Fuel prices show no signs of dropping and hybrid automobiles are often hyped as the answer to improve fuel economy. That fact is, there are simple ways to get better fuel economy from your current car or truck and avoid the expense of buying a hybrid.

Here are a few easy ways to get hybrid-like fuel economy without buying a new car or changing your lifestyle.

* Simply follow the maintenance recommendations in your owner’s manual. An out-of-tune engine can increase fuel consumption by as much as 15 percent. Always follow your car manufacturer’s suggested tune-up schedule.

* Upgrade your motor oil. You can save gas and improve performance by switching to high performance synthetic motor oil. According to independent tests, upgrading to Royal Purple motor oil improved fuel economy by as much as five percent and produced notable increases in horsepower and torque. The company’s Web site, www.royalpurple.com, has a ‘fuel-savings calculator’ that can show you how much money you can save annually by upgrading lubricants.

* Regularly replace your air filter. A clogged air filter can increase fuel consumption by as much as 10 percent. Air filters keep impurities from damaging the interior of the engine, so replacing dirty filters will save gas and protect your engine.

* Keep the tires of your vehicle properly inflated. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that under-inflated tires can increase fuel consumption by up to six percent. One study estimates that 50 to 80 percent of the tires rolling on U.S. roads are under inflated. Astonishingly, we could save up to two billion gallons of gas each year simply by properly inflating our tires.

* Keep your gas cap on. About 17 percent of the vehicles on the road have gas caps that are either damaged, loose or are missing altogether, causing 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year according to “Auto Service Operator” magazine. A quick visual inspection of your gas cap every time you fill up is an easy, painless way to make sure your fuel is not vanishing into thin air.

To learn more, visit the following websites:

www.royalpurple.com
Web site of high performance lubricant manufacturer Royal Purple.

www.fueleconomy.gov
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Web site dedicated to issues related to fuel economy.

www.gaspricewatch.com
A Web site that helps consumers find the lowest gas prices in there area.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Although the thought of making one’s own fuel might sound a bit outlandish at first, the reality is that savvy Americans fed up with feeling like a slave to foreign oil suppliers have been safely and effectively making their own biodiesel fuel for years.

In 2003 the first American-made personal biodiesel processor was created — the FuelMeister. Biodiesel is a proven and preferred alternative to diesel fuel because it can run on any diesel engine without any modifications. In addition, most oil furnaces can easily adapt to biodiesel fuel (although a few models might require a minor modification). As a result, not only have these do-it-yourselfers saved a tremendous amount of money (as well as all those trips to the gas pump), but they also have the satisfaction of knowing they are doing something good for the environment.

Since biodiesel fuel is most commonly made from used fry (vegetable) oil in combination with lye and methanol, its production minimizes the amount of oil waste that would otherwise wind up in landfills. It is estimated that there are more than three billion gallons of waste oil produced in the U.S. alone each year.

Beyond the obvious landfill benefits, the use of biodiesel fuel also reduces vehicle emissions of sulfur oxides, particulates and carbon monoxide by 70 percent. In the home, it burns cleaner and eliminates the smell often associated with oil furnaces. In addition, biodiesel is non-toxic. It’s also biodegradable and less combustible, which makes it easier to store and transport.

But the biggest factor driving demand for make-it-yourself biodiesel, especially in light of current market conditions, is runaway prices at the pump. In Europe, where gas prices are significantly higher, diesel vehicles are more common (60 percent of the market), as is the practice of consumers making their own biodiesel in their garages, sheds and even basements.

Newer product designs and more advanced technologies make it easier than ever for Americans to achieve the same degree of energy independence. Within the past year, the next generation of biodiesel processors–the FuelMeister II–was introduced. Some of the product’s special safety and ease-of-use features not found on other processors include direct catalyst injection, which increases the speed of chemical reaction, allowing for twice as many batches to be made in the same time period. This special feature also allows the system to work with one tank, eliminating the need for a secondary tank. The single-tank design is not only more convenient and space-efficient, but it’s also safer in containing potentially harmful gases. Quick-disconnect connectors further enhance the product’s ease of operation and safety performance.

If you think making your own biodiesel fuel is beyond your technical skill level, you might want to do more research. With the current technologies on the market, virtually anyone can benefit from making their own biodiesel fuel without any special technical experience or scientific degrees required.

The process starts by collecting used fry oil — ideally from area restaurants that have an almost endless supply of waste oil they’re only too happy to unload. Once the oil is in the FuelMeister, simply add lye which will act as a catalyst for neutralizing the free fatty acids that have formed in the waste oil. By mixing methanol with the lye, you effectively dissolve the catalyst and begin the process for biodiesel production — a process that takes about one hour for 40 gallons of fuel.

And in case you’re wondering how popular biodiesel is, consider the fact that the National Biodiesel Board estimates that production of biodiesel increased approximately 3600% between 2001 and 2006.

Properly made biodiesel will actually run cleaner and smoother, resulting in better engine performance and improved air quality. And since it costs less than a dollar per gallon to make at home, the savings are substantial. As an example, if you own a diesel vehicle or equipment and purchase 40 gallons or more of fuel per week, based on current prices, you would save more than $4,000 per year.

Despite the many advantages of processing your own biodiesel fuel, it’s important to realize that not all systems perform safely and reliably. Unfortunately, the biodiesel market has, in recent years, become overcrowded with many garage-based operators hoping to quickly ride the biodiesel gravy train. Some system designs even utilize old hot water heaters as the main processing unit — a design that has proven unsafe, unreliable and produces inconsistent results.

When considering the purchase of a biodiesel processor, always investigate the reputation and track record of the manufacturer, the availability of technical and field support, and the inclusion of special features designed to minimize contact with the fuel during processing. Such features include vapor return hoses, special mixing chambers and an overall closed-system design.

For more information on the benefits of making your own biodiesel fuel, visit www.fuelmeister.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(NC)-Hold your arms out at your sides like the person in this illustration, and imagine there’s the same kind of bubble around you. That’s roughly the space 1 kg of CO2 takes up - the amount produced by every litre of gasoline you burn. Gasoline and diesel - which are injected into the engine as a mist of fine droplets - require oxygen to burn. That oxygen comes from air, but air is only 21% oxygen. So it takes about 8,000 litres of air, weighing almost 12 kg, to burn 1 litre of gasoline or diesel. And with so much air involved in the process - and with gasoline and diesel both containing large amounts of carbon to begin with - a lot of CO2 comes out the other end. It’s chemistry. Source: Natural Resources Canada. More interesting tips on safe, fuel-efficient driving are available at ecoaction.gc.ca/vehicles.

Credit: www.newscanada.com

(NC)-Some car rental agencies in Canada are now offering hybrid vehicles to their customers in a bid to be more environmentally friendly. Not only does that offer consumers a great way to conserve energy when renting a vehicle, it also gives potential vehicle buyers the chance to “try before they buy.” By combining an internal combustion engine with an electrical motor and battery pack, most hybrids today achieve improvements in fuel efficiency by using the electric motor to supplement engine power. Some hybrids can also operate exclusively using the electric motor at low speeds. Batteries do not require plugging in and are recharged by harnessing the energy from coasting, braking and from the engine. Ask your favourite rental agency if they rent hybrids and give one a try. Your wallet and the environment will thank you. There are more tips on fuel-efficient driving at ecoaction.gc.ca/vehicles.

Credit: www.newscanada.com

(NC)-Look for these modern technologies when shopping for a new or used vehicle and watch your fuel savings go up:

. Variable valve timing and lift: improves the flow of fuel and air during the engine cycle by varying the opening and closing of the engine valves depending on need. The technology can result in both greater power and better fuel efficiency.

. Cylinder deactivation allows V-6 and V-8 engines to operate as though they had fewer cylinders. While cylinder deactivation cannot decrease the weight of engines, it does reduce fuel consumption under light-load highway cruising conditions by only delivering fuel to activated cylinders.

. Gasoline and diesel direct injection uses sophisticated electronic fuel-flow and air-flow controls, and precision injectors which inject the fuel directly into the cylinder and optimize the ideal mixture of air and fuel during combustion.

. Continuously Variable Transmission or CVT’s don’t have a gearbox with a set number of gears, instead they typically operate on a pulley configuration that allows an infinite number of engine/wheel speed ratios. This technology results in better engine speed matching, ideal “gear” selection and improved fuel efficiency.

. Hybrid Technology: by combining an internal combustion engine with an electrical motor and battery pack, most hybrids today achieve improvements in fuel efficiency by using the electric motor to supplement engine power. Some hybrids can also operate exclusively using the electric motor at low speeds. Batteries do not require plugging in and are recharged by harnessing the energy from coasting, braking and from the engine.

. Electronic throttle control responds to changing engine conditions and precisely controls fuel combustion. Decreased amounts of unburned fuel result in improved fuel efficiency.

Natural Resources Canada has produced a myriad of helpful tips on fuel efficiency at ecoaction.gc.ca/vehicles.

Credit: www.newscanada.com

More than half of the ethanol plant’s natural gas usage will be replaced by fuel generated from waste.

Sioux Falls, SD (Vocus/PRWEB ) November 15, 2007 — An expansion of a POET ethanol plant includes a technology that will allow ethanol production to double without increasing fossil fuel usage. POET Biorefining - Chancellor, an ethanol production facility near Chancellor, S.D., is undergoing an expansion that will increase production capacity from 50 to 100 million gallons per year. The expansion includes construction of a solid waste fuel boiler, an alternative energy source that will generate enough steam to produce more than half of the expanded plant’s power needs. Mueller Pallets of Sioux Falls, S.D. will supply woodchip fuel for the boiler.

“The solid waste fuel boiler will allow us to double our production capacity without increasing our natural gas usage,” said Rick Serie, General Manager of POET Biorefining - Chancellor. “We’ll be reducing our operating costs by using a green fuel source to produce a domestic, green transportation fuel for America.”

Waste wood from pallets, construction sites and area landfills will be the primary fuel source for the solid waste fuel boiler. POET Biorefining - Chancellor has contracted with Mueller Pallets of Sioux Falls to provide 150-350 tons of wood per day. The company, long a recycler of used transport pallets, has increased operations to accommodate POET’s woodchip needs. Not only has Mueller begun acquiring and grinding waste wood from area landfills, but the company is also reaching out to tree services companies, contractors and other private sources to acquire and re-cycle waste wood at no charge to the providers.

“It’s a win-win situation. By recycling instead of disposing of waste wood, companies, cities and towns in the region will together save hundreds of thousands of dollars in landfill costs yearly,” said Margie Mueller, president of Mueller Pallets. “And while saving raw materials from disposal, the fuel product we process will help reduce the need for natural gas.”

POET Alternative Energy Engineer Jim Geraets said the solid waste fuel boiler will be outfitted with state-of-the-art pollution control equipment that exceeds state and federal standards and continuously monitored. “Ethanol is one of the best tools we have to fight pollution from vehicles,” said Geraets, “and at POET we’re always looking for ways that we can make the ethanol production process even more environmentally-friendly.”

POET Biorefining - Chancellor started operations in March, 2003. Last year, the facility produced 51 million gallons of ethanol and 160,000 tons of Dakota Gold Enhanced Distillers Nutrition products. The facility is in the midst of an expansion that will increase the production capacity to 100 mgpy. Construction on the expansion is expected to be completed in Q1 2008 and the solid waste fuel boiler is expected to be complete in Q3 2008. The construction will necessitate the hiring of approximately 20 additional employees for the facility, which is already the largest employer in the town.

About POET:
POET, the largest ethanol producer in the world, is an established leader in the biorefining industry through project development, design and construction, research and development, plant management, and marketing. Formerly known as Broin, the 20-year old company currently operates 21 production facilities in the United States with six more in construction or under development. The company produces and markets more than 1.1 billion gallons of ethanol annually. For more information, go to http://www.poetenergy.com

The Pontiac G6 is one of many GM vehicles that achieve better than 7L/100km on the highway.

(NC)-The environment has quickly become an important priority for many Canadians. In fact, fuel economy is now the second most important factor for drivers when considering a new vehicle purchase and recent polling revealed more than one quarter of Canadians view the environment as a top issue.

Automotive manufacturers continue to make improvements to the internal combustion engine to maximize fuel efficiency and reduce both smog and greenhouse gas emissions. Priority focus has also been placed on developing new, environmentally-friendly technologies including hybrids, bio-fuels, electric vehicles and fuel cells.

“GM Canada offers more green choices for consumers and we are taking an active role in developing environmental technologies,” says David Paterson, vice president, corporate and environmental affairs, General Motors of Canada. “GM is the green technology leader in Canada, engineering and manufacturing advanced environmental technologies ranging from active fuel management and hybrid systems to E85 biofuel and fuel cell vehicles.”

In addition to these new developments, there are steps drivers can take to improve the fuel efficiency of their vehicles every day:

1. Plan your trips and driving routes to avoid traffic congestion

2. Observe speed limits

3. Accelerate smoothly

4. Maintain steady speeds

5. Limit the use of accessories

6. Don’t carry more than you need

7. Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained - proper tire pressure, clean your air filter etc.

For more information visit www.gmcanada.com.

Credit: www.newscanada.com

For Canadians who typically drive 64 kilometers a day or less, the plug-in Chevrolet Volt would eliminate trips to the gas station and produce zero emissions

(NC)-”Green” and environmentally-friendly vehicles are top of mind for Canadians these days. With daily commute times and distances increasing annually, consumers are clamoring for vehicle technology that makes their drive safer, more enjoyable and, most importantly, more efficient and cost effective.

With technologies ranging from hybrids to cylinder deactivation, whereby the engine shuts down half the vehicle’s cylinders when you don’t need them, there has never been more “green” vehicle choices for consumers.

Even with these advancements, automotive companies are continuing to develop alternative technologies to take “green” to the next level. General Motors, for example, recently unveiled a new electric concept, the Chevrolet Volt, which will potentially redefine the urban driving experience.

The Volt is a plug-in, electrically-driven car that will virtually eliminate trips to the gas station for those who drive 64 kms a day or less. Drivers will simply unplug and go each morning. Onboard electricity can be generated from a fuel cell, bio-fuel engine, or conventional small displacement gas engine.

In addition to plug-in vehicles, fuel cells are another key research area for developing environmentally-friendly vehicles. Fuel cell vehicles only emit water vapours and will virtually eliminate the vehicle from the environmental equation.

There’s no silver bullet out there to fight climate change, but automotive companies are working hard to continue to develop affordable solutions for all drivers.

For more information visit www.gmcanada.com.

Credit: www.newscanada.com

The fuel efficient Chevrolet Impala achieves better than 7L/100km highway fuel consumption and features advanced technology such as Active Fuel Management.

(NC)-According to a recent Stats Can report, the average Canadian spends more than an hour a day - or 12 full days a year - trekking to and from work. With these longer commute times, fluctuating gasoline prices and concerns about the environment; consumers and governments are looking for new automotive technologies that reduce emissions and save fuel.

While hybrids have received the majority of attention, many drivers may be surprised to know that improvements to regular gasoline engines are actually saving more fuel overall than the savings produced by small hybrid cars.

Cylinder deactivation technology, for example, is one of the largest contributors to total greenhouse gas reductions in Canada. This technology works by seamlessly shutting down half of the engine’s cylinders when they are not needed, such as highway driving.

General Motors’ application of this technology called Active Fuel Management (AFM), offers up to a 12 per cent or better fuel consumption improvement.

“GM Canada offers more green choices for consumers than any other manufacturer,” says David Paterson, vice president, corporate and environmental affairs for General Motors of Canada. “Technologies such as Active Fuel Management (AFM) have the potential to dramatically reduce fuel consumption and are available to drivers for no additional cost. Consider this - in the first half of 2007, more fuel was saved by the application of AFM on new GM vehicles in Canada (and therefore more greenhouse gas was reduced) than was saved by new hybrid vehicles sold by any competitor in the same time period.”

With drivers now focusing on saving fuel as well as helping to save the environment, the affordable technologies on the market today will enable Canadians to go green without going broke.

For more information visit www.gmcanada.com.

Credit: www.newscanada.com

Cities were never so polluted before, planet was never so hot, our surroundings were never so unfriendly to the living beings.
Almost every city in the whole world would tell you the same story - but very few of them take practical initiative to make the things better.

Nuremberg is a bright exception - its public transport system has just taken a test drive of a diesel-electric hybrid bus developed by MAN. However the drive-system technology was provided by Siemens.

The Prototype vehicles, also known as City Hybrid low-floor bus is expected to make big contribution toward a greener public transport system in Germany.

MAN - the famous European engine and motor vehicle group has long been engaged in the researches on the technologies for storage and utilization of braking energy, testing hydraulic storage systems, mechanical flywheel storage systems and ultimately the conversion into electric energy and its efficient storage. So far these expensive researches failed to deliver any economically viable solutions - but not any more.

With the new MAN Lion´s City Hybrid low-floor bus, a new chapter has been added to the eco friendly public transport system.

The prototype features a special brake energy recovery system and is reported to use up to 25 percent less fuel than conventional buses. An electric motor initially puts the vehicle in motion. The motor also doubles up as a generator - it helps in converting the kinetic energy into electricity, which can be stored for future use to power the vehicle.

The drive system consists of series-produced components. This will enable MAN to start mass production of the bus by 2010. These diesel electric hybrid buses can be the ideal solution for urban roads, where the vehicles consume more fuels due to constant braking and accelerating.