Atlernative Fuels

Ask the Experts About Car Care Issues

admin — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:12:19 +0000

Owning and maintaining a sports car can be a rewarding experience. It can also be a trying and frustrating process, as a sports car owner may confront any number of difficult issues.

There may be questions about insurance coverage, automobile protection, driving techniques, repair processes, maintenance requirements and a host of other issues. With so many concerns, some sports car owners may feel overwhelmed by it all.

Fortunately, sports car owners need not tackle these issues alone. The sports car community is welcoming, and there are a variety of available resources that can take some of the pressure out of owning and maintaining a high-performance vehicle.

Sports car clubs and organizations are an excellent resource for the new sports car owner. Populated by experts and enthusiasts, these clubs are veritable clearinghouses of information about automobiles. Members are enthusiastic fans of the cars they own and are generally more than happy to share any ideas, hints or information they may have for another like-minded owner.

Mechanics in your own community are another tremendous resource. Drivers have a tendency to view mechanics the same way a candy-eater views the dentist: they are seen as an undesirable last resort. It need not be this way. Mechanics possess tremendous amounts of expertise and experience that can help a new sports car owner. Mechanics tend to be car fanatics—after all, they have chosen to spend their professional life repairing vehicles—and are apt to be willing to converse on any number of issues facing a sports car owner.

Dealerships are also a potential source of top-notch information and ideas. Automobile dealerships are fond of developing a repeat customer base and will often provide whatever assistance they can to a former customer in hopes of securing their future business. Salespeople and on-site service staff may be very well versed in the details of your particular car and may be able to provide information you might not find anywhere else.

If one feels more comfortable with a less personal exchange, the internet is rife with sports car enthusiasts and owners who may be willing to impart wisdom to a new sports car owner. Forums and message boards focusing on virtually every kind of sports car dot the internet and these sites can be an excellent source of information and camaraderie. Registration at most forums is free and immediately opens one to the perspectives and opinions of other drivers from all over the globe.

Plunging into the world of sports cars can be quite intimidating. There will probably be more questions than answers for new sports car owners, as new problems and challenges are frequently confronted. Fortunately, there are sources that can begin to answer some of those questions and that can supply sports car owners with the tools to learn other answers all on their own.

One need not fear the unknown when it comes to sports car ownership. There are plenty of others out there who have been through the process themselves once before or who are currently wrestling with the same questions. Simply extending oneself to other motor sports enthusiasts can be a great way to demystify the experience of owning a sports car.

A Few Facts On Hybrids

admin — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 07:07:29 +0000

Most consumers have heard of hybrid vehicles, but many of them could not explain the definition. The actual definition of the word “hybrid” is stated as something of mixed origin or composition. This definition fits today’s hybrid vehicles perfectly. A hybrid car is a vehicle that has both a gasoline engine and an electric motor. The gasoline engine is often smaller than in regular vehicles, allowing the electric motor to compensate with energy. A high-voltage battery charges the electric motor. Although older hybrid cars need to be “plugged up” when not in use, newer hybrids recharge themselves when not in use.

The interesting thing about a hybrid vehicle is that they can often work on just one of the energy resources; the gasoline engine or the electric motor. Most drivers operate their hybrid using both resources however, even though they may not know it.

You will be unaware of what happens under the hood while you drive a hybrid. The car will primarily operate off of power from the gasoline engine. However, when the electric motor is needed, it will take over. The gasoline engine conserves energy by instantly shutting off when the vehicle is stopped. For example, when the vehicle is at a stop light, the gasoline engine will kick off until the gas pedal is pushed again. The radio, lights, and all other components however will stay consistent due to the battery. Although not all hybrids work in this manner, many do.

There have been a few problems with the design of the stopped engine. Since the gasoline engine cuts off and on, it is usually virtually silent. This can confuse a driver or emergency worker. They may think the car is off, when it is actually on. Therefore, there have been improvements in this area, including the addition of an indicator light near the speedometer of most models. This light will tell the driver or a worker that the car is still on. Some manufacturers still suggest chocking the wheels of your hybrid when it is parked to avoid any accidents.

It is no secret that gasoline prices are soaring in the world today. Many drivers complain of increasing prices. Since hybrids run on both a gasoline engine as well as an electric motor, they do not require as much gasoline as regular vehicles. The average miles per gallon a hybrid car will obtain is 50. This is making them very popular with consumers. In turn, since hybrids burn less gasoline than most vehicles, they also emit fewer pollutants. They have shown to be up to 90% cleaner than a conventional automobile. The small and efficient engines also help reduce their total exhaust emissions. They are extremely environmentally friendly.

Hybrids have several features that make them much different than conventional cars. The construction of hybrids is one place in which they differ. Some of today’s hybrids are made of aluminum and plastic. The lightweight design makes the cars able to be powered easily. It may seem that these vehicles would offer less protection than a conventional car, but studies have shown they are safe. The manufacturers can create stability by using panels in various shapes to reinforce the design.

Two of the major manufacturers of hybrid cars are Honda Motors and Toyota Motor Corporation. They brought the hybrid to the United States around 2000. They originally brought the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius to the country, with great success. Now, many other manufacturers are getting into hybrid manufacturing. There are plans for sport utility models as well as full size truck models. With consumers flocking to hybrid designs, there is no doubt all manufacturers will be trying to design the best models.

The hybrid vehicle is something that has been well-accepted around the world in the last few years. With concerns like global warming, it is welcoming to have eco-friendly options available for today’s consumers. Employers and city governments are beginning to take note as well, offering employee incentives as well as free city parking. The fact is that they vehicles save the consumer money on gasoline and help keep the environment safe. Buying a new hybrid vehicle is a positive situation for everyone involved.

Alternative fuel

admin — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:50:17 +0000

Alternative fuels, also known as non-conventional fuels, are any materials or substances that can be used as a fuel, other than conventional fuels. Conventional fuels include: fossil fuels (petroleum (oil), coal, propane, and natural gas), and nuclear materials such as uranium.

Some well known alternative fuels include biodiesel, bioalcohol (ethanol, butanol), chemically stored electricity (batteries and fuel cells), hydrogen, non-fossil methane, non-fossil natural gas, vegetable oil and other biomass sources.

Background

The main purpose of fuel is to store energy in a form that is stable and can be easily transported from the place of production to the end user which helps in many ways such as transportation. Almost all fuels are Chemical fuels, that store chemical potential energy. The end user is then able to consume the fuel at will, and release energy, usually in the form of heat for a variety of applications, such as powering an engine or heating a building, such as a home.

Factors increasing demand for alternative fuels

In 2007, there were 1.8 million alternative fuel vehicles sold in the United States, indicating an increasing popularity of alternative fuels. There is growing perceived economic and political need for the development of alternative fuel sources. This is due to general environmental, economic, and geopolitical concerns of sustainability.

The major environmental concern, according to an IPCC report, is that “Most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century is due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations” . Since burning fossil fuels are known to increase greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, they are a likely contributor to global warming.

Other concerns which have fueled demand revolve around the concept of Peak oil, which predicts rising fuel costs as production rates of petroleum enters a terminal decline. According to the Hubbert peak theory, when the production levels peak, demand for oil will exceed supply and without proper mitigation this gap will continue to grow as production drops, which could cause a major energy crisis.

Lastly, the majority of the known petroleum reserves are located in the middle east. There is general concern that worldwide fuel shortages could intensify the unrest that exists in the region, leading to further conflict and war.

In an attempt to increase demand for alternative fuels in the US, the IRS began allowing taxpayers to claim a special tax credit for using alternative fuels, known as the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit. The definition used for alternative fuel under this credit is: Any fuel containing at least 85 percent of one or more of ethanol, natural gas, compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, or hydrogen; or any mixture which consists of two or more of biodiesel, diesel fuel, or kerosene, and at least 20% of which consists of biodiesel.

The production of alternative fuels can have widespread effects. For example, the production of corn-based ethanol has created an increased demand for the feed stock, causing rising prices in almost everything made from corn. However, in a competitive free market, an increased supply of ethanol reduces the demand for conventional fuels, and thus lowers fuel prices. The ethanol industry enables agricultural surpluses to be used to mitigate fuel shortages.

Willie Nelson Biodiesel

admin — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:47:02 +0000

Willie Nelson Biodiesel is the name of an American company started by popular songwriter Willie Nelson. The company produces a biodiesel fuel called BioWillie made of soybean and other vegetable oils that can be used in modern diesel engines instead of regular fuel without vehicle modifications. This contributes to renewable fuel production in America, thereby relaxing dependence on foreign sources of oil.

Nelson has said, “There is really no need going around starting wars over oil. We have it here at home. We have the necessary product, the farmers can grow it.”

As of June 2006, there were 22 outlets in six states (per the BioWillie website), most of which (16) were located in Texas, primarily near Dallas.

As of April 2007, numerous reports have come in saying that most, if not all, outlets selling BioWillie have ceased doing so. Whether this is related to supposed financial troubles is unknown.

Earth Biodiesel Inc., a publicly traded company (OTCBB: EBOF), is the exclusive distributor of BioWillie. As of 12 Jun 2006, Willie Hugh Nelson reported the ownership of 6,537,500 shares of Earth Biodiesel Inc. to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Form 8-K for EARTH BIOFUELS INC

26-Jan-2007 Change in Directors or Principal Officers, Other Events Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers. (b) Effective December 26, 2006 and as part of a planned transition, Earth Biofuels, Inc. (the “Company”) accepted the resignation of Mr. Willie Hugh Nelson as Director. Section 8 - Other Events Item 8.01 Other Events. Effective December 27 and as part of a planned transition, Mr. Willie Hugh Nelson became a member of the Company’s Advisory Board. Mr. Nelson remarked, “As part of Earth Biofuels’ long range plans, I am moving from the Company’s Board of Directors to the Company’s Advisory Board and look forward to a very successful future with the Company in my new role with my fellow Advisory Board members.”

What is Bio Diesel?

admin — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:46:07 +0000

Biodiesel refers to a non-petroleum-based diesel fuel consisting of short chain alkyl (methyl or ethyl) esters, made by transesterification of vegetable oil, which can be used (alone, or blended with conventional petrodiesel) in unmodified diesel-engine vehicles. Biodiesel is distinguished from the straight vegetable oil (SVO) (sometimes referred to as “waste vegetable oil”, “WVO”, “used vegetable oil”, “UVO”, “pure plant oil”, “PPO”) used (alone, or blended) as fuels in some converted diesel vehicles. “Biodiesel” is standardized as mono-alkyl ester and other kinds of diesel-grade fuels of biological origin are not included.

Blends of biodiesel and conventional hydrocarbon-based diesel are products most commonly distributed for use in the retail diesel fuel marketplace. Much of the world uses a system known as the “B” factor to state the amount of biodiesel in any fuel mix: fuel containing 20% biodiesel is labeled B20, while pure biodiesel is referred to as B100. It is common to see B99, since 1% petrodiesel is sufficiently toxic to retard mold. Blends of 20 percent biodiesel with 80 percent petroleum diesel (B20) can generally be used in unmodified diesel engines. Biodiesel can also be used in its pure form (B100), but may require certain engine modifications to avoid maintenance and performance problems. Blending B100 with petro diesel may be accomplished by:

* Mixing in tanks at manufacturing point prior to delivery to tanker truck
* Splash mixing in the tanker truck (adding specific percentages of Biodiesel and Petro Diesel)
* In-line mixing, two components arrive at tanker truck simultaneously.

Honda FCX

admin — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:21:49 +0000

Jeremy Clarkson Talks About The HONDA HYDROGEN Car

Honda FCX Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car

Gas Savers

admin — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:20:48 +0000

Aftermarket fuel economy device

An aftermarket fuel economy device is a device sold on the aftermarket that claims to improve the fuel economy and possibly the fuel emissions of a vehicle. There are a large variety of devices sold under names such as “Platinum Gas Saver”, “Tornado Fuel Saver”, “Cyclone Fuel Saver”, “Cyclone-Z”, “Atomized Vapor Injector”, “Turbo-carb” or “ZEFS”.

There are several different designs, but many are designed to fit on the intake or carburetor of a car and purportedly optimize air or fuel flow in some way. They are often sold via late-night infomercials, at prices ranging from $20 to over $100 each.

The US EPA is required to test many of these devices under Section 511 of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act, and to provide public reports on their efficacy. Most devices on the market are not found to improve fuel efficiency to any statistically measurable extent.

Thermodynamic Efficiency

The reasons that such devices are impossible (especially alleged 100MPG or 300MPG devices) are based on thermodynamics. This formula [1] has been derived to give us the theoretical efficiency for an engine:

h = 1 - {1 \over rv^{g-1}}

where h equals efficiency, rv equals the volume ratio (Compression Ratio) and g represents the ratio of the specific heats of the gases before and after combustion.

Assuming an ideal engine with no friction, perfect insulation, perfect combustion, a compression ratio of 10:1, and a g of 1.27 (for gasoline), the theoretical efficiency of the engine would only be 46%.

For example, if an automobile typically gets 20MPG efficiency with a 20% efficient engine that has a 10:1 compression ratio, a carburetor claiming 100MPG would have to increase the efficiency by a factor of 5, to 100%. This is clearly beyond what is theoretically or practically possible. A similar claim of 300MPG for any vehicle would require the engine (in this particular case) that 300% efficient, which clearly violates The Second Law of Thermodynamics.

Urban legend

There is a related urban legend about an inventor who creates a 100 mpg (2.35L/100km) carburetor, but after demonstrating it for the major vehicle manufacturers, the inventor mysteriously disappears, in which he may have been killed by the government. The urban legend is thought to have started after Charles N. Pogue filed U.S. Patent 1,750,354 for such a device. Though the legend has a basis in reality, it’s unlikely that there has been a conspiracy to hide such an invention.

Click on the picture below for more information:

Not registered with eBay?
Click to sign up

Magnetic Ionic Save Gas Fuel Saver More Mpg Mileage NEW

US $0.99 (1 Bid)
End Date: Tuesday Jan-06-2009 21:18:58 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list

Kawasaki : ZR 550 Zephire Gas saver.

US $511.00 (9 Bids)
End Date: Tuesday Jan-06-2009 21:23:55 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list

GAS FUEL SAVER MAGNET ARRAY SNAP$ON SAVE BIG FILTERDOT

US $1.99 (1 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Jan-07-2009 12:58:56 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list

Ford F150 F-150 Gas Saver 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05

US $3.98 (1 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Jan-07-2009 14:00:08 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list

Dodge : Stratus Gas Saver 1999 Dodge Stratus - Sedan -

US $1,580.55 (26 Bids)
End Date: Wednesday Jan-07-2009 14:00:49 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list

Saturn : S-Series 1996 Saturn SL GAS SAVER -NO RESERVE-STK#167815A

US $550.00 (12 Bids)
End Date: Wednesday Jan-07-2009 15:36:00 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list

Dodge : Neon SXT 02 SEDAN LOW RESERVE GAS SAVER PRICED TO SELL *AUTO*

US $2,000.00 (21 Bids)
End Date: Wednesday Jan-07-2009 16:01:33 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list

Nissan : Sentra GXE 2002 Nissan Sentra GXE no reserve gas saver 4cyl 35 mpg

US $1,500.00 (12 Bids)
End Date: Wednesday Jan-07-2009 16:51:54 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list

GMC Jimmy Gas Fuel Saver 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06

US $3.98 (1 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Jan-07-2009 18:08:18 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list

Suzuki 2WD 03 Suzuki Aerio S, GAS SAVER, VERY LOW RESERVE, INSP

US $2,650.00 (47 Bids)
End Date: Wednesday Jan-07-2009 18:24:22 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list

Saab : 9-3 SE, 5-SPEED 1999,GREAT CONDITION,NO RESERVE,GAS SAVER,FULLY LOADED!

US $2,325.00 (21 Bids)
End Date: Wednesday Jan-07-2009 18:45:00 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list

Honda Odyssey fit, Ridgeline, Passport Gas Fuel Saver

US $0.99 (1 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Jan-07-2009 22:27:52 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list

Nissan Murano, Armada, Frontier Gas Saving Fuel Saver

US $0.99 (1 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Jan-07-2009 22:29:11 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list

Honda : Accord LX 2003 WHITE HONDA ACCORD GAS SAVER AT 2.4L VERY CLEAN

US $4,750.00 (11 Bids)
End Date: Thursday Jan-08-2009 6:54:39 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list

Pontiac : G6 Pontiac G6, Blue-Gray color, gas saver

US $5,100.00 (4 Bids)
End Date: Thursday Jan-08-2009 10:24:23 PST
Bid now | Add to watch list

Run Your Car on Water

admin — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:15:12 +0000

A steam car is a car that has a steam engine. Wood, coal, ethanol, or others can be used as fuel. The fuel is burned in a boiler and the heat converts water into steam. When the water turns to steam, it expands. The expansion creates pressure. The pressure pushes the pistons back and forth. This turns the driveshaft to spin the wheels forward. It works like a coal-fueled steam train, or steam boat. The steam car was the next logical step in independent transport.

Steam cars take a long time to start, but some can reach speeds over 100 mph (161 km/h) eventually. the late model doble could be brought to operational condition in less than 30 seconds, and were fast, with high acceleration, but they were ridiculously expensive.

A steam engine uses external combustion, as opposed to internal combustion. Gasoline-powered cars are more efficient at about 25-28% efficiency. In theory, a combined cycle steam engine in which the burning material is first used to drive a gas turbine can produce 50% to 60% efficiency. However, practical examples of steam engined cars work at only around 5-8% efficiency.

The best known and best selling steam-powered car was the Stanley Steamer. It used a compact fire-tube boiler under the hood to power a simple two-piston engine which was connected directly to the rear axle. Before Henry Ford introduced monthly payment financing with great success, cars were typically purchased outright. This is why the Stanley was kept simple; to keep the purchase price affordable.

Steam produced in refrigeration also can be use by a turbine in other vehicle types to produce electricity, that can be employed in electric motors or stored in a battery.

Steam power can be combined with a standard oil-based engine to create a hybrid. Water is injected into the cylinder after the fuel is burned, when the piston is still superheated, often at temperatures of 1500 degrees or more. The water will instantly be vaporized into steam, taking advantage of the heat that would otherwise be wasted.

Click on the picture below for more information:

Not registered with eBay?
Click to sign up

Sorry, no items available to list.

Water To Gas System

admin — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:12:40 +0000

Alternative Fuel Vehicle refers to a vehicle that runs on a fuel other than “traditional” gasoline or diesel; any method of powering an engine that does not involve solely petroleum (e.g. electric car, gasoline-electric hybrid, solar powered). Due to a combination of heavy taxes on fuel, particularly in Europe, tightening environmental laws, particularly in California, and the possibility of further restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions, work on alternative power systems for vehicles has become a high priority for governments and vehicle manufacturers around the world.

Current research and development is largely centered on “hybrid” vehicles that use both electric power and internal combustion. The first hybrid vehicle available for sale in the United States was the Honda Insight, achieving around 70 miles per gallon (25.5km per liter).

Other research and development efforts in alternative forms of power focus on developing fuel cells, alternative forms of combustion such as GDI and HCCI, and even the stored energy of compressed air (see Air Engine).

Greasestock is an event held yearly in Yorktown Heights, New York which is one of the largest showcases of alternative fuel vehicles in the United States.

Click on the picture below for more information:

Not registered with eBay?
Click to sign up

Sorry, no items available to list.