If you are thinking about a hybrid car, you may be hearing quite a bit of "talk." Some people think the hybrid car is the best thing on the market. Some people say it'll just pass. Other people say they think they can save a lot of money, but you're not sure it's really worth it. What's the truth, and how do you separate myth from fact with all of the stuff that is being thrown at you? Below, you can read and understand the common hybrid car myths.
Hybrid cars are the same as electric cars
This is not true because hybrid cars are fuel-powered for the most part. They have what are called battery assists. The assist is powered by a nickel-metal hydride battery pack that is rechargeable.
You are guaranteed to save money with a hybrid car
If you are doing city driving, you may save gas and you may not. The same goes for highway driving. There are just many different factors. It has been said that if everyone bought hybrid cars, the gas consumption would decrease by only 10%. That's not a very big difference.
A hybrid cars battery can run out
A hybrid car's battery should not run out while you are driving it. The engine in a hybrid car does not idle when stopped (at a red light for instance.) What does it do instead? It recharges its battery. So there's no need to worry about a hybrid car stopping you.
The hybrid cars rechargeable battery only lasts for 2 years
A hybrid car certainly would not be worth purchasing if this was the case. A hybrid car's rechargeable batteries usually come with an eight-year warranty.
If I run out of gas, I can keep driving on the hybrid car battery
Keep in mind, a hybrid car's battery is an assist. That means that hybrid car's still run on fuel. After you run out of gas, the battery may keep the car running for just a little while. However, the car will stop very soon.
Hybrid cars will soon put conventional car sellers out of business
This probably won't happen anytime soon. The reason for the delay has to do with the how much a hybrid cars. Many people simply can't afford one. Also, people just aren't too sure whether they will really save money on hybrid cars. Therefore, they are slow to join the rush of people who want a hybrid car.
Hybrid cars will only save you about 88 dollars a year
I did hear something on the news about this once, but it may not be true. If there's something you really want though, and there's a lot of smoke surrounding it, you simply have to start digging and do some of your own research. There are many different models of hybrid cars, and many different manufacturers make them. This means that there may be many more variables involved than the ones discussed here. A hybrid car may help you, and it may not, but the final decision is up to you.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
The Negative Side Of Buying A Hybrid
Yes it's true, there are some negatives of owning of hybrid car, but all of them are not horrible. Still, you might want to know some of the disadvantages of owning a hybrid car. But don't get worried. You won't have to take your car back to the shop unless you want to, that is.
Hybrid cars are not as popular as you may think
Only about 50% of consumers say they will buy a hybrid soon. That's probably because hybrid cars are not cheap. Also, most people are a little concerned about buying a car that depends on a battery pack as much as a hybrid does. Why are they concerned? They wonder what will happen if the battery pack failed. Since battery packs are usually very expensive, people just don't want to take such a big risk.
There is not a consensus of opinion on the value of hybrid cars
Some people think hybrid cars are good for everyone to have, and some people beg to differ. There is tons of research out there on the many opinions that surround hybrid cars, and if you haven't decided yet that the best opinion is your opinion, you may be easily swayed by anything blowing in the wind. A hybrid car purchase is just like any other purchase. There are pros and cons. But if you expect all hybrid cars to have nothing but a good reputation, you have another thing coming. Hybrid cars are useful to most people. But many other people don't think they need hybrid cars.
Hybrid cars may seem trendy now, but they might not be in just two years
Called the "wave of the future," it may seem like hybrid cars are really cool cars to own right now. And it's true. Today, they are on the cutting edge of automotive technology. However, in just two years, hybrid cars may be outdone by something better. Care manufacturers are continuously working on a way to make fuel useless when it comes to cars.
Hybrid car manufacturers say their battery packs last a lifetime, but anything is possible
Ever bought a warrantee and had something happen to your car that wasn't covered? Even though a hybrid's battery is supposed to last a lifetime, chances are, something just might happen that you don't like. How much does a hybrid battery cost? You don't even want to know. There's risk involved when you make any purchase, but with the hybrid car, there are risks you never thought of. So go and buy a hybrid car, if you dare.
You may think you know more than enough about hybrid cars when you really don't
Before buying a hybrid car, you should come to terms with the fact that you are buying a new technological innovation, and it's new to everyone in the world. Therefore, who knows what surprises this new technology might throw us. Do you think people expected spyware to get on their computers? Nope. So remember, don't putt too much trust in technology or you may find yourself out in the cold.
Hybrid cars are not as popular as you may think
Only about 50% of consumers say they will buy a hybrid soon. That's probably because hybrid cars are not cheap. Also, most people are a little concerned about buying a car that depends on a battery pack as much as a hybrid does. Why are they concerned? They wonder what will happen if the battery pack failed. Since battery packs are usually very expensive, people just don't want to take such a big risk.
There is not a consensus of opinion on the value of hybrid cars
Some people think hybrid cars are good for everyone to have, and some people beg to differ. There is tons of research out there on the many opinions that surround hybrid cars, and if you haven't decided yet that the best opinion is your opinion, you may be easily swayed by anything blowing in the wind. A hybrid car purchase is just like any other purchase. There are pros and cons. But if you expect all hybrid cars to have nothing but a good reputation, you have another thing coming. Hybrid cars are useful to most people. But many other people don't think they need hybrid cars.
Hybrid cars may seem trendy now, but they might not be in just two years
Called the "wave of the future," it may seem like hybrid cars are really cool cars to own right now. And it's true. Today, they are on the cutting edge of automotive technology. However, in just two years, hybrid cars may be outdone by something better. Care manufacturers are continuously working on a way to make fuel useless when it comes to cars.
Hybrid car manufacturers say their battery packs last a lifetime, but anything is possible
Ever bought a warrantee and had something happen to your car that wasn't covered? Even though a hybrid's battery is supposed to last a lifetime, chances are, something just might happen that you don't like. How much does a hybrid battery cost? You don't even want to know. There's risk involved when you make any purchase, but with the hybrid car, there are risks you never thought of. So go and buy a hybrid car, if you dare.
You may think you know more than enough about hybrid cars when you really don't
Before buying a hybrid car, you should come to terms with the fact that you are buying a new technological innovation, and it's new to everyone in the world. Therefore, who knows what surprises this new technology might throw us. Do you think people expected spyware to get on their computers? Nope. So remember, don't putt too much trust in technology or you may find yourself out in the cold.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Consider A Hybrid Purchase
It's probably not a news flash that gas doesn't seem to be getting any cheaper. People all over are asking what they can do about the rise in price, and often the answer is to choose a different vehicle. That's simple, right? But what kind of vehicle should you choose? Just maybe, you should try a hybrid car.
The hybrid cars are the talk of the town these days. They come in great colors, sleek styles, and they will make your commute less expensive. When you look at those characteristics of a hybrid car, how could you not choose to run to the car dealer right now and pick one up? Well, we all wish we could do just that, but before you run out, maybe you should learn a bit more about these cars.
A hybrid car is a vehicle that is run on electricity. A combination of a conventional propulsion system and a rechargeable energy storage system that is onboard the vehicle work together to give the vehicle better fuel economy than cars that run strictly on gasoline.
Hybrid cars are unlike battery electric vehicles because the batteries used in hybrid cars do not have to be charged by an external source. Instead, in order to get a charge, kinetic energy is generated by way of regenerative braking. Furthermore, some hybrid cars make use of their own combustion engine to create electricity. The combustion engine does this by spinning an electrical generator. The spinning does one of two things. It can either recharge the battery or in a more direct way, it can give power to an electric motor. This motor is what then drives the vehicle.
Therefore, because this fuel-economizing vehicle can generate its own electricity, it is very different from a vehicle that is run strictly on batteries. But, there is no waiting while your car charges up outside in the garage before you go to work. All you have to do is get into the car and ride.
It is true that some people have experimented with electrical vehicles in the past. However, the introduction of the hybrid car outdid these types of cars when it came on the scene.
Because the hybrid car is so innovative in the way it powers itself and the way it is able to save travelers money on fuel, it's called the car of the future. At least that's what some automakers believe, and many consumers agree with them. The next wave of the automotive market, Hybrid cars continue to be purchased by customers as the years go on.
So if you want a car that saves on gas and will make you the talk of town, perhaps you should invest in a hybrid car.
And you might find yourself tired of just pulling over at local gas stations to fuel up. If that's the case, you have another reason to think about purchasing a hybrid car. So get on over to the car dealer. It could be the best decision of your future.
The hybrid cars are the talk of the town these days. They come in great colors, sleek styles, and they will make your commute less expensive. When you look at those characteristics of a hybrid car, how could you not choose to run to the car dealer right now and pick one up? Well, we all wish we could do just that, but before you run out, maybe you should learn a bit more about these cars.
A hybrid car is a vehicle that is run on electricity. A combination of a conventional propulsion system and a rechargeable energy storage system that is onboard the vehicle work together to give the vehicle better fuel economy than cars that run strictly on gasoline.
Hybrid cars are unlike battery electric vehicles because the batteries used in hybrid cars do not have to be charged by an external source. Instead, in order to get a charge, kinetic energy is generated by way of regenerative braking. Furthermore, some hybrid cars make use of their own combustion engine to create electricity. The combustion engine does this by spinning an electrical generator. The spinning does one of two things. It can either recharge the battery or in a more direct way, it can give power to an electric motor. This motor is what then drives the vehicle.
Therefore, because this fuel-economizing vehicle can generate its own electricity, it is very different from a vehicle that is run strictly on batteries. But, there is no waiting while your car charges up outside in the garage before you go to work. All you have to do is get into the car and ride.
It is true that some people have experimented with electrical vehicles in the past. However, the introduction of the hybrid car outdid these types of cars when it came on the scene.
Because the hybrid car is so innovative in the way it powers itself and the way it is able to save travelers money on fuel, it's called the car of the future. At least that's what some automakers believe, and many consumers agree with them. The next wave of the automotive market, Hybrid cars continue to be purchased by customers as the years go on.
So if you want a car that saves on gas and will make you the talk of town, perhaps you should invest in a hybrid car.
And you might find yourself tired of just pulling over at local gas stations to fuel up. If that's the case, you have another reason to think about purchasing a hybrid car. So get on over to the car dealer. It could be the best decision of your future.
Conventional Versus Hybrid Cars--What's The Better Choice?
Today, the question on everybody's mind is, what is the difference between a hybrid car and a conventional vehicle? There must be some reason why people are debating about whether hybrid cars are worth it and checking their wallets and savings account to see if they can afford the hybrid car. There must be some reason why other people won't even consider putting out the money for a hybrid car because they feel their conventional car gets them to where they need to go just fine. Here are the reasons why a person might choose a conventional car over a hybrid car and vice versa.
Hybrid cars are more expensive than conventional cars
Because hybrid cars have a complex internal design, they can have a pretty hefty price tag. On the other hand, conventional cars, which have probably gotten more efficient in design as the years have gone on, are quite affordable these days. Many people can be seen selling their old conventional cars. Some people even give these types of cars away. However, since a large percentage of the general population has never owned a hybrid, there aren't many people selling used hybrid cars. Therefore, the average person looking to buy a hybrid would probably have to purchase one from a car dealer.
Both a hybrid car and a conventional car can use similar types of batteries
A hybrid and a conventional car can both use lead acid batteries that hold enough energy to power a small motor that's electric. These batteries are what you would call "gear reduced." That means that they can turn over an engine at approximately 300 rpms. Torque is generated to turn over the engine. And the entire process is what ends up starting the engine in the first place.
But even though hybrid car uses a lead-acid battery, its battery that works to recharge the car is constructed differently. This kind of battery is known as a deep cycle battery. And it can be compared to the batteries that are used to power golf carts.
That's the difference between a hybrid car and a conventional car. One person might choose a hybrid car because they feel more security. For instance, if a person buys a hybrid car, they can feel secure that their car will be less likely to run out of gas. Another person might not choose a conventional car because gas doesn't really bother them that much. And a conventional car provides security as well. With a conventional car, a person can be assured that they will always be able go to the junkyard if they need to and find old parts for their car. On the other hand, those with a hybrid car might have to look forward to some pricey repair receipts if something goes wrong.
But the final decision is up to you. There are risks involved with both types of cars. But those who like to try out new things might just consider splurging on a hybrid car.
Hybrid cars are more expensive than conventional cars
Because hybrid cars have a complex internal design, they can have a pretty hefty price tag. On the other hand, conventional cars, which have probably gotten more efficient in design as the years have gone on, are quite affordable these days. Many people can be seen selling their old conventional cars. Some people even give these types of cars away. However, since a large percentage of the general population has never owned a hybrid, there aren't many people selling used hybrid cars. Therefore, the average person looking to buy a hybrid would probably have to purchase one from a car dealer.
Both a hybrid car and a conventional car can use similar types of batteries
A hybrid and a conventional car can both use lead acid batteries that hold enough energy to power a small motor that's electric. These batteries are what you would call "gear reduced." That means that they can turn over an engine at approximately 300 rpms. Torque is generated to turn over the engine. And the entire process is what ends up starting the engine in the first place.
But even though hybrid car uses a lead-acid battery, its battery that works to recharge the car is constructed differently. This kind of battery is known as a deep cycle battery. And it can be compared to the batteries that are used to power golf carts.
That's the difference between a hybrid car and a conventional car. One person might choose a hybrid car because they feel more security. For instance, if a person buys a hybrid car, they can feel secure that their car will be less likely to run out of gas. Another person might not choose a conventional car because gas doesn't really bother them that much. And a conventional car provides security as well. With a conventional car, a person can be assured that they will always be able go to the junkyard if they need to and find old parts for their car. On the other hand, those with a hybrid car might have to look forward to some pricey repair receipts if something goes wrong.
But the final decision is up to you. There are risks involved with both types of cars. But those who like to try out new things might just consider splurging on a hybrid car.
Hybrid Cars---What About Hybrid Trucks?
Why Isn't There A Hybrid Pickup?
One thing that stops Americans from purchasing hybrid cars is the lack of options out there for them. For instance, some people just like to ride in certain models of cars, and when those models are absent from the market, people start to get upset. What the automotive industry needs to do is make sure that every consumer need is satisfied when it comes to hybrid cars. What should it do to satisfy every potential customer's need? Just take a look at what people are buying. And hey, why isn't there a hybrid pickup?
Half of the entire US vehicle market is based on sales of SUVs and pickups. That whole market is comprised of 16 million vehicles. And since pickup vehicles use tons of gas per year, it would be a great idea for pickup hybrids to flood the market. These types of hybrid cars would save pickup drivers tons of money on gas. The savings would make a great case for the hybrid car industry. Alone, those dollars saved would get people curious about hybrid cars. If people saw just how much money hybrid pickup drivers saved on gas, they might be led to rush and get a hybrid for themselves. The dollars saved would provide the perfect visual for potential hybrid car buyers.
But the question still is, why isn't there a hybrid pickup truck. Hybrid car drivers all over are waiting to hear the answer to that question.
Well, actually for a short time, a hybrid pick-up truck did in fact exist. Late in the year of 2004, there was a hybrid system on the Silverado and Sierra models. This system was introduced by general motors. However, this truck was not really the market. It was developed, but no one really knew where to buy it. Then in about the year 2006, GM dropped the hybrid pickups known as the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. And that's the last the market heard of hybrid pickups. But these hybrid cars or hybrid pickups were let go for a number of good reasons, one being the hybrid pickups created an increase in the fuel economy.
But in the near future, more hybrid pickups will be introduced to the market. And that will be approximately a year from now. So hybrid car-lovers can get ready for these great utility vehicles. Hybrid cars are already selling fast. So with a new kind of hybrid car like the hybrid pickup, hybrid car sales will take off even more. And then, auto manufacturers would need to produce more hybrid cars. The end result would be that hybrid cars would multiply on the roads because everyone would be driving a hybrid car. And that would do wonders for the environment and the general economy.
So if you want a hybrid pickup, you may just have to wait until about 2011. And that should be fine. Just purchase a different kind of hybrid car while you wait. There are plenty of other hybrid cars available.
One thing that stops Americans from purchasing hybrid cars is the lack of options out there for them. For instance, some people just like to ride in certain models of cars, and when those models are absent from the market, people start to get upset. What the automotive industry needs to do is make sure that every consumer need is satisfied when it comes to hybrid cars. What should it do to satisfy every potential customer's need? Just take a look at what people are buying. And hey, why isn't there a hybrid pickup?
Half of the entire US vehicle market is based on sales of SUVs and pickups. That whole market is comprised of 16 million vehicles. And since pickup vehicles use tons of gas per year, it would be a great idea for pickup hybrids to flood the market. These types of hybrid cars would save pickup drivers tons of money on gas. The savings would make a great case for the hybrid car industry. Alone, those dollars saved would get people curious about hybrid cars. If people saw just how much money hybrid pickup drivers saved on gas, they might be led to rush and get a hybrid for themselves. The dollars saved would provide the perfect visual for potential hybrid car buyers.
But the question still is, why isn't there a hybrid pickup truck. Hybrid car drivers all over are waiting to hear the answer to that question.
Well, actually for a short time, a hybrid pick-up truck did in fact exist. Late in the year of 2004, there was a hybrid system on the Silverado and Sierra models. This system was introduced by general motors. However, this truck was not really the market. It was developed, but no one really knew where to buy it. Then in about the year 2006, GM dropped the hybrid pickups known as the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. And that's the last the market heard of hybrid pickups. But these hybrid cars or hybrid pickups were let go for a number of good reasons, one being the hybrid pickups created an increase in the fuel economy.
But in the near future, more hybrid pickups will be introduced to the market. And that will be approximately a year from now. So hybrid car-lovers can get ready for these great utility vehicles. Hybrid cars are already selling fast. So with a new kind of hybrid car like the hybrid pickup, hybrid car sales will take off even more. And then, auto manufacturers would need to produce more hybrid cars. The end result would be that hybrid cars would multiply on the roads because everyone would be driving a hybrid car. And that would do wonders for the environment and the general economy.
So if you want a hybrid pickup, you may just have to wait until about 2011. And that should be fine. Just purchase a different kind of hybrid car while you wait. There are plenty of other hybrid cars available.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Fueling Your Car---A Few Gas Saving Tips!
With today's high gas prices, we're all looking for any way we can to save money at the gas station. We're driving less. We're driving slower. We're buying cars based on fuel efficiency ratings. We're even buying hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles. Gas has become one of the bigger items in all of our monthly budgets.
If you want to reduce the portion of your disposable income allocated to gasoline, we suggest you read Auto Repair #14: Top Tips to Improve Fuel Efficiency (How to Improve Your Car's Gas Mileage). In addition to those timely tips, below are some tricks you can use to give you your money's worth for every gallon of gasoline. These gas pump tricks were provided by someone who's been in the petroleum industry for more than 30 years.
Gas Pump Tip #1: Fill up your car or truck with gas in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold. Gas stations have their storage tanks buried below ground, and the colder the ground, the denser the gasoline. As it gets warmer, the gasoline expands, so if you buy gas in the afternoon or in the evening, the gallon you pay for is not exactly a gallon. This is because gas stations don't have temperature compensation at the gas pumps to adjust for the specific gravity and the temperature of the gasoline, diesel or ethanol. Every one degree change in temperature can make a big difference in your overall fuel costs.
Gas Pump Tip #2: When you're filling up your fuel tank, don't squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to the fastest mode. The trigger has three settings - low, medium, and high. Use the low (slow) mode to minimize the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the fastest mode, some of the liquid fuel going into your fuel tank becomes vapor. This vapor is then sucked up and back into the underground storage tank via the vapor return. You're getting less value for your money since the pump registers the dispensing of the fuel but not the vaporized fuel that comes back out of your fuel tank and returns to the underground tank.
Gas Pump Tip #3: One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank is half full (or half empty depending on your orientation). The more gas you have in your tank, the less air occupying the empty space in your tank. Because gasoline evaporates (turns into vapor) very quickly, you want as little empty space available as possible to minimize evaporation. (See Tip #2 for the reason for this.)
Gas Pump Tip #4: If there's a gasoline truck pumping into the storage tanks at the gas station where you're thinking of stopping to pump gas, do not stop and fill up at that service station. When fuel is being pumped into the storage tanks, the gasoline in the tank is being stirred up as the new fuel is flowing into the tank. You may end up picking up some of the dirt and sediment that normally settles to the bottom of the tank.
We hope the above tricks will help you get a little more for your money at the gas pump. For statistical information and news on what's happening in the crude oil/gas industry, a good source of information is the Energy Information Administration (Official Energy Statistics from the U.S. Government) website.
If you want to reduce the portion of your disposable income allocated to gasoline, we suggest you read Auto Repair #14: Top Tips to Improve Fuel Efficiency (How to Improve Your Car's Gas Mileage). In addition to those timely tips, below are some tricks you can use to give you your money's worth for every gallon of gasoline. These gas pump tricks were provided by someone who's been in the petroleum industry for more than 30 years.
Gas Pump Tip #1: Fill up your car or truck with gas in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold. Gas stations have their storage tanks buried below ground, and the colder the ground, the denser the gasoline. As it gets warmer, the gasoline expands, so if you buy gas in the afternoon or in the evening, the gallon you pay for is not exactly a gallon. This is because gas stations don't have temperature compensation at the gas pumps to adjust for the specific gravity and the temperature of the gasoline, diesel or ethanol. Every one degree change in temperature can make a big difference in your overall fuel costs.
Gas Pump Tip #2: When you're filling up your fuel tank, don't squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to the fastest mode. The trigger has three settings - low, medium, and high. Use the low (slow) mode to minimize the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the fastest mode, some of the liquid fuel going into your fuel tank becomes vapor. This vapor is then sucked up and back into the underground storage tank via the vapor return. You're getting less value for your money since the pump registers the dispensing of the fuel but not the vaporized fuel that comes back out of your fuel tank and returns to the underground tank.
Gas Pump Tip #3: One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank is half full (or half empty depending on your orientation). The more gas you have in your tank, the less air occupying the empty space in your tank. Because gasoline evaporates (turns into vapor) very quickly, you want as little empty space available as possible to minimize evaporation. (See Tip #2 for the reason for this.)
Gas Pump Tip #4: If there's a gasoline truck pumping into the storage tanks at the gas station where you're thinking of stopping to pump gas, do not stop and fill up at that service station. When fuel is being pumped into the storage tanks, the gasoline in the tank is being stirred up as the new fuel is flowing into the tank. You may end up picking up some of the dirt and sediment that normally settles to the bottom of the tank.
We hope the above tricks will help you get a little more for your money at the gas pump. For statistical information and news on what's happening in the crude oil/gas industry, a good source of information is the Energy Information Administration (Official Energy Statistics from the U.S. Government) website.
A Few More Tips On Improving Gas Mileage!
Here are more gas-saving tips to help you maximize the mileage you get from your car:
Park your car in the shade. Parking in the shade keeps your car cooler and helps keep your air conditioning from working as hard when you go somewhere. Your car's air conditioner is operated by the vehicle engine's drive belt. When you turn on the A/C, the drive belt works harder to run the A/C unit and propel your vehicle. And, the harder your engine has to work, the more gas you'll burn. When the weather's cooler, use the vents for air flow inside the vehicle.
Keep windows closed at highway speeds. According to the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), cars get better gas mileage with their windows closed and air conditioning on when driving at highway speeds. This is due to the vehicle's aerodynamics improving because there's less drag on the vehicle. During stop-and-go traffic, however, it's more fuel efficient to open the windows.
Avoid long idle times. Turn off the engine if you anticipate a lengthy wait. Idling burns more gas than restarting the engine, so instead of idling at a drive-thru window, park your car and go in.
Keep tires properly inflated and aligned. Periodic wheel alignments and properly inflated tires can improve your gas mileage. Under-inflated tires negatively affect your car's performance. As an example, you may find yourself braking harder when you go around a curve since the tires aren't gripping as well to the road and this lowers fuel efficiency.
Avoid hauling unnecessary items in your car. Extra weight decreases gas mileage. Also, place items inside the vehicle rather than on roof racks to help reduce wind drag. If you drive a pickup truck, consider a flow-through tailgate or bed cover to reduce drag.
Tighten/replace your gas cap. Improperly tightened, missing or defective gas caps causes millions of gallons of gas per year to vaporize into the atmosphere.
Park your car in the shade. Parking in the shade keeps your car cooler and helps keep your air conditioning from working as hard when you go somewhere. Your car's air conditioner is operated by the vehicle engine's drive belt. When you turn on the A/C, the drive belt works harder to run the A/C unit and propel your vehicle. And, the harder your engine has to work, the more gas you'll burn. When the weather's cooler, use the vents for air flow inside the vehicle.
Keep windows closed at highway speeds. According to the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), cars get better gas mileage with their windows closed and air conditioning on when driving at highway speeds. This is due to the vehicle's aerodynamics improving because there's less drag on the vehicle. During stop-and-go traffic, however, it's more fuel efficient to open the windows.
Avoid long idle times. Turn off the engine if you anticipate a lengthy wait. Idling burns more gas than restarting the engine, so instead of idling at a drive-thru window, park your car and go in.
Keep tires properly inflated and aligned. Periodic wheel alignments and properly inflated tires can improve your gas mileage. Under-inflated tires negatively affect your car's performance. As an example, you may find yourself braking harder when you go around a curve since the tires aren't gripping as well to the road and this lowers fuel efficiency.
Avoid hauling unnecessary items in your car. Extra weight decreases gas mileage. Also, place items inside the vehicle rather than on roof racks to help reduce wind drag. If you drive a pickup truck, consider a flow-through tailgate or bed cover to reduce drag.
Tighten/replace your gas cap. Improperly tightened, missing or defective gas caps causes millions of gallons of gas per year to vaporize into the atmosphere.
How Can I Get Better Gas Mileage?
In today's world, fuel efficiency is becoming a higher and higher priority. With average gas prices hovering around $3 a gallon in the U.S., more and more consumers are trying to find ways to decrease the amount of gas they use. We have compiled a list of some of the best ways to reduce the amount of gas consumption for your household.
One of the most obvious ways to limit your gasoline consumption is to drive less. For years, everyone has touted the benefit of car pooling. Most cities have even created car pool lanes on their freeways and highways. Instead of 5 people taking 5 cars, 5 people can fit in one car. Using those numbers, 5 employees can reduce their to and from work travel gas cost by 80 percent each. If you live and work inside a city, also consider public transportation. Even though there may be a stigma attached to riding the bus, it can greatly reduce your community costs.
Besides car pooling and public transportation, combining trips and errands can greatly reduce your consumption. A vehicle will operate most efficiently after it has properly warmed up. Short trips usually do not let the car warm up to peak efficiency. When you combine your errands, you reduce the amount of inefficient trips and create a trip that lets the car get to peak efficiency. Many people tend to run errands throughout the week when it is most convenient. Try and combine all your errands for one trip. This will limit the amount of times you actually drive your car and reduces your overall gas cost. Errand combination especially helps when you find yourself going to the same area multiple times a week. A good example of this is the local strip mall. If you find yourself needing to pick up a prescription at the local drugstore, try and do the grocery shopping you had planned for later in the week since the supermarket is right next door to the pharmacy.
You can also adjust your driving habits. Most cars are designed to operate at peak fuel efficiency between 35 mph and 60 mph. Most highways have in city speed limits of 55 mph. This means not speeding will actually help conserve gasoline. Statistics show for every 5 mph over 60 mph you drive, you lose almost 10 percent of your fuel efficiency. Driving more sensibly also helps to conserve gas. Avoid hard acceleration, excessive braking and speeding. You can lower fuel efficiency by almost a third by hard driving. Cruise control is also a helpful tool in conserving gas. If you find yourself driving long flat stretches of road, try and use the cruise control. This helps the car maintain a constant speed which will lower your gas consumption. Most cars also have overdrive gears. This is usually the top gear in manual transmission and is the OD gear for automatics. Try and use these gears as much as possible. It will reduce the rpms of your engine and reduce gasoline usage. Idling is also a problem. When you idle your vehicle, you are using gas but not moving. This wastes almost 100 percent of the gas used.
Time of day can play a huge part in how much you use gas as well. If possible, try and reduce the amount of time you spend in rush hour traffic. More and more business are allowing employees to change their start and end time at work. If you can come manage to miss rush hour traffic, you can increase your fuel efficiency tremendously. During rush hour traffic, your vehicle will most likely not get the chance to get to a peak fuel efficiency speed.
Another item we overlook often is heavy items within your vehicle. Many people leave items in their car. For about every 100 lbs you carry in your car, you reduce your miles per gallon by about 2 percent. A mistake many truck owners make is to lower the tailgate to increase mpg. This is a fallacy. Trucks beds are most aerodynamic when the tailgate is in the up and closed position. When the tailgate is up, the bed of the truck will actually pressurize and the wind blowing over the truck will see the bed as an extension of the cab.
Other options include finding more fuel efficient transportation. Many consumers have been buying SUVs for their ability to haul the whole family with room left to spare for a lot of cargo. This makes sense when you are trying to carry a lot, but what about all the trips where your SUV is mostly empty. These vehicles usually get very poor mileage. If you plan on getting a new vehicle soon, plan on looking at some of the more fuel efficient vehicles. Many SUVs now come in hybrid versions as well. If you drive a lot by yourself with no need for cargo space, consider adding a motorcycle to your stable. Most motorcycles will see gas mileage in the 30 to 50 mpg range. This is considerably more than a lot of vehicles on the road. The purchase of a motorcycle can sometimes pay for itself in about a year with gas savings.
Now let's look at how maintenance plays a large role in your fuel consumption. A vehicle sees its best mpg when it is in peak running condition. Keeping your engine properly tuned can improve your actual mpg by up to 4%. Replacing your air filter on a regular basis can save you another 10%. Inflating your tires to the manufacturers specifications can save another 3%. On their own these are not very big, but added together they can save you a lot of money. One of the most important and overlooked parts of your vehicle are the oxygen sensors. These sensors are what helps the car's computer decided how much gasoline your engine needs at any given time. A faulty sensor can hurt your mpg by up to 40%. With gas at its current price, this is a huge dent in the wallet. Keeping the fuel system in your vehicle in tip top shape is also important. Check and replace if needed any component of the system. Filters, pumps, injectors and seals are all parts of the fuel system that should be checked on a regular basis and replaced if faulty.
Using the recommended octane of gas is important too. Even though the cheap stuff is considerably less than the premium, use the premium if your auto requires it. Many vehicles these days will actually suffer a considerable loss in fuel efficiency with the lower octane. People do not realize using the lower grade gas will actually increase their fuel cost by lower fuel efficiency. Using the correct motor oil should also be a consideration. Always use the oil your manufacturer specifies. In addition, look for motor oil that says energy conserving. These oils have additives to help reduce friction within the engine. The lower the friction, the better the engine operates. This also means follow recommended oil change intervals. As oil is used in the engine, it breaks down causing reduced friction protection for your engine.
A popular site that has arisen is Gas Buddy. This site helps users track gasoline prices all over the U.S. and Canada. It can help you find the stations with the lowest gas prices in your area. Just keep in mind you may lose the benefit of the cheaper gas if you have to drive too far to get it.
All these tips are meant to help you decrease your fuel usage. Most are simple tips that everyone can do. As the price of gasoline keeps rising, it is important to everyone's pocketbook that we increase the fuel efficiency of our vehicles. As an added benefit, conserving gasoline also helps the environment.
One of the most obvious ways to limit your gasoline consumption is to drive less. For years, everyone has touted the benefit of car pooling. Most cities have even created car pool lanes on their freeways and highways. Instead of 5 people taking 5 cars, 5 people can fit in one car. Using those numbers, 5 employees can reduce their to and from work travel gas cost by 80 percent each. If you live and work inside a city, also consider public transportation. Even though there may be a stigma attached to riding the bus, it can greatly reduce your community costs.
Besides car pooling and public transportation, combining trips and errands can greatly reduce your consumption. A vehicle will operate most efficiently after it has properly warmed up. Short trips usually do not let the car warm up to peak efficiency. When you combine your errands, you reduce the amount of inefficient trips and create a trip that lets the car get to peak efficiency. Many people tend to run errands throughout the week when it is most convenient. Try and combine all your errands for one trip. This will limit the amount of times you actually drive your car and reduces your overall gas cost. Errand combination especially helps when you find yourself going to the same area multiple times a week. A good example of this is the local strip mall. If you find yourself needing to pick up a prescription at the local drugstore, try and do the grocery shopping you had planned for later in the week since the supermarket is right next door to the pharmacy.
You can also adjust your driving habits. Most cars are designed to operate at peak fuel efficiency between 35 mph and 60 mph. Most highways have in city speed limits of 55 mph. This means not speeding will actually help conserve gasoline. Statistics show for every 5 mph over 60 mph you drive, you lose almost 10 percent of your fuel efficiency. Driving more sensibly also helps to conserve gas. Avoid hard acceleration, excessive braking and speeding. You can lower fuel efficiency by almost a third by hard driving. Cruise control is also a helpful tool in conserving gas. If you find yourself driving long flat stretches of road, try and use the cruise control. This helps the car maintain a constant speed which will lower your gas consumption. Most cars also have overdrive gears. This is usually the top gear in manual transmission and is the OD gear for automatics. Try and use these gears as much as possible. It will reduce the rpms of your engine and reduce gasoline usage. Idling is also a problem. When you idle your vehicle, you are using gas but not moving. This wastes almost 100 percent of the gas used.
Time of day can play a huge part in how much you use gas as well. If possible, try and reduce the amount of time you spend in rush hour traffic. More and more business are allowing employees to change their start and end time at work. If you can come manage to miss rush hour traffic, you can increase your fuel efficiency tremendously. During rush hour traffic, your vehicle will most likely not get the chance to get to a peak fuel efficiency speed.
Another item we overlook often is heavy items within your vehicle. Many people leave items in their car. For about every 100 lbs you carry in your car, you reduce your miles per gallon by about 2 percent. A mistake many truck owners make is to lower the tailgate to increase mpg. This is a fallacy. Trucks beds are most aerodynamic when the tailgate is in the up and closed position. When the tailgate is up, the bed of the truck will actually pressurize and the wind blowing over the truck will see the bed as an extension of the cab.
Other options include finding more fuel efficient transportation. Many consumers have been buying SUVs for their ability to haul the whole family with room left to spare for a lot of cargo. This makes sense when you are trying to carry a lot, but what about all the trips where your SUV is mostly empty. These vehicles usually get very poor mileage. If you plan on getting a new vehicle soon, plan on looking at some of the more fuel efficient vehicles. Many SUVs now come in hybrid versions as well. If you drive a lot by yourself with no need for cargo space, consider adding a motorcycle to your stable. Most motorcycles will see gas mileage in the 30 to 50 mpg range. This is considerably more than a lot of vehicles on the road. The purchase of a motorcycle can sometimes pay for itself in about a year with gas savings.
Now let's look at how maintenance plays a large role in your fuel consumption. A vehicle sees its best mpg when it is in peak running condition. Keeping your engine properly tuned can improve your actual mpg by up to 4%. Replacing your air filter on a regular basis can save you another 10%. Inflating your tires to the manufacturers specifications can save another 3%. On their own these are not very big, but added together they can save you a lot of money. One of the most important and overlooked parts of your vehicle are the oxygen sensors. These sensors are what helps the car's computer decided how much gasoline your engine needs at any given time. A faulty sensor can hurt your mpg by up to 40%. With gas at its current price, this is a huge dent in the wallet. Keeping the fuel system in your vehicle in tip top shape is also important. Check and replace if needed any component of the system. Filters, pumps, injectors and seals are all parts of the fuel system that should be checked on a regular basis and replaced if faulty.
Using the recommended octane of gas is important too. Even though the cheap stuff is considerably less than the premium, use the premium if your auto requires it. Many vehicles these days will actually suffer a considerable loss in fuel efficiency with the lower octane. People do not realize using the lower grade gas will actually increase their fuel cost by lower fuel efficiency. Using the correct motor oil should also be a consideration. Always use the oil your manufacturer specifies. In addition, look for motor oil that says energy conserving. These oils have additives to help reduce friction within the engine. The lower the friction, the better the engine operates. This also means follow recommended oil change intervals. As oil is used in the engine, it breaks down causing reduced friction protection for your engine.
A popular site that has arisen is Gas Buddy. This site helps users track gasoline prices all over the U.S. and Canada. It can help you find the stations with the lowest gas prices in your area. Just keep in mind you may lose the benefit of the cheaper gas if you have to drive too far to get it.
All these tips are meant to help you decrease your fuel usage. Most are simple tips that everyone can do. As the price of gasoline keeps rising, it is important to everyone's pocketbook that we increase the fuel efficiency of our vehicles. As an added benefit, conserving gasoline also helps the environment.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
What Is The Reason I Need A Wheel Alignment?
Regular wheel alignments are an important part of conscientious car maintenance. Unfortunately, many car owners fail to understand the importance of good wheel alignment, and therefore don't have their alignment checked often enough.
Here are five reasons why getting regular wheel alignments is good for your car, your bank account, and your peace of mind.
1: Better gas mileage. When your wheels are aligned properly, it cuts down on rolling resistance, which means that you car doesn't have to work as hard or burn as much fuel in order to move forward. This is good news for everyone: Not only do you spend less money on gas, but you also get the satisfaction of knowing your car is responsible for less pollution.
2: More mileage out of your tires. Even the slightest problem with your alignment can have disastrous effects on your tires. If your tires have too much or too little toe-in (the degree at which they point in toward each other at the front, like a person who stands pigeon-toed), a narrow strip on each tire will wear down very quickly, causing you to have to get new tires sooner. By getting regular wheel alignments, you ensure that your tires wear evenly, making them last as long as possible.
3: Tire warranties still apply. The problem with your tires wearing from poor wheel alignment is that it usually voids your warranty on the tires. Most warranties only apply to the quality of the goods. In other words, if the tires wear out too soon because of something other than poor quality, then the manufacturer is not responsible. Failing to get wheel alignments often enough is considered to be negligence on the part of the car's owner, and usually means that the warranty is voided.
4: Less wear and tear on other parts. Having the wheels out of alignment can be stressful on the rest of the car, too. It means that you continually need to put pressure on the steering system in order to keep the car straight, and when you brake you often feel the car pull even more sharply, indicating that the brakes are needing to work harder on one side than the other.
5: Easier to drive. One of the biggest advantages of having your wheels aligned properly is that your car is easier to drive. No annoying pull to one side or the other. It's much easier and more pleasant to drive a car that has had regular wheel alignments.
As you can see, there are many reasons why a car owner should be sure to get regular wheel alignments. Not only does having your wheels aligned properly save you money on gas, tires, and other potential repairs, but it also gives you better peace of mind to know that your car is being cared for properly.
Andy West is a freelance writer for DAE, which offers wheel alignments [http://www.domesticautoexperts.com/] and domestic automotive maintenance [http://www.domesticautoexperts.com/articles/domestic-asian-import-repair-maintenance.htm] in the Houston area.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_West
Here are five reasons why getting regular wheel alignments is good for your car, your bank account, and your peace of mind.
1: Better gas mileage. When your wheels are aligned properly, it cuts down on rolling resistance, which means that you car doesn't have to work as hard or burn as much fuel in order to move forward. This is good news for everyone: Not only do you spend less money on gas, but you also get the satisfaction of knowing your car is responsible for less pollution.
2: More mileage out of your tires. Even the slightest problem with your alignment can have disastrous effects on your tires. If your tires have too much or too little toe-in (the degree at which they point in toward each other at the front, like a person who stands pigeon-toed), a narrow strip on each tire will wear down very quickly, causing you to have to get new tires sooner. By getting regular wheel alignments, you ensure that your tires wear evenly, making them last as long as possible.
3: Tire warranties still apply. The problem with your tires wearing from poor wheel alignment is that it usually voids your warranty on the tires. Most warranties only apply to the quality of the goods. In other words, if the tires wear out too soon because of something other than poor quality, then the manufacturer is not responsible. Failing to get wheel alignments often enough is considered to be negligence on the part of the car's owner, and usually means that the warranty is voided.
4: Less wear and tear on other parts. Having the wheels out of alignment can be stressful on the rest of the car, too. It means that you continually need to put pressure on the steering system in order to keep the car straight, and when you brake you often feel the car pull even more sharply, indicating that the brakes are needing to work harder on one side than the other.
5: Easier to drive. One of the biggest advantages of having your wheels aligned properly is that your car is easier to drive. No annoying pull to one side or the other. It's much easier and more pleasant to drive a car that has had regular wheel alignments.
As you can see, there are many reasons why a car owner should be sure to get regular wheel alignments. Not only does having your wheels aligned properly save you money on gas, tires, and other potential repairs, but it also gives you better peace of mind to know that your car is being cared for properly.
Andy West is a freelance writer for DAE, which offers wheel alignments [http://www.domesticautoexperts.com/] and domestic automotive maintenance [http://www.domesticautoexperts.com/articles/domestic-asian-import-repair-maintenance.htm] in the Houston area.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_West
Auto Repair Tips---Why Rotate My Tires?
Out of sight - out of mind. Unfortunately this is the approach many people have to regular maintenance on their car. They forget to do the little things that will protect their automotive investment - and their lives and the lives of their passengers and others - until something breaks. One of the easiest and least expensive regular maintenance items that should be on you "Tick List" is the regular inspection and rotation of your tires.
Rotation means you are changing where the individual tires are mounted on the vehicle. Let's assume you have a front-drive car with all four tires the same size. Each tire will carry a different load and be faced with different situations. The front tires will carry over 60 percent of the car's weight. They are also responsible for putting the power of the engine to the road, and for all the steering. Finally, they are responsible for about 80 percent of the braking. A typical schedule would be to rotate your tires every 5,000 miles.
Even if a car is perfectly aligned you will still have uneven tire wear due to "scuffing" on turns. It will be more pronounced on the front tires but happens on the rears too and doesn't happen evenly on all tires. Rotating the tires gives us longer tire life by distributing this wear over all the tires in turn.
Most cars are much heavier in the front than the rear so the front tires operate under more stress from both the weight and the resulting braking load. Rotating distributes this load across all tires too.
Finally what I consider the most important reason to rotate tire is that it gives you a chance to look at the brakes and suspension. If we just waited until the tires wore out it could be 50,000 miles between times we looked at our brakes. That can lead to some expensive and dangerous problems.
John J Miller Jr. - ASE Certified - Founder of Freedom Automotive Services
Host of The Car Councelor Radio Show - http://www.thecarcounselor.com - http://www.freedomauto.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_J_Miller_Jr
Rotation means you are changing where the individual tires are mounted on the vehicle. Let's assume you have a front-drive car with all four tires the same size. Each tire will carry a different load and be faced with different situations. The front tires will carry over 60 percent of the car's weight. They are also responsible for putting the power of the engine to the road, and for all the steering. Finally, they are responsible for about 80 percent of the braking. A typical schedule would be to rotate your tires every 5,000 miles.
Even if a car is perfectly aligned you will still have uneven tire wear due to "scuffing" on turns. It will be more pronounced on the front tires but happens on the rears too and doesn't happen evenly on all tires. Rotating the tires gives us longer tire life by distributing this wear over all the tires in turn.
Most cars are much heavier in the front than the rear so the front tires operate under more stress from both the weight and the resulting braking load. Rotating distributes this load across all tires too.
Finally what I consider the most important reason to rotate tire is that it gives you a chance to look at the brakes and suspension. If we just waited until the tires wore out it could be 50,000 miles between times we looked at our brakes. That can lead to some expensive and dangerous problems.
John J Miller Jr. - ASE Certified - Founder of Freedom Automotive Services
Host of The Car Councelor Radio Show - http://www.thecarcounselor.com - http://www.freedomauto.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_J_Miller_Jr
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