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What’s up with Hybrid Vehicles?
11th December 2008
What’s up with Hybrid Vehicles?
If the price of gasoline has got you scared, and you’re thinking about maybe trading in your car for a moped, you’ve got half the solution right. It might be time to trade in your car, but forget the moped — get a hybrid car instead.
The dictionary defines the word hybrid as: Offspring resulting from breeding between parents of two different species, and that’s a good definition for our purposes. That’s because a hybrid car has a power plant that’s a cross between a gasoline powered engine and an electric motor.
What’s the big deal about hybrid cars?
The automobile industry claims that a hybrid car can give you as much as 20 to 30 miles per gallon more performance than a standard gasoline engine. That means that you buy less gasoline, and buying less gasoline leaves more money in your pocket. You’ll need that extra money, however, because hybrid cars are still relatively expensive compared to traditional gasoline-powered cars. As more hybrid cars are sold, manufacturing prices will drop, and that drop will be seen in the selling price.
How does a hybrid car save gasoline?
In a typical automobile, the engine is connected to the transmission via a mechanical link called the drive train. When the engine’s sparkplugs fire, they ignite gasoline vapor which pushes a piston up and down. This piston movement gets transferred to the transmission via the drive train. The transmission turns the wheels and the car goes down the road.
Well, the hybrid car is almost exactly the same except that in addition to the engine being connected to the transmission, an electric motor is also connected to the transmission. Actually, there are two different versions of hybrid cars. The one that was just described is called a parallel hybrid, because there are two different energy sources connected in parallel to the transmission.
The other type of hybrid car is called a series hybrid because the gasoline engine works in series with the electric motor to power the car. This is accomplished by having the gasoline engine either charge the car’s batteries, or power the electric motor. The gasoline engine doesn’t actually turn the car’s wheels at all.
The parallel hybrid operates off of the electric motor when the car is being driven below a certain speed, and the gasoline engine kicks in when that speed is exceeded, or when sensors in the car indicate that the driver has accelerated suddenly as if to pass or to avoid an emergency situation.
Of course, the gasoline engine is always running even when the electric motor is powering the car, so some gasoline is always being used.
The series hybrid is always running off of the electric motor, which restricts the top speed of the car, and the gasoline engine only kicks in when the batteries need to be charged.
Like all automotive claims, your mileage may vary. Even so, if you’re looking to spend less money at the gas station, and avoid much of the effect of rising gas prices, you might want to park a hybrid car in your garage.
Diane Nassy is the founder of <a href="http://www.save-on-gas-prices.com">http://www.save-on-gas-prices.com</a> . Visit her website for great tips on ways to save on rising gas prices. Email : <a href="mailto:httpdeeljeabiz@gmail.com">deeljeabiz@gmail.com</a>
Is there Kentucky Fried Fuel in your Future?
Thanks to a weird marriage between the National Renderers Association, the people who turn animal fat into useful products, and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards , there is a possibility that your car could be burning chicken or other animal fat in the next few years.
That’s because these two agencies have been working together to advance the development of petroleum-based fuel alternatives known as “biofuels”. According to a jointly issued report, yellow grease, lard, recycled cooking fat, and other animal-derived products have been shown in tests to perform as an acceptable alternative to fossil fuels.
So far the fatty fuels have been tested in boilers, trucks, busses, and some automobiles. The results have been pretty impressive. In fact, the EPA has issued guidelines for companies who want to convert to biofuel to run their factories, power generating plants, and diesel engines. The guidelines spell out what fuels can be replaced by biofuels and what incentives the government is offering to those who take the leap. You can read the guidelines here at the EPA site (http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t3ed.html).
None of this alternative fuel talk has escaped the attention of the automobile manufacturers, big oil companies, or environmental groups. Everyone is looking at the possibilities in order to find a way to make some money when all is said and done.
Some people are doing more than looking, however. One school district in Georgia is running their school busses on chicken fat, and some trucking companies are converting their diesel engine to burn vegetable oil. It all seems to be working out quite well. Of course, there will probably be a vegetable shortage next, and we’ll see Crisco hitting $5.00 per tub!
Although it’s not likely that your next off-the-lot car will have “finger licking good” exhaust fumes, there is a great need to develop fossil fuel alternatives. Researchers aren’t just working with animal renderings and vegetable oil either. Experimental research is being conducted with hay and agricultural wastes as well. Even chicken “droppings” are getting burned.
Some companies are developing conversion kits that will let ordinary gasoline engines run on animal fat or vegetable oil. The average cost for a conversion kit runs around $1,000, but the savings can add up pretty quickly when you consider that many restaurants are giving away their used fry grease for free.
The main problem is finding ways to produce good mileage results and developing engines that are able to handle the effects of non-petroleum fuels. These aren’t overwhelming problems, but they still must be addressed before biofuels become mainstream. And for the conspiracy theory fans among us, there is always the possibility that “big oil” will do everything it can to stop biofuels from replacing their coveted black gold.
While having to scrounge around for buckets of fat, or scraping road kill from the Interstate might slow down your travel plans, there will come a time when biofuels will be flowing from your neighborhood service stations as freely as grease from a fried chicken platter.
Diane Nassy is the founder of <a href="http://www.save-on-gas-prices.com">http://www.save-on-gas-prices.com</a> . Visit her website for great tips on ways to save on rising gas prices. Email : <a href="mailto:httpdeeljeabiz@gmail.com">deeljeabiz@gmail.com</a>
Little Things You Can Do To Save Money On Car Fuel
Nowadays, car fuel prices are on the rise and consumers are suffering. Gone are the days when you can carelessly drive your car without worrying about burning up too much gas.
There are important procedures that you, as a car owner, can take in order to improve gas mileage. The following are practical tips to conserve gas:
Close Windows - Windows that are open can create air drag that can decrease the fuel consumption by 10%.
Avoid Bumpy Roads - Rough roads should not be taken as much as possible. Dirt, bumps, rough roads and gravels can cause 30% increase in fuel consumption.
Keep Your Car Light - Take out unnecessary baggage. The trunk should be kept clean, any gadget, tools or loads that are not needed should be taken out. 100 pounds of extra baggage can affect fuel economy by two percent.
Drive Efficiently - Just drive reasonably within the speed limit. Remember that speeds of more than 60 miles per hour increase fuel consumption. Do not do sudden starts, accelerations and stops. Acceleration should be done gradually. The gas pedal should not be stepped on more than one fourth of the way down. This will allow the engine to function most efficiently. Gas conservation could reach up to 5 percent if sudden stops, jerks and accelerations are avoided. Make use of gears for overdrive and cruise control as needed.
Check Your Car Regularly - The car should always be maintained. The engine should be given a regular tune up, the tires should always have the right air pressure and efficiently aligned, the oil should be changed when needed and air filters replaced regularly. Clogged filters can affect gas consumption adversely by up to ten percent.
Don?t Burn Gas Unnecessarily - Turn off the engine whenever there is an opportunity. Idle engine wastes fuel. There are instances where the engine could be turned off; stopping for gas, waiting for someone, changing tire pressure, caught in traffic and a lot more.
Don?t Warm Up Too Long - Lengthy warming up of the engine should be avoided. 30 to 45 seconds should be enough time. Also check if the automatic check is removed after warming up the engine. This is usually stuck which could usually cause poor gas and air combination.
By following these simple tips, you will be surprised at how much money you can save on your car fuel. And guess what? The money really adds up if you continue to follow these simple practices for conserving car fuel!
Dr. Drew Henry owns a network of auto-related websites, including <a href="http://www.carsandtrucksecrets.info">Cars And Trucks Secrets</a>, <a href="http://www.carrimsecrets.info">Car Rim Secrets</a> and <a href="http://www.caraudiosecrets.info">Car Audio Secrets</a>. Visit his sites today!
Save Money On Gas: Driving
How you drive your car can determine how much money you will save on gas. Here are some tips on how to save money on gas when driving your car. If you have a standard transmission you should always drive in the highest gear possible. In many cars gas efficiency will go down by 10% if you have the air conditioner running while you are moving. If you have a lower temperature setting on your A/C, use it. Run the A/C until the interior gets cooled down and then turn it off and let the fan circulate the cool air. You should never run your AC with your windows open. Cars that were built after 1990 don t need to warm up before driving in the morning. For the first five minutes of driving, don’t exceed 35 mph. The engine actually warms up better if it is driving instead of idling in your driveway. Driving the speed limit will help you out as well… maybe as much as 10%. Accelerate slowly when you are leaving a stoplight. The fastest person through the intersection just gets to spend more money on gas. If you follow the tip of driving in high gear, you won’t be accelerating all that much anyway. Try buying 87-octane gasoline (Regular). Read your car manual. Some vehicle advertisements tell you to use premium gasoline, but the owner’s manual actually says that 87 is fine. Turn the engine off when you’re stuck at a light or waiting for a train to pass or when you don’t expect to move for a few minutes. When the engine is idling and not moving, you end up with 0 mpg. Revving the engine is a huge waste of time and gas as well. Unless there is a mechanical problem with your car, there is no need to do this before you turn your vehicle off. If there is a mechanical problem, consider fixing it before it turns into a more expensive problem later on. Following these tips can give you an advantage over gas prices at the pump.
Olivia is a writer with over fifteen years writing video scripts and webcopy. She authors several websites and blogs. for more information on how to save money on gas <a href="http://milagecare.myffi.biz">click here!</a>
Gas Scooter Safety
By Flemming Andersen
Having a gas scooter means that you need to take the necessary precautions and learn how to use it safely. You will need to be responsible and make sure that you do a few things before you decide to get on a gas scooter and ride. You want to use common sense to make sure that you are not hurt or even worse.
You should make sure that you are wearing the proper gear each time you ride your gas scooter. Safety is very important and there are few necessities that you will have to have in order to make that happen. You need to make sure that you can be seen on the scooter. You should wear bright and reflective clothing. This will make you more noticeable to other people on the road. You need to make sure that you have reflective helmets as well.
It is important to wear helmets and kneepads as well. You will need to protect every part of your body when you are on a gas scooter. You should have elbow pads, wrist guards, gloves and good shoes on your feet too. You have to make sure that you are protected well so that you do not get hurt in case you are ever in an accident.
The next thing that you need to do is check your scooters equipment. A scooter will need to have more attention than a car. You need to make sure that everything is in good working order before you start to ride. You should check the nuts and bolts and make sure that the steering is working properly. It is also important to inspect the brakes and all the controls of the scooter. Check the frame to make sure that everything is in tact. Always look at the tires and check them for wear and tear. This is a very important part of a scooter and they should be checked often.
Always know your gas scooter before you ride. Read and understand all the instructions before you ride. Take note to all the safety and warning labels on the scooter as well. Check the controls and ride cautiously even after you are familiar with the scooter.
Another thing to remember when you are riding your gas scooter is to obey all the laws in your area. Know where you are allowed to ride and watch for other motor vehicles. Do not ride in bad weather whenever possible. You should also be aware of riding at night. Never go out on your gas scooter at night without your reflective gear.
When you ride safe and obey the rules, you will get a lot of use from your gas scooter. You will be able to enjoy the scooter for a long time and it will make your life a lot easier while adding some fun to it as well.
For more info visit: /www.scootergas.info/>
About the Author
To find the best suited scooter for you, the author provides a detailed website with info and resources on gas scooters.
The author work with SEO and Adsense and delivers info on different kind of products.
The brotherhood of motorcycle clubs
There are lots of reasons why men and women join clubs. Some may be looking for wholesome entertainment, while others are hoping for companionship, or to find people who share the same philosophies. I
10 Tips for Improving Fuel Efficiency
10 Tips for Improving Fuel Efficiency 1] Slow Down On The highway Your car is optimized to drive at 40-60mph(80-100km/hr), when you drive 70-80+mph fuel efficiency drops by up to a whooping 33% . Yes 33% , that is not a typo. I had heard this before and thought it was an exaggeration, then I drove the new Chevrolet Cobalt which has a fuel efficiency gauge in it and I saw it first hand, what a surprise. Is it worth speeding to save 5 minutes off your commute to work so you can just get held up in city traffic? Between the lost fuel efficiency, the extra wear and tear on the car driving beyond optimized speeds and inherent safety concerns I will need a good reason to start speeding on the highway from now on. 2] Cruise In The City The same idea applies in city driving. Speeding up to make the next red light guzzles gas and is hard on your car. This can decrease fuel efficiency by 5%. Why hurry up just to make the next red light? Let’s face it, speeding in the city doesn’t get you anywhere’s faster. If you drive like a bat out of hell you might make an extra light or two and chop a mere 2-4 minutes off your commute assuming you make it there alive. I drive at sane speeds throughout the city while most others fly by me and hard brake at the next red light, I then pull up beside them or even pass them as I may not of needed to stop as the lights are usually synchronized for sane driving speeds not surprisingly (it also takes more gas to get back up to speed than to maintain it). So have some fun watching people fly by you and seeing them at the next red light knowing your car is much better off. 3] Tire Pressure Here’s one everyone can do easily. It only takes a couple minutes to check your tires pressure. Under inflated tires can result in 3% less fuel efficiency. 4] Link Your Trips/Errands Plan your trip to include as many destinations or errands as possible. Fewer trips means less cold starts, better fuel efficiency and less driving than multiple small trips. 5] Avoid Unnecessary Idling. You’re getting 0 mpg for this one. If you’re going to wait 5-10 minutes for a friend give your car and wallet a break. For those who live in colder climates this is a bigger issue. We all want our cars toasty warm in the winter time when we get inside. Today’s cars really only needs 30 second of idling to warm up even in cold weather, then 1-2 minutes of driving to get it fully warmed up. So bundle up and save yourself a bundle. 6] Maintain Your Car Inexpensive oil and air filter changes can boost your cars performance and increase your cars lifespan. A blocked air filter can decrease fuel efficiency by as much as 10% and a misfiring spark plug won’t help either. So try to follow your cars service manual.. It beats dealing with an unexpected major repair and major inconvenience.. 7] Monitor Your Fuel efficiency I like to measure how many miles / KM I get on half a tank after filling it up. It’s easier to measure this way as we don’t let our gas tanks completely run dry and its impossible to estimate how much was left when you fill it up again. You can see how your driving habits affect your fuel economy and if your habits haven’t changed and you fuel economy drops off, then maybe its time for some car maintenance. Purchasing a fuel consumption gauge (if you car doesn’t already have one) can give you real time feedback and more accurate reading. This provides great instant feedback on driving habits. 8] Remove Unnecessary Items From Your Car For each extra 100lbs you lose 1-2% fuel efficiency, so get the golf clubs out of the trunk until your next tee off time. Leaving items on your roof rack also creates extra drag which makes your car work harder, so lock your mountain bikes up till the next trip. 9] Jack Rabbit Starts Some people like to suddenly accelerate by putting their foot to the floor. This guzzles gas and gives marginal speed improvement to a gradual acceleration. 10] Back Off Tail gating results in unnecessary breaking and accelerating. Hang back a little more and you can avoid the added stress and save some gas. It’s also safer to drive this way, give yourself an extra second to avoid an accident !
Paul Fezziwig writes for and administers 'Green Cars Now', http://www.greencarsnow.com , a website devoted to promoting fuel efficient vehicles and better driving habits.
GPS Vehicle Tracking Systems
The implications of this type of technology are wide ranging for security services and anyone who needs to monitor information on vehicle movements. As an anti-theft device for a vehicle it is a huge
