:00

Electrolux has created four unique vacuum cleaners to showcase the problem of cleaning up the oceans. You can see the story here.

The vacuum cleaners were made using plastic garbage gathered from four major ocean areas.

Making Wind Power

2010-10-28T04:51:00.000-07:00

Wind energy is readily available but wind power is not. Unfortunately, the wind power system has not reached the status of becoming a regular power system. However, the good news is that the concept is picking up.

Why is wind power important?

Wind power makes sense in these times when the demand far exceeds the supply. The convention ways of producing electricity make use of the non-renewable fuels, not only making such resources scarce but also affecting the environment negatively. The power generated by wind proves beneficial in the following ways:

• Free source of energy – The wind power makes use of wind energy which is absolutely free, thus saving the non-renewable sources of energy for longer.

• No environmental hazards – The generation of wind power is extremely environment-friendly. It does not emit harmful gases nor does it have any other environment-damaging impact.

• Cost-effective – Using a free energy makes wind turbines extremely cost-effective. Moreover, there remains no worry of sky-rocketing electricity bills.

• 24/7 uninterrupted supply – The wind power ensures that you never have power outages in your house and farm.

• Self-dependent source – Making use of wind power makes you independent. You no longer depend on the government and its agencies for power.

How can we make power from the wind?

A wind turbine is employed to make use of the abundant wind energy. A wind turbine converts wind energy into mechanical energy for mechanical work. Such a wind turbine is generally referred to as a windmill. A wind generator is a wind turbine that further converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy.

A wind turbine typically consists of blades, a tower, a shaft, a base, and a generator. The blades of the wind turbine rotate in the wind to generate mechanical energy. The two pre-requisites for installing a wind turbine are a large area of at least one acre and an average wind speed of 11 miles per hour.

What are the uses of wind power?

The uses of wind power are many. Let’s look at some of the popular ones:

• Running all possible electrical and electronic appliances
• Pumping out water
• Grinding grains and stones

By employing a wind turbine at your home or farm, you definitely make the world a better place. The wind power is a green solution to the power crisis. It does not harm the environment in any way. Moreover, it does not make use of any fuel, thus promising a future of no power-crisis.

Make power at home with solar and wind energy to eliminate your power bill. Get our complete guide at www.earth4energy.com

Geothermal Power - An Alternative Energy Source

2010-04-28T18:12:00.000-07:00

More and more people who are concerned about the energy future of the world are arriving at the idea that someone should be doing everything possible to develop geothermal energy technologies.

Despite some study and development in the area of geothermal energy, this is still a largely untapped area of tremendous alternative energy potential. What is great about this potential form of power is that it simply taps into, and makes use of, the energy being naturally produced by the Earth itself.

Think about it: Vast amounts of power are present below the surface crust on which we live as we worry about where our energy will come from in the future.

All we need do is tap into it and harness it.

Earth at High Temperature Provides Steam Energy

Within the Earths' core, far beneath our feet, the average temperature is 60 times greater than that of boiling water. This tremendous amount of heat creates pressures that express themselves as near to us as only a couple of miles below the surface.

These areas of pressure include huge amounts of energy.

Superheated fluids in the form of magma, in which we can see the power and energy of whenever there is a volcanic eruption, are ready for our use. These fluids also often trickle to the surface as steam and emerge from open vents in the earth's surface. We can even create our own vents, and we can create our own containment chambers for the magma and convert all of this energy into electricity to light and heat our homes.

The Geothermal Power Plant

In the creation of a geothermal power plant, a well would be dug where there is a good source of magma or heated fluid. Piping would then be fitted down into the source, and the fluids then forced to the surface to produce the needed steam. The steam would turn a turbine engine, which would generate the electricity.

The Critic's Argument

There are criticisms of tapping geothermal energy which could prevent its being implemented on the large scale which it should be.

For example, there are critics who say that study and research to find a naturally productive area is too costly and takes up too much time. Then there are those who point out the great expense needed to build a geothermal power plant, with no promise of the plant turning a profit. Some say that geothermal sites, once tapped, might possibly be found to not produce a large enough amount of steam for the power plant to be viable or reliable. And finally, we hear from the environmentalists who are concerned that bringing up magma can bring up potentially harmful materials along with it or have other negative aspects on the environment.

Do the Benefits Outweigh the Criticisms?

However, the great benefits of geothermal energy may possibly trump these criticisms if only we would explore it more.

While critics are right that we don't yet know all we need to know, we will not ever know the answers unless we follow the natural course of exploration and experimentation.

A few years ago, critics scoffed at the idea of hybrid cars, while others scoffed at the idea of gas prices being as high as they are now!

The fact that geothermal energy is merely the energy of the Earth herself means that it does not produce any pollutants...at least as we know now. The effects on the environment can already be studied to some extent at natural vent sites.

The Benefits of Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is extremely efficient. The efforts needed to channel it are relatively minimal after a site is found and a plant is set up.

Geothermal plants, furthermore, will not need to be as large as electrical plants, giant hydroelectric dams, or atomic energy facilities. As a result, the environment would be less disrupted.

Needless to say, it is an alternative form of energy. Using it would mean we become that much less dependent on foreign oil and/or domestic coal. Perhaps most importantly of all, we are never, ever going to run out of geothermal energy while the earth is habitable by humans, and it is not a commodity that should continuously become more expensive in terms of real dollars as time passes, since it is so available and easy to obtain.

Geothermal energy would be, in the end, very cheap, after exploration, experimentation, investigation and power plant construction costs are recouped.
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Increase Fuel Economy Decrease Vehicle Maintenance Costs with AMSOIL

How to Save on Gas Through Proper Automotive Maintenance

2010-04-27T06:15:00.000-07:00

If you have to drive even somewhat regularly these days, it is a sure bet that you are as sick of high gas prices as the rest of us.

However, there is very little that any of us can do to directly affect the price of gas itself. Therefore, we are forced to turn our attention to things we can do to limit the amount of gas that we use ourselves. I used to train new truck drivers for a major national carrier, and one thing which surprised me was how many complained about the price of fuel but drove as if it were free!

Like those students of mine, you may or may not be aware that there are some very easy and simple methods for increasing the gas mileage you get in your car, van, truck or sport utility vehicle. In fact, many of the ways that you can help your vehicle’s gas mileage are through simple, but regular, maintenance that you should be performing on your vehicle anyway!

Sadly, many who are attempting to escape high gas prices have turned to costly products that claim they can help your vehicle get more gas mileage. Of course, it often does make a little sense to spend money in order to save money, but not when many of these products are largely unproven to begin with.

That is why, when you are trying to dramatically increase your vehicle’s gas mileage, it is better to stick to the more reliable, more basic methods instead. These time proven methods definitely include performing the regular maintenance that your car requires already.

REGULAR OIL CHANGES, AND....

Many drivers are fairly diligent about getting oil changes regularly for their vehicle. After all, regular oil changes are among the most fundamental (and cheapest) ways to maintain your vehicle’s performance and condition for years. I have been reading Popular Mechanics, Car and Driver and similar magazines since my mother used to take to Mr. Bragg's barber shop in Warrington, Florida back in the 50's. I cannot recall how many articles I have read in the last half century where someone had owned a car for years which was still in excellent mechanical condition.

Again and again, the most common thing these people had done was to get their oil, and other lubricants, changed regularly.

What any people do not know, however, is that regular oil changes also help to limit fuel consumption!

This means that you will save money in the end on fuel and maintenance costs, even if you have to spend a little money up front to perform regular oil changes yourself or have one done for you. Also, while you’re at it, make sure that your car is using the appropriate grade of oil. This simple check can reduce your fuel consumption by one or two percent.

If you are willing to pay a little more up front to save a lot later, here's another tip about oil changes, and...

In the last few years, synthetic lubricants such as those offered by AMSOIL have become popular with many car owners. The reason is simple. While you pay a little more initially, the oil cnange intervals are much longer, resulting in fewer oil changes, thus reducing costs. Additionally, a good synthetic motor oil will retain its ability to lubricate effectively much longer than standard, petroleum based lubricants.

This means that your car's engine runs more efficiently between oil changes.

IT ALSO MEANS LESS WEAR AND TEAR ON YOUR ENGINE!

The longer life and improved lubricating ability of synthetic motor oils means that your automobile engine, and its components, are not breaking down as rapidly as with standard motor oils. In fact, over the last few years, special formulations of synthetic motor oils have been developed for diesel engines, trucks, motorcycles, and even chainsaws and snow plows!

So, regular oil changes using high quality synthetic motor oils can not only increase fuel economy, but also increase the life, and value, of your vehicle while reducing common maintenance costs.

IS THAT WHAT THE "AND..." WAS ABOUT?

No, not quite.

I have been talking primarily about synthetic motor oil and regular oil changes. However, technology has also provided us with high efficiency synthetic gear lube and grease as well. Combining regular oil changes with regular lubricant changes in other parts of the vehicle, such as in transmissions, with the use of the most effective synthetic lubricants, can result in vast savings.

In the trucking industry, large fleet owners and independent owner-operators have both recognized this as the way to cut fuel costs, cut maintenance costs, and maintain the value and effectiveness of the expensive assets which are their bread-and-butter. That's the "AND..."

HOWEVER, I AM NOT "TIRED" YET!

Sorry, couldn't resist a pun.

However, "no joke", as we used to say in high school. One excellent way to easily increase your car’s gas mileage has got to be one of the easiest.

The next time you pull up to a convenience store, gas station or car wash that has an air pump, check the air pressure in your tires and add air, if necessary. By the way, many of these facilities do not have air gauges or have ones that are questionable at best. If you are still willing to pay a little up front to save a lot later, invest in a good tire gauge which you can carry in your car. At many gas stations or car washes, airing up your tires will not cost you anything. Even if the only machine you can find is a pay machine, it will still likely only cost you as much as fifty cents. The price (or lack thereof) and simplicity of this method makes it a great way to help keep yourself away from the gas pump.

Also, you should know the recommended tire pressure for YOUR tires and keep it there. Basic recommended pressures are usually on a sticker on the door frame, and recommended pressures are also on the tires themselves. One estimate is that simply maintaining proper tire pressure can increase fuel economy by approximately 3.3 percent.

As Paul Harvey would say, here's the rest of the story. Maintaining proper air pressure will help your tires (expensive little dudes) last longer. You car will also handle better and you and your family will be safer with properly inflated tires, and THAT beats money any time!

JUST SO WE'RE ON THE SAME SHEET OF MUSIC....

Sorry, another joke!

Seriously, another type of regular maintenance that your car requires consists of regular tune-ups.

A proper tune-up helps to ensure that your car is performing as well as it should be, including in respect to the gas mileage you hope to get out of it. Also, a properly conducted tune-up will often include a check of many important areas, which you might not associate in your mind with the word "tune-up".

These checks may reveal a problem with your car that is costing you valuable gas mileage, or simply allow the mechanic to let you know about potential problems which can be taken care of now (pay up front to save later), or which can be watched to keep them from becoming more expensive issues later.

Fixing many of these problems, or potential problems, may result in drastically improved performance and gas mileage, so that is a side benefit of having your car tuned up.

ARE YOU OUT OF BREATH YET?

One simple vehicle maintenance act which will net you improved gas mileage is definitely that of checking and replacing dirty, clogged air filters.

Your car is luckier than you in some ways. If your cars air filters are filthy, you can switch them out with clean, new ones right away!

Wish we could do that with our lungs!

Did you know that changing your car's air filters can boost your gas mileage by one-tenth! That is a pretty significant amount when you consider today’s rather high gas prices. Think about one-tenth of a gallon of gas where you live. That’s how much you can expect to save, per gallon, if you drive with clean (rather than a dirty) air filters.

SORRY ABOUT THE JOKES.

However, saving money through proper automotive maintenance is no joke. These few relatively simple vehicle maintenance acts prove once and for all that it is not necessary to buy costly products to increase your gas mileage.

Simply do the maintenance that you should already be doing for your car, and you will reap the benefits!
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HOW TO BECOME AN AMSOIL DEALER

The Nissan Leaf - All Electric

2010-04-26T05:29:00.000-07:00

The Nissan Leaf, the first 100% electric, zero-emission vehicle to reach the mass market will become available at dealers in December 2010. However, so many people have expressed interest, that Nissan Motors has placed a link on its website where you can put down a small ($99 I heard) deposit to be one of the first to own the Nissan Leaf when it does become available.

You can access the link here.

The 2011 Nissan Leaf will have an MSRP of $32,790, with federal tax savings from 0 to $7,500.
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HOW TO BECOME AN AMSOIL DEALER

Alternative Sources of Energy - Biofuels

2010-04-25T16:48:00.000-07:00

Biofuels as Alternative Sources of Energy

Biofuels are produced by converting organic matter into fuel for powering our society. Biofuels are an alternative energy source to the fossil fuels that we currently depend so much upon. The biofuels umbrella includes under its aegis such products as ethanol and derivatives of plants such as sugar cane, as well aS vegetable and corn oils.

However, not all ethanol products are designed to be used as a kind of gasoline. The International Energy Agency (IEA) tells us that ethanol could comprise up to 10 percent of the world's usable gasoline by 2025, and up to 30 percent by 2050. Today, the percentage figure is two percent.

On the other hand, we have a long way to go to refine and make economic and practical these biofuels that we are researching.

A study by Oregon State University proves this.

We have yet to develop biofuels that are as energy efficient as gasoline made from petroleum. Energy efficiency is the measure of how much usable energy for our needed purposes is derived from a certain amount of input energy. (Nothing that mankind has ever used has derived more energy from output than from what the needed input was.

What has always been important is the conversion—the end-product energy is what is useful for our needs, while the input energy is just the effort it takes to produce the end-product.) The OSU study found corn-derived ethanol to be only 20% energy efficient (gasoline made from petroleum is 75% energy efficient). Biodiesel fuel was recorded at 69% energy efficiency. However, the study did turn up one positive: cellulose-derived ethanol was charted at 85% efficiency, which is even higher than that of the fantastically efficient nuclear energy.

Recently, oil futures have been down on the New York Stock Exchange, as analysts from several different countries are predicting a surge in biofuel availability which would offset the value of oil, dropping crude oil prices on the international market to $40 per barrel or thereabouts.

The Chicago Stock Exchange has a grain futures market which is starting to “steal” investment activity away from the oil futures in NY, as investors are definitely expecting better profitability to start coming from biofuels. Indeed, it is predicted by a consensus of analysts that biofuels shall be supplying seven percent of the entire world's transportation fuels by the year 2030. One certain energy markets analyst has said, growth in demand for diesel and gasoline may slow down dramatically, if the government subsidizes firms distributing biofuels and further pushes to promote the use of eco-friendly fuel.

There are several nations which are seriously involved in the development of biofuels.

There is Brazil, for example, which happens to be the world's biggest producer of ethanols derived from sugars. It produces approximately three and a half billion gallons of ethanol per year.

The United States, while being the world's greatest oil-guzzler, is already the second largest producer of biofuels behind Brazil.

The European Union's biodiesel production capacity is now in excess of four million (British) tonnes. 80 percent of the EU's biodiesel fuels are derived from rapeseed oil; soybean oil and a marginal quantity of palm oil comprise the other 20 percent.
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HELP SAVE ENERGY. USE AMSOIL AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS

Is Toyota Launching a Hybrid Mini-Van?

2010-04-24T17:58:00.000-07:00

In Japan, the Nikkei business daily recently reported that Toyota may be introducing a hybrid Prius mini-van in 2011.

Not a bad idea from a lot of angles.

For one thing, the competition among the automobile manufacturers worldwide are making the hybrid vehicle a more common commodity, and introducing a hybrid into another segment of the market is a smart move. Especially NOT a bad move for Toyota if the report is true.

At the moment, people with the need for a larger than normal sedan vehicle have to jump straight up to the hybrid SUV. Introducing a Prius Minivan would give many a new option...both in the sense of getting a vehicle more suited to their needs and perhaps their budget...all while making at least some small contribution to the environment.
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AMSOIL PRODUCTS FOR REDUCED MAINTENANCE COSTS

Hybrids Don't Have any Power and Are Uncomfortable, Right?

2010-04-23T18:15:00.000-07:00

I was listening to a guy talking about cars the other day on some television show. He repeated what I had heard many other times from people who do not own, and, apparently, do NOT want to own a hybrid car.

In essence, he stated that hybrid cars did not have any speed or power and were tiny, uncomforable "teardrops".

Well, I HAVE owned a Toyota Prius since 2006, and I'll have to give him the "teardrop" thing.

However, I have driven my car for over 115,000 miles, including on a three-week trip from Texas to California and back, several Dallas to Atlanta shots, and several trips down to the coast. I have driven it over all kinds of environments and in all sorts of traffic situations. I have passed sports cars and semi's (which I used to drive and teach people to drive).

I have cruised for miles at 75 miles an hour, climbed mountains, and used acceleration to zip out of harm's way.

Over the years, several people have stopped my wife and myself in parking lots to talk to us about our Toyota Prius. We often let them sit in the car, and they are generally amazed to learn, despite the "teardrop" appearance, and small outer dimensions of the car, how much room there is inside.

Not only roomy, but one of the most comfortable cars I have ever owned.

Take that, talk show guy!
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Save money on maintenance with AMSOIL products.

Best Deals on High MPG Hybrids, Diesel, and Gas Cars

2010-04-22T03:34:00.000-07:00

A recent report by TrueCar.com ranks the top ten models, in terms of fuel economy this way:

Chevrolet Aveo 30 MPG
Hyundai Accent Blue 31 MPG
Kia Rio 31 MPG
Honda Fit 31 MPG
Toyota Yaris 32 MPG
MINI Cooper 32 MPG
Nissan Altima 34 MPG
smart fortwo coupe 37 MPG
Honda Insight 41 MPG
Toyota Prius 50 MPG

However, they also went one step further and ranked those cars based on average cost per mile to operate. Things changed.

Hyundai Accent Blue 31 MPG BUT $0.20 per mile
Kia Rio 31 MPG BUT $0.22 per mile
Chevrolet Aveo 30 MPG BUT $0.22 per mile
smart fortwo coupe 37 MPG BUT $0.22 per mile
Toyota Yaris 32 MPG BUT $0.23 per mile
Honda Fit 31 MPG BUT $0.27 per mile
Honda Insight 41 MPG BUT $0.28 per mile
MINI Cooper 32 MPG BUT $0.30 per mile
Toyota Prius 50 MPG BUT $0.31 per mile
Nissan Altima 34 MPG BUT $0.32 per mile

Click here to read the entire report.
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Save money on maintenance, extend the life of your engine, transmission, and other parts with AMSOIL products.

Update - 2006 Hybrid Prius Mileage

2010-04-20T05:32:00.000-07:00

Just thought I would take a moment to post an update of the miles per gallon I am still getting on my 2006 Toyota Prius...which, by the way, has NEVER HAD ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEM, including sticking gas pedals, invasive floor mats, or fleas.

Okay, fleas are NOT a mechanical problem, but we haven't had them anyway.

To continue in a serious vein:

I bought my 2006 Toyota Prius new in April 2006 from Texas Toyota of Grapevine. It now has over 115,000 miles, is in perfect mechanical condition and appearance, and still gets slightly over 50 MPG.

By the way, I have heard a few people on TV speak disparagingly about speed and comfort in relation to hybrids in general, so, just let me say that I weigh 230 lbs, and my wife is a large woman. One of the reasons we bought our Toyota Prius is because of the comfort and roomy interior.

We have also taken several trips in it and have no complaints about its ability to cruise at highway speeds, climb mountains, or pass other vehicles. We have taken a 3-week trip from Dallas, Texas through Las Vegas, Nevada, Reno, Sacramento, California, down the coast to Monterey, on to Los Angeles, back to Phoenix and home to Dallas. The car was perfect for all the different types of terrain and traffic.

We even went to Rachel, Nevada, and visited the Little A'Le'Inn where we had breakfast and my wife got to purchase an "Extraterrestrial Highway - Area 51" T-shirt.

We have been back and forth between Dallas and Atlanta several times and have taken several trips from Dallas and Atlanta down to the coast. We have also taken a couple of trips from Dallas to Phoenix.

Not only have we enjoyed the fuel economy of our 2006 Toyota Prius, but we have traveled in comfort and easily kept up with the other drivers on the road.
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AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil and Other Automotive Products

Protect the Environment - Help Your Engine Run More Efficiently

2010-04-19T04:44:00.000-07:00

As gasoline and diesel engines age, they lose efficiency. Among the affects of this lower engine efficiency are decreased fuel economy and more emissions.

Many are aware that regular maintenance, especially regular oil changes, can be a major step towards not only protecting the investment you have in your car or truck, but in protecting the environment as well.

Many are not so well aware that other parts of the vehicle drive train need regular lubrication as well. The transmission, in particular, needs to be flushed and refilled regularly also.

One problem that is often overlooked, even by those who DO change oil and transmission fluids regularly, is that the parts themselves are still dirty, and clean oil or fluid is being put into a container which is dirty.

You would not pour dirty oil or transmission fluid into a clean engine and expect it to work as well. Nor can you pour clean oil or transmission fluid into a dirty engine or tranmission and expect it to work as efficiently as it could.

One solution is AMSOIL Engine and Transmission Flush.

This new product from AMSOIL cleans engines and transmissions before oil and transmission oil changes so that the new, clean lubricant will be going into a clean engine and/or clean transmission.

You can learn more about AMSOIL Engine and Transmission Flush at the AMSOIL website.

You can learn more about improving the efficiency of your car, truck, motorcyle, boat, or even your chainsaw at www.lubedealer.com/save-on-car-repair.

Click here to learn how you can become an AMSOIL dealer.

UN Makes Important Statement About Population and Pollution

2009-11-19T05:42:00.000-08:00

In a recent report, the UN has taken the daring step of tackling an issue it has avoided for years...the link between global warming and population growth.

Okay, let's skip the "global warming", "climate change" argument for the moment. The distribution of resources on this planet, including peace and quiet and the opportunity for children to grow up in a welcoming environment, are subject to the volume of people contesting for those same resources and opportunities.

Pollution exists. It has toxic effects on people and the planet. One factor in the amount of pollution and the sometimes deadly conflicts which can emerge as a result is simply the mass of people on this earth.

You can read more about the report at http://news.yahoo.com
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You can do a small thing for the environment, and your wallet, by switching to Amsoil Synthetic Motor Oil.

Ford Fusion Motor Trend Car of the Year 2010

2009-11-18T13:18:00.000-08:00

From Reuters:

"The Fusion was chosen best of 23 new or significantly upgraded vehicles and the full range of Fusion models impressed the judges, from the four-cylinder entry level vehicles to the all-wheel drive sport and hybrid versions, Motor Trend Editor Angus MacKenzie said." Read More
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Buy Amsoil Synthetic Motor Oil online.

50 Year Old Health Products Company becomes Climate Neutral

2009-11-08T07:24:00.000-08:00

Shaklee has become th first company in the world to be Climate Neutral. It has be certified to fully offset its CO2 emissions. This results in a net-zero impact on the environment.

Founded in 1956 by Dr. Forrest C. Shaklee, the health products company, headquartered in Pleasanton, CA, has incorporated innovative design to minimize energy usage and maximize the use of recycled and environmentally safe materials, finishes, and products.

Shaklee is also known for its policy of no animal testing for its products, and the thousands of independent distributors which have been the cornerstone of its success.
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Click here to learn more about Shaklee.

Buyer Beware: Products that Increase Your Gas Mileage

2009-07-26T05:48:00.000-07:00

In these uncertain times, everyone reacts differently to the continuing increases in gas prices that we have experienced over the last few weeks...and even over years. Many drivers have taken to doing anything they can to increase their gas mileage. This desire to save gas has created a market for products that claim to do just that. The companies that manufacture these products seem to have a great idea, since they know that the public is desperate to decrease their fuel usage.

The important question is, do these products really provide a big difference, or are these companies just making a quick buck off of consumers who are sick of paying so much at the pump?

Testing by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

It can be very easy for a motorist to get roped in by the very gaudy claims that the companies who make these products are making. But, do these products really provide increased gas mileage? Is there any way they can prove the claims that they have made?

Well, that usually depends on who you ask. However, the EPA, or Environmental Protection Agency, has tested a number of these types of products, and has not as yet found even one that significantly increases gas mileage. This means that the organization which is the foremost authority in fuel economy has yet to certify one of these products as being legitimate.

Do They Actually Save Gas?

That is not to say that the products do not work.

Perhaps they do provide gas mileage increases in certain vehicles, or maybe they actually increase gas mileage by a marginal amount. However, since there is no concrete evidence of such an increase from testing done by an unbiased party, so there really is no proof available yet. Again, this does not mean that the products are altogether worthless or useless. However, it is debatable whether or not you should spend your hard-earned money on these products, especially when there are very cheap (or even free) alternative ways to increase your gas mileage.

Cheap and Easy Steps You Can Take To Save Gas

For instance, you can do something as simple as put the proper amount of air in your tires, and check their air pressure regularly. I recently let just one of my tires get very low on pressure, and my fuel economy dropped by almost ten percent! This simple task will usually cost you nothing (although some gas stations may have machines that charge a quarter or two), and will help you to save some of your precious gas when you drive.

Proper tire inflation is just one simple act of maintenance that can help you to preserve your fuel.

Another cheap way for a motorist to increase fuel efficiency is to change air filters regularly. Although this costs more than most fuel economy products do, it also provides genuainely proven benefits that can be pretty substantial in regards to fuel efficiency. If you had the choice between spending some money on an unproven method, or something that is proven to work, what would you choose?

A Few More Tips to Help Save Gas

These ways of increasing fuel efficiency are only just the tip of the iceberg. You can do many simple things like avoiding packing your trunk with excess junk that increases drag and decreases fuel mileage, or making sure you use the proper grade of motor oil. Switching to synthetic motor oil can help save gas, and even simple things like avoiding the use of the air conditioning system whenever possible can provide a marked increase in fuel economy!

I recently moved and noticed that the fuel economy in my Prius, ordinarily a very fuel efficient vehicle, seemed to be suffering quite badly in a new part of the country. Then, one day I looked in the spare tire well and noticed that I had left about 50 pounds of dumbbell plates in there. I removed them and my fuel economy shot back up dramatically.

If You Want to Save Gas, Save Money at the Same Time

In short, there are just too many cheap or inexpensive ways to improve gas mileage to be able to recommend buying most of these costly products that may not work much, or even at all. With so many simple and easy ways to increase your fuel economy, why pay money for something that is not proven to work?
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Save money on gas by using Amsoil Synthetic Motor Oil. Visit www.amsoil.com

Hybrid Cars and Environmental Pollution

2009-03-24T04:48:00.000-07:00

Hybrid Vehicles Cause Less Environmental Pollution
By Beverly Clarke

Hybrid vehicles are the kind of automobiles that cause less or no environment pollution. In practicality, it is absolutely impossible to run an automobile without some kind of pollutant emission. At least, the technological developments so far cannot guarantee such a vehicle, but there are several methods to reduce the level of pollutant that is emitted.

Currently, the worst culprits of environmental pollution among vehicles are automobiles that run on fossil fuels such as petrol, diesel, and gas. That means more than 90% of these at present, are serious offenders of environmental protection. Among the environmental problems, air pollution and damaging effects of the Ozone Layer are the most serious. There have been concerted efforts from various sectors - such as automobile manufacturers, scientists, and governmental regulators - to reduce the green house gas emission from vehicles that run on fossil fuels.

The efforts have been producing good results. Newer models invariably have better emission controls. However, the overall level of green house gas emission has been increasing. The major reason for this is the exponential increase in the number of these cars in use. Over the last decade, the sale of automobiles has considerably increased - not just in the developed countries like the United States and Japan, but also in developing nations like China and India.

Therefore, just reducing the green house gas emission of cars that run on fossil fuels is not sufficient for reducing the level of environmental damage. This realization paved the way for the creation of several types of green vehicles. Examples of such environmentally friendly cars are electric, solar-powered, and those that use hydrogen fuel. Despite the obvious advantages to environmental protection, there are some negative aspects for them. The performance of hybrid cars at present does not compare well to that of cars powered by conventional fuels such as petrol, diesel, or gas. As a result, a kind of hybrid was born. This type of car can run on both conventional fuels and the non-conventional fuel types. Most of the major automobile companies in the world produce the hybrid type green vehicle.

The most commonly used non-conventional fuel is electricity. The market share of battery-powered cars has been expanding steadily. The level of green house gas emission is substantially lower for electric cars. However, in terms of performance, such as acceleration in high speed, these green vehicles pale in comparison with those that use fossil fuels. Therefore, the hybrids that run both on electricity and conventional fuels provide a compromise option between environmental considerations and the desire for better performance.

Solar energy is also used to run automobiles. The mechanism of these cars is similar to that of electric, however, in the case of solar cars, electricity is provided by solar cells. Another kind of green car is the type that uses hydrogen as fuel. More research and innovations are needed to make the performance of these cars to match with that of those using conventional fuels.

Beverly Clarke manages a network of green living websites promoting ecoconsious choices such as alternative energy and smart cars and provides many helpful tips on green living.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beverly_Clarke
http://EzineArticles.com/?Hybrid-Vehicles-Cause-Less-Environmental-Pollution&id=1990607

A Recent Trip in my Toyota Prius

2009-03-04T14:40:00.000-08:00

By Donovan Baldwin

My wife and I recently traveled from Dallas to Phoenix and back in our 2006 Toyota Prius.

Even with over 85,000 miles on the odometer, we still averaged 48.5 MPG.

Gas prices are down right now from what they were a few months ago, but we still saved nearly $100.00 on fuel for the trip.

People often by hybrid cars in hopes of saving a significant amount of money on fuel to offset the cost of the car. In most cases, however, the savings will not be large enough to make the economic aspect of the purchase strong enough to win the argument.

Usually, the ultimate reason for the purchase of a hybrid car will be to do something for the environment.

Also, however, do not forget the potentially higher resale value of a hybrid when it comes time to move on to the next vehicle. One hidden point you may want to point out to a prospective buyer is, that since a hybrid shuts off the engine when it is not needed (which is pretty often), the wear on the engine is probably not at a level equivalent to a standard vehicle with the same number of miles on the odometer.

Hybrid Cars and AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil

Not Hybrid Cars, but Alternative Fuels

2009-02-16T05:15:00.000-08:00

Alternative Fuels Now
By Tom Tessin

The fact that our economy is in a downward spiral and the oil is basically being produced overseas is causing many people to wonder if we should discontinue use of oil based gasoline and look for alternative fuels. The ecosystem has brought out the fact that gas burning vehicles are harmful to the atmosphere and to human beings. We need to be better concerned about earth and what we are doing that is causing it to become destroyed. Some consumers are crying for us to use our own oil instead of continuously going abroad for what we need. The problem with that is we would have to destroy the natural habitat of certain wild animals as well as the earth. We would have to drill in the wilds of Alaska which is our last frontier when it comes to earth's beauty and abundance of all natural environments. What price should we pay in order to drive our gasoline fueled vehicles? Many people are greatly concerned and feel that an alternative fuel would best suit our needs.

There are now many alternative fuels that could provide our vehicles with power and save our eco system. Farther, it has been discovered that some alternative fuels are being made from crops such as corn or oats which makes them environmentally safe and helps the American farmer. There are some alternative fuels that come from emissions let loose from landfills. We need to look to the future care of the earth and start maintaining our ecosystem. We cannot exist without earth it is our home and as human beings we have no other place to go. It may sound foolish to think that a few gasoline driven vehicles could upset the balance of nature but it is not. When we upset the balance of nature then we indeed risk destroying our world and all the inhabitants.

Using alternative fuels like hydrogen, propane, natural gas, ethanol, electricity and the many other sources is much more desirable than that of destroying the world that we live in. We need to think of not only today but we need to think of the future that our children and their children will have living on earth. Many auto manufacturers are seriously considering changing the engines in the new vehicles to operate on alternative fuels rather than the continuous use of gasoline. Many economists are afraid that if we stop using the gasoline based engine that our economy will go even farther in the red causing another great depression. The truth is that we can survive not using oil based gasoline for our vehicles and that by using alternative fuel we might save our economy. We no longer would have to depend on foreign countries for our energy supplies. This would increase our own economy production of fuel based products making our country that much stronger financially.

Start saving on gas today with gas credit cards at FINDgascards.com, where you can find more of Tom's work.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Tessin
http://EzineArticles.com/?Alternative-Fuels-Now&id=1983418

Hybrid Cars and AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil

Beyond Hybrid Cars - The Air Car

2009-02-08T04:27:00.000-08:00

Alternative Fuels - Air Car, the First Car That Runs on Compressed Air and Biofuels
By Bob Randooke

Our country has been in troubled economic times for the past year now and almost no one is immune to this recession. It is common knowledge that high oil prices, mortgage debt problems and the war in Iraq helped to get us into these troubled times but the the problem is we as a nation depend too much on oil and the oil companies to help satisfy our addiction for quick energy. Another problem is global warming. Many studies have been done that have shown that burning fossil fuels (fuels made from the fossils of animals) contribute significantly to global warming because they increase greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. Also there are many leading experts that are saying we are nearing peak oil levels which means that the production of oil has neared to a point where it will level off. Combine this with the fact that oil demands among the new powerhouse nations like China and India are increasing at astronomical rates you can begin to see the urgency for us to start researching alternative biofuels that will help us solve the global warming problem and also give us cheaper fuels sources that we can easily duplicate.

One incredible new alternative energy source for use in automobiles is the Air Engine. It is an engine that works by expanding compressed air and this releases energy. This method is not really anything new and has actually been around for a few centuries but the technology is starting to become very efficient during the last few years. A company called Zero Pollution Motors has been working on a car that runs on air and a combination of either ethanol or most kinds of biofuels. Theoretically this air car could have a range of between 750 to 950 miles based on a single tank of air and 8.2 gallons of biofuel. This is an exciting new kind of vehicle with the potential to have zero emissions which would be awesome for our atmosphere as well. ZPM says that they will have the air car into the market by sometime in 2010. Imagine having your very own car that runs on air and has a range of just under 1000 miles per fillup. Alot of people are looking at the Chevy volt all electric vehicle as our savior but with this air car it will utilize biofuels in a way that will not only help us end ourt dependency on oil but also give our atmosphere some breathing room to get out of the danger zone of global warming.

About the Author

I love writing about alternative fuel sources such as Biofuel and car that run on air. You can read about the newest advances in biofuels at http://www.biofuelguide.net which is updated regularly with the newest , most exciting biofuel technologies coming out.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Randooke
http://EzineArticles.com/?Alternative-Fuels---Air-Car,-the-First-Car-That-Runs-on-Compressed-Air-and-Biofuels&id=1950314

Hybrid Cars

Hybrid Cars - The Incentives

2009-02-06T05:29:00.000-08:00

Want a Hybrid? Don't Forget the Incentives!
By Matthew Keegan

The lowest gas prices in five years has taken the sting out of filling up, but very few people believe that current price levels will be sustained. In all likelihood as we move closer to summer, demand will increase and prices with it as supply is cut back to meet current consumption. Add in that our current political leadership is eager to raise taxes on gasoline to encourage you to drive more economical cars and you could end up with gas priced above three dollars a gallon.

One way that consumers are battling the high cost of a fill up is to choose a hybrid vehicle. Powered by a combination of a battery and a gas engine, most hybrids deliver exceptional fuel economy while reducing the amount of exhaust fumes down to a minimum. Many of the hybrid models on the market in 2009 deliver fuel economy above forty miles to the gallon, well higher than what most gasoline powered cars offer.

But there is a huge drawback to most hybrid vehicles which makes this type of purchase an unprofitable one for most buyers: they carry a price premium that may never be fully recovered. True, if you drive twenty thousand miles or more annually, plan on keeping your car for at least ten years, and gas prices return to higher levels, you may recoup your costs. But, that five to ten thousand dollar price premium can be a bit hard to swallow, a problem for cash strapped consumers.

There is one way that consumers can still buy a hybrid vehicle without busting their budget: federal tax credits. It is a convoluted system where buyers can get a credit of as much as $3400 per vehicle provided that the manufacturer hasn't sold its allotment of 60,000 hybrids. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), beginning on January 1, 2006, has allowed buyers of select hybrid and lean-burn engine vehicles to obtain a credit, but that credit is phased out as manufacturers draw closer to their 60,000 vehicle limit. Once the limit has been reached, then no credit is available.

Thus, if you are planning to buy a 2009 Toyota Prius, your credit is now $0 because Toyota has far surpassed that threshold. On the other hand, if you plan to purchase a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid (available Spring 2009) you'll be eligible for the full $3400 because it is an all new model for Ford. Oh, by the way, that $3400 figure is for the most fuel efficient hybrids; some vehicles have a lower credit - for example the 2009 Saturn Aura Hybrid credit is $1550 - because it isn't as fuel efficient as the Ford.

Some states and municipalities offer credits too. If you reside in an area where relief is offered, you can usually take that additional credit to help you save more money. Log on to your state's website and do a search for "alternative fuel vehicle" to see if a program is currently available and what requirements are in place in order to receive a tax credit or rebate.

Oh, by the way, it is IRS Form 8910 - Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit - which will help you determine if your vehicle is eligible and at what cost. A good tax program will walk you through filling out the form.

Driving a gas-electric hybrid is a desirable option for some drivers. Find out what assistance is available to you may be able to shave thousands of dollars off of the cost of owning one of the most fuel efficient vehicles on the road.

Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance writer who resides in North Carolina. Matt is a contributing writer for Andy's Auto Sport an aftermarket supplier of quality parts including Mitsubishi Evolution camshafts and Ford F250 roll pans.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Keegan
http://EzineArticles.com/?Want-a-Hybrid?-Dont-Forget-the-Incentives!&id=1938942

Hybrid Cars

Hybrid Cars or Electric Conversion Kits?

2009-02-02T05:22:00.000-08:00

Electric Car Conversion Kit - How to Build Your Own Electric Powered Car!
By Jim M. Watson

An electric car conversion kit can be used to convert your current vehicle to run on electricity. There are many reasons for the increasing popularity of electric powered cars:

You can eliminate your gas bill completely and save hundreds of dollars every month on gas costs.
The IRS will give you tax credits for driving a clean fuel vehicle.
You will only need about $1 to charge your electric car.
You can drive for up to 150-200 miles on a single charge.
You can reduce harmful emissions and protect the environment.
You can reach speeds of 50 miles per hour.
You can improve horsepower and get a better engine's performance.
You can start enjoying a smooth, quiet ride and reduce your maintenance costs.

The major advantage of an electric powered vehicle is not only that it can increase your fuel efficiency, but also it doesn't contribute to the greenhouse effect and is completely environmentally-friendly.

Paying an auto-shop to make the conversion will cost at least 3,000 dollars, but if you decide to do it yourself it will only cost a few hundred dollars.

The first thing you need to do is take out the internal combustion engine and replace it with an electric motor. Some other parts you are going to need are: a power controller, miscellaneous nuts and bolts, rechargeable batteries, fuses and power conductors. These parts are easily available at your local hardware and are usually very cheap.

Most cars can be converted to run on electricity, but the best vehicles to retrofit are the light weight ones, which have enough space for batteries.

There are many diy on the market that can provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to build your own electric powered car.

Do you want to save more than $1,000 on gas per year, every year?

Every day people just like you are using this technology to convert their vehicles.

About the Author

Read a review about the top 3 Conversion Car Kits and find out exactly how to make your own Electric Powered Car.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_M._Watson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Electric-Car-Conversion-Kit---How-to-Build-Your-Own-Electric-Powered-Car!&id=1935297

Hybrid Cars

Not a Hybrid Car Topic, But How Bad ARE American Cars?

2009-01-27T04:56:00.000-08:00

Force the Change in the Automotive Industry
By Christian Gillman

It is time for you, the average consumer, to take a stand!

Fellow consumer, for years we have been taken to the cleaners from the automotive industry: It is time for us to demand change in product quality and how the automotive industry conducts business! As consumers, we need to pressure the industry to change course and give us the best product and service they can or let them die - let them go bankrupt! If a few American companies survive they might just get it - they might finally understand that Americans deserve and expect more.

Do not be fooled by the stories of bad economy and poor sales! The U.S. automotive industry has done this to themselves!

I am not saying that a bad economy does not exist but they have been on this road to destruction for a long time. I used to work in an Oldsmobile, Subaru dealership: in 1986 we sold all models from both manufacturers', please allow me to cite two models from the 80's to make my point.

1) The Oldsmobile Cutlass Sierra wagon came with a 4-cylinder motor, air conditioning, A.M. radio, power steering, power brakes, the approximate retail price was 10k to 11k.

2) The Subaru GL wagon came with 4-cylinder motor, air conditioning, F.M. stereo, power steering, power brakes, 4-wheel drive, power windows, power locks, split rear seats, rear defrost, multi position front seats with tilt, roof rack and more: the approximate retail price was 10k to 11k.

The Olds had a reputation for having major motor problems and often would not survive past 100,000. By contrast, the Subaru was well known for surviving 200,000 miles plus with little motor troubles. In addition, there was a massive difference in standard comfort features for the same price - we sold Subaru's at a rate of 40 to 1 compared to the Olds.

The U.S automotive industry continued down that path for several years, as the price of vehicles rose dramatically they started to use financing tactics to sell their inferior products. The inevitable happened and many of the vehicles sold failed to last the term of the loans without major repairs and the resale value of a U.S. vehicle was poor so you could not trade them in without going financially backwards.

Around 1990 U.S. automotive manufactures started to take heed, they produced some better quality vehicles and kept the prices more stable. Unfortunately, along with the better quality product came a substantial rise in part costs. Thus, repair bills began to skyrocket and continued to stay behind foreign competitors' and their technology. Around 2000 it seemed we went downward again in the Quality department, around 2005 we started to rise some but I think it was far too little and a little too late.

In 2008 Ford Motor Company had an ad campaign on stating they now had cars that with equivalent quality of Toyota. I don't know about you, but if I owned a Ford I would feel like "Oh great, so the Ford I bought prior to 2008 was admittedly inferior!"

U.S. automakers sponsor racing teams at a cost of millions of dollars per year: they continue to grossly overpay their executives: they have wildly exaggerated union worker compensation: and still, after at least 2 decades of foreign competitors nipping at their heels, they still stay so far behind in technology and quality. Quite frankly, I don't understand why!

Now, after years of inferior products, higher repair bills, exuberant executive payouts, must have unions in order to work in the plants, they put their hands out for the taxpayer to bail them out? There should be no question about the answer: a resounding NO!

Thank you Mr. Ford for making the model T and further ushering in the industrial age, thank you U.S. auto manufacturing for providing good jobs for so many years: But you are a business after all and must hold to do or die like the rest of the business world!

I am not advocating Americans should buy foreign products - especially in our current economic crisis! However, the majority of the working U.S. public has a limited amount of money for automobile purchases necessitating we use that limited amount wisely. With past and current conditions in the automotive industry higher quality, better comfort, more options for the same price suggests the foreign automotive makers provide "more bang for the buck".

(By the way, I own two American vehicles, one I am not pleased with at all and the other has so far *crossing fingers* been fantastic.)

My name is Christian Gillman I have worked in various fields of the automotive industry, Including auto sales, Auto repossessions, Auto transport, Auto detailing, I have seen the best and worst and i am more of a consumer advocate

If you enjoyed my article then be sure visit my web site http://www.dontbeapatsy.com for much more information about used, new car buying and the automotive industry.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christian_Gillman http://EzineArticles.com/?Force-the-Change-in-the-Automotive-Industry&id=1843430

Learn more about hybrid cars and other automotive topics at http://lube2005.com/hybrid_cars/

Hybrid Car - A Responsible Way of Transportation

2009-01-22T12:14:00.000-08:00

By Michael Bliss

Hybrid cars are currently regarded as very beneficial to the conservation of the environment. This is because the price of fuel and the harm it contributes to our surroundings has become really uncontrolled. The rationality behind this is that hybrid cars don't mainly rely on fuel for their power, but they also make the best use of electricity. That leads to lower quantity of fuel consumption and lower emission of air polluting gasses.

A hybrid car merges an electrical motor and petrol engine to supply adequate force to the vehicle with minimal fuel usage and less emissions. They're also far more useful for day-to-day purpose than pure electric-powered automobiles and far more fuel-efficient than pure gasoline-powered automobiles. Fusing the two sources of power, a newly-created vehicle will be comparatively non-polluting and will result in less fuel intake. This entails that it produces plenty of power to deliver highway speeds without wasting too much fuel; plus it is likewise neat for the stop-and-go driving in traffic heavy areas.

The hybrid car was produced to satisfy the demand to keep the environment clean from pollutions and in order to rely less on fuel resources. It is not required to plug the hybrid into an electric wall socket to be able to recharge it. They continually re-charge themselves by using the power normally lost during cruising and braking and they could as well be charged by the vehicle's gasoline engine.

Hybrids do tender more benefits than the regular cars with gasoline engines. Here is a brief list of some rewards hybrid cars extend.

1. Advanced pollution control.

One of the elements that lead to the greenhouse effect and its damages is the pollution in the air. It's a reality that the nonstop harm to our ozone layer is caused by the dangerous chemicals like carbon dioxide, which are emitted by vehicles and transmitted into the atmosphere. The amount of carbon dioxide exhausted by a hybrid vehicle is primarily dependent on the amount of fuel it consumes; therefore the hybrid cars can be a leading factor in halting the progress of the global warming. As already stated, this is because hybrids don't use just gas in order to operate - they also employ electricity, a power source that does not wreak any risk to the environment.

2. Efficiency and operation.

Because the power is received from 2 sources hybrid vehicles get smaller engines than the regular gas autos. The smaller engines are closer to the optimal power requirements for engines that will contribute to a more effective operation.

3. Better miles-per-gallon ratio.

The evident advantage of a hybrid vehicle is that it keeps the gas expenses low. With the utilization of a hybrid car, you are capable to save money. You don't have to buy gas 2-3 times a week or afterwards each long trip because you can go a few hundred miles just on one tank.

4. Your investment acquires additional value

A hybrid vehicle may hold back a higher resale value. Whenever you need to trade in or sell a previously owned hybrid you can be certain that you will get a decent deal for it.

5. Hybrid automobiles can assist in lowering your taxes

Tax discounts are presented to hybrid car owners, so if you purchase a hybrid car you achieve additional savings through the extra tax withholding allowances. Please, always check with IRS on the latest rules.

In spite of numerous beneficial uses and advantages, there's one matter to consider in viewing the hybrid cars. For some people they may not be yet affordable at the current market prices but you should remember that your investment will pay out ten-fold.

Michael Bliss has worked in automotive industry for over 10 years. One of the company's branches is dealing with donation cars. If you're looking for information on how to donate used cars, help non-profits, save on taxes and other useful tips and resources - please, make sure to stop by our website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Bliss
http://EzineArticles.com/?Hybrid-Car---A-Responsible-Way-of-Transportation&id=1861069

Hybrid Cars

Facts About Hybrid Car Battery Packs

2009-01-18T12:09:00.000-08:00

Facts About Hybrid Car Battery Packs
By Wendy Gorman

When considering the potential purchase of a hybrid car for the first time, most people hesitate slightly in the knowledge that under the hood, hybrid cars are somewhat different from conventional gasoline powered cars. Most people are aware that hybrid cars have battery-powered motors and this brings to the surface one or two uncertainties. It would therefore be advantageous to look more closely at the facts about battery packs used in modern hybrid cars.

Hybrid car battery packs should never need replacing

Unlike batteries in conventional cars, which need replacing every three or four years, hybrid car battery packs are warranted for between eight and ten years. They not only can last much longer but usually outlast the life of the rest of the car. In terms of mileage, they are designed to last between 150,000 and 200,000 miles, which in today's terms is way beyond the life expectancy of the normal car.

Hybrid batteries are designed to be recyclable

In conventional cars, the batteries utilise rechargeable Nickel Cadmium elements that when disposed of give some toxic waste concerns. The design of hybrid car batteries utilises a NiMH construction that is fully recyclable and produce much reduced toxic waste effects.

Hybrid batteries contain hundreds of cells

Conventional car batteries have very few cells and the deterioration of any one of them can have a catastrophic effect on performance. Hybrid car batteries are constructed with hundreds of cells, which at first glance would indicate a problem of complexity and possibly less reliability. Modern construction methods ensure this is not the case and in fact the sheer number of cells means that should one or two deteriorate, over all performance remains relatively unaffected. This is clearly reflected in the length of warranty the battery manufacturers are prepared to give and should therefore give rise to no anxiety when purchasing a hybrid car.

The rate of hyrid car battery pack failure is negligible

The battery failure rate on hybrid cars in normal use is so low its difficult to quantify. Where a faulty or failing battery has been produced, it will usually be found before you take delivery from the dealer. Toyota has issued statistics that show some of its hybrid battery packs have lasted for over 300,000 miles. All of this once again is reflected in the length of warranty given by the manufacturers.

No need to budget for replacement hybrid battery costs

Once again this comes back to the fact that warranties are for eight to ten years and the fact that batteries are known to last for hundreds of thousands of miles. The U.S. Department of Energy commenced tests to show the decline in power of hybrid car battery packs over distance in use. It actually terminated its testing when after 160,000 miles it could detect no discernable drop in battery capacity and described the performance still to be 'as new'.

Hybrid battery packs have still to be fully developed

All auto manufacturers and their suppliers have continuing development programs and hybrid battery packs are no exception. The battery industry is targeting new technology in order to produce more powerful and more efficient battery capacity, reduced manufacturing costs and therefore lower prices, together with extending even further the efficient working life of the battery pack.

After the warranty period you can still refurbish a hybrid battery pack

So, somewhere down the line you own a hybrid car more than ten years old with more than 200,000 miles on the clock and the battery pack starts playing up. No problems. You can just refurbish the battery pack. The hundreds of cells within the packs are divided up into 28 separate modules. All you have to do is replace the faulty module with a non-faulty one from another pack of similar mileage and age. The latter point is essential as the replacement cells have to have the same chemical performance as the ones in the other 27 modules.

Taking into account the above facts, it can be seen that there should be little cause for anxiety about battery packs when contemplating the purchase of a hybrid car.

Wendy Gorman is an accomplished author and niche website developer. She is committed to exploring the question what is a hybrid car and also to explain how to buy a hybrid car. Visit her sites now to better understand the hybrid car marketplace and its future.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wendy_Gorman http://EzineArticles.com/?Facts-About-Hybrid-Car-Battery-Packs&id=1545885

Learn more about hybrid car technology at http://lube2005.com/hybrid_cars/basic_technology_of_hybrid_vehicles.html.

Save even more money with your hybrid car when you use AMSOIL synthetic motor oil.

Generating Homemade Energy

2009-01-16T14:25:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to let everyone know that I have started a new blog called Generating Homemade Energy.

This blog was originally intended to cover hybrid cars and alternative fuels, such as E85 and Biodiesel, and began to evolve to cover all things related to energy, including solar and wind power, and I felt it was beginning to range too far afield. In an attempt to rein it in a little I started my new blog, Generating Homemade Energy. which will concentrate more on alternative forms of energy for the home.

This blog will retain its focus on hybrid cars and alternative fuels, and automotive technology such as electric cars, hydrogen cars, and compressed air cars.

Hybrid Cars

2009-01-16T13:56:00.000-08:00

What the HECK's Up with Hybrid Hummers?

For over a decade, Dr. Ali Emadi of Illinois Institute of Technology, has pioneered research and aided in the development of technology intended to improve the value of the hybrid car. In the process of this work, his research lab has developed a superior hybrid car electric system that is designed as a retrofit for large vehicles that are already in use, such as SUVs and Hummers.

His team calls the "Hybrid Electric Conversion Kit", "HECK", as in, "What the HECK's going on with hybrid cars, Doc?"

The HECK system is designed to use off-the-shelf components and Dr. Emadi believes that governmental agencies and the military in particular will benefit through increased fuel economy and better overall performance of vehicles retrofitted with their kit.

Did you know that hybrid cars can use AMSOIL synthetic motor oil?

Hybrid Cars

A Fundamental Principle on How to Build an Electric Car

2009-01-14T16:18:00.000-08:00

By Mike Darwin

Acquiring at least the basic knowledge on how to build an electric car is the key to acquiring everything in the field of car innovation. The creation of cars powered by electrical energy or electricity is considered one of the simplest means of transportation since the main component is just an electric motor.

The electric motor is responsible for giving life to the car. Generally, people think that electric cars are the most complicated means of driving the wheels into motion. The gear assembly from the electric motor to the wheels is the work of a genius. Some experts would even add solar collectors that would help recharge batteries while the car is on the go. Solar collectors are those components that convert energy from the sun into electricity.

Why do people tend to switch to electric cars? Simply because electric cars give a pleasant driving experience. They are incredibly easy to handle and the embedded acceleration factor is really good and lighter, compared to that of conventional cars. Thus, they have more advantages when it comes to climbing roads with steep inclinations or those with sharp turns. But the most practical part is that electric cars decrease fuel consumption, which is advantageous nowadays due to consistently rising fuel prices.

Due to the simplicity of the overall assembly of electric car, anyone can actually build their own version of an electric car within a month. You just need a simple chassis, wheels, electric motor, car batteries, and switches to turn the motor on and off.

So, before you begin to build your own version of electric car, try to develop your own plan. Have a blueprint of the assembly so that it would be much easier for you to troubleshoot if everything fails. Make sure to do extensive research on how to build an electric car as well.

Gas prices are rising. Why not convert your car to run on electricity and save on gas from this day onwards?

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Darwin
http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Fundamental-Principle-on-How-to-Build-an-Electric-Car&id=1874704

Save money on vehicle maintenance and operation with AMSOIL synthetic motor oil.

Learn more at http://lube2005.com

The Environment - Plowing Carbon Under

2008-12-06T06:02:00.000-08:00

A recent report from Poland indicated that one way to "lock up" carbon for a few thousand years is to plow under charred vegetation.

This sort of procedure has been practiced among many peoples around the world for thousands of years, however, not with the intent of storing carbon.

"Soils containing biochar made by Amazon people thousands of years ago still contain up to 70 times more black carbon than surrounding soils and are still higher in nutrients, said Debbie Reed, director of the International Biochar Initiative (IBI)." Source: Reuters.

Originally simply a part of primitive farming techniques, researchers say that a "by-product" of the process is the storage of carbon.

Unfortunately, no one is sure how long the carbon would be stored nor exactly how much would be stored. Also at question is whether or not the process is economically feasible.

Another problem foreseen by some is the possibility of deforestation as a result of those applying the process in hopes of reducing carbon. There also does not seem to be much reason for communities or organizations to get behind the process.

Still, it is a process which does work to some extent and about which further research may provide more data.

Save Gas - New Site

2008-07-04T03:32:00.000-07:00

Wow! Aren't gas prices out of sight! I solved part of my gas price problem when I bought my Toyota Prius, which is still getting 50 MPG after two years, but not everybody can run out and do that.

In fact, I hear that it is hard to get your hands on a Prius...or many other hybrid cars as well.

However, there are things you CAN do to save gas, or save money on gas. Check out this new site http://web-home.ws/save_gas/

Oxford, TCU, and FPL do Wind Study Project

2008-05-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

Texas Christian University and Oxford University are working with FPL, a leading clean energy provider with natural gas, wind, solar, hydroelectric and nuclear power plants in operation across the nation, on a wind study project.

Research areas will include the extent of wind energy as an alternative to fossil fuel energy, carbon emissions, and the effects on environment, particularly birds and bats, who might be affected by spinning turbine blades.

2008 appears to be a good year for the investigation into, and development of, wind energy, as billions of dollars have been set aside for these types of projects. In the coming year, it is estimated that wind farms will generate a little over 1 percent of the nation's supply of electricity.

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Alternative Energy - Power Towers?

2008-03-15T04:10:00.000-07:00

There has always been one problem with such "free" energy sources as wind and solar power. What do you do when the wind stops blowing or the sun goes down. One answer has been to store the energy in some sort of battery system.

The drawback to this is that batteries would have to be huge, would only release DC power to an AC world, would contain pollutants that would have to eventually be disposed of, and would have other logistical problems attached.

It's not that there is not excess energy generated by wind and solar power generators, but rather how to effectively store that excess energy for later use.

One solution is by the use of "power towers". During peak times of wind and solar energy generation, some of the power generated could be used to lift weights, similar to those used in cuckoo clocks, up a tower. Wheh the wind is still or the sun has gone down, those weights can be released to descend under the power of gravity, turning a generator through a gearing system on their way down.

Interested in living off the grid? Visit http://cheapink.offgrid07.hop.clickbank.net for more information.

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Is There Such a Thing as "Free" Energy?

2008-02-14T06:20:00.000-08:00

As early as 1913, such a notable as Albert Einstein speculated on the availibility of "free energy" being made available at a zero point state. Still in the speculative realm, there are theroretical reasons for debate and research on free energy being a possible form of alternative energy in some distant future.

Click Here to learn more about Free Energy as a Possible Form of Alternative Energy.

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Alternative Energy - Japan

2007-09-25T10:19:00.000-07:00

Let's talk about alternative energy development in Japan

Alternative energy usually requires one resource that Japan is a little short on...space.

Japan, as small as it is geographically, is a densely populated country and that puts space for installations at a premium. This makes the Japanese market for alternative energy sources a bit more difficult when compared with most other markets.

However, if we consider use of near-shore installations or even offshore installations in the future, that will give us the possibility of continued use of wind energy and possibly solar energy for Japan as well.

If, however, we try to build offshore, it's more expensive because the construction of the necessary foundations is expensive. On the other hand, we often find that the wind is stronger offshore. That could offset the higher construction costs. Also, the equipment for wind power is getting more and more competitive from a cost point of view. The price, if you measure it per kilowatt-hour produced, is going down, due to the fact that turbines and other necessary components are getting more efficient.

So, there is increased interest in wind energy for Japan.

If you compare it to other renewable energy sources, wind power is possibly the most competitive alternative energy source today. If we are able to use sites close to the sea or at sea with good wind power machines, then the price per kilowatt-hour is very competitive against other sources of energy.

These are the thoughts of Svend Sigaard, who is president and CEO of the world's largest wind turbine maker, Vestas wind systems, located in Denmark. Vestas is heavily involved in investments of capital into helping Japan expand its wind turbine power generating capacity. It is seeking to get offshore installations put into place in a nation that it says is ready to reap the fruits of investment into alternative energy research and development.

Having learned from history, the Japanese know that they can never again become subservient to the energy supply dictates of foreign nations. World War II taught them that, as the US decimated their oil supply lines and crippled their military machine. They need to produce energy of their own, and, being an isolated island nation with few natural resources that are conducive to energy production as it is presently defined, are very open to foreign investment and foreign development as well as the prospect of technological innovation that can make them independent. Allowing corporations such as Vestas to get the nation running on more wind-produced energy is a step in the right direction for the Japanese people.

Other souces of power:

The production of alternative energy through what is known as microhydoelectric power plants has also been catching on in Japan.

Japan has a great many rivers and mountain streams, and most of these are ideally suited places for the erection of microhydroelectric power plants, which are defined by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization as 'power plants run by water which have a maximum output of 100 kilowatts or less".

Just for a quick comparison, “minihydroelectric” power plants can put out up to 1000 kilowatts of electrical energy.

In Japan, the bothe mini- and micro-hydroelectric power plants have been regarded for some time as being suitable for creating electricity in mountainous regions, but, with refinement, they have also come to be regarded as excellent alternative energy sources for Japanese cities as well. Kawasaki City Waterworks, Japan Natural Energy Company, and Tokyo Electric Power Company are but a few of the organizations which have been involved in the development of small-scale hydroelectric power plants within Japanese cities.

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The Advantages of A Hybrid Car

2007-07-31T23:54:00.000-07:00

With the cost of fuel the way it is and the damage that pollution from cars brings to our environment, hybrid cars are presently considered as very beneficial to the health preservation of the environment. The reason behind this is that hybrid cars do not depend mainly on fossil fuel for power. They also make use of self-generated electricity. This results in a smaller amount of fuel consumption and less pollution being emitted into the air.

A hybrid car combines an electric motor and gasoline engine to provide sufficient power to the vehicle with less fuel usage and fewer emissions than a normal internal combustion engine powered car. They are therefore far more fuel efficient than purely gas powered cars, and far more practical for everyday use than purely electric powered cars. Combining the two sources of power, hence the name "hybrid", a vehicle is then created that is relatively much less polluting and will lead to less fuel consumption. The gasoline engine means it possesses enough power to have freeway speeds that does not need too much fuel, but is also great for stop and go driving in heavy traffic areas because of the electric motor.

The hybrid car was created due to the result of a public and political demand to clean up the environment from pollutions and for the need to rely less on fossil fuel. Plugging the hybrid into an electric outlet is not necessary to recharge the batter.They charge themselves by means of power usually lost during coasting and braking (regenerative braking - done by reversing the electric motor, thus making it into a generator whose torque provides electricity back to the battery) and can also be charged by the car’s gasoline engine.

It can offer more benefits than the usual regular gasoline engine type cars. Here is a list of the many advantages hybrid cars offers.

1. Less Pollution

It is a fact that the continuous damage to our ozone layer is due to the greenhouse effect, and one of the factors that contributes to its damage is pollution in the air, in which dangerous chemicals are transferred to the air, such as carbon dioxide which is emitted by vehicles. The measure of carbon dioxide emitted by the hybrid vehicle is principally relative to the quantity of fuel it consumes; thus hybrid cars can absolutely be a contributing factor in lessening the advancement of global warming since they use half or less fuel than a conventional car.

With the use of hybrid cars, less fuel is consumed because hybrid cars do not totally use gas in order to operate, but also make use of electricity from an internal power source that doesn't bring any danger to the environment.

2. More Mileage With Less Fuel Consumption

The most obvious advantage of a hybrid car is that it saves on gas. With the use of hybrid cars, you are able to save money on gas because you don’t need to buy gas after every long trip as a hybrid in general gets twice the gas mileage of an equivalent gasoline powered vehicle.

3. Hybrid Cars Can Help Lower Your Taxes

Tax rebates are given to some hybrid cars buyers at the federal level, and some states also have additional incentives. In California, for example, a hybrid with only one passenger can get a pass to operate in the HOV lane. So if you buy a hybrid car your tax refunds can be withheld from your taxes and will provide you with additional savings or you may get other benefits depending on where you live.

4. Your Money Gains More Value

A hybrid car can return a higher resale value. If you ever want to trade or sell a previously owned hybrid car you can be sure that you will get more of what you paid for it than with a conventional vehicle.

5. Efficiency And Performance Are What Defines Hybrid Cars

Hybrid cars generally have smaller engines than the regular gasoline cars since the power is obtained from two sources, so the smaller engines are closer to the normal power necessity of engines that will give an efficient performance, especially at highway speeds. After all, at those speeds only a small engine is needed to maintain the car's speed whereas a heavier engine is needed to get fast starts and provide power in cars designed with less fuel economy in mind.

6. “Hybrid Car Technology” Is The Greatest Currently Available Solution To Today's Air Pollution Problems

Hybrid cars use less fuel and incorporate a groundbreaking technology that helps diminish possible damages to the environment caused by conventional vehicles.

Despite these many advantages, there is one thing to be considered regarding the hybrid car. Its actual price in the market is not yet as affordable to a lot of people as a conventional vehicle, but it is an investment that will pay a hundred fold. Also, as time goes by, more and more companies are manufacturing hybrid cars and this will help eventually to lower the price on some models, and more used hybrids will become available. The hybrid is gaining in popularity. I just passed a house yesterday that had two brand new Toyota Prius Hybrid cars in the driveway.

OTHER NEWS:

Did you know that using synthetic motor oil can help prolong the life of your car, snowmobile, or RV while helping you save money on gas and maintenance.

2007 Hybrid Cars

2007-07-30T22:13:00.000-07:00

A little late on this one as the 2008's are about to come out, but here it is anyway.

Almost every day, it seems like more and more car manufacturers, big and small, are developing "greener" versions of their well-known brands or adding new hybrid vehicles to their lineup. The growth and wide acceptance by the public of Hybrid technology has made a big splash in the motoring world and its popularity as well as the growing concern for the environment has added to the demand for this type of vehicles, urging more vehicle manufacturers to add more of their vehicles in the hybrid bandwagon to capture more potential consumers in the market.

Coming from one of the industry leaders, one of the newest in the batch 2007 hybrid car lineup is the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid, the third in Toyota's Hybrid vehicles. The Camry hybrid boasts of a performance of a topnotch six-cylinder engine with the fuel economy of a four-cylinder engine. Although it is not as fuel efficient as the first Toyota hybrid, the Prius, the Camry hybrid is a whole lot better than the regular Camry.

Of course, where Toyota goes, can Honda be far behind? That's right, giant Japanese car manufacture Honda, has also the Hybrid Accord and the Hybrid Civic. These two sedans offer what Hybrids are known for, less emission and less fuel consumption.

The 2007 Honda Accord Hybrid combines luxury and fuel efficiency, not to mention the lower emmissions of the typical hybrid, that is truly environmentally friendly. Even with a V6 engine that generates 253 horsepower, you can be sure that you will get more miles to the gallon. It is a nice change knowing that you get the luxury and power that you want and still get the fuel economy that we all deserve.

Then there is the 2007 Civic Hybrid which continuously provides the true essence of hybrid technology. Its ingenious engineering has rightly earned it its Advanced Technology Partial Zero-Emission Vehicle (AT-PZEV) rating. What this means is that you don’t only get from point A to point B in less gas usage, but also save the environment by not adding to the air pollutants already swarming over it.

Joining the Hybrid car race in 2007 is General Motors' second Hybrid vehicle effort, the 2007 Aura Hybrid sedan. This vehicle will be competing with other high-end hybrid cars such as the Toyota Camry Hybrid and the Honda Accord Hybrid. Sporting a V6 engine as well, the Aura Green Line is dedicated to providing utmost engine power with minimal gas consumption. Its engineers claim that it will be able to generate 20 percent savings in fuel economy over its conventional model.

Auto manufacturer Nissan has also announced that a 2007 Altima Hybrid will be offered and has offered test drives and a glimpse of its development vehicle. In a deal inked with Toyota, Nissan will be dedicating five years into the project with the Hybrid Technology developed by Toyota.

Volkswagen is rumored to be soon unveiling its first hybrid model, The maker of the ubiquitous Beetle is said to be preparing a full-hybrid car for 2007 but it hasn’t disclosed yet which car model they will be infusing the technology. Latest rumors said that it would be on the Jetta for the upscale engine level or in the Passat for the four-cylinder class.

With more and more vehicle manufacturers realizing the potential of Hybrid vehicles, it might not be long before every car produced will incorporate Hybrid technology. And as oil prices continue to soar and concerns for the environment are ever growing, we can all be sure that these vehicles will be welcomed with open arms.

OTHER NEWS:

Another big step in the battle to save the planet is the growing acceptance by the public of the use of synthetic motor oils which can aid in lowering the cost of vehicle maintenance, prolong the life of the vehicle, and result in helping save money on gas.

How My Toyota Prius Performs

2007-06-04T10:15:00.000-07:00

By Donovan Baldwin

Ads for hybrid cars, such as my Toyota Prius hybrid, tout the fuel economy of the vehicle and almost nothing else, it seems.

So what? After all, that's the big issue behind the design of this type of automobile in the first place, right?

It's how a hybrid car works that allows it to be so fuel efficient and that is the selling point in this era of higher gas prices, and in view of such menacing specters as global warming. With all that as the basis for creating hybrid cars in the first place and with all the emphasis on fuel economy, you would think that would be the first thing people ask about.

Welllll. Sometimes.

More often than not, one of the first questions will be about performance. Sometimes it's the first question, but even when the first question is about fuel economy (I hear you get 60 MPG with these things. Is that true?) very often the next is about performance. They are particularly interested in this with my Prius than with a known model that has been put out with a hybrid engine. They tend to assume that if the sedan, truck, or SUV could do something as a standard model, it will still do it as a hybrid.

However, the Toyota Prius was designed as a hybrid and nothing else and has no other history of performance to fall back on. Since it first appears as a small car (more later), and since people have a certain amount of ignorance about hybrid engines, they tend to assume they are looking at something along the line of the modern equivalent of the old Volkswagen beetle.

People want to know if a hybrid, particularly the Prius, can run at highway speeds, keep up with other traffic, run fast when heavily loaded (they're surprised at the storage space too), and maintain speed on hills.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

I have just returned from a trip through Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. I put over 4,500 miles on my Prius during this time, and drove in almost every type of terrain and traffic situation you could imagine. From Interstate to back country roads, I climbed mountains (Donner Pass for example), cruised at highway speeds, passed slower moving vehicles, and...yes...sat in traffic jams.

My little Toyota Prius had absolutely no problem keeping up with the big boys. The ride was comfortable and did not at all feel like a small car. Actually, by the way, the Prius has a lot of inside room to seem so small from the outside. In fact, that is one of the things that surprises people most when they get inside one.

So, did I find a drawback to the performance of my Prius?

Well, although it can accelerate and run at high speeds, it doesn't accelerate as quickly as a bigger, more muscular car, so you have to be a bit more careful about picking your spots than in my old Dodge Intrepid, for example.

You also have to remember that the design intentions with the Prius were targeted towards fuel economy. As with any car, if you choose to demand the high speeds found on Western Interstates, your fuel economy will suffer a little. I actually saw a drop of about 5 MPG or more when running at 70 MPH or higher. By the way, for those of you not familiar with driving in the states I mentioned, there ARE some 80 MPH speed limits, and most Interstates out West are set for 70 MPH or above.

If you want to get the fuel economy advertised while you are driving on the highway, you will have to cut back your speed a bit. Also, observing other such fuel savers as paying attention to traffic and making decisions ahead of time, keeping your tires properly inflated, and getting regular oil changes will help keep your fuel consumption lower.

Some people like to use synthetic motor oils in their cars. Although the Toyota dealerships I deal with normally have their own petroleum based motor oils that they recommend and use, the use of synthetic motor oils such as those available off the shelf or through an AMSOIL dealer will not void your warranty. However, you may have to provide your own oil if you want to use a specific synthetic lubricant.

Oh, by the way. I averaged about 47.5 MPG on that trip (my wife likes to go 70 and 75...and 80), and gas was averaging about $3.00 a gallon. When I stopped overnight in Abilene I started talking to a guy just beginning a similar swing through most of the states I had just passed through. His pickup got 16 MPG. I bought about 100 gallons for a total of approximately $300.00. He was looking at a gas bill of about $900.00.

I saw his family and their luggage. They, and the luggage, would have fit comfortably in my Toyota Prius.

Need I say more?

About the Author

Donovan Baldwin is a freelance writer living in Copperas Cove, Texas. He is a University of West Florida alumnus, a member of Mensa and the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, and is retired from the U. S. Army after 21 years of service. In his career, he has held many managerial and supervisory positions. However, his main pleasures have long been writing, nature, health, and fitness. In the last few years, he has been able to combine these pleasures by writing poetry and articles on subjects such as health, fitness, yoga, weightlifting, weight loss, the environment, global warming, happiness, self improvement, life and the arts. He is an AMSOIL dealer and has a site dealing with hybrid cars and other automotive issues at http://lube2005.com. He offers several tips on how to save money on gas at http://lube2005.com/money_saving_tips/save_money_on_gas.html.

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5 Major Ways to Save Money on Gas

2007-05-10T09:10:00.000-07:00

Copyright © Donovan Baldwin
http://lube2005.com

I know you just want to get to the meat of how to save money on gas, but let me just lecture for a moment.

Petroleum products, including gas, are not going to become cheaper. One of the reasons for this is simply that they are limited and more and more people are competing for a diminishing supply. This is Economics 101 stuff and is known as supply and demand. As supply goes down and demand goes up, the price goes up. Anyway, when was the last time you saw major price reductions on a commodity like gas?

At the same time, people around the world are beginning to realize that not only are petroleum supplies limited, but the effects of burning gas and other petroleum products to power cars, factories, and your lawn mower are creating a highly unstable environmental situation...one which may have disastrous consequences for our children and grandchildren if not for us.

Therefore, these tips not only tell you some ways you can simply save money on gas, but also nudge you a little bit along the path of change. As we have often heard, "If you keep doing what you've been doing, you will keep getting what you have been getting." We have been getting more pollution and higher gas prices. Isn't it time to make some sort of change?

Now, who am I and where do I get my info? Well, I have done a lot of research and reading, but I have also been a long-haul, over-the-road trucker and owned my own truck. With a vehicle that got 6 to 8 MPG and with 300 gallon tanks to fill every couple of days I became attuned to ways to reduce my out-of-pocket expenses. Last year, I traded my Dodge Intrepid and Isuzu Rodeo for a Toyota Prius hybrid...which is a great car. While you can do all sorts of things, including walking, in order to save money on gas, here's my top five picks.

1. Trade in the gas guzzler: Now, I don't have hard and fast figures on this, but I am willing to bet, based on personal observation, that at least 50% of people have much bigger, gas-guzzling cars than they need. Although I am off the road as a truck driver, I sometimes write articles on places I have visited, and this requires a certain amount of travel. All day long, whether in California or in Georgia, I see big SUV's and trucks that only get a few miles to the gallon being driven by one person. I also see a lot of hot-looking, and sounding, cars that I know get really bad mileage. A lot of people drive these back and forth to work every day!

I was talking to a guy yesterday at a motel in Abilene. He's going on a trip to the Grand Canyon with his kids. His truck gets 15 MPG! Where he is going, gas is hovering close to four dollars a gallon. If he only goes 1,000 miles each way, he needs 133 gallons. That comes out to about $500 just for gas at $3.75 a gallon. If he were to have a smaller, more fuel efficient car that got around 30 MPG, he could cut that in half. If he had my Toyota Prius, it would cost about $150.

How about commuting? Let's imagine my new friend from the Abilene motel drives 10 miles to work each day. At 20 miles a day, that's 140 miles a week. Since he's probably going to get stuck in traffic sometimes, I'm just going to say that his average gas use is 14 MPG (easier math) and he needs 10 gallons of gas just to get back and forth to work each week. Let's just say gas costs $3.00 a gallon. That's $30 a week for gas just to get to work and back. Again, getting a smaller car with double the mileage would result in a $15 a week savings. That doesn't sound like much until you think about it as an extra $60 a month (pay your water bill?), or $360 a year.

Oh yeah! With a Toyota Prius (Can you tell I like it?), he would save over $80 a month or $480 a year.

2. Keep your tires inflated properly: Proper tire inflation saves money on gas. One study conducted by the Rubber Manufacturers Association estimated that only 15% of drivers check their tire inflation properly. It is interesting to note, by the way, that the study also showed that more people check their tire pressure as gas prices go up! Not only can proper inflation save you money on gas, but it saves you money on tires themselves. Properly inflating your tires can help handling and cut down on wear and tear on steering components.

3. Slow down: Here's a little fact for you - Fuel economy drops about 10 percent between 55 mph and 65 mph, and 17 percent between 55 mph and 70 mph. Do I really need to say more? Come on, tell the truth. How fast were you going on the Interstate this morning on your way to work?

Now, here's what I see every day on the highways of America. One person driving a gas-guzzling SUV with at least two under inflated tires at a speed near or in excess of 70 MPH! Do I really need to belabor this point? Suffice it to say that adherence to points 2 and 3 would save this person a lot of money, and cut down on pollution and our dependence on foreign oil.

4. Pay attention: Try this on for size. I see this one all the time also.

Since I was not only an over-the-road driver but also an instructor, I used to teach students to "play the lights" and pay attention. How much gas your car needs to use is based largely on what you NEED it to do. Yesterday, as a few thousand times before, I was cruising down a road and saw the light about an eighth of a mile ahead turn red. I was going to have to stop anyway, so I took my foot off the accelerator. No sooner had I done so than the driver behind me (individual in a big SUV with an under inflated left rear tire) pulled out to the left, accelerated around me, pulled back in front and then accelerated a few more feet until he finally realized that the light was red and then slammed on his brakes. Guess how much gas he wastes every day.

Folks, it's simple. Wherever you are going is probably NOT going to move before you get there! Pay attention to what is happening in front of you and around you. If you are going to have to stop anyway, why not slow down and stop rather than burning extra fuel to get to the stop faster?

A lot of that "pedal to the metal" kind of driving comes from stress. Also, studies have shown that driving like that raises your stress level even more. Take up meditation or try yoga. It will actually improve your driving.

5. Keep your car properly maintained: If your plugs are clean, your oil is changed regularly, and the car is lubed, you will get better gas mileage. The engine and connected parts will be able to work more effectively and efficiently, and this translates to more miles per gallon. By the way, most of the synthetic motor oils available today will help you save money on gas by allowing your car to run more efficiently for longer periods between oil changes. This is an extra savings, by the way. Although synthetic motor oils cost more per quart than petroleum based lubricants, they last much longer, resulting in savings in cost of the oil as well as savings in cost of the oil change if you are paying someone else to change your oil for you. You are also helping cut down on the use of our limited supply of oil.

Of course, these are not the only ways that you can save money on gas. You can carpool, find less congested routes to and from work and shopping, shop online instead of in a traffic jam, take turns driving kids to school, set it up with friends and neighbors to take turns running errands, combine errands into a single trip, or even learn to walk or bike short distances rather than driving. Hey, you might save money on healthcare with that last one, as walking or cycling around the neighborhood can help you with fitness, health, and weight loss, and that generally translates into fewer trips to the doctor, and fewer medications or medical procedures.

As they say in Germany, "Leb Wohl!"

Oh yeah! That means, "Live well!"

What a concept!

About The Author:
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Donovan Baldwin is a freelance writer living in Copperas Cove, Texas. He is a University of West Florida alumnus, a member of Mensa and the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, and is retired from the U. S. Army after 21 years of service. In his career, he has held many managerial and supervisory positions. However, his main pleasures have long been writing, nature, health, and fitness. In the last few years, he has been able to combine these pleasures by writing poetry and articles on subjects such as health, fitness, yoga, weightlifting, weight loss, the environment, global warming, happiness, self improvement, life and the arts. He has a collection of articles on health, fitness, diet, and weight loss at http://nodiet4me.com/articledirectory/.

His experiences as a long haul truck driver who owned his own truck led him to follow up on various methods of how to save money on gas and other operating costs while prolonging the life of his equipment. You may learn more on this subject at http://lube2005.com/information/fuel_economy.html.
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Al Gore's Defeat or His Finest Hour?

2007-03-02T16:37:00.000-08:00

By Donovan Baldwin

In December of 2000, Al Gore conceded the election for President of the United States to George W. Bush.

I won't go into all that led up to that event or all that followed. That's not what I want to talk about. However, as bad as the results must have seemed to Al Gore at the time, if ever one man's loss might have become a world's gain, that might have been the moment.

Al Gore, of course, went on from that defeat to produce (and star in, I guess you could say) a telling, and Oscar winning, movie documentary about the perils of global warming, or climate change, depending on what camp you're in. It was a subject that he has fervently followed, studied, and whose importance he has believed in for years.

I guess with all that time on his hands, he needed something to do.

It's interesting to note that until he "lost" that election, Al Gore was on a track to success but was it his chosen track? After all, he followed his father into the family business of politics, eventually becoming Bill Clinton's Vice President, and from there it seemed natural that he would occupy the Oval Office. I wonder, had he really chosen these pathways, or simply followed the signs that had been blazed for him by his father and events of circumstance, history, and birth? Would he, like many of us, have chosen another path if given the opportunity to go back to earlier interests and enthusiasms?

Yes, it seemed that the life of Al Gore was pretty neatly laid out.

That was B.C. - Before Chad.

After the debacle in Florida (my home state, sadly), he was then forced to endure what must have been one of the greatest disappointments imaginable.

What was of interest to me was his refusal to carry the fight further lest it divide the nation more. This willingness to step aside for what seemed the good of the rest of us, despite a possibly good claim to the presidency gave me my first insight into the reality of the man.

Perhaps this was the opportunity for the emergence of the real Al Gore.

In college, a professor, I believe, had introduced him to information about events that could be damaging the environment, perhaps permanently. His interest in this, while it never wavered, had to take a back seat to the requirements of the career pathway he was on...politics. However, he did attempt to use his position to focus attention on the problem and to combat what he considered environmentally destructive actions and legislation. So, after the events of November and December of 2000, he must have looked around for something to occupy his time, efforts, and talents. I don't think he started out to be a movie star, he simply decided that the planet was still in danger and his next project would be to save it.

I think that's great!

However, I feel good about something else as well.

Remember the Al Gore who was kidded, mocked, teased, and mimicked by comedians, reporters, and the public? He was accused of being wooden...of being stiff...of being impersonal, cold, and standoffish.

If you had seen him in the movie (definitely NOT leading man material there) or at the Academy Awards, where his little movie, "An Inconvenient Truth" won an Oscar, and a song from the movie also won an Oscar, you would have seen an animated, engaged, interesting man who seemed full of life and vitality and passionate about his subject. Well, as passionate as Al Gore gets....but still!

Not bad for an out-of-work ex-"next President of the United States" as he introduced himself in the movie.

I am happy to see this sort of transformation in anyone. I am glad for the planet that Al Gore had the opportunity to turn from the path of politics . While he is not a Messiah, I think the world will be a better place and Al Gore a better, or at least happier man for having found a new path to walk...one chosen by himself.

Many experts in psychology, motivation, and self improvement have proposed that the way to be truly happy is to find something you love doing and make that your life's work. Seems that something like that may have happened here.

I don't know what kind of president Al Gore would make, or would have made, but I think that he could possibly accomplish more good for mankind and create more happiness for himself by doing that little hobby he's picked up...saving the world just because he wants to and believes it's the right thing to do.

Donovan Baldwin is a Texas writer and a University of West Florida alumnus. He is a member of Mensa and is retired from the U. S. Army after 21 years of service. In his career, he has held many managerial and supervisory positions. However, his main pleasures have long been writing, nature, .and fitness. In the last few years, he has been able to combine these pleasures by writing poetry and articles on subjects such as health, fitness, yoga, writing, the environment, happiness, self improvement, and weight loss.

You can find information on do-it-yourself legal forms and software at http://www.legal-forms-supermarket.com/

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Fuel Economy and More - Tire Care

2007-02-10T07:01:00.000-08:00

Because Proper Tire Care Can Save You Money-And Your Life
By Donovan Baldwin

It has long been known by most of us that proper tire inflation can save on fuel costs. Many people, however, do not realize that proper tire inflation not only prolongs the life of the tire, thus saving on replacement costs, but also impacts on the wear and tear experienced by various parts of the steering assembly itself. Additionally, proper tire inflation simply makes driving safer and easier by reducing the amount of corrections and control required from the driver.

Safety is also impacted when proper tire inflation is combined with regular inspections and other appropriate tire care steps because there is less chance of unexpected tire failure in dangerous highway driving and other traffic situations.

Had I been inspecting the tires on my Buick a bit more carefully on a certain hot Summer day in 1997, for example, I probably would not have found myself trying to change a tire on the 18 mile long bridge over the Atchafalaya river and swamp in Louisiana as 18-wheelers thundered by just inches away.

So, all year round, increased safety and fuel economy can rest on something as simple as regularly inspecting your tires visually and maintaining proper tire inflation pressure. It is also a good idea to make note somewhere of when tires are purchased, including both date AND mileage. Many of us tend to let such bits of info slide into the background as we drive at top speed with our loved ones on tires which may be nearing the end of their effective, safe lives.

Due to weather changes and road conditions in various areas, additional checks, maintenance, and operations may be called for.

Winter presents unique challenges in some areas and in almost all areas from time to time. Cars may become stuck in snow, roads may become icy, and vehicles may slip and slide at exactly the worst time possible. Winter is NOT a time that you want a tire to fail, so the usual inspections and maintenance become even more important. Properly inflated tires can help maintain traction as well as aiding in regaining control in skids and slides. If stuck in snow, by the way, try to avoid spinning your tires. This can cause overheating of the tire and may possibly contribute to a future failure of the tire.

After Winter has done its damage to drivers in many parts of the country, a new phenomenon may appear in abundance. Many new potholes happen due to a cycle of freezing and thawing of water under the roadway. Potholes can be tire killers at any time of the year, but, because of this cycle, there seems to be more of them after Winter has passed. Often, the damage a pothole inflicts on a tire is invisible, although the damage to the steering may become immediately evident due to the "pulling" of the vehicle to one side or the other, or vibration which wasn't present before.

Obviously, avoiding potholes completely is the best way to protect your tires against damage. However, as we all know, this is not always possible. Here is a tip on how to hit a pothole with minimum damage to your tires. First and foremost, do NOT brake during the impact itself! This creates a solid impact at a given point and will produce the most damage. Instead, brake as much as it is safely possible up to just before impact and release the brakes in time to roll across the pothole. This will result in a rolling contact which produces less damage in most cases.

When deciding on proper inflation pressures, your car manufacturer will usually provide the recommended pressures in the owner's manual and also on a data plate commonly located on the door frame, in the glove compartment, or under the hood. However, aftermarket tires purchased later may require different inflation pressures. In this case, it is good to check with the tire dealer on what would be the best inflation pressures.

Let's think back to that damage the pothole may have done to your steering. It may also have affected the balance of your tires. All of this can affect the life and performance of your tires, and this sort of damage is happening in smaller ways every time you drive your car. Therefore, don't forget to have tires rebalanced and alignment checked if you begin to feel vibration or notice pulling or unusual or uneven tire wear. You also should have tires rebalanced whenever you have your brakes worked on and any other time that it is necessary to unmount and remount your tires.

Last, but not least, a word on tire rotation. Obviously, not all tires are going to experience the same wear at the same time. For this reason, it is usually considered a good idea to periodically rotate tires. Your best bet in most instances is to simply go with the car manufacturer's recommendations, but a rule of thumb might be to rotate tires every 6,000 miles on most cars, and every 4,000 miles on cars with 4-wheel drive.

SAFETY TIP: Avoid tire patch kits that just push an adhesive cord into the puncture. The puncture may have created an opportunity for air to get beneath the tread. The tread could then blow off while you are driving the car, or, as in come cases, it may blow off when the tire is being aired. Injuries have occurred in some of these events. Do not EVER try to patch a puncture in the sidewall.

In these days of high fuel costs, and with the possibility of even higher costs in the future, this is a simple way to improve fuel economy. When you consider that you can also prolong the safe and effective life of your tires as well, you will not only be putting more money in your own pocket but will be helping reduce the power needed to produce more new tires and help reduce America's dependence on foreign oil as well.

Donovan Baldwin is a Texas writer and a University of West Florida alumnus. He is a member of Mensa and is retired from the U. S. Army after 21 years of service. In his career, he has held many managerial and supervisory positions. However, his main pleasures have long been writing, nature, the environment, and fitness. In the last few years, he has been able to combine these pleasures by writing poetry and articles on subjects such as health, fitness, yoga, writing, the environment, happiness, self improvement, and weight loss. He is also an Amsoil dealer. You can learn more about fuel economy at http://lube2005.com/information/fuel_economy.html .

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donovan_Baldwin
http://EzineArticles.com/?Because-Proper-Tire-Care-Can-Save-You-Money-And-Your-Life&id=449050

Renewable Energy and Solar Power

2007-01-15T13:52:00.000-08:00

By Davinos Greeno

Hi-tech ways to capture enough sunlight per day every day to power everything in a home or business hasn't been discovered yet. The current cost of solar panels can run into thousands of pounds, which would require the panels to produce electricity for years without maintenance in order to see a return on investment. What is needed is more grants available to people to enable them to afford renewable energy in the homes. Otherwise only the relatively well off will be able to afford paying over £2000 for solar panels and then saving money over the next 10-20 years. B & Q and other retailers in the UK have now started to advertise solar and wind turbines on TV, they must becoming more mainstream for them to do this.

Currently, many people use solar panels, which can be placed on a side of a roof to attract sunlight during the day to heat a small number of rooms and water. Solar panels can be purchased at a number of locations throughout the UK, as well as online. Panels do a great job of helping families and businesses to conserve energy. Hopefully, solar panels will become a part of daily life, in order to prevent the disappearance of natural resources and to maintain energy conservation. In August 2006 high street chain Currys have said that they will start to sell off the shelf solar panels at a substantial discount to existing suppliers. Also, houses that are being built locally now have wind turbines attached to create energy! At last progress from the house builders are making an effort – they can be the real drivers behind this change.

In the recent 2006 Budget announcement by Gorden Brown, millions of pounds have been allocated to helping homes and businesses take advantage of renewable energy and the benefits that it brings. This is a welcoming strategy by the government. More and more homes are also attaching mini-wind turbines to their homes to boost the electricity generated by solar panels, British Gas (Centrica) have recently been looking for volunteers to pilot this with.

Developing countries with sunny climates such as Africa are the perfect place to take advantage of this renewable energy especially in rural areas that are not connected to the national grid for electricity. There needs to be a commitment from the G8 and other government around the world in providing funds to achieve this.

I have just read about the founding of google and the founders are keep to develop solar power and have invested in a number of companies that have solar panels attached to like a mat that you can roll out and stick onto a building instead of the current large, expensive panels that are available at the moment!

Check out available Eco Jobs and Green Videos on the author's website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Davinos_Greeno
http://EzineArticles.com/?Renewable-Energy-and-Solar-Power&id=362240

Nano-cables convert light into electricity

2006-12-15T03:51:00.000-08:00

Nanocables that convert light into electricity could one day be used to power nano-robots. Read more...

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Not directly related to this blog, but if electricity can be generated alternatively in even these small quantities, might that not lead to new technology? By the way, here is an interesting site: Operation Fresh Start

Environmental Issues

2006-12-14T04:13:00.000-08:00

The Environment - A Global Overview
By Larry Butz

It is not difficult to become a believer in global warming. According to the U.S. National Climatic Data Center 2001 was the second warmest year on record and it was the 23rd consecutive year of above normal temperatures. Perhaps most troubling is the fact that the rate of temperature increase is accelerating. Add to this the data just released from insurer Munich Re stating that deaths from natural disasters were more than double in 2001 versus 2000 and insured losses were up more than 50%.UNEP estimates that the extra economic costs of disasters attributable to global warming are running at more than $300 billion annually.

Some 180 countries are proceeding toward an expected ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by the end of this year. Of the six gases it will control CO2 is by far the largest contributing nearly 90% of the global warming impact. The primary source of CO2 is the burning of fossil fuels. Therefore the focus on energy will continue to increase.

Throughout the world different methods are being used to encourage reduced energy use. Japan has enacted the Energy Conservation Law in 1999 mandating huge efficiency improvements by 2004 for nearly all air conditioning products. The U.S. has revised ASHRAE Standard 90.1 for buildings to raise the minimum COP level for centrifugal chillers from the current value of 5.2 to 6.1 effective in October 2001. DOE and Green Seal have revised their recommended efficiency levels to an even higher level of 6.27.

Some countries use laws. Others use codes and standards. An increasing number of countries are using environmental costing which increases the price of energy thereby increasing the financial attractiveness of high efficiency products. European countries have been using such “carbon taxes” for more than a decade. However a rapidly growing trend in developing countries is the reduction of subsidies to energy industries “so prices more accurately reflect environmental impacts” according to OECD’s Environmental Strategy for the First Decade of the 21st Century.

China has shown leadership by reducing subsidies to the coal industry from $24.5 billion in 1990 to $10 billion in 1996 resulting in 7% emissions reduction while seeing a solid economic growth of 36%! China is now moving aggressively into environmental costing with the just announced (1/13/2002) 5-year environmental plan that commits 700 billion yuan ($84 billion) to help protect the environment. The government will provide the fist 65 billion yuan to initiate the project but will apply the “polluter pays” principle for the rest. The “environmental protection authorities will collect funds from the pollution-producing companies”. The impact on the price of energy is not known at this time. However it is clear that the addition of environmental costing will increase energy prices. According to a European Research Commission Report of July 2001 “The cost of producing electricity from coal or oil would double if costs such as damage to the environment and health were taken into account”.

The global movement to high efficiency is accelerating just like the rate of temperature increase. But this is not all that is changing. This second environmental threat of global warming is making it clear that we need to give combined consideration to ozone depletion and global warming. But more important is the need to focus on the real issue which is the total environmental impact not address each individual environmental threat in isolation. This includes the concept of environmental risk exposure, which recognizes that there are other environmental threats that are less well understood today. However, there are “no regrets” decisions we can make today (such as minimum refrigerant charge, minimum atmospheric life refrigerants, etc.) to minimize these risks.

Combined consideration would place more emphasis on reducing the use of CFCs, which are still being produced in developing countries until 2010 in accordance with the Montreal Protocol. Little attention is being given the large contribution to global warming from CFCs. Actions which cause confusion and delay the phaseout of CFCs cause increased environmental damage rather than lessening the environmental impact.

The other rapidly changing factor in the HVAC industry is the shift to becoming a hermetic industry, where refrigerant is contained throughout the life of a chiller and recycled for further use when the chiller is replaced. This simple understanding that “if it doesn’t get into the environment it does no harm” is a powerful argument, which will lead to the continued use of the most efficient refrigerants in such closed hermetic applications as chillers. In just 15 years annual refrigerants emissions from chillers have been reduced from 25% to well below 1% today. This defines a whole different world than that which existed when the Montreal Protocol was crafted some 15 years ago.

But perhaps the most important change coming to our industry is the realization that there are no new or “perfect” refrigerants waiting to be discovered. There are eight elements that can be combined for use in a vapor compression cycle. All feasible combinations of these eight have been evaluated. The reality is “what we have now is all there is”.

This recognition is why we are now seeing a shift from the search for a perfect refrigerant to a search for the right refrigerant(s) for the right application. Said another way, the highest efficiency refrigerants for the lowest emissions applications. Many in our industry call this “Responsible Use”.

Larry Butz is a business globalization and energy efficiency expert for GEA Consulting. GEA Consulting is a global resource dedicated to developing practical solutions that drive client revenue, efficiency, and operational productivity. GEA Consulting can be found online at www.gea-consulting.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_Butz

Mileage Ratings to Drop as EPA Changes Car Tests

2006-12-13T02:38:00.000-08:00

Mileage Ratings to Drop as EPA Changes Car Tests
by Wendy Kaufman

Morning Edition, December 12, 2006 · Fuel economy estimates on new car stickers are about to fall. Drivers have complained that the miles per gallon they get from their cars are actually much smaller than the numbers posted in the car windows.

Find the rest of the story at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6612913

OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS:

Small Nukes Could Cause Global Cooling
Alicia Chang, Associated Press

Dec. 12, 2006 — Some of the scientists who first advanced the controversial "nuclear winter" theory more than two decades ago have come up with another bleak forecast: Even a regional nuclear war would devastate the environment. MORE

Underwater Methane a Danger?

2006-12-12T08:44:00.000-08:00

Shallow Gas Hydrates Offer Mixed Bag
Larry O'Hanlon, Discovery News

Dec. 12, 2006 — Deep-sea researchers have unearthed frozen mixtures of methane and ice — called gas hydrates — at surprisingly shallow depths in the Pacific Ocean.

The discovery suggests that the massive methane reservoirs in oceans worldwide could be well within reach of warming seas — which could trigger huge releases of the gas into the atmosphere, where it could make global warming even worse...

Read The Whole Story

Ice-less Arctic By 2040?

2006-12-12T06:45:00.000-08:00

Researchers Predict an Ice-less Arctic By 2040
Tuesday, December 12, 2006

By Lewis Smith

Ice is melting so fast in the Arctic that the North Pole will be in the open sea in 30 years, according to leading climatologists.

Read the rest of this story at:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,235981,00.html

Alternative Energy Sources

2006-12-12T03:16:00.000-08:00

A Closer Look At The Alternative Energy Sources Of Solar And Wind Power
By Gregg Hall

More and more scientists today agree that global warming is a serious issue and that the cause of global warming is carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned. Politicians, too, are being swayed as they see increases in property damaged, injuries, and even deaths due to natural catastrophes which appear to have gotten worse in recent decades. Because fossil fuels appear to be the source of worldwide atmospheric change, people have began to look to other methods of producing energy. In addition to causing atmospheric change, there's the reality that we will run out of fossil fuels. The world's economy is based on fossil fuels but they are a finite resource. Eventually we will run out of them. Fossil fuels are not a sustainable resource. Two methods of producing energy which have little impact on the environment and are sustainable are solar and wind power.

First, we'll take a look at solar power. Solar power is, of course, power derived from the energy of the sun's rays. The limitation with this energy source is the sun itself. The sun will never run out, except at night. Solar power sources have been designed to compensate for the downtime of night or cloudy days, but solar power works best in sunny climates. Solar power is generally used in one of three ways: to generate heat, to generate electricity, and to desalinate salt water. Solar powered heating systems are usually either active or passive in design. An active solar heating system uses pumps to circulate water which has been heated by the sun. Passive solar heating systems use the nature of water to create circulation. This method relies on the fact that heat energy wants to move into areas of lesser heat. In generating electricity, solar power is harnessed by photovoltaic cells which convert the suns energy into electricity. These cells have been widely used to power calculators for decades. In solar desalination, the power of the sun is used to evaporate water to separate it from the salt and other undesirable minerals.

Another type of clean, renewable power comes from the wind. Wind power, while growing in popularity, still accounts for barely 1% of the world's power supply. This is hard to believe considering how much the wind blows! Wind power is usually harnessed using wind turbines. A centuries old version of harnessing wind power is the windmill. These lovely structures used the wind to grind grains and pump water. Today's wind turbines are advanced machinery employing the latest technologies. More and more "wind farms" are sprouting up around the world. These huge arrays of wind turbines can be found on land and offshore. The biggest ones in the US are land-based farms in California, Oregon, and Washington. There are also more and more popping up the Midwest. Because of energy costs and damage done to the environment, alternative energy sources are receiving a great deal of interest. Two of the most promising are solar and wind power.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as science books at http://www.sciencekitsandbooks.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregg_Hall

Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth

2006-12-11T14:29:00.000-08:00

If you haven't seen this movie, you need to. My wife and I watched it for the first time a few nights ago and are still talking about it.

So far, we have:

Bought a hybrid - Toyota Prius and are getting about 47.8 MPG overall average
Installed the new light bulbs throughout most of our house
Bought an energy efficient clothes washer and dryer
Bought an energy efficient refrigerator
Set the thermostat down a little
Signed up for green power from our energy company
Started turning off lights

No, we didn't do all that in just the last few days, but it shows what one family can do to contribute to the solution. By the way, the old appliances have new homes and are functioning well. They didn't go to a landfill.

Folks, I'm no scientist, and I cannot say that global warming is real, but I CAN say from my lofty height of 62 years, having lived in Europe and several parts of the U. S., the sky's getting dirtier, and there are too many warning signs from too many places.

Watch the movie. It's called "An Inconvenient Truth", and you can learn more at http://www.climatecrisis.net/

Fuel Economy - Tires

2006-09-26T05:12:00.000-07:00

Keep Those Tires Aired Up

I've got one of those MPG calculators in my car. It monitors fuel consumption second by second and can tell me what my MPG is at the moment or over time.

I also have a system that alerts me when my tires get too low.

Recently, the tire pressure alert went off, so I stopped and aired up the tires. They were all only 3 or 4 pound low, but after I did it, my MPG went up half a percent. I was getting about 44 mpg, and it went up to 46 MPG. Not much on the surface, but if everybody kept their tires at the proper pressure, just imagine how much fuel we could save overall.

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Hybrid Cars in the News

2006-07-07T07:30:00.000-07:00

The recent (Aug/Sep 06) issue of Home Power has a great little article on Hybrid Cars.

To quote from part of the article on the Toyota Prius (I am biased because I own one):

"The Prius works like a charm, humming along silently in all-electric modes at low speeds, and revving up its 110 combined gas and electric horsepower for a respectable 0-to-60 mph rate of 10.2 seconds."

AND

"The Prius instills a cultlike devotion from its drivers."

Oh! How true.

I have been averaging a smidge under 50 MPG for the 3 months I've had mine (saving a couple of hundred dollars in gas on two long trips). Performance has been fine, and the service provided by Ms. Michael Ruiz (yes, Michael is an attractive young lady) and the other staff at Texas Toyota of Grapevine has been stellar.

My advice? Go get your new Prius today.

Synthetic Vs. Conventional Motor Oil

2006-06-29T13:14:00.000-07:00

Your Engine, Your Baby: Synthetic or Conventional Oil
By Michael Walker

One central argument between car enthusiasts and on Internet car forums alike is what oil is better for your car, synthetic or conventional. Before synthetic oils became available for regular automobiles, the argument centered solely on brand types and weight. But now, with the advent of these synthetics all over the market, what is truly the best choice for your engine? Let’s explore both of these worlds to find out.

Conventional oil is rated according to a SAE system. This scale is used so that you know what type of oil is best for your car given the environmental conditions (temperature, city driving, etc.) of where you live. The first number, for example on 10W30 motor oil, is 10 followed by a “W”. This “W” indicates that the number before it is the viscosity rating of the oil. The lower this number, the better the oil is for colder climates. The higher the number, the better it is for hotter driving conditions.

Synthetic oils, on the other hand (before their commercial release) were used in many military vehicles and fighter jets. Airlines also use synthetics in their engines. The synthetic oil has been designed not to break down as quickly and can tolerate extremities in temperature and weather (hot to cold).

One of the major differences between conventional and synthetic oils is that synthetics are treated with more additives that protect your engine for a longer amount of time before you have to change it. And, while we don’t want to get into all the molecular chemistry involved in the making of these oils, we should mention that they also last longer in hotter conditions and won’t “gel” in colder ones, like conventional oil. In other words, synthetics have more additives, which greatly protect the car from viscosity breakdown. They are designed to withstand temperature extremes. It may be safe to say that extreme driving conditions call for the use of synthetics.

On the financial side of the matter, synthetics cost a whole lot more; up to three or four times as much as regular conventional oil. But, the wonderful thing is that you don’t have to change your oil every 3,000 miles; recommended with conventional oil use. In fact, you may not have to change it until well after 25,000 and up to 50,000 miles as long as the oil filter is changed every 10,000 miles. So, the cost at first might scare consumers away, but the long-term benefits of synthetic oil use are substantial.

However, you will still have to be responsible for your car’s maintenance check-up every 3,000 miles or so. With regular oil-changes, you are automatically checking over the car for other problems (or if you don’t an inspection mechanic does). It might help you find a problem that could be dealt with, that could’ve gone unchecked. Also, you’ll want to check the synthetic oil every now and then to be sure that it isn’t contaminated and/or that there isn’t any moisture build-up.

With normal everyday driving, perhaps conventional oils work best for you. You aren’t driving in extreme conditions and you swear allegiance to regular oil. That may be fine. Synthetic oil cannot really offer you anything that conventional oil cannot under normal operating conditions. However, the definition of extreme driving states that if you do a lot of short driving (two to twenty miles) daily, it’s hard on your car. And, specialists agree that this constitutes extreme driving due to the faster breakdown of the structure of conventional oil.

Another major reason that many are choosing the synthetic route is that it contains fewer impurities; impurities that can cause your engine harm, perhaps to the point of premature engine wear. With conventional oil, there’s no way to totally rid, filter or clean the impurities from the natural elements. That’s another reason why synthetic oils do not have to be changed as much even in extreme driving conditions.

You’ll want to be careful; however, if you do decide that you want to give synthetic oils a try. If you’ve been driving your 1983 Ford Thunderbird for years using 10W30, you may not want to switch using your conventional oil brand.

Conventional oils have solvents that stick to gaskets and seals and often cause them to swell a certain way. These gaskets and seals have been used to the same oil for years and the switch to any other type of oil (whether it is to a different conventional oil brand, or an upgrade to a synthetic) may be harmful. The oil you change (or upgrade to) will also have solvents and additives, different from the original. So in other terms, the changing of oils could result in oil leaks and/or a once small oil leak becoming bigger due to the reaction the seals and gaskets will have to the change (not because of the oil itself). If you think that this might be the case for you (i.e. if you have an older car using conventional oil), it’s recommended that you not try synthetic oil until you have an engine (or new car) with relatively virgin gaskets and seals that will be able to acclimate much more easily to the chemical changes of the newer type of oil.

It’s easy to see that that fanfare for one or the other is an argument that has really been explored. It’s best for you to decide what will fit your personal needs. If you have an older car, you may want to wait until you upgrade. However, if you have a newer car, the benefits of synthetic oils are easily seen. Again, it’s solely dependent upon you and the conditions where you drive. Synthetics are shown to provide their best protection above 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Most people do not drive their cars this hot. However, many do drive in cities, where driving times are considered to be more of a “stop-and-go” nature, which may be considered “extreme” in many circumstances. When the time comes for you to make a decision, at least you’ll be informed of the differences of each. And, until that time, no matter what, keep up that automotive pride!

About the Author
Michael Walker is a freelance author providing tips and hints on engine related topics such as JDM motors, used import engines and engine swaps. His articles are a valuable source of information for the auto enthusiast.

Article Source: http://articles.simplysearch4it.com

Learn more about Amsoil synthetic motor oil.

Hybrid Cars

2006-06-24T03:35:00.000-07:00

In his book "The Electric Car: Development and Future of Battery, Hybrid and Fuel-Cell Cars", author Michael H. Westbrook starts with the electric car and follows its history and development up to the hybrid vehicles of today. While it is slanted a bit towards the technical side and lacks insofar as future expectations of electric and hybrid vehicles are concerned, it is a solid base for understanding electric and hybrid vehicles.

BOOK REVIEW: Electric and Hybrid Cars: A History

2006-06-19T06:39:00.000-07:00

A brief review of: "Electric and Hybrid Cars: A History" AUTHORS: Curtis D. Anderson, Judy Anderson
Review written by Donovan Baldwin

In their book, "Electric and Hybrid Cars: A History", authors Curtis Anderson and Judy Anderson have collaborated to provide an illustrated history of electric cars, and their cousin, the hybrid car. Curtis D. Anderson is a research analyst, while Judy Anderson is a Reference Librarian at Concordia University in Portland, Oregon.

The quest for an efficient, non-polluting vehicle has an interesting history.

However, the history of the electric car is longer and more involved than you might think. In "Electric and Hybrid Cars: A History", the reader will learn more than just history.

The authors cover not only the companies that built them, but the environmental, political, marketing, and public reception of these types of vehicles.

Recommended read: "Electric and Hybrid Cars: A History"

Hybrid Cars: Fuel Economy

2006-06-16T05:07:00.000-07:00

Copyright © Donovan Baldwin
Lube2005.com

The term that really applies is HEV, which stands for hybrid electric vehicle. These are the most fuel efficient vehicles available for most of us.

While actual configuration may vary due to the design intentions of the manufacturer, they generally combine a small (by regular vehicle standards) gasoline engine with an electric motor.

While the gasoline engine does most of the locomotion at highway speeds, when less fuel is required, it also is available to provide the extra power that the electric motor cannot provide or sustain for long.

The electric battery/motor combination can start the car moving in some instances, maintain systems without the gasoline motor having to idle at stops such as lights and in drive thrus, and can assist the gasoline motor as it propels the hybrid vehicle down the road. Not only is fuel being saved while the electric motor is maintaining vehicle systems in what would normally be idling situations, but this means that less pollution is being emitted into the air, usually within the confines of our most polluted areas...our cities.

During the rolling of the vehicle, particularly in coasting situations, the battery which provides the electric motor with power is recharged. When braking at slower speeds (in-town, stop-and-go), regenerative braking is generally used to stop the car rather than the brakes themselves. In regenerative braking, the electric motor actually changes is polarity, becoming a electric generator which recharges the battery. This change from motor to generator creates a reverse torque which is used to slow and stop the vehicle. At highway speeds, normal braking occurs.

At times, the charge within the battery may dip below the needed level, and at these times, the small gasoline engine automatically comes on to recharge the battery.

Even with hybrids, however, there are different vehicle types to meet the needs of the consumer. There are hybrid SUVs, Trucks, and small and mid-size sedans such as the Toyota Prius, which is one of the most fuel efficient hybrid vehicles available, getting on average about 50 MPG. Larger hybrid vehicles, such as SUVs and Trucks, tend to provide fuel economy in a relative sense. The fuel economy of these larger hybrid vehicles tends to roughly equal a gasoline powered sedan.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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Donovan Baldwin is a Dallas area writer. A graduate of the University Of West Florida (1973) with a BA in accounting, he is a member of Mensa and has held several managerial positions. After retiring from the U. S. Army in 1995, he became interested in internet marketing and developed various online businesses. He has been writing poetry, articles, and essays for over 40 years, and now frequently publishes articles on his own websites and for use by other webmasters. He has blogs on the subjects of weight loss and health, hybrid cars and alternative fuels, and internet marketing and related business topics.

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My New Toyota Prius Update

2006-06-13T05:18:00.000-07:00

My wife and I bought a new Toyota Prius just a few days more than a month ago. You can read the story of how we got it by clicking on any Toyota Prius link in this message. As you can see from reading the story, getting the car was a hassle...solved by a lovely lady named Michael (yes, Michael) Ruiz at Texas Toyota of Grapevine, Texas.

Anyway, we have put over 3,000 miles on the car in the 39 days we have had it, including a trip to Atlanta and Pensacola. I took it in to Texas Toyota of Grapevine for the first 3,000 mile oil change, and they paid for it.

We went by yesterday to pick up our plates (Dallas County is sloooooowwwww), and the ever lovely Ms. Michael Ruiz (her father wanted a boy) had them wash the car and fill the tank with gas (I think that was about 7 or 8 gallons) for free.

On our trip we averaged around 55 MPG, and in daily driving around Dallas, we are averaging just under 50 MPG...around 49.6, actually. Don't forget, by the way that these figures don't count the times the car automatically shuts off the engine at stoplights, in drive-thrus, etc. when your car would normally be idling, so we are actually getting just a little better than what the figures tell us.

We are pleased with the performance and fuel economy of our new Toyota Prius.

We also cannot say enough good things about Michael Ruiz and the other folks at Texas Toyota of Grapevine.

Renewable Energy: Upcoming Events

2006-06-10T06:04:00.000-07:00

Renewable Energy

MIDWEST RENEWABLE ENERGY ASSOCIATION

When: June 23-25, 2006
Where: Custer, WI
What: Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Fair - three-day festival is the world's largest venue to learn about renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living.

SOLAR LIVING INSTITUTE

When: August 19-20, 2006
Where: Solar Living Center - Hopland, CA
What: SolFest® - 11th Annual Event: Each SolFest event has continued to host many well-known speakers and experts in the fields of renewable energy, social responsibility and sustainable living, solidifying SolFest's reputation as the premier event of its kind.

Alternative Fuels: Biodiesel

2006-06-06T08:56:00.000-07:00

Copyright © Donovan Baldwin
Lube2005.com

You may have heard of biodiesel (or even biowillie), but for those who don't know much about it, we will get to an explanation of it in a moment. I just wanted to start with a small list of the benefits of using biodiesel.

BENEFITS OF BIODIESEL

Requires no special delivery equipment and can use existing infrastructure.

Can be used in present diesel engines without modification

Reduces carbon dioxide emissions from 15% to over 75% over petroleum diesel, based on the biodiesel blend.

Emits fewer air pollutants in general.

It is a completely renewable fuel.

Reduces dependence on foreign oil.

It is safer to handle, store and transport than petrolem diesel.

WHAT IS BIODIESEL?

Biodiesel is a renewable diesel fuel which can be made from waste products such as vegetable oils and animal fats, or even from vegetable matter, such as corn, which is specifically intended to produce it. While not often used as "neat" or pure biodiesel, also known as B100, blends of up to 20% are common and can be used in most diesel powered equipment with no modification at all. There are some engines, built since 1994, which can use B100. It should be mentioned, however, that experts recommend that users check with their engine manufacturers to see if there might be a conflict or problem. There is still some uncertainty about how the use of biodiesel fuel, particularly B100, may affect the life of the engine.

As pointed out in the section on benefits (above), biodiesel fuel reduces air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions.

MAKING BIODIESEL

Three great things about biodiesel fuel is that it is renewable, biodegradeable, and non-toxic. Biodiesel is the name given to acid methyl esters intended for use as fuel. Another product formed during the production of biodiesel is glycerol, which is widely used in cosmetics. Slightly over half of the production resources can use any fat or oil, including recycled cooking grease. The remaining producers primarily uses vegetable oils. Due mainly to cost considerations, soy oil is the prime source for most commercial production. It is estimated that approximately 5% of on-road biodiesel could be produced from all sources under optimum conditions.

THE MARKET AND THE INCENTIVES

Biodiesel is in wide use among such entities as the U.S. Postal Service and the U.S. Departments of Defense, Energy, and Agriculture. Many school districts, municipal transit authorities, national parks, public utility companies, and garbage and recycling companies also use the fuel. It is also becoming more popular among trucking companies, truck owners, and farmers thanks in part to the efforts of country singer Willie Nelson, who now has his own brand known as BioWillie.

At the time this article is being written, there is a tax incentive offered as a federal tax credit. This incentive is mainly being taken by producers who are passing it on to consumers in the form of a price reduction at the pump. The USDA estimates this incentive will bring production of biodiesel to at least 124 million gallons per year. Other factors, such as costs of petroleum sources could cause an even higher production.

AVAILIBILITY

Fleet owners have found that it is not particularly difficult to set up their own biodiesel fueling facilities. While there are some practical considerations which might need to be overcome, fleet owners are finding that it offers some rewards economically as well as in terms of safety and responsibility as this fuel is, and is seen by the community as, being ecologically sensible.

Some of the business and government entities happy with their biodiesel refit are: L. L. Bean, the U. S. Military, and Cranmore Mountain Resort in New Hampshire. Of particular interest was that Yellowstone National Park confirmed in their study of the feasibility of using biodiesel fueled trucks that park bears did not seem to be particularly attracted to vehicles fueled by this food-based diesel product.

While commercial availability is growing and more stations and truck stops are adding biodiesel, it can still be difficult to locate, particularly for the traveler. The federal government offers a Biodiesel Locator service at its Alternative Fuel Data Center ( http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/infrastructure/locator.html ), and there is a BioWillie Locator as well ( http://www.wnbiodiesel.com/locations.html ).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
---------------------------------------------

Donovan Baldwin is a Dallas area writer. A graduate of the University Of West Florida (1973) with a BA in accounting, he is a member of Mensa and has held several managerial positions. After retiring from the U. S. Army in 1995, he became interested in internet marketing and developed various online businesses. He has been writing poetry, articles, and essays for over 40 years, and now frequently publishes articles on his own websites and for use by other webmasters. He has blogs on the subjects of weight loss and health, hybrid cars and alternative fuels, and internet marketing and related business topics.

---------------------------------------------

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A couple of interesting links from your Amsoil Dealer

2006-05-30T04:41:00.000-07:00

The Alternative Fuels Data Center is a vast collection of information on alternative fuels and the vehicles that use them. Alternative fuels described here are those defined by the Energy Policy Act of 1992, including biodiesel, electricity, ethanol, hydrogen, natural gas, and propane. This site has more than 3,000 documents in its database, an interactive fuel station mapping system, current listings of available alternative fuel vehicles, and lots of alternative fuels information and related links.

GasBuddy.com can help you find cheap gas prices in your city. It is a network of more than 173+ gas price information web sites that helps you find low gasoline prices. All web sites are operated by GasBuddy and has the most comprehensive listings of gas prices anywhere.

Ethanol and E85 - Fuels Of The Future?

2006-05-29T08:39:00.000-07:00

Copyright © Donovan Baldwin
Lube2005.com

Pure ethanol or E100 is also known as ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol. It is made when corn, grain, or other agricultural products are fermented, distilled, and denatured and because of this, it is a continually renewable resource, a true benefit in the world of alternative fuels. Another benefit is the fact that, unlike many other, mainly petroleum based, fuels, it contributes nothing to the build-up of greenhouse gases. Because of its renewable nature, it is possible to extensively reduce a nation's dependence on foreign oil products.

Pure ethanol is never used as an alternative fuel, but ethanol blends are. For example, E10 is a fuel made of 10 percent ethanol and blended with 90 percent gasoline. The most common blend is E85, a fuel made of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. E85 is officially classified by the U.S. Department of Energy as an alternative energy fuel. It could be used in most cars today that are run on gasoline with some modification, and new, flexible fuel vehicles, are being developed that could use E85. Recently, lobbyists have been pushing for its use in FFVs or flexible fuel vehicles, alternative vehicles that have a lesser impact on the environment than today's gas guzzling cars.

E85 Properties

Why is E85 gaining in popularity to the point that lines of vehicles are being developed that will run on it alone? Compare it to the properties of gasoline, and see for yourself:

96 octane to 86-94 octane in gasoline
12,500 lower heating value to 18,000-19,000 lower heating value of gasoline
1.4 gallons of E85 is equal to 1 gallon gasoline
Per gallon, E85 gets 72% of the miles that gasoline gets
Holding tank is 1.4 times larger than a gasoline holding tank
In cold weather, E85 starts the car as well as gasoline
Vehicle power is increased 3-5% with E85

Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFV)

A flexible fuel vehicle is a car that runs on any ethanol blend, E85 or less, and can also run on regular unleaded gas. They have been in production for almost a decade and continue to be built by some major car manufacturers including Ford, GM, Mercury, Isuzu, and more. Over 2 million of today’s vehicles are flexible fuel vehicles, which can run on ethanol, gasoline, or a mixture of the two. You may own one of these FFV's without even being aware of it. Some of the benefits of flexible fuel vehicles include:

Emissions that create smog are reduced 25 percent
Cost effectiveness is equal to that of cars run on gasoline
Similar warranties and original equipment are manufactured as they are for gasoline run vehicles
Emissions that create greenhouse gases are reduced 35 to 40 percent
Vehicle horsepower increased up to 5 percent
Fuel is renewable
New vehicles can be ordered with a flexible fuel engine option
More and more E85 pumps are springing up all over the country
Gasoline can be mixed with any amount of E85 if E85 is not available

Hybrid Vehicles And Ethanol

Most cars, including hybrid cars have no problems with a 10 percent ethanol blend. However, at this time, the combination of E85 and the hybrid car is only slowly making its way from the drawing board to the highway. Some instances have occurred where the two have been combined, but these are primarily in fleet situations and concept cars so far. However, it shouldn't be too long before you can buy a hybrid car that will run on E85.

Drawbacks of E85

There are a few disadvantages to E85 at this point in the game, though they hardly outweigh the benefits. Some of these include:

The cost of E85 is formidable due to the cost of the fermentation process but research has already begun to develop a new and cheaper fermentation process that utilizes lower-grade feed stocks.
Ethanol is quite a bit more corrosive than gasoline, which could lead to engine problems.
Issues of things like vapor lock, flame visibility, and cold starts have experts concerned.
The miles per gallon of E85 is less efficient than the miles per gallons of gasoline.
It's not easy to find E85 gasoline tanks because distribution is difficult.

One present disadvantage that DOES outweigh the ecological value for the consumer is the scarcity of locations selling E85. This will probably continue to change over time however. For those in the military, there are some military bases where E85 can be found

Despite the limitations, ethanol based alternative fuels like E85 are an incredible improvement over the use of gasoline. Some car manufacturers are offering to upgrade regular engines to E85 capability for no cost, and the fact that flexible fuel vehicles are not reliant upon E85 but can use gasoline in any combination with the ethanol blend makes it a simple choice. Scientists and researchers are working on ways to fix the remaining issues. This new technology is more than a trend but the direction in which the future is taking drivers.

You can learn more about alternative fuels and flexible fuel vehicles, including what vehicles are flexible fuel vehicles, and where to find E85, at the United States Government's Alternative Fuel Data Center.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
---------------------------------------------
The author is retired from the Army after 21 years of service, has worked as an accountant, optical lab manager, restaurant manager, and instructor. He has been a member of Mensa for several years, and has written and published poetry, essays, and articles on various subjects for the last 40 years. He is keenly interested in the fuels of the future, America's dependence on foreign oil, the physical limits of stores of petroleum based products, and the futures of his grandchildren. Learn more about hybrid cars, and fuel economy.
---------------------------------------------

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Fuel Economy: Choices

2006-05-28T05:30:00.000-07:00

Fuel Economy And Personal Choices
By Donovan Baldwin

I used to be an over-the-road, long haul truck driver. For a while, I even owned and drove my own truck. As an owner-operator, I became interested in fuel economy, and very aware of how personal choices can affect fuel economy and fuel costs.

I'm off the road now, although I still travel a great deal, mainly by car. Like everyone else, I have listened to, and watched, news stories, discussions, and interviews on the present and future state of energy and energy sources.

As a business man and private citizen who travels extensively by car, both for business and pleasure, I am concerned about present costs and those which might be expected in the future.

Even more, however, I am becoming concerned about what might be my future, if I live long enough, and what will almost certainly be the energy future of my grandchildren, if not my children. As a result of these concerns, I have begun to think more about the changes that I and others can make to alleviate some of the coming ecological and economic problems related to fuel.

Because of my experiences past and present, I have some thoughts on the subjects of travel, the operation of vehicles, and the modern driver. I would like to make a couple of points, particularly as these subjects and fuel economy meet at the nexus of choice.

For years, I have watched drivers drive far in excess of the posted speeds or rational speeds for the conditions in which they found themselves. I have witnessed several situations in which the driver created or arrived at a dangerous situation as a result of this need for speed and I have had several opportunities to view the sad results of these choices. Many of these individuals will eventually either grow up or remove themselves from the gene pool. In the meantime, they will continue to drive in this manner, and many will drive this way into old age. I remember one long traffic jam in Utah that resulted from a driver's attempt to find out what his new Porsche "could do". In the words of another truck driver on the scene, "It could kill him. That's what it could do."

However, let's just talk about speed from the viewpoint of fuel economy. I regularly see interviews with "the consumer" on TV. Often these people are bemoaning the money they have to spend on fuel. Daily, these people, or those just like them, blow down the road at high rates of speed when driving a few miles more slowly could result in appreciable real money savings, especially at today's fuel prices. Many of these cars are hardly fuel efficient in the first place, and, when operating at such high speeds become super-gas-guzzlers! Many of these people also rush up to stop signs and stop lights, maintaining their speed or accelerating until the last minute before treading heavily on the brake. They seem to give no thought to the fact that accelerating to a place where you are going to have to stop is equivalent to throwing money out the window, not to mention simply wasting fuel and causing the next expensive brake job to arrive more quickly. For many, the simple act of looking at what is happening ahead of them and removing their foot from the accelerator before arriving at a point where they HAVE TO STOP could result in savings in fuel and money.

There are many fuel efficient cars available, including a wide and growing range of hybrid cars, such as the Toyota Prius I recently bought. But, there are a great many people who insist on purchasing gas-guzzling SUV's or so-called luxury vehicles, even when they are not needed! I recently took a trip in my very comfortable Prius and averaged approximately 56 miles per gallon. Interestingly enough, on the second day of my trip, I was passed by another Prius going about 70 miles per hour. The owner had possibly bought a hybrid vehicle in hopes of saving money by improved fuel economy, but apparently chose not to change his or her driving habits (they went by too fast for me to see if it was a man or a woman driver) to get the maximum possible fuel economy.

I am sure that many SUV owners, as well as the rest of the public, wish they could save even a few cents on fuel. Properly inflated tires can help do this as can properly maintained cars in general. Every day, I see several cars with obvious low tires, and believe I can accurately assume that many drivers do not perform regular maintenance checks on their vehicles nor do they have regular oil changes done.

In an article I wrote about a year ago, I mentioned how a service station owner had pointed out to me years ago that his number of towing calls, tire sales, and vehicle repairs had increased since the advent of self-service gas stations and convenience stores. Relatively few people then, and probably not so many today, performed the regular maintenance chores necessary for optimum vehicle life and efficiency, as well as fuel economy.

These are just a few choices each of us has almost every day. Each is an opportunity to save money, lower personal expenses, and help, at least in some small way, to extend the dwindling resources available to all of us. Accepting the responsibility to make these decisions and act on them as a mature and responsible individual is a way to reduce out-of-pocket fuel costs, as well as the depletion of a diminishing supply of petroleum for fuel and lubrication of our beloved vehicles.

Other choices we might make could include the use of synthetic lubricants, alternative fuels such as ethanol, particularly E85, or biodiesel.

Rather than simply demanding that the government should "do something", we should tell them what to do! We can demand that they choose to help expand the development of renewable energy technology, synthetic petroleum substitutes, and alternative fuels while ending the appearance of collusion between government and oil interests.

Our choices, and those of business and government, will determine the future conditions of life on this planet, as well as the current condition of our personal finances.

Learn more about alternative fuels and flexible fuel vehicles, including what vehicles are flexible fuel vehicles, and where to find E85, at the United States Government's Alternative Fuel Data Center.

The author is retired from the Army after 21 years of service, has worked as an accountant, optical lab manager, restaurant manager, and instructor. He has been a member of Mensa for several years, and has written and published poetry, essays, and articles on various subjects for the last 40 years. He is keenly interested in the fuels of the future, America's dependence on foreign oil, the physical limits of stores of petroleum based products, and the futures of his grandchildren. Learn more about hybrid cars, and fuel economy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donovan_Baldwin

Hybrid Vehicle Technology

2006-05-27T04:12:00.000-07:00

Copyright © Donovan Baldwin
Lube2005.com

LEADING UP TO THE NEED FOR A HYBRID VEHICLE

For most of the lifetime of automobiles, propulsion has been provided by the gasoline or diesel powered internal combustion type of engine. There have been brief flirtations with steam, electricity, and vehicles that could use a variety of fuels, but most of these have fallen by the wayside as the gasoline engine pushed billions of vehicles down the road.

However, this single-minded dependence on petroleum-based fuels, and lubricants too, has placed the planet on the edge of a new future...a future without petroleum or, at best, with limited petroleum resources. Government, business, and designers have combined efforts to come up with some sort of solution to at least part of the problem of maintaining our present way of life with the fact of decreasing petroleum supplies.

In previous incarnations of the personal vehicle, steam did not prove suitable for simple, daily operations, and electricity was limited by the speed with which battery charges dissipated, the length of time required for recharging, and the need to redesign and create an infrastructure for electric cars.

The recent solution has been the hybrid vehicle. The hybrid car combines gasoline engine technology, already fairly highly advanced, with a battery/electric motor combination, which also uses technology that is well known.

WHAT A HYBRID VEHICLE DOES

The gasoline powered engine can provide higher, sustained speeds for long periods of time and recharge the battery as needed by means of a generator (more on this in a moment). The battery/electric motor can provide the power to begin moving the hybrid vehicle, continue moving it at lower speeds and can power systems such as lights, radio, and air conditioner when the vehicle is at a stop. This simple step of having the vehicle turn the engine off during idle times such as at stop signs, stop lights, drive-thrus, and stop-and-go traffic can result in quite a fuel savings by itself.

The forward movement of the vehicle itself can help store power in the battery by turning the electric generator. One interesting aspect of this is that the electric generator which recharges the battery when turning in one direction is also the electric motor which draws power from the battery to move the car at lower speeds. This, in its most basic form, is done by reversing the spin of the central rotor of the generator/motor. This use of the same device to power the car and recharge the battery also allows for a unique feature - regenerative braking.

REGENERATIVE BRAKING IN A HYBRID VEHICLE

Regenerative braking is very simple in concept and turns a frequent and unavoidable expense into an asset in more than one way. In an ordinary vehicle, brake pads or shoes press against a rotor or drum to slow and stop the vehicle. This generates a lot of heat. Brake pads, shoes, rotors, and drums wear out due to the friction and heat and have to be replaced regularly. This can be expensive.

Stop-and-go city driving, tends to be the place where a large amount of braking occurs, so this is where most of the wear on brake parts occurs as well. With a regenerative braking system, such as that in the Toyota Prius hybrid, most braking will actually be provided by the electric motor itself at slower speeds. As you apply the brake, the electric motor which was propelling the car now reverses itself and becomes a generator recharging the battery as you slow and stop. The reversed motor creates torque which slows the vehicle and brings it to a stop, so the regular brake parts receive a lot less wear and need to be replaced less often.

FUEL ECONOMY AND "PLAYING THE LIGHTS" WITH A HYBRID VEHICLE

Add into the mix that stop-and-go city driving burns a lot of fuel. In a gasoline or diesel powered automobile, it takes much larger amounts of fuel to start a vehicle from a stop than to keep it moving. It requires less fuel to pick your speed back up when you have slowed down than to come to a complete stop and have to start from that point. Some truck drivers (and trucks burn a lot of fuel), have been taught to view events ahead and take their foot off the accelerator if they feel they may have to stop at a light that is red or "stale" green, or if there is congestion ahead which will slow them down anyway. This is called "playing the lights" and can result in significant fuel savings in any vehicle. A hybrid vehicle with regenerative braking is going to be saving wear and tear on brake parts, and taking it a little easier on the "go pedal" will help save even more in fuel costs if the driver is "playing the lights".

A hybrid vehicle commonly improves fuel economy by using the electric motor to start the vehicle moving and by letting the battery take care of times that the car would normally be idling. A well designed hybrid car also sometimes allows the electric motor to assist the gasoline engine as well, thus adding to the fuel economy of a hybrid vehicle over a standard petroleum fuel car.

NOT ALL HYBRIDS ARE CREATED EQUAL

There are hybrid SUV's and trucks, but these will not get the fuel economy of a smaller, lighter hybrid vehicle such as the Toyota Prius. Just to give an idea of the range, among hybrid cars, according to the federal government's Fuel Economy website at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hybrid_sbs.shtml , the 2006 Honda Accord got an average of 28 MPG, while the Honda Insight got an average of 56 MPG, and the Toyota Prius got an average of 55 MPG. To illustrate how the difference in model can make a difference in fuel economy even among hybrid vehicles, hardly any SUV listed on the government's website got over 34 MPG combined, and neither of the two hybrid trucks listed on my visit to the website, averaged over 20 MPG combined city and highway.

NOTE: I recently bought a Toyota Prius, and have been averaging almost exactly 55 MPG. I went on a trip, of over 2,000 miles, and 55 MPG was the fuel average for almost the entire trip. However, to emphasize how driving habits affect fuel economy, for over 1700 miles, I usually drove between 60 and 64 miles per hour on the highway, but during the last leg of my trip, I was in a hurry to get home and drove at 70 miles per hour. Driving at that speed cut my fuel economy down to under 50 MPG for that last portion of my trip.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
---------------------------------------------
The author is retired from the Army after 21 years of service, has worked as an accountant, optical lab manager, restaurant manager, and instructor. He has been a member of Mensa for several years, and has written and published poetry, essays, and articles on various subjects for the last 40 years. He is keenly interested in the fuels of the future, America's dependence on foreign oil, the physical limits of stores of petroleum based products, and the futures of his grandchildren. Learn more about hybrid cars, and fuel economy.
---------------------------------------------

NOTE: You have full permission to reprint this
article within your website or newsletter as long
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Save with Amsoil synthetic motor oil.