Sunday, July 31, 2011

What Does Increased Horsepower On Cars Mean?

Increased Horsepower On Cars however can be achieved in a number of different ways, but let's look at the reason to increase horsepower in cars after you bought it for starters. The answer to this lies in the compromise with which the vehicle was manufactured and sold to you. There is a lot of room for improvement when a vehicle is bought from a dealer or manufacturer. Most manufacturers of motor vehicles are more interested in keeping the costs down, which means making the car affordable and improving the gas mileage. They are not quite interested in increasing the horse power of the engine because this would increase their costs. Car enthusiasts often increase the horsepower in their engines, eager to see just how good the vehicle can perform.

Increased Horsepower On Cars can be achieved through a number of ways such as use of a free flow air filter specific to your vehicle model, changing the chip in the engine's control unit, investing in a high performance exhaust system and so on. These methods are fairly costly in the long run for the average driver. Increasing the performance and horsepower in cars does not in any way reduce the effect of the emissions on the environment.

Companies are taking alternative routes and coming up with interventions that can increase horsepower on cars and doing away with any harmful effect on the planet. One such instance is the EnviroTab, which is a tablet used in the fuel tank of a vehicle, capable of producing a dramatic increase on the horsepower. This is without the added costs of meddling with modification of engines. When the efficiency in an automotive vehicle is increased, the result is faster burning of fuel, thus increased power to the vehicle.

The corporation behind this environment friendly product has been able to significantly research and undertake the necessary testing for this product. Many people want more power under the hood but are not sure where to start, neither do they have an indication of how much it could cost.

It is important to keep one's car in fine mechanical shape which involves making sure that all service checks are done in time, fixing serious problems in time without much delay, keeping tires properly inflated because poorly maintained tires result in extra fuel consumption and using the correct grade of motor oils as recommended by a professional mechanic. Don't be fooled by constant new brands which bombard the market almost daily, use what works for your vehicle. This is one sure-fire answer to the age old question "how to improve engine performance"?

To learn more information about increasing horsepower on cars, please go to http://horsepoweroncars.com/horsepoweroncars/

If you'd like to learn how to Go Green and Make Money doing it, please visit http://pdxenviro.biz/


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Chevrolet Teams Up With GE and ABB on Projects for the Volt

Chevrolet is now working with both General Electric and ABB's labs on projects to improve ownership of the Volt and sustainable solutions for its afterlife. G.E is working to understand the communications between electric vehicles and the grid, while ABB has discovered a use for the Volt's battery after its 10 year life span.

GM's pilot project with General Electric and other regional power companies aims at using GE technology to collect information associated with energy consumption and charging times through the grid. This research could potentially lead to even better technology when it comes to charging EVs. Due to the partnership, the Chevy Volt has been designated as the guinea pig for testing during the project.

Last year GE pledged to buy 25,000 plug-in hybrids and purely electric cars for its nationwide fleet of 30,000 company vehicles. GE will lease 12,000 Chevrolet Volts to hundreds of electric company employees, who are to drive them as their everyday vehicle. During the lease period, GM's OnStar division will utilize GE technology to research the communication between the Volt and the grid, allowing GE to monitor energy used by the vehicles and deliver data regarding where and when the cars plug in to power companies.

"In contrast to (auto companies) who are only talking about smart grid technology, we're moving beyond research and development projects to a program in the real world," said Nick Pudar, OnStar's vice president of planning and business development. "Through this pilot we will see real-time results on how intelligent energy management can maximize EV charging efficiency and minimize the electric bill for EV drivers."

At GE's facility in Plainville, Connecticut, five Chevy Volts can already be seen charging in the parking-lot Solar Carport. The solar station can fully charge 13 vehicles a day without tapping grid power. When the station is not charging EVs, it generations electricity for used in the GE building and also sends power back to the grid.

The charging station at Plainville is not equipped with chargers available on the retail market. However, GE recently announced it will begin selling a wall-mounted version of its new 240-volt WattStation later this summer at Lowe's Home Improvement store.

The battery in a Chevrolet Volt has a lifespan of 10 years. One of the most commonly asked questions about the Chevy Volt is what happens to the battery once it has reached depletion. Chevrolet realized that sending the battery to landfills or a recycler would be a waste, so they teamed up with ABB's labs in Raleigh, N.C to come up with a solution.

After 10 years of vehicle life, there will still be 70 percent of battery power left, meaning the batteries can still be used in some way although they are not suitable for vehicle use. In the future, old Chevy Volt batteries will be used to store electricity from the grid that can be used during peak demand or power outages. Storing the power will ultimately save both the utility companies and customers money. Just 33 used Volt batteries could provide enough storage capacity to power 50 homes during a four-hour long power outage.

These storage battery grids will not be in full production until at least 2020 with the first generation of Volts are off the road. Nevertheless, the companies are still working to implement multiple test system by the end of next year to collect data.

Through smart partnerships with major companies, Chevrolet will revolutionize the way consumers use electric vehicles both during and after the life of the car. Only time will tell what Chevy will dream up next in the world of plug-in hybrids.

Matthews Hargreaves Chevrolet is proud to serve the Detroit, Michigan area. Carrying a full line of new and used Chevrolet cars, Matthews Hargreaves Chevrolet offers the best selection when it comes to purchasing a vehicle. The knowledgeable and award winning service department at Matthews Hargreaves Chevrolet is prepared to assist with repairs and routine maintenance and the Chevrolet Parts Department offers one-stop shopping on a full selection of Chevy parts and accessories. Visit Matthews Hargreaves Chevrolet at http://www.mhchevy.com/.


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Important Facts About Hybrid Cars

Hybrid cars are unique types of vehicles. This is not because their body structures, sizes, and designs are different from the conventional gas-powered cars since they actually look similar. This type of vehicle is unique because the components found under its hood are different from the ordinary expensive and cheap new car models that most car finders would purchase either on a cash basis or through auto financing.

Hybrid cars do not only rely on the gas engine as the power source, but they also have an alternative power source such as an electric motor. In fact, hybrids are currently using three major types of technologies to propel them. The first type is the so-called "parallel hybrid system" that uses electric motors, gas engines or the combination of these two as power source.

The second type is referred to as the "mild hybrid system" that uses an electric motor to support the gas engine in specific conditions. However, the electric motor in this system is not capable of propelling the vehicle all by itself.

The third type is commonly known as the "plug-in hybrid system" that makes use of electric motors to power the vehicle. This type of hybrid has battery packs that store electrical charges when the vehicle is charged. These batteries would then release the stored charges when the vehicle is driven. Most of the time, this type of hybrid has gasoline engines that propel the vehicle in the event that the batteries are drained along the way.

Although these are just the existing technologies found in almost all hybrid vehicles, car makers still continue to search and develop other technologies that could support the overall function of this type of vehicle. As a matter of fact, there are car makers who are now using the regenerative-braking systems that helps hybrids extra charges when the vehicle brakes.

Due to these technologies installed on hybrids, they become more fuel-efficient. The extra source of power such as the electric motors allows the hybrid to consume lesser fuel since the vehicle does not run on just gasoline alone. In short, the additional power source cuts the total fuel consumption down.

The size and the need for space is not an issue for hybrids. This is because hybrid cars are offered in different options. In fact, you can easily choose a hybrid car that suits your need for space. In case you need the space provided by an SUV or a sedan, you can easily look for hybrid versions of these vehicles since they usually have their own hybrid counterparts.

However, the only problem that you could possibly encounter when you look for a hybrid car is the price. Hybrids are currently sold at higher prices since their production costs are also high. But this would probably last for long since more and more car manufacturers are planning to mass produce more hybrid versions of their vehicles.

Marty Bay is an Automotive Journalist and publisher, widely known as a contributor writer, editor, and publisher for some well-known Automotive Properties in the US like Car Finder, Auto Financing, and AboutCar to name a few. His expertise is in writing news and publishing content that would help New Car Finders, and buyers seeking information about Auto Financing and other New Car related offers, deals, and changes in the industry. He also specialises in producing and publishing New Car Buying Guides for various automotive websites in the United States.


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What Is the Difference of a Dry HHO Cell Vs a Wet HHO Cell?

Dry HHO cells are actually a design improvement over the wet HHO cell type. The end result of hydroxy gas is the same in both types - the difference relies on the electrolyte reservoir and electrodes plate displacement.

The wet cell design has the positive and negative electrode plates fully submerged in the electrolyte solution, consisting of water and catalyst.

Wet HHO Cell design disadvantages:
More heat is generated through the cellsMore current (amperage) is neededThe positive electrodes (anodes) will corrode more due to the oxygen attacking the metal surface (corrosion).

All these disadvantages are translated into the technical word "inefficiencies."

More heat generation is produced because the full volume of electrolyte solution is being subjected to a current for the electrolysis process to take place. This additional current generates more heat which eventually becomes steam; meaning that steam is being collected and replacing the hydrogen gas volume.

The second disadvantage is more current is needed for the full volume of electrolyte in the reservoir to perform the electrolysis process. The more current is withdrawn from the vehicle's charging system, the more fuel is wasted! This is exactly the opposite of what the HHO generator is supposed to achieve.

The third disadvantage is that the anode plates which collect oxygen have the full surface area immersed in the cells and the oxygen collected on these plates of each cell will form oxidization, meaning that they will eventually corrode beyond their limits and need to be replaced.

Dry HHO Cell Design

The dry HHO cell design can be seen as a chamber for each cell. The best way to describe it in words is to imagine a square plate which has a circle approximately ? to ? the width of the square. This circle is the closed chamber where the electrolysis process takes place. This is the first advantage over the wet type.

Each plate of the cell which represents the anode and cathode (electrodes) are sealed by a water-tight gasket, or rubber o-ring. The electrical connections are connected to the outside perimeter of each plate, meaning the connections remain clean and dry. These plates are bolted on together from the dry perimeter edge, using nylon type washers to prevent a shortage of the polarities.

The electrolyte is fed either by gravity or with an additional pump from an external tank (reservoir) that can be placed anywhere in the engine bay. If no pump is used it should be placed higher up than the dry HHO cell system.

Dry HHO Cell Advantages
Less current implementation for each cell is needed due to the volumetric size of the electrolyte within the closed chamberMore slim and compact in design which is a major benefit in modern vehicles which all have very compact engine baysLess frequent maintenance is needed for the whole dry HHO cell systemLess corrosion occurs on the anode plates due to the restricted volume of electrolyte solution per secondLess current means less heat generation, which can turn into steam - inefficiency

Dry HHO Cell Disadvantages
The whole dry HHO cell needs to be fully dismantled for clean up and maintenance such as gasket seal replacements of each cell - which results in more time compared to wet HHO cell maintenancePlates have to be more accurate in alignment dimensions of holes for maximum efficiencySlightly more expensive to produce compared to the wet type design

Dry HHO cell design has differed slightly from various experimenters who ended doing the R&D through their own initiative. Some have produced outstanding quality kits and are being produced on a small-scale production level.

Overall, the best performer should be chosen when deciding to purchase a ready-made kit which consists of the least amperage withdrawal for the equivalent of ? a liter of HHO gas (hydroxy gas) for every 1 liter of the engine's capacity.

This ensures you are not over-producing HHO gas which is excessive for the engine's capacity with the least current withdrawal. Excessive current withdrawal not only generates additional heat but has to be backed up from the engine's charging system using more idle revs per minute - which is the opposing principle of this fuel saver in the first place.

Dry HHO cell systems are currently the progression of the older type wet cell design. There are many more benefits described exclusively on the Dry HHO Cell article which should shed more interesting factors - before deciding on which HHO generator you should get for your vehicle.

We are constantly updating our website Alternative Fuel Energy for additional information we come by - so it might be a good idea to bookmark our site, or subscribe to our free RSS Feeds through our website.


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What Are HHO Cells Used for?

HHO cells are used in the aftermarket industry as an accessory for an internal combustion engine to reduce fuel consumption. This system can be considered, and actually is a hybrid system, where hydroxy gas is produced to help the combustion process become more efficient.

Design Layout for HHO Cells There are two main designs known as the wet cell and the dry cell system. The final output is the same where hydroxy gas is produced out of the electrolyte solution. Both designs work well and have their own advantages and disadvantages. Good designs should produce a good amount of hydroxy gas per minute with minimum amperage (current withdrawal from vehicle's charging system).

Wet HHO Cell Design The wet cell design consists of the electrodes immersed in the electrolyte solution and has the upper end of the electrodes used as terminals for the positive and negative polarities. The electrolyte solution is constantly in touch with the plates even when the system isn't being used, as the HHO cell is constructed inside the reservoir (tank). The whole electrolyte volume in the reservoir is subjected to a current in the electrolysis process, which often leads to more current withdrawal. Different specific designs in the electrode plates can help reduce the amount of current being used per cycle, which also reduces wasted energy in the form of heat. It is easier to construct and is also easier when cleaning the cell for preventive maintenance. The downside of this type of design is that it is bulky and can be quite a challenge to install in modern engine bays - where space is very limited.

Dry HHO Cell Design The dry cell design is better for saving precious space as they are very slim by nature. The electrolyte solution does not reside in the cell itself, unlike the wet design. The electrolyte is stored in a separate reservoir and is fed to the cells by gravity in most designs. Some designs might use an external pump to help feed the electrolyte in to the enclosed cell. Each dry cell is sealed by a gasket or o-ring so that the electrolyte will only stay in a confined "closed chamber." This results in less current being drawn by the system when producing HHO gas, as only that specific volume of electrolyte is being subjected to the current, as opposed to the wet cell design. Another benefit is that the positive electrodes are subjected to less oxidization as only a small amount of electrolyte solution resides in each closed chamber. The downside of such a design is that gaskets or o-rings do need periodic replacements as they will eventually wear out. This type of maintenance needs the whole unit to be stripped down to pieces for such a procedure. The same type of dismantling is needed to clean and inspect the plates of each chamber. Luckily on good designs, this type of maintenance is usually less periodic when compared to wet cell maintenance.

The Installation Installing a HHO cells system (hydrogen generator) on any vehicle should not realistically void the vehicle's warranty because the engine is not opened up and modified internally. The whole system taps into the intake manifold ducting, through a heat-resistant pipe. The HHO cells unit are installed somewhere in the engine bay area, outside the engine and can be clamped steadily into position by various methods, including heavy-duty cable-ties, if the vehicle's owner decides that there should be no drilling on the vehicle's body.

If in doubt the system can be easily removed prior to a vehicle's service under warranty or for any warranty claims.

If you would like to know more in-depth about HHO cells, including more details about their advantages and disadvantages, you can check out the article on HHO cells, which also includes diagrams for better explanation and safety requirements needed for any installation.

More resources can be found on the subject of Alternative Fuel Energy for vehicles at: http://www.alternativefuelenergy.net/

If the word keeps on spreading as it currently is on Alternative Fuel Energy Sources for I.C.E. vehicles, and more installations are done on normal fossil fuel engines, politicians will have no choice but to accept such devices as environmental-friendly devices. This incentive will probably be enough for full scale production of these devices which will become even cheaper, once they are mass-produced.


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Sunday, July 17, 2011

Build A Hydrogen Generator - Get More MPG

Is the price of gas burning a huge hole in your pocket?

Do you want to save some of that money?

Believe it or not, there are many ways to cut down on the amount of money spent on gas at the pumps> There is one way in particular that is very easy and economical to do in just one weekend, yes, build a hydrogen generator and get more MPG.

Many people have done a lot of research on the hydrogen generator and found all of the reviews to be very positive. They, like hundreds more, have already converted their cars to run on water.

Can you run a car on just water?

Unfortunately it does not run on water alone, water from the tap is used to mix with gasoline, resulting in a more economical running car.

What is needed to build a hydrogen generator?

A small quart sized container, some copper wire, baking soda and a few other pieces. All these are easily obtainable from the local hardware store and are reasonably priced. The internet is a very good place to obtain step by step guides on how to build a hydrogen generator for your car. These manuals are very in depth, and anyone who is either mechanically minded or a beginner can build and install one.

There are also complete kits available to purchase and these are all ready to install under the hood of a car. They would cost more, but lots of people found these to be the easier option just for their convenience.

How does it all work?

The small container is fitted next to the car's engine. Water is then poured in, and the electricity that the car's battery produces is what generates the hydrogen gas. This is also known as browns gas. It is then fed in to the manifold of the car's engine and in turn, is mixed with the fuel in the tank.

Will it take long to build a hydrogen generator?

All that is needed is one weekend. Once you have all the items and tools required you are ready to go.

There will noticeably be a significant saving on money spent at the pumps by as much as 40%. Because the hydrogen gas burns cleaner than gasoline alone, there will be less carbon deposits on the engine, making for a cleaner environment, as there are less harmful exhaust emissions produced.

There will be less money spent on maintenance or repair costs, and will your car will definitely get more MPG. The kits are totally reversible should they need to be removed at any time. The hydrogen kits can be used on almost any model of car, truck and in diesel fuelled vehicles.

Would it be expensive to build one?

Not at all, as all the parts required building a hydrogen generator can be bought locally at the hardware store, so there are no big delivery charges. All this can be purchased for under $140, and to think of the return it will give. The ready assembled kits would be considerably more, but then again in the long run, money will be saved. A garage can also install them for you if it is too big a task, but they would charge in excess of $1000.

If like the thousands of people looking at different ways to cut back on the amount of money they spend, think seriously about building a hydrogen generator and get more MPG. The car will have a smoother running engine, and give a better performance all round, plus there will be a lot more money to spend on other things.

So what can you do to start cutting your fuel bill in half today? Discover how you can quickly and easily increase fuel efficiency , and save 50% or more on your fuel bill, simply click here: http://MoreGasMPG.com/bettermileage.html


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Hybrid Vehicle Top Safety Pick

An auto insurance trade group, The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, has named a hybrid vehicle as a top safety pick. The Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in hybrid vehicle with a small gasoline engine, achieved the honor along with the all-electric Nissan Leaf. The Insurance Institute offered the judgment after the group's first US crash tests of plug-in and pure electric cars. Anyone wondering if hybrid vehicles are going to be safe can rest easy.

The Volt earned its top rating of "good" for front, side, rear and rollover crash protection. The Institute also noted that both the Volt and the Leaf have standard electric stability control which the group considers a crucial safety feature. Makers of hybrid vehicles are clearly using the same standards of safety in the production of these new types of cars as in the more common internal combustion engine vehicles.

Critics have long argued that hybrid vehicles could not be made economically and that safety would be compromised in the rush to "go green," but the recent crash tests show that this is not the case. These hybrid vehicles are as safe or safer than any car produced today.

Both the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt are small cars which initially would seem to indicate a lack of safety. Both, though, have battery packs adding significant weight to the vehicles making them safer than other cars in their class. This, too, was demonstrated by the Institute's crash tests.

Additionally, the tests proved that using technology to boost fuel economy, such as the electric batteries in both these vehicles, is preferable to simply downsizing and lightening the weight of cars to save fuel. Hybrid vehicles are actually safer than standard cars of the same size while remarkably fuel-efficient at the same time.

These hybrid vehicles are perfect for highway driving. Should a crash occur, these cars will protect the drivers better than the vast majority of standard cars.

In fact, these electric cars are far safer than the low-speed vehicles, such as the GEM e2 or the Wheego Whip, which were judged dangerous after crash tests last year. These are golf-cart-like vehicles which are becoming increasingly popular, but are not required to meet the national safety standards of passenger vehicles.

The image of the electric and hybrid car was damaged in the mind of the consumer by these small carts which were never meant for highway driving. Nevertheless, industry observers think that the new tests will propel the Leaf and the Volt forward in the minds of eco-minded consumers who have been waiting for a chance to purchase a reasonably green, fuel-efficient and safe car for at least five years. The time has finally arrived. Both the Leaf and the Volt are extremely safe, fuel-efficient and will not harm the environment. Auto makers have finally turned the corner on producing desirable hybrid vehicles.

Diane Butler, Ph.D., a writer living in Southern California, has eagerly awaited the appearance of a popular and safe hybrid cars. She has always hoped to see the demise of the polluting internal combustion engine.


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The Most Fuel Efficient Cars Today

The fluctuating price of oil in the world market has led to a frenetic search for the most fuel efficient cars, as more people feel the need to squeeze out more miles out of every gallon of fuel they pay for. Luckily, car manufacturers from all over the world have responded to the call of the times by coming up with new models that can meet the standards that customers are looking for in their vehicles. And because almost every company in the world wants to capitalize on the booming demand for fuel efficient cars, the market has been flooded with more than enough supply of these vehicles that their prices have also gone down reasonably.

Fuel prices are expected to reach new highs in the coming years, while economic prospects remain uncertain. These twin scenarios make it even more difficult for people to maintain their vehicles. Despite this bleak outlook, there is no escaping the fact that owning a vehicle has now become a necessity for some people. While others can rely solely on the public transit system for their commuting needs, others do not have this luxury. It is this second group of commuters who will benefit from what is slowly becoming a competitive sector of cars.

When fuel efficiency first became an important consideration in buying a car, consumers did not have too many choices. Today, however, almost all new car models that come out of the assembly line claim to be fuel efficient. It now come in different shapes and sizes. Whether you are into sedans, SUVs, and even minivans, there is sure to be a model that can meet the fuel efficiency you are looking for. Consumers are also given a choice whether they want gasoline or diesel engines. Some companies even have hybrid cars that take fuel efficiency to another level by combining the positive attributes of an electric engine with that of a diesel or gasoline engine.

The U.S. EPA or Environmental Protection Agency has set the standards that most, if not all, companies try to adhere to in developing cars that can run the most miles per gallon of gas consumed. Several consumer groups and organizations have also come out with their own lists of the most fuel efficient cars, making it easier for people to choose the car that would suit their needs. While the roster of cars in these lists may vary, there are some models that are consistently ranked among the best in fuel efficiency. Among these are Toyota's Prius, the Honda Civic hybrid, the Mercedes Benz E350 Bluetec diesel, and the Lexus CT 200h, to name a few.

Stopping the price of crude oil from increasing may be beyond our control. However, it does not mean that we also have to say goodbye to the comfort and convenience that our own cars can give us. As the list of the most fuel efficient cars continues to grow, there is no doubt that you would find the vehicle that fits your financial background.

Are you looking for more information regarding most fuel efficient cars? Visit http://aboutcars.awardspace.com/ today!


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Why You Should Convert Your Car to LPG

There are two things that are costing motorists a lot of money; the spiraling fuel prices and the increased reliance on motor vehicles for daily activities. As a result, motorists are looking everywhere to find a solution that will allow them not to have to spend so much on fuel. To do this, you can either take your car for LPG conversion, or if you do not have a car yet, you could plan to buy an LPG car. Alternatively, if you are not in a position to purchase an LPG car, you can look for one that has been converted by its previous owner.

Used cars

Because of the growing popularity of LPG, there are now many cars in the used car industry that are available for sale. However, since the previous owner carried out the LPG conversion, there are some things that you should check to avoid complications that may arise in the future, once the vehicle is in your possession.

Invoice

The best case scenario when buying a car that got LPG conversion from its previous owner is that the seller will be able to produce the invoice as well as an installation certificate that will indicate where the conversion was done. This way, you will have all the information that you need upfront. In addition, you will also have no trouble with your insurance company getting cover for the vehicle, since these details are required.

LPGA certification

Even as you receive the documents pertaining to the conversion, ensure that the conversion was done by a garage certified by the LPGA (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association). The certification will also be required if you wish to register for a discount on the London congestion charge. Certified LPG conversion is the only assurance that your car is safe for the environment.

Inspection

Alternatively, if the LPGA certificate is unavailable or the car was converted before 2002, then you may need to get it inspected to ensure that it is in a good standard of repair. An LPGA installer would be right for the job, and will give you a safety check report which you can then use to get insurance.

Savings

Used LPG converted cars cost equally as much as non LPG cars, so you are bound to save a lot going for this option. This will quickly be followed by the savings that you will make on fuel, assuming that you are close to a LPG station.

Visit LPG conversions High Wycombe if you would like more information on why you should opt for LPG conversion High Wycombe.


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Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Steps To Get Good Gas Mileage

People are feeling helpless in the current economic scenario. Severe recession and unemployment are adding to their woes. As is pointed out by an expert, "the world economy is more globally linked and so is the spread of ill-effects." So, there is no wonder that the disturbing political situation prevailing in the Middle East is negatively impacting the oil prices throughout the world. Under these circumstances, if you can get a good gas mileage, you will definitely love it. But, for getting it, you need to maintain your vehicle well and do smart driving. You can follow these tips for achieving it.

- You should remember that deciding not to buy a new vehicle can be the wisest decision in the present situation. It is better to have your existing car by extending its life instead of dumping it and going for a new vehicle.

- Though you may love to use your accelerator and drive aggressively, you should not forget the fact that such an aggressive driving makes your engine, brakes and tires wear more quickly. You are advised to maintain a steady speed and be proactive in anticipating stops. Your process of acceleration should also be gradual. These steps will improve the gas mileage of your vehicle. Apart from this, you should regularly check the tire pressure and keep it at the recommended levels. If you think that the tires have become bald, you should immediately replace them. Good tires are a great prescription for having a good gas mileage.

- Likewise, the motor of your vehicle will run efficiently only if it is properly tuned. Automotive experts suggest that you should get the motor regularly tuned up so as to save gas. You should also check the oxygen sensor because a faulty sensor can reduce the mileage even up to 40 per cent. Some people consider high-quality synthetic motor oil as expensive and hesitate to use it. But, they can not be more wrong because this oil contains energy-saving compounds and so, it can save a lot of energy.

- You should also reduce the weight on your car trunk. Your car should not be burdened with more weight. It makes your car engine work harder and this is sure to affect your gas mileage.

- Idling the engine on signals, other stops or whenever you are waiting for some one will waste a lot of energy and this can eat up your gas mileage. If you foresee that the waiting time will be more than 20 seconds, you should proactively turn off your engine. This saves a lot of energy.

- You can plan to have combined trips. Even for commuting to and from the office, you can have arrangements with your friends and colleagues. Likewise, you should combine several tasks while using your vehicle. Using your car for every single task will increase your gas bill.

- Gas mileage is reduced if you use your car Air-conditioner also. On nice pleasant days, when the weather is cool, you can roll down the windows and enjoy the freshness of natural air. You should use the AC only when there is a scorching heat.

- Last but not the least, your car should be cleaned regularly if you want to get a good gas mileage. You now have "waterless" car cleaning sprays and polishes by using which you can effectively remove the dust on your vehicle and inside the vehicle without water.

By following the above tips religiously, you can save energy and can get a good gas mileage.

Raman Kuppuswamy writes articles on various topics and his articles contain a lot of useful information. You may kindly visit http://www.blogger.com/profile/11388339850449905695 and http://hubpages.com/profile/dreamdamodar for reading his articles on many other topics.


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The Pros And Cons Of Electric Vehicles

We have all at some time seen (and probably travelled in) trains, trams, buses and boats that are powered by electricity. What is perhaps less well known is that the first battery powered vehicles were on the market in the early 1900's. These electrified carriages had a top speed of around 14 miles per hour and a range of about 18 miles. These automobiles remained popular until the development of the internal combustion engine, which made possible vehicles of greater power, speed and range.

The issue of global warming due to pollution has become a hot issue. Oil prices have been escalating like never before. These factors, together with the realization that the earth's reserves of oil will run out within the next few decades, have led to renewed interest and research into electric vehicles. These vehicles have several major advantages over gasoline powered vehicles.

The motors that power these vehicles emit no noxious exhaust gases. This is good news for the environment which currently absorbs millions of tons of exhaust fumes daily. These carbon dioxide emissions are seen as contributing significantly to global warming, while other exhaust gases increasingly pollute our air.

Electricity is cheaper than gasoline, so battery powered cars are cheaper to run. They will become more economically viable as the price of crude oil continues to escalate. It has been estimated that the energy required to run an electric car is approximately one fifth that required to run a gasoline powered car. This gap will widen as the oil price continues to rise.

Battery powered cars require less maintenance. They do not need regular oil changes and are not subject to the same wear and tear as internal combustion engines. In addition they have far fewer moving parts that need to be maintained.

The major disadvantage at this stage is the limited range made possible by current battery technology. Battery powered cars typically have a range of around one or two hundred miles before needing to be recharged, and a typical charge takes several hours. As with any rechargeable battery, the car's batteries have a finite number of charge/discharge cycles and in time will need replacement.

Electric cars are still very expensive, due mainly to the high cost of batteries. Surveys have revealed that US and English consumers are not willing to pay more for an electric car with limited range, and this inhibits the mass transition from gasoline to battery powered cars. However, as battery technology improves we can expect to see more battery powered vehicles on the road. Mass production will result in lower prices.

Both gasoline and electric cars have advantages and disadvantages. It is, however, becoming very clear that our current rate of oil consumption is not sustainable (in terms of cost, availability and pollution) and that sooner rather than later we will have to find a viable alternative. Right now, electrically powered vehicles offer the only alternative.

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Alternative Fuels to Move Our Cars Tomorrow

Coming fossil fuel crisis becomes closer from day to day. That makes many people think of alternative fuels, which will be used in future. There are a few main alternative energy sources are used today and supposed to be developed in future. These are solar energy, geothermal energy, wind energy and hydro energy. All these energy sources are used for producing electricity and heat.

Oil is now the most expensive and one of the main fuels, which is used in many spheres of human activity, especially in vehicles. The vast majority of contemporary vehicles, even those with hybrid engines, use fuels produced from oil. Hence major car manufacturers think of engines which may use alternative fuels making internal combustion engine a part of history.

As you may find there is a great number of cars, which work with the help of hybrid engines. Almost every car manufacturer can offer you several models with this type of engine. Hybrid means that the engine uses gas along with electricity. In some vehicles electric engine only helps to move a vehicle, thus consuming less fuel. Other engines can be used as gas and electric separately. For instance, a car with this kind of engine can run about 80-100 miles using electric traction. Hybrid cars become more and more popular due to their fuel economy, but in the same time the cost of such cars is higher that of the same models with a usual ICE. Certainly, the price will be lower in future and even today the number of such cars increases with every next year.

However the hardest work concerns engineers, who develop electric and other cars on alternative fuels. Contemporary vehicles with electric engine are not comfortable for an average person today. They cannot run many miles and should be recharged for 12 or even 24 hours. Moreover, such cars require the same number of power stations as we have for gas stations. So, such a situation does not allow us to travel for long distance using an electric car. But as we can see electric cars have a great future ahead.

Certainly, the main factor for researching alternative fuels and developing new car concepts is not environmental protection, but fossil fuel crisis. If people could use fossil fuels forever, they would not think of any alternatives at all. But we cannot disagree that alternative energy will help to save our planet from ecological disaster. That is why, such a decision is reasonable from both points of view economic and ecological.

Thanate Tan is a contributing member to Everything-Fine Website Promotion Service.


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Mitsubishi Electric Vehicle Features Lower Price

Mitsubishi EV has a leg up on the competition.

Unless you follow the electric vehicle market closely, you may not have known that Mitsubishi sells such a model. That model, the i-MiEV, has been on the market longer than the better known Nissan LEAF, but it is only sold in Japan and in Europe, whereas the LEAF is sold in the United States and in Europe in addition to Japan. Introduced in summer 2009 nearly 18 months before the LEAF, the Mitsubishi EV recently eclipsed 10,000 units sold, about 1,500 more units than the LEAF and its Renault sibling.

EV Sales

Mitsubishi plans to eventually sell its electric vehicle in the U.S., and has forecast global sales of 25,000 units for the coming year, including sales derived from its French partner, Peugeot-Citroen. Notably, the Mitsubishi EV has dropped in price as the Japanese automaker has developed an entry level "M" version which is priced at about $32,000, comparable to the Nissan LEAF. Moreover, the automaker has developed a second, extended range model allowing it to go 110 miles between charges. Mitsubishi has not said whether both models will be available in the United States when it goes on sale in 2012.

EV bragging rights are at stake as Mitsubishi and Nissan attempt to beat out Japanese and global competitors by dominating the market. The Chevrolet Volt is not considered a direct competitor as this vehicle uses a supplemental gas engine once its 35-mile pure electric range has been expended. Still, the Volt's appeal is that it can be driven for long distances and quickly refueled with gasoline to extend its range. Once at rest, the Volt can be recharged, allowing it to run on electric power once again.

Tax Assistance

With a $7,500 federal tax credit, a Mitsubishi i-MiEV sold in the United States would cost about $24,500 after the credit has been taken. Some states, including California, offer a $5,000 rebate, which means that Golden State owners would pay about $19,500 for their vehicles, which is about $4,000 less than a hybrid Toyota Prius.

One feature not found in EVs, but being explored is to make it possible for these models to contribute electricity to homes, wherever plugged in. This feature is important as it would allow the car to provide much needed electricity in the event of a power outage. Japan's devastating 9.1 quake in March 2011 demonstrated that such a feature would be helpful as much of northeast Japan was without power for days, even weeks following the disaster.

Competing Models

Other manufacturers with an EV presence include Ford which sells a Transit Connect van to fleets and the upcoming battery electric Ford Focus. Expect most manufacturers to offer at least one model within the next few years, providing these companies with a vehicle to help meet even more stringent federal fuel economy requirements.

Matthew C. Keegan is editor and publisher of "Auto Trends Magazine." Matt is also a contributing writer for Andy's Auto Sport and affiliated websites, an aftermarket supplier of quality auto parts including Pontiac Firebird intakes and suspension parts.


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Mitsubishi i-MiEV Wins MPG Crown

New Mitsubishi electric vehicle hits the US market this fall.

The Nissan LEAF and Chevrolet Volt are two of the most fuel efficient vehicles for sale in the United States. By 2012, both vehicles will be surpassed by the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, an electric vehicle that went on sale in Japan in summer 2009. This model will soon be made available for sale in North America. When it hits the market, it will offer a longer range, better fuel economy and slightly lower price than the Nissan LEAF, another pure electric vehicle.

The i-MiEV beat the LEAF to the market by nearly 18 months. Mitsubishi has sold more than 14,000 units, but the LEAF is making up for lost time and has already sold 8,500 models worldwide. Nissan's French partner, Renault, is selling its version of LEAF in Europe while Peugeot is doing likewise in for Mitsubishi.

US Retail

By Fall 2011, the i-MiEV will be made available for sale in the United States, retailing for about $32,000 which is $785 less than the LEAF. This base "M" model will have a 75 mile range, but if a 110 mile range is desired, the "G" model can be had for about $47,000. Both models are eligible for the federal government's $7,500 tax credit, effectively reducing these prices to $24,500 and $39,500 respectively. In some states, such as California, a $5,000 tax rebate is available, driving down the cost for Golden State drivers to $19,500 and $34,500 respectively.

Mitsubishi has managed to lower its price as battery technology is cheaper, by 50 percent in just two years. The final price for American consumers is likely to change as the exchange rate between the American dollar and Japanese yen must be taken into consideration. Mitsubishi plans to sell 25,000 units annually beginning in 2012, with 6,000 of those models sold in Japan according to company sources.

High MPGe

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is powered by a 63 horsepower electric motor with an estimated 112 MPGe rating by the EPA. This number compares with the Nissan LEAF at 99 MPGe and 93MPGe by the Chevy Volt, the latter when it operates in electric-only mode. The Tesla Roadster, which is priced approximately three times the price of the Mitsubishi, still leads the pack, offering 119 MPGe.

Sales of all electric vehicles are growing slowly, but without government support most likely will remain quite low. The global economy remains week, gas powered models are more efficient and cheaply priced, and consumers are slow to grasp the importance of the new technology. Still, vehicle electrification has many benefits, as it helps the world depend less on oil and can contribute to cleaner air.

Matthew C. Keegan is editor and publisher of "Auto Trends Magazine." Matt is also a contributing writer for Andy's Auto Sport and affiliated websites, an aftermarket supplier of quality auto parts including Ford Taurus exhausts and fenders.


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Friday, July 8, 2011

How to Maintain a Hybrid Car

There are nearly two million registered hybrid vehicles within the U.S. today, and more than 50 percent of respondents to a recent online survey said they're considering a hybrid purchase within the next five years. Searching out and finding the right car loan for one of these can also be a daunting task.

As popular as the vehicles are, some buyers worry that hybrids can be more expensive and more difficult to maintain than a non-hybrid vehicle. In fact, routine maintenance is actually that of a non-hybrid vehicle-and might even be cheaper in some cases. Following are a few general guidelines on maintaining a hybrid vehicle. Always consult your vehicle manual for information and maintenance schedules specific to your car.

Oil changes: For non-hybrid cars, a 3,000-mile interval between oil changes has long been the standard. (Even though experts are convinced that new oil blends permit a longer interval between changes.) For hybrid cars, a less frequent interval of 5,000-10,000 miles between oil changes is considered standard. Auto experts might point to oil and oil filters for hybrids that are different from manufacturer recommendations. These filters can cost a bit more, but it's for you to decide which recommendations you choose to follow.

Brakes: Brake pads in a hybrid may get less wear (due to the vehicle's regenerative braking capabilities). So you'll likely to end up in a position to replace them less frequently. Inspect brakes every 15,000 to 20,000 miles.

Batteries: Replace the air filter on the hybrid high voltage battery system every 20,000 to 40,000 miles. If the high voltage battery isn't maintaining 60 to 70 percent of their charge, it's time for you to replace it-and that's about $3,000. (The good news? The warranties on a hybrid's high voltage propulsion motor battery are up to 8 years/100,000 miles and achieving 150,000 miles from an original battery isn't unusual.)

Drive Train: The internal combustion engine, electric motor and transmission are interconnected in a hybrid and may have different maintenance requirements than vehicles you might have previously owned. Only qualified technicians should check or make an effort to service components of the high voltage hybrid drive system and battery.

Financing: Many of the manufacturers are offering special auto financing plans aimed at the hybrid buyer. However, many consumers are looking online for all of their auto loan needs. By researching and gaining your financing before stepping foot in the dealership, you are more in control of the car buying process. What most consumers are starting to realize is the finance department is one if not the largest profit center in most dealerships. Having that financing taken care of up front eliminates the dealer from being able to profit from that portion of the sale.

Look online with the goal of finding the best overall finance option for you.

About the Author: Chris Goodman has been in the auto finance business for more than 20 years and has assisted thousands of consumers with their car loan needs. He is an expert on auto loans and securing the best auto refinance options for you. Find more information at online at OpenRoadLending.com and see how easy it is to get your next car loan.


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LPG Conversion - Environmental Facts

Human Survival
The environment is one of the most vital resources available to ensure human survival. However, the environment is now being threatened by the activities that human beings are involved in, including driving vehicles. This does not mean that you give up this important transport facility. However, with LPG conversions, your vehicle does not have to be a constant threat to the environment.

Air Pollutants
According to the Energy Savings Trust, road transport is responsible for nearly 50% of smog forming pollutants. LPG is a fossil fuel which is proven to produce a significantly lower amount of carbon and other air pollutants. As such, it the cleanest of vehicle fuels. Once you get the LPG conversion, your car will be one of the most environment-friendly vehicles on the road.

Oxygen
When carbon is released into the air, it combines with oxygen to form carbon monoxide, which is highly reactive with oxygen, leading to carbon dioxide formation. Oxygen is the most vital gas for the human body to function normally. It constitutes a mere 5% of the natural air, and if carbon emissions reduce this amount, then our bodies are denied this incredibly important requirement. With LPG conversions, vehicles do not pose the kind of threat that they do when running on petrol and diesel.

Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide is also another danger on its own. You have probably heard of the ozone layer, which is meant to prevent the dangerous rays of the sun from reaching earth. However, the increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) corrodes the ozone layer, leaving the earth and its inhabitants exposed to these dangerous rays. You can play a part in ensuring that carbon dioxide levels do no exceed the amount that can be handled to ensure environmental safety by getting your car converted to LPG.

Less Pollution
LPG produces 33% less CO2 emissions than petrol and 45% less than diesel. In addition, there is 63% less carbon monoxide produced by LPG-run vehicles. If every car on the planet ran on LPG, then this would be quite significant. All this of course, is not possible if you have not made your decision to get your car converted. After all, change always begins with one, but in this case, you're already in good company.

These are just some of the numerous environmental benefits that your LPG conversion will mean. There are many more benefits to switching to LPG fuel, and these can be found with further research.

Visit LPG conversions High Wycombe if you would like more information on the environmental benefits of LPG conversion High Wycombe.


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How to Use Solar Energy To Move Vehicles

Solar energy can be used for many purposes. One of the applications that engineers are currently intrigued by is solar-powered vehicles. Although there are many concept cars that are built using solar power as its source of energy, there is still a long way to go before solar-powered cars can be commonly found on public roads.

One of the greatest challenge to realizing this potential is cost. Till today, high-efficiency solar panels are expensive. Mass produced PV panels only have a maximum of about 16 percent efficiency. Although there are solar panels that can reach over 40 percent efficiency, these only exists in labs. Scientists and engineers have yet to find a way to mass-produce them in a cost-efficient way. Therefore ultra-high efficiency solar panels remain extremely expensive.

However things have improved dramatically over the years. More than 10 years ago, having PV panels with 16 percent efficiency was unheard of. Therefore there is a strong likelihood that technology can advance to a place where commonly used PV panels can reach over 40 percent efficiency.

When this happens, the world can be changed in a very significant manner. If every car on earth relies on solar power to move, the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere can be dramatically reduced.

And when industries can depend mostly on solar energy to maintain their operations. Cost will go down and profits will go up. Global warming will also be less of an issue. There is hope that we can maintain Mother Earth as a safe place for our posterity.

There is another issue that hinders solar electric cars from being used on roads. The fact is there will be days that are not sunny, even seasons with little sunshine. So when these cars run out of power, it takes time for batteries to be charged. So there must be a way to quickly replace the used energy at various recharging stations. Otherwise solar-powered car can get stranded when it has no more power.

Nevertheless, this is less of an issue compared to cost. When electric cars are commonly used, there will surely be stations available at office buildings and at home. These locations already have electricity available. It is not to difficult to build charging stations so cars can have their batteries charged.

Everyone looks forward to the day when we all can drive solar-powered vehicles on public roads. But unless the efficiency of solar panels can increase dramatically while its cost drops drastically, this is still a pipe dream.

If you are interested in solar topics like How To Make A Solar Powered Tricycle and How To Choose Solar Panels, you can click on the links here. Otherwise you can visit my website for more information.


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Hydrogen Generators - A Cheat or Do They Really Work?

A few years ago, I did quite a bit of research on the use of Hydrogen Generators to improve my vehicle's fuel efficiency. I was quite skeptical of the process of converting water into its basic elements, two parts Hydrogen and one part Oxygen, also known as HHO. Not the process, which is called Electrolysis, but the amount of electrical energy it will take to break the water down into its basic elements. Then to use those basic elements as fuel, which is now in a gaseous form, to replace the energy lost in the conversion process, plus provide additional energy to power a vehicle. This is the big question. Does this process provide enough energy to improve a vehicle's fuel efficiency, per advertised claims, of 20, 40, and even 60%, or is it all a Cheat?

There are many claims out there, 35% here, 65% there, who do you believe, or do you? So I decided to put it to the test. I purchased one of the simple DIY kits, $50 for the ebook and $100 for the two cell kit. It took me a few days to read over the 132 page ebook, which was how long it took to receive the two cell Hydrogen Generator kit. It took me most of the week to put the kits together, working in the evenings after work. Then on the weekend I installed the HHO Cells into my 2003 Grand Marquis with a 4.6L V-8 engine. I installed the HHO Cells behind the car's front grille, which made it easy to check the water level without having to lift the hood. After several trips to the hardware store to get the proper fittings and hoses I had everything ready to go.

Something I hadn't seen in any of the advertisements or reports and didn't know until I received my ebook, is that a condenser is needed. You see, when the Hydrogen and Oxygen goes through the combustion chamber some of the unburned gases convert back into water and gets blown by the pistons into the crank case or oil pan. Now that's not a good place for water. Water causes rust and corrosion. So, where the vacuum hose comes out of the top of the rocker arm cover and goes into the intake manifold, I pulled that hose and run a new hose form the rocker arm cover to a compressor filter, (which became my condenser). Mount the condenser in front of the car radiator for maximum cooling and then run another hose back to the intake manifold completing the vacuum line feed with an inline condenser. Then, when the engine gets warm, the hot oil will steam off the water and it will be cooled and collect in the condenser. You will need to empty the condensed ever now and then. It works best to empty out the condenser every time you need to add water to your HHO Cells, usually about every 1000 miles.

When I first installed my DIY-HHO Generator I connected one cell's HHO supply line to the condenser return line, which goes back to the intake manifold and the other cell's supply line to air intake just after the air filter. With this arrangement, I went from 18-19 MPG to about 21 MPG. That was a 16% increase in MPG. After about an hour of highway driving I noticed a change. The car became more sluggish, the Check Engine light came on and my MPG dropped back to 18 MPG.

After a bit more reading and research, I found a quick fix to the problem. The problem was with the introduction of the HHO gases, which made the gasoline burning more efficiently and leaner. With a leaner fuel mixture the exhaust temperatures were higher and the Engine management Computer Unit, ECU didn't like the higher temperatures. The ECU thought something was wrong with the Oxygen or O2 sensors and reset the air/fuel mixture to the factory's default setting of 14.7:1.

Let me explain a little of what I learned about O2 sensor in general, then I will tell you the solution to the problem. Anyway, most O2 sensors operate on a temperature difference between the atmospheric or outside air temperature and the internal exhaust temperatures. This difference is what creates the 0.2 volts to 0.8 volts produced by the sensors. When the exhaust temperatures are very hot, the sensor produces 0.2V, which tells the ECU the air/fuel mixture is running very lean, and when the exhaust temperatures are cooler, the sensor produces 0.8V, which tells the ECU the air/fuel mixture is very rich. The ECU wants to maintain an ideal 0.45 voltage by adjusting the air/fuel mixture.

The solution I found was to wrap several layers of aluminum foil around the O2 sensors. This raises the entire temperature range on the sensors. So with the HHO gas leaning out the air/gas mixture and creating higher exhaust temperatures, the ECU would think this higher temperature was normal. Anyway, after applying several layers of aluminum foil around the sensors, my MPG went up to 26 MPG, that's a 45% increase in fuel efficiency. I was excited!

Something I found most people don't realize or don't talk about is that the HHO Cells create an oxygen rich atmosphere in the intake manifold. This is quite simple, the more oxygen, better the fuel burn, less fuel needed to do the same work, result is more miles per gallon.

After a few weeks went by, I noticed that the HHO cell which went to the intake manifold was using more water than the one going to the air intake. I thought it might be the way the electrical was connected. So, I switched the positive and negative wires. That didn't make any difference. So, I disconnected the HHO line to the air intake and tied the two cells together, both feeding into the intake manifold. Guess what, my MPG went up to 28 MPG. That is better than a 50% increase in my fuel efficiency. This Definitely made me Happy!

So, to answer the question; A cheat or do they really work? This HHO unit definitely works. I'm getting 10 more miles out of every gallon of over priced gas I purchase.

Like I said, I chose an HHO design that was simple and quite inexpensive. It consists of two wide mouth mason jars with plastic lids, four pieces of Plexiglas about 2-1/8 inches X 5-3/4 inches X 3/16 inch thick with a slot half way up the middle of each piece lengthwise, so, two can be slipped together to form an X shape. The X shapes are glued together and then glued to the inside of the plastic lids. Then two ? inch holes are drilled into the plastics lids for the electrical connection screws. You will need four pieces of 0.032 inch thick Stainless Steel Wire each about 52 inches long. Wrap a wire around the connection screws at the wire's mid-point and then twist it to make a single electrode. Once the wires are twisted, insert the screw with the twisted wire through the ? inch hole in the lid and wrap the wire around the Plexiglas X mandrel at a ? inch spiral pitch and tie it off at the bottom of the Plexiglas mandrel. Then add the second screw and do the same with the second twisted wire, again tying it off at the bottom of the Plexiglas mandrel. The two wires should now be spaced at about 3/8 of an inch apart. Do the same for the second HHO cell. Now add two more holes in the plastic lids, one for the adjustable air vent and the other for a tube fitting to draw off the HHO gas. Glue the adjustable air vent and the tube fitting to the lid keeping things air tight. Again, do the same to the second HHO Cell. That is just about all there is to making very simple HHO Cells. Now you can mount the HHO Cells in any available space in the engine compartment or as I mentioned before, I mounted them behind the front grille so I can look through the grille to keep an eye on the water levels. Then I connected all the hoses and fittings into the vehicle as I described earlier.

Some important points that need to be mentioned;

• The HHO line going into the intake manifold should have a one way valve installed on it. This is a safety factor just in case the engine should ever backfire. Engines with carburetors are more prone to this problem than fuel injected engines.

• The HHO electrical system needs to have a 30 amp inline fuse. What I did was to run a low amp electrical line to a 12 volt source which was on only when the ignition was turned on (which was easy to find under the hood) to activate a relay. Then I put the 30 amp fuse between the battery and the relay, and ran a power line from the relay to the HHO Cells. I found this was much easer to do than trying to find a 30 amp ignition key activated source.

• Instead of wrapping several layers of foil around your O2 sensors, they have recently developed several alternative systems to control the O2 sensor's output to the ECU. One is extremely simple, just plug it into your ECU and it does all the tweaking for you to achieve the engines optima efficiency.

• If you are in an area that receives freezing temperatures, you will need to add Ethyl Glycol to your electrolyte (water with baking soda) when it starts to get below freezing. To make this easy, just pick-up some cold weather windshield washing fluid (usually the blue stuff) that has Ethyl Glycol in it and mix it with your electrolyte about half and half. The HHO production will be reduced some, but at least the Cells won't freeze up.

One drawback I found with the wire wound HHO Cells is after about 2-1/2 years the wires start to dissolve and/or corrode. When this happens you will find the plastic lid is broken out all round the top edge. The first time this happened, I had no idea what had happened. Then about three months later my second cell did the same thing. After a bit of investigative reasoning, I believe I discovered what happened. When the wires get real thin in places and the water level drops below a thinned area, there is still current being drawn through the wires and it lights up like a light bulb filament, which ignites the hydrogen which is still being generated in the cell, which in turn blows the plastic lids and burns out the wire. I found no other damage, just broken lids and broken wires. I replaced the plastic lids and rewound the wires and I was back in business. Because of this, I would suggest looking for HHO Cells which are made with stainless steel plates instead of the wires. The wires work great, but they have a limited life of only 2 to 3 years.

I hope my experience and this information is of some benefit to you.

Thank you


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Green Cars: Are Biofuels a Viable Alternative to Fossil Fuels?

Most of want to do our part to help correct and lessen the damage we've collectively done to our environment. Driving an eco-friendly vehicle is a step many of us seem prepared to take, and we are all looking for ways to save on gas, so this is usually a win/win situation.

From subsidized ethanol to new biofuels to electric and various hybrid cars, there is a growing number of alternative fuel car options available. More and more companies are investing in research and development of alternative fuels and other means of running vehicles, and biofuels is a vastly growing industry. Of course, biofuels can be used for many other things as well, from aviation to household energy, so there is certainly money in the future for successful developers.

So the question for both the short- and long-term seems to be, is biofuel as an energy source for vehicles a viable alternative to traditional fossil fuels? As we have seen with ethanol, sometimes what seems like a great idea does not always pan out in reality. With ethanol, the immense energy and monetary resources required to bring the fuel to market vastly outweigh the benefits, not to mention that food is being diverted from humans to cars. It makes no sense. Will the various biofuel options offer a better solution?

Green cars are all the rage, which helps the environment and also encourages further investment by car manufacturers and green technology companies. here much debate as to whether any sort of crops used for biofuels intended for vehicles are a viable renewable energy source. That they are renewable is not in question, but at what cost? Crop cultivation of such plants as corn, palm and soy used for biofuels has had devastating environmental impact in many formerly treed or rich-soiled areas of the world. Environmental groups such as 'Friends of the Earth' claim that bioethanol, biodiesel and other crop-based biofuels are not worth the overall cost when measured in terms of financial and environmental impact.

According to the Ecologist, 'Industry research says biofuels, not electric cars or biogas likely to make up majority of renewable transport targets but admits some will need to be imported' to meet North American demands. It would seem that newer biofuels being developed such as repurposed household and industrial waste, methane capture and use, non-food alternative crops, and digested organic waste (biodiesel bacteria converting organic waste into biofuel) and many more will pave the way for our future energy use in green cars.

Shauna writes about using Green Car Biofuel technology as a means of helping us heal our planet. This is just one tiny step we can all take. Others include consuming less animal products - see BreathingProsperity.com for a balanced debate about the merits and Benefits of Vegetarianism as well as more information and links to various viewpoints.


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How Biodiesel Is Made Into Fuel

You stop at the service station and fill up your diesel vehicle. As you are reading the pump you notice that it says biodiesel has been mixed in with your diesel fuel. That gets you to wondering. What exactly is biodiesel and how is it made? Making biodiesel is a rather simple process and requires very few ingredients, vegetable oil being the primary raw ingredient. It is so simple to make that many people have taken to making their own biodiesel at home. This is how biodiesel is made.

1. The first step is to acquire the raw material that is going to be transformed into biodiesel. This can be any virgin or used vegetable oil. Most large scale biodiesel operations use either soybean or rapeseed oil. Soybean oil is preferred because the leftover protein from the soybeans after the oil has been removed can be sold as a food source for people or animals. Used cooking oil is a suitable alternative for a smaller scale operation.

2. After the the raw material is obtained it is run through a filter system. The type of filter will depend upon the source of the oil. Used cooking oil will require a lot more filtering than will a virgin oil. All particles must be removed from the oil.

3. After filtering, the next step is to remove as much water as possible from the oil. The oil is slowly heated to a temperature above the boiling point of water. It is held there for a length of time until all of the water has been boiled off.

4. The next step is where the oil is actually transformed into biodiesel. A chemical known as sodium methoxide, a mixture of methanol and lye, is added to the oil in the proper proportions and allowed to sit until the chemical process has completed.

5. At this point what is left is now a mixture of esters created from the oil, this is the biodiesel, and glycerin. It is allowed to sit until it separates and the glycerin is drained off. The glycerin is sold to soap and cosmetic companies. What is left is biodiesel.

6. The biodiesel is now put through a process known as washing which will remove any impurities that may still remain. After the biodiesel is cleaned it is dried one more time, driving off any remaining water.

7. It now ready for use. It can be used as is in most diesel engines without any changes to the engine. In most cases it is mixed with petroleum based diesel fuel and sold as a blend. Check with the manufacturer of your vehicle to see which blend they recommend for your vehicle.

As you can see, biodiesel is produced in a very simple process with very little waste. There are kits available if you would like to try to make your own biodiesel at home. If you choose to try to make your own biodiesel make sure that you get proper instructions and always follow proper safety precautions.

Elena Panfilova is the Co-founder of CarInsuranceManager.

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Environmental Benefits Of Biodiesel

Each day more and more people become concerned about the damage that is being done by petroleum based fuels to our environment. Biodiesel is an alternative fuel made from vegetable oils that can replace some of those petroleum products and ease the world's dependence on oil while at the same time helping the environment. Biodiesel results in fewer emissions than its petroleum based counterpart, is biodegradable, comes from a renewable source, and biodiesel production results in less waste. Biodiesel can be a great way to help the environment without costing you any additional money.

Burning biodiesel results in a significant reduction in the amount of pollution produced when compared to diesel fuels made from oil. Biodiesel burns cleaner therefore produces less solids that are released into the air which form smog. Biodiesel also produces less carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases which have been shown to cause global warming.

Biodiesel is biodegradable. If it is accidentally released into the environment by a spill or or other incident it poses no problems. It will simply be broken down like any other organic matter. It won't pollute streams and rivers, ground water, or the soil. It won't stay around contaminating everything it touches for years to come as petroleum based fuels will.

Biodiesel is produced using a renewable source. No one knows how much oil is left under the surface of the planet. The only thing that experts can agree on is that the oil is going to run out sooner or later. And when it is gone, it is gone forever. Biodiesel can be produced from just about any vegetable oil. The crops gown to produce this oil, such as soybeans and rapeseed, thrive all over the world and can be replanted season after season. They will never run out. Biodiesel is a renewable energy source that will last far into the future.

The production of biodiesel results in less waste than petroleum based fuels. Those parts of a barrel of oil that cannot be used as fuels or lubricants must be disposed of somewhere and present not only a waste of energy in the process itself but a danger to the environment in the process of their disposal. The majority of biodiesel is made from soybeans. The oil is taken out to make biodiesel leaving behind the protein which can be used as a food source for people and animals resulting in no waste. After the transformation of the soybean oil to biodiesel, the only byproduct is glycerin. Glycerin is an important component in the soap and cosmetics industries and is sold to be used in those products. Nothing is wasted when making biodiesel.

Using biodiesel is one of the best choices that you can make if you would like to help the environment. Biodiesel burns cleaner resulting in fewer emissions, is biodegradable and safe for the environment, comes from a perpetually renewable source, and is made by a process that results in almost zero waste. Biodiesel is the most viable of the currently available alternative fuels. Help yourself and the environment by switching to biodiesel.

Elena Panfilova is the Co-founder of CarInsuranceManager.

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Will Alternative Powered Vehicles Kill the Oil Change Industry? - No, Not for a Long While

Despite what you think, industries don't change very quickly - it's usually a very slow process. Even when industries die, it's usually more like a slow-motion train wreck, and then they still don't die completely. Over the years, I've analyzed many industries which I've been involved with, and I've noticed changes, along with all the sound and fury of impending chaos, and incited fear. The reality is; mostly it's all just talk, and industries are generally pretty entrenched, and they don't go away overnight.

That's not to say it doesn't happen, it can, but generally it takes a long time, and there is an evolutionary process as entrepreneurs figure out another way to make money, or a way to modify their services and products to deal with the changes. Now then, the other day I was thinking about this, and I read a very interesting article in the oil change industry.

There was an interesting article last month in NOLN - National Oil and Lube News on page 74 titled; "Report: Electric Vehicles to Have No Immediate Impact on Lube Industry," by Garrett Mackinnon, June 2011. The article comments on all of the new all electric cars coming out such as the Nissan Leaf, Tesla Sedan, and Chevy Volt; and the article asks a good question; if all the cars go to electric, then will it affect the oil change industry?

Interestingly enough back in 2001 I had a similar discussion with the editor of that magazine in Lubbock Texas where they are/were located, and I had indicated that I expected some day that the oil change industry would have a challenge with hybrids and all-electric vehicles or fuel-cell vehicles sometime in the future. Now then, that was 10 years ago, and here we are today asking the question again.

Judging by the fact that only 2 million hybrids have been sold in the United States over the last 10 years, and that the average number of cars sold per year is between 12 million and 17 million, the number of hybrids is a drop in the oil bucket, literally. The same goes for all-electric vehicles, and there are even fewer of those. In fact, there probably will not even be 10 to 25,000 of them on the road by January 2012.

Considering that there are easily 200 million licensed vehicles in this great nation, it's rather ridiculous to think that something like this would shut down the oil change industry anytime soon.

In fact at the rate it is going now, it may never happen, and even if oil prices shot up to $8-$10 a gallon, it would take decades to build the number of cars needed to displace the oil change industry. Likewise, the oil change industry would have time to evolve and adapt, and provide perhaps other types of lubricants because these new vehicles would still have moving parts. Even fuel cells have filters, membranes, and other things that are replaceable parts, and someone needs to help with the routine maintenance.

Further, electric batteries don't last forever either, and they need to be monitored, and replaced, perhaps that is yet another add-on service for oil change companies? Personally I wouldn't be too surprised if this is a total non-issue in the industry, and that the industry has nothing to worry about with regards to all-electric, or hybrid vehicles. But the government waste oil disposal laws might a concern in the future, if the cost for removal and disposal increases due to regulations.

Indeed, I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes writing 23,900 articles by July 4, 2011 is going to be difficult because all the letters on his keyboard are now worn off now...


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Friday, July 1, 2011

Practical Reasons to Get LPG Conversion

If you are more of a practical person than you are emotive, then the environmental benefits of LPG may not be as appealing to you as they might be to others. However, this is still no excuse for not getting LPG conversion. Your car is probably one of your most treasured assets, and you need to take care of it to ensure it serves you better for longer. Read on and find out how LPG is the best fuel for any kind of vehicle.

Combustion

When your car runs on LPG, the fuel reaches the engine in gas form as opposed to liquid, which is mostly the case with petrol and diesel. As a result, there is better combustion, and the engine's performance is at its optimum. Investing in LPG conversion means that you will have to service your engine less frequently and ultimately, the size of your wallet will not have to go through the fluctuations it normally exhibits with petrol or diesel.

Ignition

The ignition of LPG is smoother than other fuels. This is because of the high octane content present in auto-gas. Thus, no additives are required for this once you get you conversion done. High quality performance is guaranteed at no extra cost. In addition, LPG contains no lead. This means that it is cleaner for your engine, and less accumulation of dirt means less servicing.

Servicing

For a practical person, a penny saved is a penny gained. Constant servicing of your vehicle can be very costly. With LPG, engine oil does not become diluted. This will mean that the servicing costs for your vehicle will be cut down as less cleaning is required. Get your LPG conversion and ensure that you save on extra amounts.

Leakages

Auto-gas does not leak, so you don't have to loose any fuel to leakages. In addition, LPG also has less possibility of theft or pilfering. This means that you do not have to lose on fueling costs. In addition, getting your car converted promises to be a worthwhile investment if fuel costs tend to make you pause and think about how a cheaper life would make the world so much better for you.

Engine Life

With LPG, your engine's life will be lengthened in comparison to those that use petrol and diesel. LPG conversions do come at a cost, but this is nothing compared to what you are already paying as a result of using other fuels. For a practical person, you stand to gain the most.


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Inventive Electric Transportation Companies and Governments

Electric vehicles (EVs) are making headlines with the growing popularity of the Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf and Tesla Roadster. In order to keep up with the growing interest in electric cars, enterprising companies are investing in building new EV infrastructure in the United States and in other countries including China and France.

Coulomb Technologies, for example, was founded in 2007 to provide electric vehicle infrastructure around the globe. The company's charging stations are networked to allow drivers to easily find facilities near their location. Consumers can also send requests for new charging stations to be built-in their area at the company's website. The Coulomb charger was named one of the 50 best new inventions by Time magazine in 2010 with the capability of handling batteries ranging from 120 Volt to 240 Volt AC and up to 500 Volt DC.

Blink, a subsidiary of renewable energy company ECOtality, is also at the forefront of the charge toward improved EV infrastructure. The company offers high-tech solutions for battery charging stations including software that facilitates smart grid operation of recharging facilities. The proprietary software automatically integrates with power companies to provide the most cost-effective battery charging solutions.

The Blink residential charging system provides a smart, interactive interface that allows customers to save money through their network by easily finding low utility rates.

A leading start-up in the electric auto facility industry is Car Charging, Inc., which has been supported by government grants and incentives to help improve America's charging station infrastructure. The company has been installing charging stations connected to the smart grid at no cost to the property or business owner.

Coulomb, Blink and Car Charging, Inc. are three examples of companies that are leading the way in creating a seamless transition toward greater EV use by developing and expanding charging facilities across the United States.

France and China also see the EV light

America is not the only nation embracing electric cars. France, for example, committed in 2009 to investing ?1.5 billion (about $2.2 billion) in EV charging facilities through 2015. New apartment blocks built-in France starting in 2012 will be required to include an electric charging station. By 2015, new office parking lots must provide their own charging facilities.

In China, future electric vehicle sales are predicted to top those in the U.S., although the latter is forecast to have higher sales of hybrid vehicles. Beijing plans on spending $14.7 billion through 2020 on developing new drive-train vehicles with most of the money allotted toward the manufacture of electric vehicles.

China is also spending at least $1.76 billion through 2012 directly on the development of more compact and efficient cars. The country wants to reduce fuel emissions and to reduce its dependence on petroleum products. The government's goal is to churn out another five million alternative-fuel vehicles by 2020.

According to the firm Pike Research, about 1 million EVs will be sold in China between 2010 and 2015 along with about 850,000 hybrids during the same time frame. In the U.S., Pike estimates that 2.3 million hybrids will be sold over this period together with an additional 840,000 electric and plug-in vehicles.

U.S. to support electric car batteries

In the U.S., nine new electric vehicle battery factories are under construction funded by grants from the federal government. More than $2.5 billion of Recovery Act money is supporting the expansion of American charging infrastructure. In 2009, the Department of Energy granted $249 million to the company A123 Systems to support the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries in Michigan. The batteries may be used for electric cars produced by Chrysler.

Investments reveal confidence in the electric car's future

The fact that countries like the United States, China and France are investing billions in subsidizing the expansion of electric charging infrastructure offers insight into the future of the industry.

With increasing calls for control of carbon emissions to address climate change concerns, the demand for the electric car is growing. Many nations with limited oil resources are also looking to reduce their dependence on fuel imports. The all-electric car is one of the top solutions to this problem as it requires no gasoline or diesel fuel.

However, the move toward the electric car cannot work without readily available charging stations. Governments know that in order to encourage consumers to make the switch to electric autos they must make driving practical in more areas. Without sufficient charging stations, drivers would be unable to use vehicles for long journeys. Most EVs cannot run more than 70 to 100 miles at one time, so home charging stations will only work for those who use their cars only for short commutes.

As the availability of electric vehicle infrastructure expands, we should see a proportional rise in the use of the new car technology.

J. D. Johnston

Electric Smart Cars

info@electricsmartcars.com

Electric Smart Cars believes providing reliable information about cutting edge electric vehicle technologies makes a positive contribution toward helping save our environment. Electric Smart Cars offers a lively forum for those in the know (and for those who want to be in the know) about "all things electric vehicle". We encourage thorough and informed electric vehicles discussion.


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BMW EfficientDynamics Reaches an Impressive Goal

BMW EfficientDynamics has reached a new milestone. They have equipped over 1,000,000 vehicles with fuel-saving technologies as a standard. BMW has proved that environmentally friendly mobility and driving pleasure are not opposites. The German automaker also has a near-production-ready vehicle that combines the performance of a BMW M model with the fuel efficiency of a modern small car.

The BMW Vision EfficientDyamics has ActiveHybrid technology and consumes only 3.76 liters/100 km and has a CO2 emission of 99g/km. The vehicle features a three-cylinder common-rail turbodiesel and an electric motor on each axle. It also has the technology to recharge the 98 lithium-polymer batteries using brake energy regeneration and has active aerodynamics with a thermoelectric generator for on-board power supply.

The technology in the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics vehicle has new technology that works to save energy. When the vehicle starts, electric energy goes from the battery to two electric motors on the front and rear axles using the engine management system. The transmission and the wheels take the energy to the road. When the vehicle brakes, the kinetic energy generated from breaking or going downhill is used to charge the battery. When the vehicle is taken on the highway, it is powered by the efficient diesel engine and double-clutch transmission on the rear axle. The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics vehicle has a thermoelectric generator that uses the lost heat from the exhaust system as another source of energy regeneration and sends the electric energy to the battery through the electric motors.

Due to BMW EfficientDynamics, BMW has 24 best in class models with no more than 140g/km of CO2. In addition, BMW EfficientDynamics is responsible for several new technologies. They have introduced a four-cylinder petrol engine that significantly reduces CO2 emissions. They have also added the auto start/stop function. When the car is at a standstill or in neutral, the engine automatically switches off and then restarts when the driver hits the clutch pedal. BMW has also found a way to use the energy from braking. This reduces the amount of power the battery takes from the engine.

Another new technology BMW has come out with is an "as needed" electric power steering. Whenever the steering wheel is kept at the same position, the electric motor does not use any energy. The electric power steering is supported by an electric motor so that energy is only used when it is needed.

BMW EfficientDynamics has helped to make a large dent in reducing fuel consumption and emissions. Using diesel technology, lightweight materials and brake regeneration technology, BMW is improving the functionality of vehicles on the road while also keeping the joy in driving.

BMW of Watertown is proud to serve the Watertown, Connecticut area. Carrying a full line of new and used BMW cars, BMW of Watertown offers the best selection when it comes to purchasing a vehicle. The knowledgeable service department at BMW of Watertown is prepared to assist with repairs and routine maintenance and the BMW Parts Department offers one-stop shopping on a full selection of BMW parts and accessories. Visit BMW of Watertown online at http://www.bmwofwatertown.com/.


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What You Stand To Benefit From LPG Conversion

If you have a car that runs on petroleum, then you should be worried about the impact that this has on the environment. The carbon emissions that cars produce are no longer insignificant, and the environmental deterioration that takes place continuously is a threat to your very health. However, LPG conversions are an affordable and beneficial alternative for vehicle owners that will prove not only beneficial for the environment, but for your pocket as well.

Environment Friendly

Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) is a fossil fuel that is much safer in comparison to traditional petroleum as an energy source for your vehicle. Vehicle owners who get their cars converted to use LPG will have their cars emitting 20% less carbon dioxide than before if they previously used petroleum, and almost 2% less than cars that run on diesel. Vehicles that run on LPG also produce less engine noise, so you and others don't have to suffer the annoyance of a loud engine.

Convenience

Getting your car converted means that your vehicle will now be able to be powered by LPG as well as petrol. This will mean that even in case you have no access to LPG gas at any particular time, you can revert to petroleum temporarily. Currently, there may not be enough LPG stations available, but this will soon be history. LPG is fast becoming the fuel of choice for many drivers, and may very well replace petrol as the most popular fuel.

Save on cost

LPG is 40% cheaper than petrol and 20% cheaper than diesel. Of course, the LPG conversion comes at a cost. However, this will soon be recouped with the amount of funds you will save on fuel costs in less than a few years. In addition, you also get tax cuts such as the London Congestion Charges and even some car parking discounts.

Economy

In the UK, there is an estimated 6 million tones of LPG produced annually. However, because the local demand is low, about 3 million tones end up being exported to other countries. Increased LPG conversions will ensure that this important resource is put to good use locally. As a result, there will be a definite positive effect on the economy too as less money will be dedicated to the importation of petroleum.

Investment

Getting a LPG conversion should be taken as an investment. Not only will the long-term benefits be realized at a personal level, but the environmental benefits should be considered as part of your communal obligation.


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Why You Should Get Your LPG Conversion Today

If you are contemplating whether or not to take your car through LPG conversion, then here are the answers you have been looking for. You have probably heard about the benefits that come with LPG conversions, but maybe you just need to hear them again, just to make sure. Read on and get the information you need to make a speedy decision.

Cleaner Environment

Getting the LPG conversion will mean that driving your car ceases to be an activity that is harmful to the environment. You may not be an environmental preservation activist, but it doesn't hurt to play your part in the conservation of the environment. While you may not necessarily improve the quality of your own life significantly, you could be saving the lives of future generations.

Cold Starting

Maybe environmental benefits are not enough to convince you. Let's take a look at the benefits to your car. In contrast to diesel, LPG as a fuel makes cold starting quite easy. If you are always in a hurry and you cannot keep giving your car the time to warm up, switching to LPG will ensure that you do not wear out your engine with constant cold starting.

Better Than Diesel

Engine performance for vehicles that use LPG is similar to petrol. This is good news for those whose vehicles run on diesel. You not only get better engine performance, but it also comes at a lower cost. Further, with LPG conversions, you have the benefit of having two fuel options, since the LPG tank is different from that of our current fuel. This means that you get to pick the fuel that you want your vehicle to run on.

Engine Noise

With LPG, engine noise is reduced significantly. A vehicle whose engine rattles is simply annoying, and makes driving a less than pleasant experience for you as well as your passengers. This eliminates the option of taking a ride to clear your head as you can barely get past the noise. Once you get the conversion done, you can enjoy a quiet ride at the end of the day and literally hear yourself think.

Do It Now

These are some of the practical reasons why a conversion can be beneficial not only to the environment, but also to the preservation of the quality of your car. Think of it as an investment that will get your car performing as if it was bought yesterday.


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Top 5 Selling Green Cars

First up is the Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 CDTi 95, this popular model has been re-worked to produce an outstandingly low carbon emission of 94g/km and averages an impressive 80.7 mpg. This is an extremely cost affective car that carries on the high standards that many have come to expect of a Corsa.

Next up is the SEAT Ibiza. The SEAT Ibiza Ecomotive is one of the longest-running green car ranges and continues to grow with hugely competitive sales. Emitting a minuscule 92g/km CO2, the Ibiza scores double points due to its high grade performance and attractive design. This is truly a car that displays just how great these eco friendly cars can be.

The Ford Fiesta, the UK's best selling Supermini now turns green. The Ford Fiesta Econetic is the greenest Fiesta yet, with a CO2 emission of 98g/km and 76.3 mpg. Great performance, reliable design, the Fiesta remains an extremely popular choice for many new drivers and those who regulary drive or commute to busy cities.

A true British Icon, the Mini was created in the 1950's to help save families money on fuel, 60 years on they are still carrying the torch as one of the greenest car manufacturers around. The new MINI Cooper D emits less than 100g/km and averages a spectacular 74.3 mpg. It is down to this that MINI is such an incredibly popular car. Iconic looks, sharp handling and over all unbeatable performance make the Mini an absolute pleasure to drive and own.

Finally we have the UK's favourite and best selling eco car, with a staggeringly low CO2 emission of 89g/km averaging 72.4 mpg the Toyota Prius is the most eco friendly car on this list and on the market. Combining high quality performance with all the latest technology and comfort the Prius is a shining example that no compromises need be made in order to benefit from owning a green car. Toyota have many great eco friendly cars and are sure to continue to push the way in this new but ever growing market.

With such benefits as road tax and London Congestion Charge exemption, as well as many other financial savings, there has never been a better time to turn green. Green cars are only going to get better with time, and hopefully in the not too far future we will all be driving green.

Steve Colins has been an avid car writer and enthusiast. He enjoys writing about car news, motor sports and new car reviews.


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