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!

View the original article here

How Car Companies Are Making Engines More Fuel Efficient

With gas prices on the rise, the demand for fuel efficient vehicles is ever increasing. Car companies recognize this trend and are striving to make more fuel efficient engines. They are using several methods to achieve this goal. Here, we will explore the different ways in which car companies are making more fuel efficient vehicles.

Variable Cam Timing

The air and fuel flowing into an engine's cylinder's is controlled by valves. The valves in old engine designs had unchangeable timing and lift settings that were a compromise between slow and fast speeds. Newer engines have variable cam timing. The difference here is that as the vehicle picks up speed, the setting for the valve lift and timing automatically changes. Engines with variable cam timing can change timing and lift according to speed, therefor getting the best performance from air and fuel flow.

Cylinder Deactivation

Cylinder deactivation, or cylinder management, makes engines more fuel efficient by shutting off unnecessary cylinders. With this method, when a vehicle reaches cruising speed, fuel is no longer pumped to one or more of the engine's cylinders. Cylinder deactivation is applied to six and eight cylinder engines.

Turbo/Supercharging

Fans that coerce air into the engine's cylinders are known as turbochargers and superchargers. The difference between super and turbochargers is that turbochargers run off the vehicle's exhaust whereas superchargers run off the engine. Fuel efficiency is increased by turbo and superchargers because the air coerced into the vehicle's cylinders make a stronger ignition of air and fuel.

Direct Fuel Injection

Injecting fuel directly into a vehicle's cylinders in order to more accurately control the timing and shape of the fuel mist is referred to as direct fuel injection. In standard multi-port engines, gas is injected into a port and allowed to combine with air before it goes into the vehicle's cylinders.

Integrated Starter/ Generator

With the invention of the integrated generator or starter, wasted fuel while the vehicle is idling is a thing of the past. An integrated starter automatically shuts off a vehicle's engine when it comes to a stop. Upon engaging the accelerator, the vehicle restarts immediately.

Each of the methods explained above directly involve the engine, however, there are even more, less direct techniques, used by car companies that increase a vehicle's fuel efficiency. Here are several more techniques that car manufacturers use to increase fuel efficiency in their vehicles.

A vehicle's transmission uses the power produced by the engine and transforms it into rotational energy of the vehicle's tires. Some transmission technology can contribute significantly to a vehicle's gas efficiency.

Continuous Variable Transmissions

Standard auto transmissions use an unchangeable amount of metal gears to control the ratio between motor and tire speed. Continuously variable transmissions use a set of adjustable diameter pulleys attached to a chain or belt that can produce an indefinite amount of engine to wheel ratios. Continuously variable transmissions eliminate lurching or jerking caused from changing gears or downshifting. This kind of transmission provides a smooth ride, steady acceleration rate and increased fuel efficiency due to the engine not having to work as hard.

Automated Manual Transmission

Automatic transmissions allow for the shifting of gears without the need for the driver to depress a clutch. However, manual transmissions produce less energy loss during the shifting of gears because they are lighter. Automated manual transmissions are a cross between automatic and manual transmissions. With these types of transmissions, the vehicle is electronically shifted, combining the smoothness of automatic transmission with the fuel efficiency of manual.

In addition to the techniques described above, anything that reduces the amount of work on a vehicle's engine will also increase the fuel efficiency of the engine. Decreasing wind drag is another method that car manufacturer's use to increase gas mileage. This is done by cleverly designing the vehicle's exterior into a wind-resistant, aerodynamic shape. Another method is to simply decrease the weight of the vehicle. Car maker's do this by using lighter weight material in the production of the vehicle.

Fuel efficient cars are important in today's time. If you travel long distances in your daily commute, you are concerned about the cost of fuel. For efficient buy here pay here used cars, visit a J.D. Byrider. dealer.

View the original article here

How Do You Choose to Buy the Most Fuel Efficient Automobile?

When it comes to efficient automobiles most people think of how many miles per gallon the vehicle gets. But how do you relate that with a plug-in electric car? It gets unlimited miles to the gallon if it has no engine, but it costs money to charge it up. For instance, I have a golf cart, and it costs me about a $1.80 to fill it up on a full charge and theoretically I can go about 15 or 20 miles. Indeed in a way that's about the same amount of cost as if I got 40 miles a gallon in the car. Do you see my point?

How but a hybrid which has an engine, but also runs on electric power? When it's running on electric car power it doesn't use any fuel, but it does use electricity and it does cost money. Also you must understand that our energy costs are going to go up due to supply and demand issues and all the regulations being put on the coal-fired energy generation plants. And when the batteries run down the hybrid engine starts and it does use fuel. See my point?

So how do you choose which car is most efficient? All of a sudden you can't compare MPG ratings anymore, and it matters what kind of driving you do; whether it's in the city or on the highway as to exactly how long those batteries will last you. But it gets even more complicated than that, and I doubt if you're going to find any help from the government which regulates miles per gallon requirements of modern automobiles.

Indeed there was an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal on this topic published on May 20, 2011 which was titled "U.S. Abandons Proposal to Give Cars Letter Grades" by Josh Mitchell and Stephen Power. The article discussed how only hybrids or electric cars could receive an A+, A, or A- grade, and this concerned auto makers, auto dealers, and caught the ire of the Alliance of automobile manufacturers, as it seemed unfair.

Especially at a time when 4-cylinder car sales are up by 50% and they are selling like hotcakes, not only saving the industry, but they've become the mainstay for the sales at the local dealerships. Plus, many hybrids for instance the Toyota Prius have an 18-month waiting list and other hybrids and all-electric cars are having parts challenges thanks to the Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami.

Are you beginning to see why this is going to be a challenge for consumers and car buyers in the future? Still, we have more questions than answers, but it's up to you to do your homework and know what kind of driving you are most likely going to do in your automobile. 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 23,323 articles by May 26, 2011 is difficult because all the letters on his keyboard are now worn off..

View the original article here

Driving In a Fuel Efficient Way

Before the tips, here's a quip: "Back in the 1970s, we adopted fairly ambitious goals to improve efficiency of our cars. What did we get? We got a tremendous boost in efficiency." -Jay Inslee. It's not too late. We can have history repeating itself, and you can be part of us as we write history by going hybrid. Isn't that wonderful?

The term Eco-friendly is becoming more and more appreciated, and the motor industry is no exception. Engineers are now moving from the classical engines to the more efficient hybrid ones, where the cost used previously on fuel is slashed to less than half. That's not only good news to the consumer but the manufacturer as well due to increased sales volumes. And what more does a manufacturer ask for?

In marketing, the discipline is defined as a two way traffic in which the producer, after identifying consumer needs sets to satisfy them in a way to create a lasting relationship with mutual benefit. In the case of green fuel, this kind of relationship is created with least effect on the environment now that greenhouse gases are becoming more of household names. Also, with the fluctuating oil prices and supply-shocks, people are gradually moving to cushion themselves against such severity. As some opt for low engine-size vehicles, others are finding the hybrid concept more accommodating but the result is the same; less cost on fuel.

If power is your main concern, you don't have to worry since these cars perform at par with normal gas-powered vehicles if not better. These cars also come in handy with different purchase incentives that vary with states, and also provide better mileage in addition to reliability and comfort associated with gas-powered vehicles. Obsolesce is one of the main impediments to developments, but this is not the case to hybrid cars as the future has never been brighter.

Honda is famous for its Civic, and it has acknowledged that the hybrid battery is here to stay. Due to its regenerative braking technology the battery need not be charged by an external source and so the source of power should not worry you. The battery, though expensive comes in handy with goodly warranties with dealers like Honda and Toyota which lead in hybrid car sales in the U.S offering 8 and 10-yr warranties on their batteries respectively.

A bad start can ruin a perfectly good day and its worse for an impromptu hybrid breakdown without specialized technical know-how nearby. It is thus important for routine check-ups and since this is the dawn of new technology, its smarter to take it back to the dealership for repairs, as their mechanics are certified in servicing hybrids. As a matter of fact this is highly eased by the hybrid technology which to an extent reduces engine wear and brake wear, which are among a driver's greatest nightmares. Since hybrid batteries work best at optimal temperatures, it is always advisable to give it time to warm when its cold outside. This enhances performance and durability.

Some say, "You are what you wear," others "you are what you eat" and others "you are what you drive," but in hybrid, nothing defines you more than the car you seat in. It is not just a mobility machine; it's a lifestyle. It's not a wonder if you met a motorist who recently switched from gasoline to hybrid smiling all the way home and when asked of the cause simply states, "I just spent half of what I used to spend on fuel!" This can happen to you too. Think about the environment, think about the depleting energy resources, but most importantly, think about its financial benefit.

Hybrid is the future of motor industry. You don't have to be left out. Take a step today...It begins with you...

View the original article here

What Used Cars Over 10 Years Old Are Most Fuel Efficient?

With gas prices flirting with all time highs and the economy going "who knows where," who isn't looking to save money on gas? It's a common misconception that older cars get worse mileage than their counterparts of today, but that couldn't be further from the truth.

To most drivers, being seen in a 15 year old car lacks a certain degree of "coolness," but in reality most could use the extra money saved by driving an older car. How is that possible you might ask? Despite the day-to-day upkeep required of older vehicles, they are in fact money savers in the long run. Older cars can often be found cheap enough to purchase outright. Who really wants another monthly payment? Insurance is usually much cheaper and the fuel costs over time will save you a bundle. Granted it's hard to forget the day you drive a shiny new dream car off the lot, but in reality many of us cannot afford to do so.

The key when shopping for an older used car is to look around. The following list will help you get started and shows fuel the consumption in miles per gallon (mpg) of older used cars. You can see the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius of the early 2000's remains unmatched to this day in terms of fuel mileage but despite all the hype about Hybrids, older cars remaining on the list shows the automotive industry's lack of progress in the last 25 years.

City Highway
1. 2000 Honda Insight (Hybrid) 49 61
2. 2001 Toyota Prius (Hybrid) 51 48?
3. 1986 Chevy Sprint ER 44 53
4. 1990-1994 Geo Metro XFI 43 52
5. 1986-1987 Honda Civic CR-X HF 42 51
6. 1994-1995 Honda Civic HB VX 39 50?
7. 1985 Suzuki SA310 39 47

The Chevy Sprint (third on the list and rated at 53 Mpg) may catch you by surprise. Although the 1600 pounds and lack of amenities is a recipe for outstanding fuel mileage, it is also a recipe for little else. The ride of the Chevy Sprint was often described as like "riding down the road in a tin can." Even so, the car has been said to be functional and efficient, and not needing to stop often for gas.

Owning an older car could very well mean extra cash in the pocket and definitely worth the time to shop around. Of course buying an older used car doesn't come without risk. Although there are exceptions many used cars have hidden problems; that could explain why they are sitting on a used car lot in the first place. When shopping for older cars with great gas mileage it wouldn't be a bad idea to invest in the services of a reputable mechanic. If well maintained, used cars as a general rule, maintain their gas mileage.

Used car lots are a haven for bargain hunters; you just have to know what to look for. Something needs to be done about current gas prices! Purchasing a fuel efficient used car is one way to deal with them. Prices are all about supply and demand. If everyone purchased a fuel efficient car the demand for fuel would go down. With lower demands, prices would go down! You can be the trend setter and envy of your neighborhood by taking the leap and going to your local used car lot to start saving money today!

With the cost of fuel rising every year, consider an efficient vehicle from J.D. Byrider. There are many to choose from, such as Chevy, Toyota, Honda and more. If you have bad credit, we offer buy here pay used cars. We are the best used car dealer with on-the-spot financing to get you approved and on the road.

View the original article here