With gasoline costs rising, seemingly, every week in the United States, many consumers are searching and searching for alternative ways to cut fuelling costs. While bio-diesel is definitely making itself known across the country currently, bio-fuel is not readily available year round in the United States, especially in the cold winter months as lower temperatures limit supplies. Many are looking to the hybrid electric/gasoline vehicles that are more efficient but still rely on gasoline to charge their fuel cells, accelerate, and do much of their in-city driving. A technology that is emerging in popularity, especially in California, is the option of using natural gas to power energy efficient vehicles such as Honda’s Civic GX. Natural gas fueling stations are more prevalent throughout California than in the rest of the United States, but many consumers look to yet more efficient and dependable ways of refueling their automobiles. An innovative company, FuelMaker, has filled this niche by developing a home appliance with the ability to refuel environmentally minded consumers’ vehicles in the comfort of their own garages. This product is Phill.
FuelMaker is not new to the manufacturing of vehicle refueling appliances as they have been designing and producing such innovations marketed mainly to natural gas powered private fleet vehicles since 1989. In 2002, FuelMaker debuted a prototype of their at-home unit at the World Natural Gas Vehicle Conference in Washington, D.C. “Phill†is the world’s first relatively low-cost, home-based fueling appliance that can be mounted inside or outside the consumer’s garage, allowing him or her to refuel their natural gas powered automobile overnight, extracting the fuel from the homeowner’s existing natural gas supply line. In an eight hour refueling cycle, most vehicles have a 100 mile radius of driving, and a full fueling cycle provides about 220 miles of driving. Phill is easy to use, with simply designed stop and start buttons, and even having the added safety feature of stopping automatically when the automobile’s tank is full. Southern California Honda dealers signed an agreement with FuelMaker in 2005 offering a free Phill with every purchase of a Honda Civic GX. The benefits of Phill and natural gas powered cars do not stop there. Many states and localities offer tax incentives for using these alternative vehicles, and some even allow single drivers to use the HOV lanes to commute because of their fuel efficiency. As innovations like the Phill gain in popularity, natural gas distribution companies such as Triple Diamond Energy Corp and others will rise to the occasion, providing sufficient fuel supplies to meet consumer demand.
About the Author
About the Author: Robert Jent is the president of Triple Diamond Energy Corp. Triple Diamond Energy specializes in acquiring the highest quality prime oil and gas properties. For more information, visit www.triplediamondenergycorp.blogspot.com.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Island Lincoln Mercury Jaguar Land Rover, the right choice!
The dealership houses a wide range of new, certified pre-owned and used cars including MKX, MKZ, Navigator, Mark LT, Town Car from Lincoln, and Milan, Mariner, Mariner Hybrid, Sable, Mountaineer, and Grand Marquis from Mercury, and X-Type, S-Type, XJ 8, and XK from Jaguar, and Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, LR3 and LR2 from Land Rover.
Island Lincoln Mercury Jaguar Land Rover also serves areas such as Brevard County, Cocoa Beach, Cocoa, Rockledge, Suntree, Viera, Melbourne, Cape Canaveral, Titusville, Palm Bay, Satellite Beach, Christmas, Indialantic, Melbourne Beach, Patrick AFB, Sharpes, Kissimmee, Orlando, Port Orange, Daytona Beach, Fort Pierce and South Beaches Areas.
To make car shopping process as easy as ever, the dealership provides extraordinary online services. Customers can order parts, accessories, obtain a quick quote and even schedule a service appointment online.
About the Author
Island Lincoln Mercury Jaguar Land Rover is the largest auto dealership in Merritt Island, Florida.
Island Lincoln Mercury Jaguar Land Rover also serves areas such as Brevard County, Cocoa Beach, Cocoa, Rockledge, Suntree, Viera, Melbourne, Cape Canaveral, Titusville, Palm Bay, Satellite Beach, Christmas, Indialantic, Melbourne Beach, Patrick AFB, Sharpes, Kissimmee, Orlando, Port Orange, Daytona Beach, Fort Pierce and South Beaches Areas.
To make car shopping process as easy as ever, the dealership provides extraordinary online services. Customers can order parts, accessories, obtain a quick quote and even schedule a service appointment online.
About the Author
Island Lincoln Mercury Jaguar Land Rover is the largest auto dealership in Merritt Island, Florida.
Discover the world of Honda at Dublin Honda
A warm welcome to the world of Honda at Dublin Honda, a high-flying dealership for new and pre-owned Honda vehicles at Dublin, California (CA). Specializing in Honda Sales, Honda Finance, Honda Service and Honda Parts, Dublin Honda provides the world class value and service to its customers. Find everything you may want to know about Honda cars at Dublin Honda. Everything about Honda vehicles has been made available right at your fingertips at its online dealership www.dublinhonda.com
Dublin Honda exhibits a wide range of new Honda and pre-owned Honda cars including Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, Civic Hybrid, Civic Sedan, Civic Si,Civic Si Sedan, CR-V, Element , Fit, Odyssey, Pilot, Ridgeline, S2000 and of course providing low price on new Honda & pre-owned Honda cars.
Dublin Honda is the rich store house of all scintillating new and pre-owned Honda vehicles. At Dublin Honda's online dealership www.dublinhonda.com you can research on the vehicle of your interest. Check out the virtual brochure where you can get a 360 degree view of the Honda model you want to purchase. Dublin Honda is the right destination to learn everything about your Honda vehicle. To receive great deals on your new Honda or used Honda car, check out our latest New Car Specials, Pre-Owned Specials, Finance Specials & Parts/Service Coupons. You can also order genuine Honda parts and even schedule your Honda car service appointment online.
The Online Specials is the exclusive section of the website through which we go on offering special deals to our online shoppers. At Dublin Honda discover the easiest way of getting finance for your dream vehicle. Come down to Dublin Honda to select a dream Honda at a price that is as exclusive as you are! We are located at 6300 Dublin Boulevard, Dublin CA 94568.
About the Author
A leading Honda dealership located in Dublin, California (CA) offers a wide range of new Honda and certified pre-owned Honda cars including the Honda Accord, Civic, CR-V, Element, Fit, Odyssey, Pilot, Ridgeline, and S2000.
Dublin Honda exhibits a wide range of new Honda and pre-owned Honda cars including Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, Civic Hybrid, Civic Sedan, Civic Si,Civic Si Sedan, CR-V, Element , Fit, Odyssey, Pilot, Ridgeline, S2000 and of course providing low price on new Honda & pre-owned Honda cars.
Dublin Honda is the rich store house of all scintillating new and pre-owned Honda vehicles. At Dublin Honda's online dealership www.dublinhonda.com you can research on the vehicle of your interest. Check out the virtual brochure where you can get a 360 degree view of the Honda model you want to purchase. Dublin Honda is the right destination to learn everything about your Honda vehicle. To receive great deals on your new Honda or used Honda car, check out our latest New Car Specials, Pre-Owned Specials, Finance Specials & Parts/Service Coupons. You can also order genuine Honda parts and even schedule your Honda car service appointment online.
The Online Specials is the exclusive section of the website through which we go on offering special deals to our online shoppers. At Dublin Honda discover the easiest way of getting finance for your dream vehicle. Come down to Dublin Honda to select a dream Honda at a price that is as exclusive as you are! We are located at 6300 Dublin Boulevard, Dublin CA 94568.
About the Author
A leading Honda dealership located in Dublin, California (CA) offers a wide range of new Honda and certified pre-owned Honda cars including the Honda Accord, Civic, CR-V, Element, Fit, Odyssey, Pilot, Ridgeline, and S2000.
Modify Your Car To Save Gas Using Water
With the rising prices of gasoline over the last few months it is not surprising that car manufacturers are searching for more economical ways for consumers to travel. The recent excitement over new hybrid cars is also not surprising. Being able to modify your car to save gas using water sounds like a great benefit over paying outrageous gasoline prices.
The actual maintenance of these hybrid cars is not much different from gasoline powered vehicles. You simply have to check your water balance every so often just as you would check your gasoline gauge. They do not have an electric motor like other hybrid cars, nor do they have an elaborate or confusing braking system. Routine maintenance, such as changing the oil and checking tire pressure, is all you need to keep your water hybrid car in top shape.
Of course the major benefit of water hybrid cars is that you can run your car on water. The battery actually burns water into HHO or hydrogen gas and this makes the car run. You will need to keep your battery in good working order to ensure that it is converting water to fuel.
There are also tax benefits involved in purchasing a water hybrid car. Many governments provide tax relief for citizens who are protecting the environment by burning water instead of gasoline.Saving money by running your car on water is something that everyone can appreciate.
Protecting the environment, of course, may be the best benefit of all. The amounts of carbon monoxide in the air would significantly diminish if everyone were running their cars on water instead of gasoline. You can also save yourself the time that it normally takes to fill up your car at the gas station. Running low on fuel? Just grab a bottle of water and you are on your way.
About the Author
Want to learn more on how you can save on gas cost by running your car on water? Click Here
The actual maintenance of these hybrid cars is not much different from gasoline powered vehicles. You simply have to check your water balance every so often just as you would check your gasoline gauge. They do not have an electric motor like other hybrid cars, nor do they have an elaborate or confusing braking system. Routine maintenance, such as changing the oil and checking tire pressure, is all you need to keep your water hybrid car in top shape.
Of course the major benefit of water hybrid cars is that you can run your car on water. The battery actually burns water into HHO or hydrogen gas and this makes the car run. You will need to keep your battery in good working order to ensure that it is converting water to fuel.
There are also tax benefits involved in purchasing a water hybrid car. Many governments provide tax relief for citizens who are protecting the environment by burning water instead of gasoline.Saving money by running your car on water is something that everyone can appreciate.
Protecting the environment, of course, may be the best benefit of all. The amounts of carbon monoxide in the air would significantly diminish if everyone were running their cars on water instead of gasoline. You can also save yourself the time that it normally takes to fill up your car at the gas station. Running low on fuel? Just grab a bottle of water and you are on your way.
About the Author
Want to learn more on how you can save on gas cost by running your car on water? Click Here
Alternatives To Gasoline
With crude oil prices at an all time high, it seems more and more people are searching for alternatives to gasoline for their vehicles. There are many options out there but most just aren't realistic. Of the ones that are, expense seems to be the obstacle that most can't overcome.
Just look at the automobile manufacturers. They all seem to be coming out with their own versions of a hybrid vehicle. There are now even SUV hybrids. There are electric cars, hydrogen cars, natural gas and the new biofuel vehicles. There is actually quite a variety. However, each has it's problems. It's either the availability of fuel or the danger of the fuel itself, not to mention the cost of the vehicle to begin with.
With that being said, what if there was an alternative that was not only affordable but you could very inexpensively modify the vehicle you already own into a hybrid. Better yet, the fuel is a combination of water and regular gasoline. That's right. Thousands have already taken this step and many are reporting that they have doubled their gas mileage. Yes that's right. With a few simple tools and a couple of inexpensive parts you can modify your vehicle into a hybrid and you will no longer have to worry about alternatives to gasoline.
Think about it for a second. A few simple modifications can turn your car into a hybrid the runs on a combination of gasoline and water. Basically the water is turned into a type of gas that is mixed with the gasoline and therefore you use less gasoline. Just think of what you can do with the money you will save at the gas pumps!
I guess the bottom line here is that you can sit there and complain about the high cost of gasoline or you can do something about it and save yourself some money. It's completely up to you. This is one of the alternatives to gasoline that you can easily take advantage of.
About the Author
If you're ready to learn more about this exciting, money-saving technology then click here to get your free 27 page report! http://tinyurl.com/2hy97f
Just look at the automobile manufacturers. They all seem to be coming out with their own versions of a hybrid vehicle. There are now even SUV hybrids. There are electric cars, hydrogen cars, natural gas and the new biofuel vehicles. There is actually quite a variety. However, each has it's problems. It's either the availability of fuel or the danger of the fuel itself, not to mention the cost of the vehicle to begin with.
With that being said, what if there was an alternative that was not only affordable but you could very inexpensively modify the vehicle you already own into a hybrid. Better yet, the fuel is a combination of water and regular gasoline. That's right. Thousands have already taken this step and many are reporting that they have doubled their gas mileage. Yes that's right. With a few simple tools and a couple of inexpensive parts you can modify your vehicle into a hybrid and you will no longer have to worry about alternatives to gasoline.
Think about it for a second. A few simple modifications can turn your car into a hybrid the runs on a combination of gasoline and water. Basically the water is turned into a type of gas that is mixed with the gasoline and therefore you use less gasoline. Just think of what you can do with the money you will save at the gas pumps!
I guess the bottom line here is that you can sit there and complain about the high cost of gasoline or you can do something about it and save yourself some money. It's completely up to you. This is one of the alternatives to gasoline that you can easily take advantage of.
About the Author
If you're ready to learn more about this exciting, money-saving technology then click here to get your free 27 page report! http://tinyurl.com/2hy97f
Honda To Build More CR-Vs
Honda Motor Co. announced recently the increase in sales of its CR-V sport utility vehicle. Alongside the rise in sales is the surge in demand. And Honda is poised to meet customer demands by building more CR-Vs.
Last year, the CR-V overtook Ford Motor Co.’s Explorer as America’s best-selling sport utility on sales increase of approximately 29 percent.
In 2007, the second largest Japanese automaker sold over 219,000 CR-Vs. Sales for the Explorer, meanwhile, dropped 23 percent to just under 138,000 units. The decline is attributed to the dive in sales of traditional sport utilities which customers in the U.S. have shunned in favor of crossovers.
According to Reuters, the automaker is targeting overall U.S. sales growth of 2.5 percent this year even as industry-wide sales of cars and light trucks in the U.S. market decline for a third consecutive year. "Most probably CR-V should be in line with that," said Tetsuo Iwamura chief of Honda's North American operations.
"There is lots of room for the CR-V to grow," Iwamura said at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. He added the Japanese automaker would free up more American production capacity for the said sport utility. This will be done after Honda shifts production of its Civic sedan from its East Liberty, Ohio, plant to an Indiana plant, which is still under construction.
Iwamura suggested that Honda had room to support sales if needed by adding targeted incentives on the CR-V, which he said was gaining ground because of a desire by U.S. consumers to "downsize" their vehicle choices. "Right now we are selling with no incentives. Zero," added Iwamura.
The sales projections of the automaker could put it on track to yield over 10 percent market share in America. If that happens, Honda will be crowned the second import brand after another Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corp.
Experts say the weak link of Honda is its Acura luxury brand. Sales of Acura in the U.S. plummeted almost 11 percent in the previous year. Iwamura said Honda expected that revamped version of its TL and TSX sedans would allow Acura to recover back to its 2006 sales level of 201,000 units this year. For 2009, Honda is readying a clean-diesel Acura model and in future years will expand the line-up of the luxury brand to take it into segments where it has not yet competed, he added.
The maker of Honda CR-V custom parts is readying two new hybrids â€" an affordable sedan and a hybrid sports car.
About the Author
Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.
Last year, the CR-V overtook Ford Motor Co.’s Explorer as America’s best-selling sport utility on sales increase of approximately 29 percent.
In 2007, the second largest Japanese automaker sold over 219,000 CR-Vs. Sales for the Explorer, meanwhile, dropped 23 percent to just under 138,000 units. The decline is attributed to the dive in sales of traditional sport utilities which customers in the U.S. have shunned in favor of crossovers.
According to Reuters, the automaker is targeting overall U.S. sales growth of 2.5 percent this year even as industry-wide sales of cars and light trucks in the U.S. market decline for a third consecutive year. "Most probably CR-V should be in line with that," said Tetsuo Iwamura chief of Honda's North American operations.
"There is lots of room for the CR-V to grow," Iwamura said at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. He added the Japanese automaker would free up more American production capacity for the said sport utility. This will be done after Honda shifts production of its Civic sedan from its East Liberty, Ohio, plant to an Indiana plant, which is still under construction.
Iwamura suggested that Honda had room to support sales if needed by adding targeted incentives on the CR-V, which he said was gaining ground because of a desire by U.S. consumers to "downsize" their vehicle choices. "Right now we are selling with no incentives. Zero," added Iwamura.
The sales projections of the automaker could put it on track to yield over 10 percent market share in America. If that happens, Honda will be crowned the second import brand after another Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corp.
Experts say the weak link of Honda is its Acura luxury brand. Sales of Acura in the U.S. plummeted almost 11 percent in the previous year. Iwamura said Honda expected that revamped version of its TL and TSX sedans would allow Acura to recover back to its 2006 sales level of 201,000 units this year. For 2009, Honda is readying a clean-diesel Acura model and in future years will expand the line-up of the luxury brand to take it into segments where it has not yet competed, he added.
The maker of Honda CR-V custom parts is readying two new hybrids â€" an affordable sedan and a hybrid sports car.
About the Author
Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
How To Run Your Car On Water
Did you know it is possible to run your car on water on a totally safe and simple way? This technology has been available for more than 100 years, but many times big oil companies and laboratories have tried to hide and make it seem impossible.
There is one guy that has been over 10 years researching and putting into practice what he has learn in hundreds of manuals, book and reports secretly obtained. He has called this system “water for gas technologyâ€.
The method recommend for powering your car with water will save you cost of fuel and will allow you to make your own low-cost hybrid car that will run on water and gas, saving you huge costs you would have spent using only gas.
In other words, there is a very easy to make - Hydrogen-On-Demand system where you are able to run your car on Hydrogen when you need it.
Please take into account that I am not saying you should build a car from scratch that will run on water. This system I am talking about is about constructing simple devices that will enable your car to run on water as well as gas, at the same time. You don't have to alter your car make-up or get a new car. The technology I am talking about is very simple to make, and can work with almost any car or truck. It doesn’t matter if the car or truck is diesel or runs on regular gas.
In simple words, this technology involves putting together home-made devices that use a little electricity out of your car's battery to separate water into a gas called HHO (2 Hydrogen + 1 Oxygen). HHO, also known as Brown's Gas or Hydroxy, burns beautifully and by so doing provides tons of energy.
But the most important thing and most remarkable beauty of this system is that this pound for pound HHO gas is even much more potent than gasoline. In fact 3 times more powerful than gasoline.
By using cars powered with this system, you are effectively saving a lot of money that would have been spent on fuel for your car. It is estimated that this could save you as much as $897.40 per year. If you are two, three or four drivers in the family, the yearly savings increases dramatically.
So, imagine if you are a company owner and you have a fleet of 50 drivers in your company… then your yearly savings will multiply to $44,870.
This system is totally safe and can be simply installed in any car or truck, by yourself. The creator of this system has had in installed in hundreds of other cars, and their drivers have already experienced thousands of dollars in gas cost savings, plus a better performance of the cars in all cases.
The whole water fuel system costs 60$, and the materials can be obtained in any hardware store, so you will be able to save lots of money in materials. This Hydrogen on demand system can be assembled at home easily during the weekend, just by following very simple directions.
If you are interested in this powerful system, click here:
http://tinyurl.com/3a9p4x
About the Author
J. R. Villa is an Internet researcher and advisor. If you want to read his latest research, click here: http://easy-water-car.blogspot.com/
There is one guy that has been over 10 years researching and putting into practice what he has learn in hundreds of manuals, book and reports secretly obtained. He has called this system “water for gas technologyâ€.
The method recommend for powering your car with water will save you cost of fuel and will allow you to make your own low-cost hybrid car that will run on water and gas, saving you huge costs you would have spent using only gas.
In other words, there is a very easy to make - Hydrogen-On-Demand system where you are able to run your car on Hydrogen when you need it.
Please take into account that I am not saying you should build a car from scratch that will run on water. This system I am talking about is about constructing simple devices that will enable your car to run on water as well as gas, at the same time. You don't have to alter your car make-up or get a new car. The technology I am talking about is very simple to make, and can work with almost any car or truck. It doesn’t matter if the car or truck is diesel or runs on regular gas.
In simple words, this technology involves putting together home-made devices that use a little electricity out of your car's battery to separate water into a gas called HHO (2 Hydrogen + 1 Oxygen). HHO, also known as Brown's Gas or Hydroxy, burns beautifully and by so doing provides tons of energy.
But the most important thing and most remarkable beauty of this system is that this pound for pound HHO gas is even much more potent than gasoline. In fact 3 times more powerful than gasoline.
By using cars powered with this system, you are effectively saving a lot of money that would have been spent on fuel for your car. It is estimated that this could save you as much as $897.40 per year. If you are two, three or four drivers in the family, the yearly savings increases dramatically.
So, imagine if you are a company owner and you have a fleet of 50 drivers in your company… then your yearly savings will multiply to $44,870.
This system is totally safe and can be simply installed in any car or truck, by yourself. The creator of this system has had in installed in hundreds of other cars, and their drivers have already experienced thousands of dollars in gas cost savings, plus a better performance of the cars in all cases.
The whole water fuel system costs 60$, and the materials can be obtained in any hardware store, so you will be able to save lots of money in materials. This Hydrogen on demand system can be assembled at home easily during the weekend, just by following very simple directions.
If you are interested in this powerful system, click here:
http://tinyurl.com/3a9p4x
About the Author
J. R. Villa is an Internet researcher and advisor. If you want to read his latest research, click here: http://easy-water-car.blogspot.com/
Keeping the Vehicle's Floor Protected
When it comes to making headlines, winning awards, and topping the auto sales list, the Chevy Silverado is always at the forefront. This Chevrolet pickup was first introduced in 1930 originally as a designation of the higher-level trim of Chevrolet pickup trucks from 1975 to 1999. The initial release of the Chevrolet Silverado to the market coincided with the Sierra. These two pick-ups from General Motors (GM) have been almost the same throughout the years. Today, however, the Chevrolet Silverado is considered as the lower version since the Sierra is already part of the luxury division. In 1999, the Silverado underwent its first redesign which included the addition of features like grilles and interior trim, differentiating it from the Sierra. In 2003, the high-performance SS version of the Chevrolet Silverado was released. It was equipped with a 6.0-liter Vortec High-Output V8 that could generate 345 at 5200 rpm and 380 ft. lbs. of torque at 4000 rpm. In 2005, a hybrid version of the Chevrolet Silverado was introduced by GM, making it the first ever GM hybrid vehicle. The year 2006 saw the Chevrolet Silverado as the second largest volume vehicle in the US. In the first half of 2007, there were about 310,896 units of Silverado sold in the US.
Using the Chevy Silverado in off-road driving can be a real adventure. Bringing along some friends can make the trip more exciting. However, dirt, liquid spills, and other damaging particles may inevitably threaten the vehicle interior as the fun starts. When this happens, the floor carpet of the vehicle may be subjected to wearing out and deterioration. To prevent this, one can install a Chevy Silverado floor liner. This is a heavy-duty carpet protector designed to keep away particles that can be hazardous to the vehicle’s carpet. It is usually placed in front of the front and rear seats and in the cargo area of a vehicle. Made from marine grade carpet or high impact plastic, the Chevy Silverado floor liner is intended to withstand regular usage.
The Chevy Silverado floor liner is available in different colors, sizes, and styles so car owners can choose which one is best for their vehicles. Others can also have their Chevy Silverado floor liner customized to achieve a perfect fit. Some of the most popular custom designs are the sporty and rugged looks. Aside from the benefits of ultimate protection and enhanced appearance, maintenance is also a breeze since the Chevy Silverado floor liner is designed for easier removing and cleaning.
About the Author
Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.
Using the Chevy Silverado in off-road driving can be a real adventure. Bringing along some friends can make the trip more exciting. However, dirt, liquid spills, and other damaging particles may inevitably threaten the vehicle interior as the fun starts. When this happens, the floor carpet of the vehicle may be subjected to wearing out and deterioration. To prevent this, one can install a Chevy Silverado floor liner. This is a heavy-duty carpet protector designed to keep away particles that can be hazardous to the vehicle’s carpet. It is usually placed in front of the front and rear seats and in the cargo area of a vehicle. Made from marine grade carpet or high impact plastic, the Chevy Silverado floor liner is intended to withstand regular usage.
The Chevy Silverado floor liner is available in different colors, sizes, and styles so car owners can choose which one is best for their vehicles. Others can also have their Chevy Silverado floor liner customized to achieve a perfect fit. Some of the most popular custom designs are the sporty and rugged looks. Aside from the benefits of ultimate protection and enhanced appearance, maintenance is also a breeze since the Chevy Silverado floor liner is designed for easier removing and cleaning.
About the Author
Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.
Green Living Relocation Guide
Relocating is one of the most stressful events in our lives. What we tend to forget is the stress that relocation has on the environment.
There are many things that you can do - before, during, and after your move - to minimize the impact your relocation will have on the environment. Here's a list of easy things you can do to make your move environmentally friendly.
Before You Move * Shed Some Pounds - Whether you're moving across town, or across the country, now is the time to get rid of the things you don't need or use. Consider this: every extra pound you put on your moving truck requires that much more energy to move. That means more gas, more emissions, and more money! You can save money - and save our environment - by following these simple tips. o Sell or donate things you haven't used in two years. Let's face it, if you haven't used it in two years, you probably aren't going to use it. Now's the perfect time for a materialistic reality check. Sell or donate your used items. One person's trash is another peron's treasure. Remember to keep an accurate account of your donations for tax purposes. o Books are heavy and bulky. Is that Grisham novel that you've read 3 times gathering dust? Donate it and your other old books to your local library, where they can be read and enjoyed over and over by other people. o Older appliances are huge energy wasters. Newer, Energy Star™ rated appliances are typically much more efficient. Front loading washing machines use a fraction of the water of their older top loading counterparts, and are gentler on your clothes as well - extending the life of your favorite shirts and jeans. Refrigerators, especially older models, can be the biggest energy consumers in your household. Before you move, consider donating old major appliances to your local church or charity, and purchasing more energy efficient models for your new home. Not only will this reduce the amount of energy required to move, but your new energy efficient appliances will give you savings for years to come. * Location location location: When you're selecting your new home, take into consideration the daily activities that require you to drive. Choose a home close to daily conveniences, making it easier to bike / walk to the store, dry cleaners, etc. If you walk to the store, you'll save money, gas, and get great exercise too. * Downsize : Most of us have twice as much room as we need. And that means that we have twice as much space to heat and cool. Not to mention all of the "junk" we collect to fill that extra space. Consider simplifying your life, and downsizing your living space. You'll find that it is not that difficult to start using your space more efficiently. Publications like simpleliving.com make it easy to stay organized, and live a happier, simpler life. * Use old newspaper for packing, then recycle it when you get to your new home. Most every town recycles newspaper, while not all recycle packing materials such as Styrofoam "peanuts". Newspaper is also great for cleaning the windows in your new home! * Don't purchase moving boxes. Use recycled card board boxes. They are far less expensive (FREE), just as good as new boxes, and help reduce the impact your move will have on the environment. Your local grocery and liquor stores are great places to get moving boxes. Try to get boxes of uniform shape and size, to make it easier to efficiently load your moving vehicle. And when you are finished moving, recycle your card board boxes. Most every town recycles card board boxes. For items you are planning on storing, consider moving them in plastic tubs. You can reuse these tubs for years to come, or donate them to needy charities. There are groups who will rent you plastic moving tubs. * Use old blankets to protect furniture. Then donate them to a homeless shelter in your new home town. * Recycle hazardous materials locally. Don't throw corrosive or flammable materials away, and certainly don't dispose of them in your sewage. Contact your local municipality for proper disposal procedures. * Get rid of that old car. Older cars are less fuel efficient. Most families have more cars than they really need. Why not donate that old car to a local charity BEFORE you move. You'll be helping a family in need, helping to save the environment, and in some cases you can receive a healthy tax deduction for your donation. * Sign up with a green utility company. In some communities, you can choose your utility company. Why not select a "green" utility company that uses solar or wind power to generate power? * Don't move your food. Plan ahead and eat the food in your house. Donate excess to a local charity. Don't pay to ship that can of soup across the country.
During Your Move
* Just Do It Once. Moving can be an arduous task that spans the course of several days. But just because it takes several days doesn't mean that you need to make more than one trip. It may cost a little more for a bigger moving truck to carry your stuff in a single trip, but you'll save you time, money, and gas by taking one big trip versus several trips. And, believe it or not, it is faster! Your local self moving company can help you select the right truck for your needs. * Drive 55. Driving the speed limit or a little slower can dramatically increase your fuel efficiency. Keep your engine RPM (revolutions per minute) as low as possible to save the most fuel. Another great tip - turn off the air conditioning in your car. Air conditioning zaps your vehicle's fuel efficiency. * Use alternative fuels. As you are traveling across the country, consider using alternative fuels such as E85 or biodiesel. Biodiesel is a clean burning alternative fuel produced from domestic, renewable sources. Biodiesel can be used in most diesel engines with little to no modifications.
More likely than not you'll have a hard time finding pure biodiesel (which has no petroleum) commercially, but you can readily find biodiesel blends. These have anywhere from 5% to 20% biodiesel mixed with traditional diesel fuel. * Stay in a Green Hotel. If your move requires you to stay overnight in a hotel, look for a green hotel. Green hotels are environmentally-friendly properties whose managers have instituted programs to save water, energy, and reduce solid wastes. Staying in a green hotel is a great way to learn easy ways in which you can reduce your everyday impact on the environment, too. You can find a list of green hotels here: http://www.greenhotels.com/members.htm * Drive a Hybrid. If you are taking a long trip, consider renting a hybrid. Hybrids drive just like any other car, yet they use a fraction of the fuel. * Fuel your car at night. Ozone requires sunlight to be created. You can reduce ozone by refueling your vehicle at night. * Carry bottled water with you, and refill as needed. Every bottle of water you purchase has an environmental cost associated with it, such as the cost to ship it, package it, and recycle the packaging. Every time you reuse a water bottle, you are saving the environment. Even better, use biodegradable water bottles (they are made out of corn, not petroleum). After you're through using them (you can reuse them too!), just recycle them. They will biodegrade in 80 days after you recycle them. * Take home your hotel soap. Most of us "steal" the hotel shampoo and conditioner. Don't stop there. Take the soap too. The fact of the matter is that, thankfully, hotels don't recycle the soap. So if you don't take it, it gets thrown away. So before you check out, put your soap back in its packaging and take it with you to use at home, or the next hotel.
After You Move
* Shed Some New Light. When you move is the perfect time to upgrade all of your lighting to Compact Florenscent Lightbulbs (CFLs). CFLs use up to 75% less energy of traditional lightbulbs, and last from 7 to 10 years, saving your money every month and reducing our need to build more power plants. The CFL lightbulb equivalent of a traditional 75 watt lightbulb only uses 18 watts, saving almost ¼ ton of coal over the course of 6 years.
If you are moving into a new home, request CFLs before traditional light bulbs are installed. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, if every household in just the state of Nevada replaced just one bulb with a CFL, we'd reduce energy consumption in the state of Nevada by 45 million kWh a year. We'd also save $4.9 million in energy costs, while diminishing carbon dioxide emissions by over 69 million pounds. That's enough energy to light over 24,000 homes for a year. Now imagine how much would be saved if every light bulb in America were changed!
If you cannot afford to change all of the bulbs in your house, change those lights that you use the most.
And don't throw away your old bulbs. Use them in the places where you use your lighting the least! * Time to Weatherize. Before you move into your new home is the best time to weatherize. Air leakage and improperly installed insulation can waste 20 percent or more of the energy you pay to heat and cool your home. Typical homes have so many leaks, it's like having a window open all the time, winter and summer. Worse, these leaks can create mold, when warm air comes in contact with cooler surfaces and condenses. Weatherizing your home will help lower your energy bill, saving you money every year and saving our environment! * Donate to offset carbon emissions of your move. Donating to offset carbon emissions isn't just for the rich and famous. There are several websites which help you calculate your carbon emissions by channeling your donations to worthy green projects. But just because you are donating to offset your carbon emissions, doesn't give you a license to be environmentally unfriendly. Remember the basics of environmental friendly living - reduce, reuse, recycle. * Convert to paperless billing. Utilities, investments, car loans, ... almost every company offers online billing and e-statements. This will save paper, and the energy cost to deliver your bills. * Sign up for an anti-junk mail service. This will help minimize the amount of junk mail you receive, and help save countless trees used to make that junk mail. * Plant low-water using indigenous plants. Throughout the world we are facing severe water shortages. Much of our water waste occurs in maintaining our landscaping, particularly when we try to introduce foreign plants to a new environment. Using low-water indigenous plants in your landscaping is an easy way to save water. Ideally you want plants that can grow in your environment, with little to no irrigation. The local home improvement center and in some cases local water municipalities can help you determine the best plants for your area. Believe it or not, the choices are not limiting. You will be surprised at how many beautiful plants are indigenous to your area. * Install low flow shower heads, water faucet irrigators, and toilets. As you know, water is a limited resource. Installing low flow shower heads, water faucet irrigators, and toilets are easy ways to save water every day - without dramatically inconveniencing you. These low flow water devices are inexpensive, easy to install, and can be found at most any home improvement store. * Insulate your water heater. A lot of heat is lost just from the walls of your water heater. The solution to this problem is simple - a specially designed sheet of insulation known as a water heater blanket. A water heater blanket is an inexpensive way to cut down on your energy bill. You can purchase them at any home improvement store - they cost as little as $30 - and they will easily pay for themselves in the first year. Installation is simple and should only take you a few minutes - just follow the instructions. * Buy only Energy Star ™ appliances. Appliances with the Energy Star rating have been proven to have met the strict energy efficiency guidelines of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Energy Star is a join program of the EPA and DOE. The program is designed to help us all save money and protect the environment through the use of energy efficient products and practices. A complete list of Energy Star appliances can be found here: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product. * Buy an Energy Star ™ rated home. Energy Star rated homes have met the strict energy conservation guidelines and building standards of the EPA and DOE. This means that particular attention to detail has been met, helping to insure minimal energy waste such as air leaks and poor insulation. Purchasing an Energy Star rated home may seem like an additional expense, but it can save you quite a bit of money over the years. * Consider hi-rise living. Hi-rise living has many benefits. Hi-rise condos are energy efficient, offer shared resources that typically are aren't environmentally friendly (such as pools, and extensive landscaping) , and are usually located more centrally - allowing you to walk or take convenient public transportation to more places.
These are just a few things that you can to minimize the impact your relocation and move has on the environment. There are countless other things that you can do! Remember to always use your own best judgment when following any recommendation.
For more environmentally friendly relocation tips and tricks, visit www.vegasgreenliving.com .
About the Author
Chris Fields is a contributing editor for Vegas Green Living (www.vegasgreenliving.com).
There are many things that you can do - before, during, and after your move - to minimize the impact your relocation will have on the environment. Here's a list of easy things you can do to make your move environmentally friendly.
Before You Move * Shed Some Pounds - Whether you're moving across town, or across the country, now is the time to get rid of the things you don't need or use. Consider this: every extra pound you put on your moving truck requires that much more energy to move. That means more gas, more emissions, and more money! You can save money - and save our environment - by following these simple tips. o Sell or donate things you haven't used in two years. Let's face it, if you haven't used it in two years, you probably aren't going to use it. Now's the perfect time for a materialistic reality check. Sell or donate your used items. One person's trash is another peron's treasure. Remember to keep an accurate account of your donations for tax purposes. o Books are heavy and bulky. Is that Grisham novel that you've read 3 times gathering dust? Donate it and your other old books to your local library, where they can be read and enjoyed over and over by other people. o Older appliances are huge energy wasters. Newer, Energy Star™ rated appliances are typically much more efficient. Front loading washing machines use a fraction of the water of their older top loading counterparts, and are gentler on your clothes as well - extending the life of your favorite shirts and jeans. Refrigerators, especially older models, can be the biggest energy consumers in your household. Before you move, consider donating old major appliances to your local church or charity, and purchasing more energy efficient models for your new home. Not only will this reduce the amount of energy required to move, but your new energy efficient appliances will give you savings for years to come. * Location location location: When you're selecting your new home, take into consideration the daily activities that require you to drive. Choose a home close to daily conveniences, making it easier to bike / walk to the store, dry cleaners, etc. If you walk to the store, you'll save money, gas, and get great exercise too. * Downsize : Most of us have twice as much room as we need. And that means that we have twice as much space to heat and cool. Not to mention all of the "junk" we collect to fill that extra space. Consider simplifying your life, and downsizing your living space. You'll find that it is not that difficult to start using your space more efficiently. Publications like simpleliving.com make it easy to stay organized, and live a happier, simpler life. * Use old newspaper for packing, then recycle it when you get to your new home. Most every town recycles newspaper, while not all recycle packing materials such as Styrofoam "peanuts". Newspaper is also great for cleaning the windows in your new home! * Don't purchase moving boxes. Use recycled card board boxes. They are far less expensive (FREE), just as good as new boxes, and help reduce the impact your move will have on the environment. Your local grocery and liquor stores are great places to get moving boxes. Try to get boxes of uniform shape and size, to make it easier to efficiently load your moving vehicle. And when you are finished moving, recycle your card board boxes. Most every town recycles card board boxes. For items you are planning on storing, consider moving them in plastic tubs. You can reuse these tubs for years to come, or donate them to needy charities. There are groups who will rent you plastic moving tubs. * Use old blankets to protect furniture. Then donate them to a homeless shelter in your new home town. * Recycle hazardous materials locally. Don't throw corrosive or flammable materials away, and certainly don't dispose of them in your sewage. Contact your local municipality for proper disposal procedures. * Get rid of that old car. Older cars are less fuel efficient. Most families have more cars than they really need. Why not donate that old car to a local charity BEFORE you move. You'll be helping a family in need, helping to save the environment, and in some cases you can receive a healthy tax deduction for your donation. * Sign up with a green utility company. In some communities, you can choose your utility company. Why not select a "green" utility company that uses solar or wind power to generate power? * Don't move your food. Plan ahead and eat the food in your house. Donate excess to a local charity. Don't pay to ship that can of soup across the country.
During Your Move
* Just Do It Once. Moving can be an arduous task that spans the course of several days. But just because it takes several days doesn't mean that you need to make more than one trip. It may cost a little more for a bigger moving truck to carry your stuff in a single trip, but you'll save you time, money, and gas by taking one big trip versus several trips. And, believe it or not, it is faster! Your local self moving company can help you select the right truck for your needs. * Drive 55. Driving the speed limit or a little slower can dramatically increase your fuel efficiency. Keep your engine RPM (revolutions per minute) as low as possible to save the most fuel. Another great tip - turn off the air conditioning in your car. Air conditioning zaps your vehicle's fuel efficiency. * Use alternative fuels. As you are traveling across the country, consider using alternative fuels such as E85 or biodiesel. Biodiesel is a clean burning alternative fuel produced from domestic, renewable sources. Biodiesel can be used in most diesel engines with little to no modifications.
More likely than not you'll have a hard time finding pure biodiesel (which has no petroleum) commercially, but you can readily find biodiesel blends. These have anywhere from 5% to 20% biodiesel mixed with traditional diesel fuel. * Stay in a Green Hotel. If your move requires you to stay overnight in a hotel, look for a green hotel. Green hotels are environmentally-friendly properties whose managers have instituted programs to save water, energy, and reduce solid wastes. Staying in a green hotel is a great way to learn easy ways in which you can reduce your everyday impact on the environment, too. You can find a list of green hotels here: http://www.greenhotels.com/members.htm * Drive a Hybrid. If you are taking a long trip, consider renting a hybrid. Hybrids drive just like any other car, yet they use a fraction of the fuel. * Fuel your car at night. Ozone requires sunlight to be created. You can reduce ozone by refueling your vehicle at night. * Carry bottled water with you, and refill as needed. Every bottle of water you purchase has an environmental cost associated with it, such as the cost to ship it, package it, and recycle the packaging. Every time you reuse a water bottle, you are saving the environment. Even better, use biodegradable water bottles (they are made out of corn, not petroleum). After you're through using them (you can reuse them too!), just recycle them. They will biodegrade in 80 days after you recycle them. * Take home your hotel soap. Most of us "steal" the hotel shampoo and conditioner. Don't stop there. Take the soap too. The fact of the matter is that, thankfully, hotels don't recycle the soap. So if you don't take it, it gets thrown away. So before you check out, put your soap back in its packaging and take it with you to use at home, or the next hotel.
After You Move
* Shed Some New Light. When you move is the perfect time to upgrade all of your lighting to Compact Florenscent Lightbulbs (CFLs). CFLs use up to 75% less energy of traditional lightbulbs, and last from 7 to 10 years, saving your money every month and reducing our need to build more power plants. The CFL lightbulb equivalent of a traditional 75 watt lightbulb only uses 18 watts, saving almost ¼ ton of coal over the course of 6 years.
If you are moving into a new home, request CFLs before traditional light bulbs are installed. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, if every household in just the state of Nevada replaced just one bulb with a CFL, we'd reduce energy consumption in the state of Nevada by 45 million kWh a year. We'd also save $4.9 million in energy costs, while diminishing carbon dioxide emissions by over 69 million pounds. That's enough energy to light over 24,000 homes for a year. Now imagine how much would be saved if every light bulb in America were changed!
If you cannot afford to change all of the bulbs in your house, change those lights that you use the most.
And don't throw away your old bulbs. Use them in the places where you use your lighting the least! * Time to Weatherize. Before you move into your new home is the best time to weatherize. Air leakage and improperly installed insulation can waste 20 percent or more of the energy you pay to heat and cool your home. Typical homes have so many leaks, it's like having a window open all the time, winter and summer. Worse, these leaks can create mold, when warm air comes in contact with cooler surfaces and condenses. Weatherizing your home will help lower your energy bill, saving you money every year and saving our environment! * Donate to offset carbon emissions of your move. Donating to offset carbon emissions isn't just for the rich and famous. There are several websites which help you calculate your carbon emissions by channeling your donations to worthy green projects. But just because you are donating to offset your carbon emissions, doesn't give you a license to be environmentally unfriendly. Remember the basics of environmental friendly living - reduce, reuse, recycle. * Convert to paperless billing. Utilities, investments, car loans, ... almost every company offers online billing and e-statements. This will save paper, and the energy cost to deliver your bills. * Sign up for an anti-junk mail service. This will help minimize the amount of junk mail you receive, and help save countless trees used to make that junk mail. * Plant low-water using indigenous plants. Throughout the world we are facing severe water shortages. Much of our water waste occurs in maintaining our landscaping, particularly when we try to introduce foreign plants to a new environment. Using low-water indigenous plants in your landscaping is an easy way to save water. Ideally you want plants that can grow in your environment, with little to no irrigation. The local home improvement center and in some cases local water municipalities can help you determine the best plants for your area. Believe it or not, the choices are not limiting. You will be surprised at how many beautiful plants are indigenous to your area. * Install low flow shower heads, water faucet irrigators, and toilets. As you know, water is a limited resource. Installing low flow shower heads, water faucet irrigators, and toilets are easy ways to save water every day - without dramatically inconveniencing you. These low flow water devices are inexpensive, easy to install, and can be found at most any home improvement store. * Insulate your water heater. A lot of heat is lost just from the walls of your water heater. The solution to this problem is simple - a specially designed sheet of insulation known as a water heater blanket. A water heater blanket is an inexpensive way to cut down on your energy bill. You can purchase them at any home improvement store - they cost as little as $30 - and they will easily pay for themselves in the first year. Installation is simple and should only take you a few minutes - just follow the instructions. * Buy only Energy Star ™ appliances. Appliances with the Energy Star rating have been proven to have met the strict energy efficiency guidelines of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Energy Star is a join program of the EPA and DOE. The program is designed to help us all save money and protect the environment through the use of energy efficient products and practices. A complete list of Energy Star appliances can be found here: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product. * Buy an Energy Star ™ rated home. Energy Star rated homes have met the strict energy conservation guidelines and building standards of the EPA and DOE. This means that particular attention to detail has been met, helping to insure minimal energy waste such as air leaks and poor insulation. Purchasing an Energy Star rated home may seem like an additional expense, but it can save you quite a bit of money over the years. * Consider hi-rise living. Hi-rise living has many benefits. Hi-rise condos are energy efficient, offer shared resources that typically are aren't environmentally friendly (such as pools, and extensive landscaping) , and are usually located more centrally - allowing you to walk or take convenient public transportation to more places.
These are just a few things that you can to minimize the impact your relocation and move has on the environment. There are countless other things that you can do! Remember to always use your own best judgment when following any recommendation.
For more environmentally friendly relocation tips and tricks, visit www.vegasgreenliving.com .
About the Author
Chris Fields is a contributing editor for Vegas Green Living (www.vegasgreenliving.com).
What Is A Hybrid Car?
With the opening of the new year headlining oil costs rising up to a historic $100 per barrel, more and more Americans are now looking into the possibility of owning up their first hybrid car. Though, generally, American drivers have been immediately associated with gas-guzzling trucks or sports cars who trade oil efficiency for speed, the idea of paying up to $4 a gallon is creeping up to a mind-set of customers. Hybrid cars seem to solve this problem. Ironically, the hybrid car is also seen as environment friendly. This is the reason why car companies are in a race to seal victories with consumers.
What makes a car hybrid?
A vehicle can be considered a hybrid when it utilizes two different sources of power to allow the car function.
The most common hybrid vehicle on the roads right now is the hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). They use a conventional system of propulsion complemented by a rechargeable system for storing energy. A typical example would be cars with electric batteries added to the usual internal combustion engine.
How do the cars work?
Vehicles with electric batteries have been introduced in the early nineties but were not a big hit due to the major hassle of charging the vehicle and small number of charging stations. But hybrid vehicles have been able to solve this dilemma by recharging the batteries as the car spins.
All actions of the driver are monitored by an internal computer. From startup and into lower speed, the car is essentially driven using the electric motor. If computer feels that you want to accelerate faster, it will immediately kick in the gasoline engine to provide you the power that you need. At the same, the electric motor is now acting like a generator and recharging the battery in your car.
The electric motor also assists the gasoline engine when needed. This explains why most engines found on hybrid cars are smaller since they eliminate the need for high-powered ones that consume a lot of gas. As you slow down, the power is again shifted to the electric motors until you reach to a full stop.
The results
Most hybrid drivers immediately notice the absence of the common engine noise that they get used to when starting up and when kicking into high gear. This is because of the fact that the electric motors are generally quitters plus the gasoline engines used are smaller. The tandem also proves to be beneficial by reducing the wear and tear on the gasoline engine, adding more to its durability.
Reduced emissions on noise and air pollutants generally make hybrid cars more environment friendly. Though most people are concerned about the batteries and how they discarded, nickel metal hydride (NiMH) can actually be fully recycled. Car companies such as the frontrunner Toyota as well as Honda also provide clear assistance in disposing of the batteries being used by their cars. Admittedly, the main reason why a lot of drivers are going hybrid is the surprisingly positive fuel mileage of a hybrid car. Recent EPA numbers show that the top two hybrid cars in the market get more than 40 miles per gallon while driving in the city. The Toyota Prius gets 48 mpg while the Honda Civics nets 40 mpg. Highway driving nets both cars 45 mpg, not that bad when paired with normal cars with bigger engines. This is again attributed to the fact that the fuel consumption is only used when driving at higher speed.
It is undeniable that hybrid cars are the future of the auto industry. With more and more consumers becoming concerned about mileage and the environment, we will be seeing more and more hybrid cars trek your local roads.
About the Author
Mark Robinson writes for Auto-Loans.GuideFin.com. Visit his website for information about auto loans.
What makes a car hybrid?
A vehicle can be considered a hybrid when it utilizes two different sources of power to allow the car function.
The most common hybrid vehicle on the roads right now is the hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). They use a conventional system of propulsion complemented by a rechargeable system for storing energy. A typical example would be cars with electric batteries added to the usual internal combustion engine.
How do the cars work?
Vehicles with electric batteries have been introduced in the early nineties but were not a big hit due to the major hassle of charging the vehicle and small number of charging stations. But hybrid vehicles have been able to solve this dilemma by recharging the batteries as the car spins.
All actions of the driver are monitored by an internal computer. From startup and into lower speed, the car is essentially driven using the electric motor. If computer feels that you want to accelerate faster, it will immediately kick in the gasoline engine to provide you the power that you need. At the same, the electric motor is now acting like a generator and recharging the battery in your car.
The electric motor also assists the gasoline engine when needed. This explains why most engines found on hybrid cars are smaller since they eliminate the need for high-powered ones that consume a lot of gas. As you slow down, the power is again shifted to the electric motors until you reach to a full stop.
The results
Most hybrid drivers immediately notice the absence of the common engine noise that they get used to when starting up and when kicking into high gear. This is because of the fact that the electric motors are generally quitters plus the gasoline engines used are smaller. The tandem also proves to be beneficial by reducing the wear and tear on the gasoline engine, adding more to its durability.
Reduced emissions on noise and air pollutants generally make hybrid cars more environment friendly. Though most people are concerned about the batteries and how they discarded, nickel metal hydride (NiMH) can actually be fully recycled. Car companies such as the frontrunner Toyota as well as Honda also provide clear assistance in disposing of the batteries being used by their cars. Admittedly, the main reason why a lot of drivers are going hybrid is the surprisingly positive fuel mileage of a hybrid car. Recent EPA numbers show that the top two hybrid cars in the market get more than 40 miles per gallon while driving in the city. The Toyota Prius gets 48 mpg while the Honda Civics nets 40 mpg. Highway driving nets both cars 45 mpg, not that bad when paired with normal cars with bigger engines. This is again attributed to the fact that the fuel consumption is only used when driving at higher speed.
It is undeniable that hybrid cars are the future of the auto industry. With more and more consumers becoming concerned about mileage and the environment, we will be seeing more and more hybrid cars trek your local roads.
About the Author
Mark Robinson writes for Auto-Loans.GuideFin.com. Visit his website for information about auto loans.
Monday, January 21, 2008
How to save money and the environment at the same time!
Global warming is a threat that everyone needs to take action against. Although government policies and corporations can make the biggest impact, you personally can also do your part. These 15 tips will help you save your hard earned money on utility bills, save you time and energy, and most importantly, save the environment at the same time!
1. Stop Annoying Junk Mail
Think about how much paper goes to waste just from the junk mail you receive. Recycling is just not enough. Stop the mailing all together. You will save trees from being cut down for paper use, as well as finally stop all that annoying mail. Smartmoney.com wrote a great article on how to stop junk mail.
2. Insulate and Seal Your Windows and Doors
Not only will sealing your windows save you energy and money, but it will also help reduce uncomfortable wind drafts and help reduce mold and mildew problems. Insulation will help keep your house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Insulation and sealants are easy and cheap to install, and you can pick up the supplies you need at your local home improvement store. We have personally found that Door Sweeps and Door Bottoms can not only stop a draft from a door completely, but saves a noticible amount of money on utility bills.
3. Buy EnergyStar Appliances
Every electronic in your house that you can think of has energy star equivalents. Air conditioners, heaters, fans, lights, phones, refrigerators, washers, dryers, televisions, dvd players, and so on. Next time you purchase any electronic, make sure it is Energy Star Compliant to ensure that you are saving money when you power your electronics.
4. Drive a Fuel Efficient Car
Hybrid cars are becomming more popular for a good reason. Not only will they save you a lot of gas money immediately, they are becomming much more affordable with lower ticket prices and more government tax credits.
5. Inflate Your Car Tires
Driving on underinflated tires can reduce your gas mileage and tire life by more then 15%, and also increases your chances for your tire to explode while driving. Be safe and save the environment by keeping your tires inflated.
6. Use the Microwave Instead of the oven or Stovetop
Microwaves can use about 50% less energy then conventional ovens. Especially make sure you use the microwave in the summer because the conventional oven will heat up your kitchen, forcing your air conditioning to work harder.
7. Close Vents and Doors of Unused Rooms
Do you have a guest bedroom, a dining room, or a study that is rarely used? Close all the air vents in that room and keep the door closed. By doing this, your heating and cooling systems will not have to work harder to regulate extra space that just goes unused anyway.
8. Install CFL Lightbulbs
Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) use 75% less energy, last 10 times longer, and give off a lot less heat compared to the standard incandescent lightbulb. Considering the average household spends 11% of their energy consumption on lighting, CFLs could really help you save energy and money.
9. Take Shorter Hot Showers
Take short showers instead of baths. If you take hot showers, lower the temperature a little and take quicker showers. Don't forget - sometimes a cool or cold shower feels a lot better then a hot shower so don't get stuck in a routine and always take a hot shower.
10. Plant a Tree on the South Side of your Home
By planting deciduous shade trees such as Maple Trees or Oak Trees on the south and/or southwest side of your home, you will save cooling costs in the summer. These trees will shade your home from the sun as well as naturally cool the air. In the winter when the leaves fall off, the sun will then be able to shine on your house, giving you heat when you really need it.
11. Insulate Your Hot Water Heater and Pipes
Put the back of your hand against your hot water heater. If it is warm or hot, then you are wasting valuable money and resources every second. The heat that is supposed to be heating your water is leaking out of the appliance. Most insulation packages come in easy to install kits and are relitavely cheap.
12. Lower Your Hot Water Heater Thermostat
Many hot water heater manufacturers set their water heaters to 140�F before shipping them out of the factory. This not only reduces the life of your hot water heater, it wastes energy. It could also be a health hazard by making you suseptible to burns and scalding from hot water. Having your hot water heater set to anything higher the 120�F is a waste of energy and money. 115�F - 120�F will do just fine for most homes.
13. Get a Free Energy Audit
Almost all utility companies offer free energy audits to help your household reduce the energy bill. Give your electric company a call and schedule an appointment. It's free and you will end up saving money on your monthly payments. Why not take advantage of this free service?
14. Use the Stairs Instead of the Elevator
Save energy and stay fit! As long as your floor is less then 5 floors away, making the walk is not really asking that much. It takes a lot of energy for that elevator to operate.
15. Use Power-management Settings on your Computer
Some computers can use as much as much as 800 watts! This can really big a nice portion of your energy consumption throughout the day, yet it is so easy to fix. There are a few very simple steps you can take to make sure your computer uses up less energy, which you can read in our article on How to Save Energy by using Power-Saving Settings on your Computer.
About the Author
This article was written by Mission Environment to inform the public for free. If you would like to publish this article on your website or blog, please keep the entire article as-is and provide proper recognition with a link back to http://www.missionenvironment.com.
1. Stop Annoying Junk Mail
Think about how much paper goes to waste just from the junk mail you receive. Recycling is just not enough. Stop the mailing all together. You will save trees from being cut down for paper use, as well as finally stop all that annoying mail. Smartmoney.com wrote a great article on how to stop junk mail.
2. Insulate and Seal Your Windows and Doors
Not only will sealing your windows save you energy and money, but it will also help reduce uncomfortable wind drafts and help reduce mold and mildew problems. Insulation will help keep your house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Insulation and sealants are easy and cheap to install, and you can pick up the supplies you need at your local home improvement store. We have personally found that Door Sweeps and Door Bottoms can not only stop a draft from a door completely, but saves a noticible amount of money on utility bills.
3. Buy EnergyStar Appliances
Every electronic in your house that you can think of has energy star equivalents. Air conditioners, heaters, fans, lights, phones, refrigerators, washers, dryers, televisions, dvd players, and so on. Next time you purchase any electronic, make sure it is Energy Star Compliant to ensure that you are saving money when you power your electronics.
4. Drive a Fuel Efficient Car
Hybrid cars are becomming more popular for a good reason. Not only will they save you a lot of gas money immediately, they are becomming much more affordable with lower ticket prices and more government tax credits.
5. Inflate Your Car Tires
Driving on underinflated tires can reduce your gas mileage and tire life by more then 15%, and also increases your chances for your tire to explode while driving. Be safe and save the environment by keeping your tires inflated.
6. Use the Microwave Instead of the oven or Stovetop
Microwaves can use about 50% less energy then conventional ovens. Especially make sure you use the microwave in the summer because the conventional oven will heat up your kitchen, forcing your air conditioning to work harder.
7. Close Vents and Doors of Unused Rooms
Do you have a guest bedroom, a dining room, or a study that is rarely used? Close all the air vents in that room and keep the door closed. By doing this, your heating and cooling systems will not have to work harder to regulate extra space that just goes unused anyway.
8. Install CFL Lightbulbs
Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) use 75% less energy, last 10 times longer, and give off a lot less heat compared to the standard incandescent lightbulb. Considering the average household spends 11% of their energy consumption on lighting, CFLs could really help you save energy and money.
9. Take Shorter Hot Showers
Take short showers instead of baths. If you take hot showers, lower the temperature a little and take quicker showers. Don't forget - sometimes a cool or cold shower feels a lot better then a hot shower so don't get stuck in a routine and always take a hot shower.
10. Plant a Tree on the South Side of your Home
By planting deciduous shade trees such as Maple Trees or Oak Trees on the south and/or southwest side of your home, you will save cooling costs in the summer. These trees will shade your home from the sun as well as naturally cool the air. In the winter when the leaves fall off, the sun will then be able to shine on your house, giving you heat when you really need it.
11. Insulate Your Hot Water Heater and Pipes
Put the back of your hand against your hot water heater. If it is warm or hot, then you are wasting valuable money and resources every second. The heat that is supposed to be heating your water is leaking out of the appliance. Most insulation packages come in easy to install kits and are relitavely cheap.
12. Lower Your Hot Water Heater Thermostat
Many hot water heater manufacturers set their water heaters to 140�F before shipping them out of the factory. This not only reduces the life of your hot water heater, it wastes energy. It could also be a health hazard by making you suseptible to burns and scalding from hot water. Having your hot water heater set to anything higher the 120�F is a waste of energy and money. 115�F - 120�F will do just fine for most homes.
13. Get a Free Energy Audit
Almost all utility companies offer free energy audits to help your household reduce the energy bill. Give your electric company a call and schedule an appointment. It's free and you will end up saving money on your monthly payments. Why not take advantage of this free service?
14. Use the Stairs Instead of the Elevator
Save energy and stay fit! As long as your floor is less then 5 floors away, making the walk is not really asking that much. It takes a lot of energy for that elevator to operate.
15. Use Power-management Settings on your Computer
Some computers can use as much as much as 800 watts! This can really big a nice portion of your energy consumption throughout the day, yet it is so easy to fix. There are a few very simple steps you can take to make sure your computer uses up less energy, which you can read in our article on How to Save Energy by using Power-Saving Settings on your Computer.
About the Author
This article was written by Mission Environment to inform the public for free. If you would like to publish this article on your website or blog, please keep the entire article as-is and provide proper recognition with a link back to http://www.missionenvironment.com.
On Conserving Fossil Fuels and Auto Fuel Economy
For over a century now, we have enjoyed the benefits of major conveniences brought by fossil fuels. Major industries have flourished and transportation evolved at a much faster rate. Thanks also to the power derived from fossil fuels, the speeds at which we travel have also greatly outpaced man's expectations.
Indeed, man's primitive ways have improved with the discovery of fire. But with the discovery of fossil fuels man discovered a multitude of ways with which our lives have become better. Fossil fuels fuel electricity giving power to industries and making our homes more comfortable. It also fuel ships, airplanes and major road transportations, expediting the transport of goods from one area to another. Traveling now took only hours from one continent to another when it took years over a several centuries ago.
Fossil fuels have become indispensable. However, our dependence to it could also spell our doom. Inevitably, fossil fuels are now depleting.
Much of today's industries and those in the coming years to come, and much of today's transportations are still highly dependent on petrol products. That is why relentless efforts have been carried out by all governments to conserve fossil fuel consumption not only to protect the environment from its harmful effects (much of global warming has been attributed to carbon from extensive use of fossil fuels) but also ensure that there is enough oil to go around sustaining most industries in decades to come. Some efforts are aimed at replacing fossil fuels as the chief source of energy fuel in anticipation of its total depletion. Ethanol and other biofuels such as diesel fuels from animal and vegetable fats promise the same abundance of energy source as fossil fuels but offer more efficiency. Hybrid cars are also on the rise and more and more people are looking at it as the ultimate answer to auto fuel economy.
However, oil is still a precious element of our survival. As mentioned, much of today's industries and transportations are highly dependent on petrol products. If oil completely dries out in, say, two decades, it's enough to bring us back to the stone-age or at least it's back to the coal mines for us. Because of this most experts admonish that we conserve our energy consumption by at least 10% to help us get through the crisis of oil depletion until another source of renewable energy is widely tapped by major industries. Until then, yes, we should support efforts relating to energy conservation. Thankfully enough, entities whose goals are to help conserve oil consumption abound. Let us all support their efforts of not only saving our environment, but also equally important, our means of living comfortably the way we do these days thanks to the modern innovations fossil fuel delivered.
Find out more about how we could conserve gasoline and diesel consumption by visiting Auto Fuel Economy.
About the Author
Charlemagne Solanor is from the Philippines and has begun blogging in November, 2006. His latest site, Auto Fuel Economy, talks about an amazing new organic fuel additive that significantly enhances mileage and engine performance.
Indeed, man's primitive ways have improved with the discovery of fire. But with the discovery of fossil fuels man discovered a multitude of ways with which our lives have become better. Fossil fuels fuel electricity giving power to industries and making our homes more comfortable. It also fuel ships, airplanes and major road transportations, expediting the transport of goods from one area to another. Traveling now took only hours from one continent to another when it took years over a several centuries ago.
Fossil fuels have become indispensable. However, our dependence to it could also spell our doom. Inevitably, fossil fuels are now depleting.
Much of today's industries and those in the coming years to come, and much of today's transportations are still highly dependent on petrol products. That is why relentless efforts have been carried out by all governments to conserve fossil fuel consumption not only to protect the environment from its harmful effects (much of global warming has been attributed to carbon from extensive use of fossil fuels) but also ensure that there is enough oil to go around sustaining most industries in decades to come. Some efforts are aimed at replacing fossil fuels as the chief source of energy fuel in anticipation of its total depletion. Ethanol and other biofuels such as diesel fuels from animal and vegetable fats promise the same abundance of energy source as fossil fuels but offer more efficiency. Hybrid cars are also on the rise and more and more people are looking at it as the ultimate answer to auto fuel economy.
However, oil is still a precious element of our survival. As mentioned, much of today's industries and transportations are highly dependent on petrol products. If oil completely dries out in, say, two decades, it's enough to bring us back to the stone-age or at least it's back to the coal mines for us. Because of this most experts admonish that we conserve our energy consumption by at least 10% to help us get through the crisis of oil depletion until another source of renewable energy is widely tapped by major industries. Until then, yes, we should support efforts relating to energy conservation. Thankfully enough, entities whose goals are to help conserve oil consumption abound. Let us all support their efforts of not only saving our environment, but also equally important, our means of living comfortably the way we do these days thanks to the modern innovations fossil fuel delivered.
Find out more about how we could conserve gasoline and diesel consumption by visiting Auto Fuel Economy.
About the Author
Charlemagne Solanor is from the Philippines and has begun blogging in November, 2006. His latest site, Auto Fuel Economy, talks about an amazing new organic fuel additive that significantly enhances mileage and engine performance.
The Chevy Volt Revolution
Bob Lutz GM's 72-year-old Vice Chairman sits on the cutting edge of new hybrid technology. It is in fact Mr. Lutz and his belief in hybrid technology that has led Chevrolet to create some interesting new hybrid models due out soon including the Silverado, Tahoe, Malibu and Equinox. Under Mr. Lutz's guidance, Chevrolet even produced a fleet of transit buses powered by their Allison Electric Drive Transmission system for King County, Washington. A fleet is expected to save King County over 750,000 gallons of gasoline a year over the non hybrids it replaced according to hybrid-car.org.
Perhaps more important than any of the strides forward to date will be the 2010 launch of a brand new hybrid on its very own platform. We are of course talking about the 2010 Chevy Volt, part sports car, part green machine, all fun.
Officially unveiled at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) on January 7, 2007 in Detroit, Michigan, the new Volt represents one of the first hybrid coupes to market. It was designed to meet the needs of most everyday commuters by providing electric power for up to 40 miles based off of its battery charge. In between the hybrid power and the internal combustion engines, the Volt is said to be able to travel 640 miles on a full charge. Perhaps most importantly, the Volt has been designed with the everyday user in mind.
With a price point around $30-40k, the Volt can fit the budgets of most middle class families looking to break the mold. Plus, based on a secret source, Bloomberg revealed in August '07 that first year production will yield 60,000 Volts. That number is nearly triple the amount of Prius that were made available to consumer post launch. A move that led to waiting lists, purchases over sticker price and a variety of other hype on Toyota's behalf.
One of the other reasons the Volt represents a large step forward for American automakers is the unique E-Flex system. This new platform from Chevy will ultimately allow for deployment across a variety of Chevy hybrids in the future and lies at the core of its success. The design combines a small electric motor with a lithium ion battery for the electric component while the gas engines is based on a small 1 liter engine to do the work at higher speeds. The combined package creates an engine with a peak output of 160 horsepower. Despite this low hp rating, electric engines accelerate far faster than combustion engines as displayed with the Tesla Roadster which goes from 0-60 in under four seconds according to their site.
In addition to a new platform, new technology and a reasonable price, the Chevy Volt and other cars that rely heavily on electronic propulsion require less maintenance:
* Filters need less changing due to decreased need for air filtration
* Brakes need less changing due to friction breaking
* Less moving parts equals lower probability of engines malfunctions
* Reduced oil changes/engine maintenance to reliance of electric technology
Facts in hand, take a minute to think about your next purchase and why a Chevy Volt may be the right car for you.
Learn about the chevy volt here http://www.chevy-volt.net
About the Author
Average car guy, lover of all things tech, all things Italian and all things IKEA.
Perhaps more important than any of the strides forward to date will be the 2010 launch of a brand new hybrid on its very own platform. We are of course talking about the 2010 Chevy Volt, part sports car, part green machine, all fun.
Officially unveiled at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) on January 7, 2007 in Detroit, Michigan, the new Volt represents one of the first hybrid coupes to market. It was designed to meet the needs of most everyday commuters by providing electric power for up to 40 miles based off of its battery charge. In between the hybrid power and the internal combustion engines, the Volt is said to be able to travel 640 miles on a full charge. Perhaps most importantly, the Volt has been designed with the everyday user in mind.
With a price point around $30-40k, the Volt can fit the budgets of most middle class families looking to break the mold. Plus, based on a secret source, Bloomberg revealed in August '07 that first year production will yield 60,000 Volts. That number is nearly triple the amount of Prius that were made available to consumer post launch. A move that led to waiting lists, purchases over sticker price and a variety of other hype on Toyota's behalf.
One of the other reasons the Volt represents a large step forward for American automakers is the unique E-Flex system. This new platform from Chevy will ultimately allow for deployment across a variety of Chevy hybrids in the future and lies at the core of its success. The design combines a small electric motor with a lithium ion battery for the electric component while the gas engines is based on a small 1 liter engine to do the work at higher speeds. The combined package creates an engine with a peak output of 160 horsepower. Despite this low hp rating, electric engines accelerate far faster than combustion engines as displayed with the Tesla Roadster which goes from 0-60 in under four seconds according to their site.
In addition to a new platform, new technology and a reasonable price, the Chevy Volt and other cars that rely heavily on electronic propulsion require less maintenance:
* Filters need less changing due to decreased need for air filtration
* Brakes need less changing due to friction breaking
* Less moving parts equals lower probability of engines malfunctions
* Reduced oil changes/engine maintenance to reliance of electric technology
Facts in hand, take a minute to think about your next purchase and why a Chevy Volt may be the right car for you.
Learn about the chevy volt here http://www.chevy-volt.net
About the Author
Average car guy, lover of all things tech, all things Italian and all things IKEA.
Diesel Demand To Increase
With the increasing demand for green vehicles, American and Japanese automakers have been developing gas-electric hybrid vehicles. European automakers on the other hand like Volkswagen, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz have been developing cleaner diesel engines. These automakers can expect a big boost in demand according to a report published by J.D. Power and Associates.
The Auto Channel reported that the demand for light vehicle equipped with diesel engines is expected to increase in Eastern Europe, Asia, and North America. According to the report, the demand in those regions is expected outpace the demand in Western Europe. The research projects the early part of the next decade before the demand in the three regions surpass the demand in Western Europe.
Al Bedwell, senior manager at J.D. Power Automotive Forecasting said that Western Europe is the most important market for diesel vehicles today. "In the short term, it will continue to be Europe - primarily Western Europe - that will provide almost one-half of the growth in demand for diesel light vehicles globally," said Bedwell.
"While this remains a very significant portion, it is worth bearing in mind that average growth in Europe during the past four years was 62 percent. We are now entering a period when Europe will become less critical as a driver of growth in global diesel light-vehicle demand. In terms of absolute demand, however, Europe will still remain the most dominant region throughout the next decade," he continued.
In the past, diesel vehicles have been shunned in North America. The diesel engines of the 70s ruined the reputation of diesel engines in general. With its loud operating noise, and black soot for emission, Americans have stayed away from diesel engines. But with diesel significantly less expensive than gasoline and cleaner diesel engine now available, Americans are expected to change their view of these engines which can work will with standard auto parts like Nissan 240Z radiators.
The report by J.D. Power and Associates said that major automakers are already planning of mass producing diesel powered vehicles in the United States. Volkswagen is the leading European car manufacturers when it comes to promoting the use and advantages of new generation diesel engines. Audi is also helping the cause with its diesel powered race car which has competed and will again compete at the American Le Mans Series.
In Asia, the report stated that China and Japan, the two biggest Asian auto markets only has limited diesel powered cars offered. With more powerful and more fuel efficient diesel engines, it can be expected that said engines will be offered in the Chinese and Japanese auto markets.
About the Author
Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.
The Auto Channel reported that the demand for light vehicle equipped with diesel engines is expected to increase in Eastern Europe, Asia, and North America. According to the report, the demand in those regions is expected outpace the demand in Western Europe. The research projects the early part of the next decade before the demand in the three regions surpass the demand in Western Europe.
Al Bedwell, senior manager at J.D. Power Automotive Forecasting said that Western Europe is the most important market for diesel vehicles today. "In the short term, it will continue to be Europe - primarily Western Europe - that will provide almost one-half of the growth in demand for diesel light vehicles globally," said Bedwell.
"While this remains a very significant portion, it is worth bearing in mind that average growth in Europe during the past four years was 62 percent. We are now entering a period when Europe will become less critical as a driver of growth in global diesel light-vehicle demand. In terms of absolute demand, however, Europe will still remain the most dominant region throughout the next decade," he continued.
In the past, diesel vehicles have been shunned in North America. The diesel engines of the 70s ruined the reputation of diesel engines in general. With its loud operating noise, and black soot for emission, Americans have stayed away from diesel engines. But with diesel significantly less expensive than gasoline and cleaner diesel engine now available, Americans are expected to change their view of these engines which can work will with standard auto parts like Nissan 240Z radiators.
The report by J.D. Power and Associates said that major automakers are already planning of mass producing diesel powered vehicles in the United States. Volkswagen is the leading European car manufacturers when it comes to promoting the use and advantages of new generation diesel engines. Audi is also helping the cause with its diesel powered race car which has competed and will again compete at the American Le Mans Series.
In Asia, the report stated that China and Japan, the two biggest Asian auto markets only has limited diesel powered cars offered. With more powerful and more fuel efficient diesel engines, it can be expected that said engines will be offered in the Chinese and Japanese auto markets.
About the Author
Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.
Setting Up A Taxi Service In New York
Starting your own taxi or private vehicle rental firm, is by no means a quite tough task, as there are a lot of regulations and guidelines to follow in operating and running this type of transport business, and the rules may differ with each state or city.
In the city of New York , the famous taxicabs, with their distinctive yellow paint, are a world-renowned social icon. These taxicabs are operated by private companies and are licensed by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission.
New York's Taxi And Limousine Commission
Considering that the city of New York is a very large metro area, there has to be a viable, and tough regulatory agency to handle the city's really large transport sector. The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) was established in 1971, and was given jurisdiction over the city's medallion (yellow) taxicabs, livery cabs, "black cars", commuter vans, and some luxury limousines.
The TLC was organized to deal with the growing number of drivers, as well as to address issues that are vital to the well-being of the taxi and livery industries. The taxi commission was formerly known as the New York City Hack Bureau, and it operated under the control of the New York City Police Department.
New,Eco-Friendly Trends In NYC's Taxis
New York city recently introduced new regulations, and offered new incentives as well, to replace its current yellow cabs with electric hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius and Ford Escape Hybrid.
In the spring of 2007, Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed a five-year plan to make the city's taxicabs switch to more fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles as part of a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Around 90% of New York's 13,000 yellow cabs are Ford Crown Victoria types. This proposal will help to reduce greenhouse gas emission equal to removing 32,000 private cars from the road
Taxi Fares In The Big Apple
Taxi fares in New York City, as of 2006, have been pegged at $2.50 ($3.00 after 8:00 p.m., and $3.50 during the peak weekday hours of 4:00â€"8:00 p.m., and the increments are based on the distance traveled and time spent in slow traffic. The passenger also has to pay the fare whenever a cab is driven through a toll.
The city's cab drivers are not allowed to use cell phones while ferrying passengers, even if they use a hands-free headset. It is estimated that around 241 million passengers rode in New York taxis in 1999, and the average cab fare in 2000 was $6.
How To Start An NYC Taxi Service
Starting a taxi service is not as easy as it may seem. For starters, there are a lot of important steps that need to be thoroughly followed, to guarantee you will be able to properly operate such a business. The first step towards running a taxi business, Is to acquire a license to drive a taxi. This process begins at the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the department issues a particular license to drive this types of vehicles.
Next, find out how the city regulates the taxi industry. The only way to find out is to make a visit to city hall and ask this question. By asking this, you will probably come away with a great deal of information regarding this service.
Third, verify who licenses the taxi firms. New York requires the units to have a medallion located on the outside of the car. You also need to get in touch with someone from the Department of Transportation, as they will be able to assist you with this concern.
Once you've talked to the ones concerned, and fill in the appropriate forms and get the permits, you're ready to roll out and ready to join the rat race. The city's streets may look like they're eternally clogged, however, with some deft maneuvering and good management, you'll find out that operating a taxi service here is worth the hassles associated with the Big Apple.
Vanessa Arellano Doctor
Miami Limousine
About the Author
Miami Limousine Airport Transportation
In the city of New York , the famous taxicabs, with their distinctive yellow paint, are a world-renowned social icon. These taxicabs are operated by private companies and are licensed by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission.
New York's Taxi And Limousine Commission
Considering that the city of New York is a very large metro area, there has to be a viable, and tough regulatory agency to handle the city's really large transport sector. The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) was established in 1971, and was given jurisdiction over the city's medallion (yellow) taxicabs, livery cabs, "black cars", commuter vans, and some luxury limousines.
The TLC was organized to deal with the growing number of drivers, as well as to address issues that are vital to the well-being of the taxi and livery industries. The taxi commission was formerly known as the New York City Hack Bureau, and it operated under the control of the New York City Police Department.
New,Eco-Friendly Trends In NYC's Taxis
New York city recently introduced new regulations, and offered new incentives as well, to replace its current yellow cabs with electric hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius and Ford Escape Hybrid.
In the spring of 2007, Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed a five-year plan to make the city's taxicabs switch to more fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles as part of a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Around 90% of New York's 13,000 yellow cabs are Ford Crown Victoria types. This proposal will help to reduce greenhouse gas emission equal to removing 32,000 private cars from the road
Taxi Fares In The Big Apple
Taxi fares in New York City, as of 2006, have been pegged at $2.50 ($3.00 after 8:00 p.m., and $3.50 during the peak weekday hours of 4:00â€"8:00 p.m., and the increments are based on the distance traveled and time spent in slow traffic. The passenger also has to pay the fare whenever a cab is driven through a toll.
The city's cab drivers are not allowed to use cell phones while ferrying passengers, even if they use a hands-free headset. It is estimated that around 241 million passengers rode in New York taxis in 1999, and the average cab fare in 2000 was $6.
How To Start An NYC Taxi Service
Starting a taxi service is not as easy as it may seem. For starters, there are a lot of important steps that need to be thoroughly followed, to guarantee you will be able to properly operate such a business. The first step towards running a taxi business, Is to acquire a license to drive a taxi. This process begins at the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the department issues a particular license to drive this types of vehicles.
Next, find out how the city regulates the taxi industry. The only way to find out is to make a visit to city hall and ask this question. By asking this, you will probably come away with a great deal of information regarding this service.
Third, verify who licenses the taxi firms. New York requires the units to have a medallion located on the outside of the car. You also need to get in touch with someone from the Department of Transportation, as they will be able to assist you with this concern.
Once you've talked to the ones concerned, and fill in the appropriate forms and get the permits, you're ready to roll out and ready to join the rat race. The city's streets may look like they're eternally clogged, however, with some deft maneuvering and good management, you'll find out that operating a taxi service here is worth the hassles associated with the Big Apple.
Vanessa Arellano Doctor
Miami Limousine
About the Author
Miami Limousine Airport Transportation
How to reduce your carbon usage?
It's the most ardent problem most environmentalists have to deal with, it's the thing on everyone's lips over the past years, but even if they all talk about it, no one really does anything concluding to assist the world's movement against global heating. The thing is that people are reluctant to any ideas that imply reducing their carbon emissions because they believe it would somehow take from them all the comforts modern life accustomed us with. And those who did research and understood they don't have to give up any commodities, are convinced they can't help because it would be too expensive. The truth is that reducing carbon usage is anything but expensive, and it can actually save you money in the long-term. To set things straight, and to convince all the hesitant readers once and for all, here are a few easy and accessible ways to reduce carbon usage for you own home. 1. Insolate your house. With a small investment you can properly isolate walls and windows from the winter cold. Cover up all leaks, look for each small hole that communicates with the outside, buy some double curtains for you windows, and install thermal isolations onto the walls. You will spend little money and you will succeed in making you home more comfortable while reducing carbon usage by more than 12%. 2. Reduce your electricity consumption. There is no need to keep lights on over night; your garden doesn't need illuminated alleys while you sleep. When you leave home, be sure to turn off all electronic appliances. Also, don't think that if you switch the lights on and off frequently they will wear out faster. Be sure to turn off the lights each time you leave a room. Buy some fluorescent light bulbs. Change that old refrigerator, coffee maker, computer and all other old electronics. They consume way too much electricity. By doing this, you will reduce your electricity bills by more than 40%. 3. Use hot water wisely. If just once a week you give up a hot bath and take a shower, and if you wash your clothes in cold water (40o C) you can help the environment by reducing the carbon emissions by a considerable 5% given the small effort. 4. How many cars do you own? Your family can live very well with just one car. Sell the oldest one because it's the one that pollutes the environment the most. Or better yet, sell both cars and add a few thousand $ to buy an environmental friendly hybrid car, they have become extremely popular and are quite competent and fuel wise. 5. Replace the furnace. That old furnace needs to go, it's inefficient and it's already showing aging signs. Replace it with a 90%+ efficient furnace and the most efficient water heater you can afford. This might be quite an investment but it will count for more that 50% of you quest for 0% carbon emissions. Also, heat bills will reduce in half and in maximum two years you will get your invested money back. Of course, there are numerous other things you can do. You can, if you have a backyard, try to grow some vegetables on your own; you could walk more and use your car less; plant a tree once in a while; stop drinking fizzy drinks and carbonated water; find a company that provides a renewable electric source like solar energy and so on. If you take only one of the steps shown above, you will see how much better your life is and I'm sure you'll be inclined to continue.
About the Author
Become Netural is a Carbon Credit Retailer who not only cares for the environment, is doing something about it. {a href=" http://www.becomeneutral.com.au"}Buy Carbon Credits today ! BN08
About the Author
Become Netural is a Carbon Credit Retailer who not only cares for the environment, is doing something about it. {a href=" http://www.becomeneutral.com.au"}Buy Carbon Credits today ! BN08
Hybrid vehicles
Cars or vehicles are the dominant modes of transportation in the contemporary world and different vehicles are powered by different resources to ensure their efficient functioning. The term hybrid cars or hybrid vehicle is used to denote a vehicle which functions with the aid of two or more power resources which are mandatory for its working. These multifarious power sources which are instrumental in its functioning include internal fuel cell or internal combustion engine, with an on-board rechargeable energy storage system also referred to as RESS. It is essential to note here that one of the prevalent demerits of any fuel run vehicle is its emission and excessive carbon emission increases pollution levels which affect not only the surrounding environment but also takes its toll on human health. Therefore, in such cases, hybrid vehicles are more often preferred as it has been revealed through extensive experimentation that the level of emission in case of hybrid vehicles is very low compared the emissions produced by traditional internal combustion engine vehicles and in the face of continually rising fuel prices, these hybrid vehicles are useful in maintaining better fuel economy. This is due to several factors. The hybrid vehicles have enormous battery storage capacity which enables them to make use of as well as store recaptured energy. Moreover, the hybrid cars are considered as extremely suitable for running on modern roads as it provides suitable conditions to run under high traffic situations. This is because the working of the diesel engine or gasoline is terminated during idle periods or traffic stops therefore preventing the unnecessary loss of fuel resources. Apart from environmental pollution, sound pollution is also a growing problem and in this case too hybrid cars have an edge over other kinds of vehicles as the level of nose emission in these cars is also quite low.
There are various kinds of hybrid vehicles. The Battery Electric Vehicles or BEVs may at times posses such batteries which can be recharged while the vehicle is in motion. The Hybrid Electric Vehicles or HEVs are the most prominent among the various hybrid vehicles and in fact the term hybrid vehicle is often used to denote merely Hybrid Electric Vehicles. These hybrid electric vehicles possess internal combustion engines, diesel engines run by various fuels or gasoline apart from possessing electric batteries to boost the electric motors. Another prominent variant of the hybrid vehicle in recent times include the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle or PHEV.
About the Author
People often will donate car to charity to help those in need.
There are various kinds of hybrid vehicles. The Battery Electric Vehicles or BEVs may at times posses such batteries which can be recharged while the vehicle is in motion. The Hybrid Electric Vehicles or HEVs are the most prominent among the various hybrid vehicles and in fact the term hybrid vehicle is often used to denote merely Hybrid Electric Vehicles. These hybrid electric vehicles possess internal combustion engines, diesel engines run by various fuels or gasoline apart from possessing electric batteries to boost the electric motors. Another prominent variant of the hybrid vehicle in recent times include the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle or PHEV.
About the Author
People often will donate car to charity to help those in need.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Water powered cars? Is it fable or fact to be able to drive a water powered car?
Review: This article examines the potential of savings of a water powered car, and advises you if the technology exists for water powered cars or not.?
The reality is, a water powered car has the capability of saving us alot of money on gasoline costs, but most water powered cars and supposed technologies up to now have been more expensive to adapt than purchasing a new hybrid vehicle
What this involves is a kit to adapt to your existing vehicle engine to give you Hydrogen-On-Demand when you need it.
Understand that this is not to suggest you should build a water powered car from the ground up to run on water and gasoline. Not at all. Instead, this means building simple mechanisms that will enable a vehicle engine to run on water as well as gasoline. Hence, the water powered car phrase. There are no significant changes to make to your vehicle. The technology can work with virtually any car or truck.
Simply put, this technology requires assembling simple to make components that utilise current out of your car's battery to divide water into a gas known as HHO (2 Hydrogen + 1 Oxygen). HHO, also known as Brown's Gas or Hydroxy, combusts perfectly providing significantly more energy to your engine.
Plus the most remarkable benefit is that HHO gas is more powerful than gas. In fact 3 times more potent than gasoline.
This can result in huge savings in gas costs for your driving habits. This may deliver you savings of as much as $897.40 yearly, depending on your driving habits. If there are two, three or four drivers in the household, this amount increments dramatically. But suppose you operate a fleet of fifty drivers in your business? This could increase your savings even more.
First things first... this isn't about operating your car on 100% water. Naturally, there is information available about running your car completely on water though the technology is not foolproof or affordable at this point.
About the Author
Click here to find out more regarding the Details pertaining to the Water Powered Car technology. This technology is reality Water Powered Cars are available ...today!
The reality is, a water powered car has the capability of saving us alot of money on gasoline costs, but most water powered cars and supposed technologies up to now have been more expensive to adapt than purchasing a new hybrid vehicle
What this involves is a kit to adapt to your existing vehicle engine to give you Hydrogen-On-Demand when you need it.
Understand that this is not to suggest you should build a water powered car from the ground up to run on water and gasoline. Not at all. Instead, this means building simple mechanisms that will enable a vehicle engine to run on water as well as gasoline. Hence, the water powered car phrase. There are no significant changes to make to your vehicle. The technology can work with virtually any car or truck.
Simply put, this technology requires assembling simple to make components that utilise current out of your car's battery to divide water into a gas known as HHO (2 Hydrogen + 1 Oxygen). HHO, also known as Brown's Gas or Hydroxy, combusts perfectly providing significantly more energy to your engine.
Plus the most remarkable benefit is that HHO gas is more powerful than gas. In fact 3 times more potent than gasoline.
This can result in huge savings in gas costs for your driving habits. This may deliver you savings of as much as $897.40 yearly, depending on your driving habits. If there are two, three or four drivers in the household, this amount increments dramatically. But suppose you operate a fleet of fifty drivers in your business? This could increase your savings even more.
First things first... this isn't about operating your car on 100% water. Naturally, there is information available about running your car completely on water though the technology is not foolproof or affordable at this point.
About the Author
Click here to find out more regarding the Details pertaining to the Water Powered Car technology. This technology is reality Water Powered Cars are available ...today!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
The All New And Improved Honda Civic Tour
The Honda Civic was introduced in July 1972 as a two-door coupe, followed by a three-door hatchback version that September. The Civic evolved from having an 1170 cc engine (1973) to having engines with larger capacities and more creature comforts (air conditioning, power windows, etc.) through the 1980s, 1990s and into the 2000s. As the Civic's reputation for quality, clever engineering and steadfast reliability continued to grow, so did the little Honda's popularity, as sales figures that topped 200,000 annually attested.
Early models of the Civic were typically outfitted with a basic AM radio, rudimentary heater, foam cushioned plastic trim, two-speed wipers, and painted steel rims with a chromed wheel nut cap. The current Civic has become much more luxurious with satellite-linked navigation, a six-speed manual transmission, power locks and power windows available. The current Civic has become much more luxurious with satellite-linked navigation, a six-speed manual transmission, power locks and power windows available. A passenger-side airbag became standard on all Civics, and antilock brakes were now optional on the EX coupe, Si hatchback and LX sedan. In the United States of America, the Civic is the second-longest continuously-running nameplate from a Japanese manufacturer; only the Toyota Corolla, introduced in 1968, has been in production longer. Although Civics are not designed to be performance cars, they have been used for racing ever since their introduction.
A neatly chiseled exterior devoid of gimmickry, an intelligent interior design with supportive seats, large gauges and high-quality fit and finish made the 1984 Civic line attractive and an immediate success. In 1986 an Si version of the Civic hatchback was introduced, featuring a pop-up glass sunroof, body colored bumpers and sedan-style disk wheel covers. The seventh generation Civic arrived as a 2001 model and the Civic Si returned for 2002. The natural gas-powered Civic GX debuted in mid-2006 continues unchanged. The 2006 Civic received the "Best Buy" award from Quatro Rodas magazine, the most prestigious car magazine in the country.
For the past seven years, the Honda Civic Tour has presented some of today's hottest music while also creating awareness of today's most pressing environmental concerns. With the transverse engine placement of its 1169 cc engine and front-wheel drive, like the British Mini, the car provided good interior space despite overall small dimensions. For the past three years the Honda Civic Tour has worked to promote environmental consciousness by giving away customized Honda Civic Hybrids to lucky fans.
This year's Honda Civic Tour is full of cool surprises for our fans. Recently, to add even more excitement to its environmental message, the Honda Civic Tour crafted an "Eco-village" as a test in Buffalo, NY, where concertgoers received a crash course in how to be a friend to Mother Nature. According to the EPA's 2005 Fuel Economy Guide, the Civic hybrid car is the leading, fuel-efficient compact car. The price for a new Civic isn't much higher than the price for a used one, and the cars will last a long time, and hold their value in the mean time.
The rest of the Americas receive the North American-market Civic sedan and coupe in some countries
About the Author
Jim Harris is President of Elite Search Engine Marketing specializing in Search Engine Optimization. Let us show you we can efficiently and affordably administer a quality search engine marketing campaign for you as we have for Dover Honda.
Early models of the Civic were typically outfitted with a basic AM radio, rudimentary heater, foam cushioned plastic trim, two-speed wipers, and painted steel rims with a chromed wheel nut cap. The current Civic has become much more luxurious with satellite-linked navigation, a six-speed manual transmission, power locks and power windows available. The current Civic has become much more luxurious with satellite-linked navigation, a six-speed manual transmission, power locks and power windows available. A passenger-side airbag became standard on all Civics, and antilock brakes were now optional on the EX coupe, Si hatchback and LX sedan. In the United States of America, the Civic is the second-longest continuously-running nameplate from a Japanese manufacturer; only the Toyota Corolla, introduced in 1968, has been in production longer. Although Civics are not designed to be performance cars, they have been used for racing ever since their introduction.
A neatly chiseled exterior devoid of gimmickry, an intelligent interior design with supportive seats, large gauges and high-quality fit and finish made the 1984 Civic line attractive and an immediate success. In 1986 an Si version of the Civic hatchback was introduced, featuring a pop-up glass sunroof, body colored bumpers and sedan-style disk wheel covers. The seventh generation Civic arrived as a 2001 model and the Civic Si returned for 2002. The natural gas-powered Civic GX debuted in mid-2006 continues unchanged. The 2006 Civic received the "Best Buy" award from Quatro Rodas magazine, the most prestigious car magazine in the country.
For the past seven years, the Honda Civic Tour has presented some of today's hottest music while also creating awareness of today's most pressing environmental concerns. With the transverse engine placement of its 1169 cc engine and front-wheel drive, like the British Mini, the car provided good interior space despite overall small dimensions. For the past three years the Honda Civic Tour has worked to promote environmental consciousness by giving away customized Honda Civic Hybrids to lucky fans.
This year's Honda Civic Tour is full of cool surprises for our fans. Recently, to add even more excitement to its environmental message, the Honda Civic Tour crafted an "Eco-village" as a test in Buffalo, NY, where concertgoers received a crash course in how to be a friend to Mother Nature. According to the EPA's 2005 Fuel Economy Guide, the Civic hybrid car is the leading, fuel-efficient compact car. The price for a new Civic isn't much higher than the price for a used one, and the cars will last a long time, and hold their value in the mean time.
The rest of the Americas receive the North American-market Civic sedan and coupe in some countries
About the Author
Jim Harris is President of Elite Search Engine Marketing specializing in Search Engine Optimization. Let us show you we can efficiently and affordably administer a quality search engine marketing campaign for you as we have for Dover Honda.
The Evolution Of The Honda Accord
The first generation Honda Accord was launched in 1976 as a two-door hatchback with 68 horsepower (51 kW), a 93. Honda chose the name Accord, reflecting "Honda's desire for accord and harmony between people, society and the automobile. It has achieved considerable success, especially in the USA, where it was the best-selling Japanese car for 15 years (1982-97), and became the first Japanese-branded vehicle to be manufactured in the US. The Accord became the first Japanese car to be produced in the US in 1982, when production commenced in Marysville, Ohio at Marysville Auto Plant where cars were produced and exported back to Japan. The Honda Accord has been sold in most automotive markets throughout the world. The European Honda Accord, also made in Sweden, became very different from its cousins in terms of styling, and was also shorter than the JDM and USDM Accords.
The Car
The Accord was originally planned to be a V6-powered car with a long hood and sporty pretensions. Vastly improved quality control, however, made this one of the most reliable cars on the US market, a position it still holds today. This was one of the first US production cars to feature optic reflectors with completely clear lenses on the headlamps replacing the more conventional sealed beam styled lighting. A little-known fact about the 1998 Accord was that it was assembled in New Zealand at the very end of overall New Zealand CKD car production (due to changes in tariffs for car importation in that country). Now a vastly different car to the worldwide Accord, the North American model grew larger still, gaining more interior room and weight than its international counterpart. The American Accord was only available in sedan and coupe form, becoming the largest Accord to date
The Next Generation
For the first time, Honda offered an "enthusiast" version of the Accord in the US, adding a sports suspension and mating the 6-speed manual transmission from the Acura CL to the V6 Honda Accord Coupe. Modernizing both the interior and exterior, the second generation Accord was mechanically very similar to the original, using the same 75 hp (56 kW), 1751 cc EK1 CVCC engine. Honda introduced the Insight, America's first hybrid vehicle still the fuel economy leader, in December 1999. Honda then took hybrid technology into the mainstream with the introduction of the Civic Hybrid in March 2002.
The 2006 Honda Accord Hybrid, in only its second model year received a number of improvements including exterior updates to further differentiate the Accord Hybrid from other Accord Models. Honda presented to the world the exciting Accord Tourer Concept and the new generation of Honda diesel engines, i-DTEC at the 2007 Frankfurt motor show. In 2008 the Honda Accord was completely redesigned, boasting more power and passenger space. In real-world use, however, the car's fuel economy was disappointing and people balked at its higher price.
In Conclusion
In reviews, it has been found that the latest Honda Accord continues to excel as a family sedan or midsize coupe. Consumers interested in a Honda Accord but limited to a smaller budget could also check out the fourth-generation Accord, which was available starting in 1990. However, the Accord has matured into a larger car now approaching the likes of the Ford Taurus, but is still given "compact" status. Honda sold the North American Accord in a few other markets including Asian (now made in Thailand), Middle Eastern, Caribbean, Australian and New Zealand markets with mixed results.
When examined from a holistic standpoint, it's easy to see why this Honda car has become an automotive icon and one of our editors' top recommendations.
About the Author
Jim Harris is President of Elite Search Engine Marketing specializing in Search Engine Optimization. Let us show you we can efficiently and affordably administer a quality search engine marketing campaign for you as we have for Willis Honda.
The Car
The Accord was originally planned to be a V6-powered car with a long hood and sporty pretensions. Vastly improved quality control, however, made this one of the most reliable cars on the US market, a position it still holds today. This was one of the first US production cars to feature optic reflectors with completely clear lenses on the headlamps replacing the more conventional sealed beam styled lighting. A little-known fact about the 1998 Accord was that it was assembled in New Zealand at the very end of overall New Zealand CKD car production (due to changes in tariffs for car importation in that country). Now a vastly different car to the worldwide Accord, the North American model grew larger still, gaining more interior room and weight than its international counterpart. The American Accord was only available in sedan and coupe form, becoming the largest Accord to date
The Next Generation
For the first time, Honda offered an "enthusiast" version of the Accord in the US, adding a sports suspension and mating the 6-speed manual transmission from the Acura CL to the V6 Honda Accord Coupe. Modernizing both the interior and exterior, the second generation Accord was mechanically very similar to the original, using the same 75 hp (56 kW), 1751 cc EK1 CVCC engine. Honda introduced the Insight, America's first hybrid vehicle still the fuel economy leader, in December 1999. Honda then took hybrid technology into the mainstream with the introduction of the Civic Hybrid in March 2002.
The 2006 Honda Accord Hybrid, in only its second model year received a number of improvements including exterior updates to further differentiate the Accord Hybrid from other Accord Models. Honda presented to the world the exciting Accord Tourer Concept and the new generation of Honda diesel engines, i-DTEC at the 2007 Frankfurt motor show. In 2008 the Honda Accord was completely redesigned, boasting more power and passenger space. In real-world use, however, the car's fuel economy was disappointing and people balked at its higher price.
In Conclusion
In reviews, it has been found that the latest Honda Accord continues to excel as a family sedan or midsize coupe. Consumers interested in a Honda Accord but limited to a smaller budget could also check out the fourth-generation Accord, which was available starting in 1990. However, the Accord has matured into a larger car now approaching the likes of the Ford Taurus, but is still given "compact" status. Honda sold the North American Accord in a few other markets including Asian (now made in Thailand), Middle Eastern, Caribbean, Australian and New Zealand markets with mixed results.
When examined from a holistic standpoint, it's easy to see why this Honda car has become an automotive icon and one of our editors' top recommendations.
About the Author
Jim Harris is President of Elite Search Engine Marketing specializing in Search Engine Optimization. Let us show you we can efficiently and affordably administer a quality search engine marketing campaign for you as we have for Willis Honda.
The petrol vs diesel debate
It's not easy being a motorist these days. In the past, you just hopped in the car, filled up and made your journey without thinking about it too much. However, with the growing threat of climate change, we now have to worry about the impact of our road use on the environment, as well as on our pockets.
Many people are considering how they can reduce their car's emissions whilst also getting cheap car insurance and saving money on fuel. Some may start taking public transport or walking short distances instead of driving, whilst others may alter their driving behaviour so their car performs more efficiently.
However, there is one thing which motorists must also consider if they want to reduce the impact their driving is having on the world. This is their choice of car. It is probably unreasonable to ask drivers to change their car purely on the basis of the environment, as it is a major change which could have some financial implications. However, as drivers change their car every two years on average, it is likely that many people will be considering what next to get anyway.
One of the major decisions that the eco-concerned motorist has to think about when buying a new car is what type of fuel the engine should run on. Currently, diesels make up around a quarter of all new cars sold while vehicles with petrol account for the vast majority of the rest, with hybrids and alternative fuel cars making up a tiny percentage.
The major choice, therefore, is petrol or diesel? In years gone by, diesel engines had a reputation for being smelly and slow, but this is now not the case. They now perform almost on a par with petrol engines, although some motoring enthusiasts will make a case for petrol still being a little better. For your average driver, though, the difference in performance will not be too much of a concern.
There are significant differences between the kind of emissions which are produced by diesel and petrol engines. When the carbon dioxide emissions of all diesel and petrol cars were averaged out, the CO2 production of diesels came out at 169g/km, whilst the rate of CO2 emissions for 'petrols' was significantly more at 214g/km.
However, despite the massive publicity over how CO2 emissions relate to climate change, the situation isn't quite that simple. Cars give off a number of noxious emissions which all have a damaging effect on the environment â€" and possibly on us too. For example, diesel gives off higher levels of nitrous oxide and particulate matter, whilst burning petrol releases much more carbon monoxide.
Fortunately, diesels can be fitted with Diesel Particulate Filters which vastly reduce the level of particulate matter which is being emitted without affecting performance. As these are not yet mandatory in new diesel cars, anyone interested in getting one fitted should speak to their dealer. However, the filter will not have any effect on the levels of nitrous oxide given off by a diesel engine.
The amount of emissions released by a car is in part dependent on the fuel efficiency of that vehicle. It follows that cars which burn fuel more efficiently will also emit less as they use less fuel to run. Whilst this is good for the environment, it is also desirable because it will reduce the amount you spend on fuel.
Generally speaking, cars which run on diesel are much more efficient than those that use petrol. A small hatchback running on diesel can get as much as 65mpg, whilst an identical car running on petrol will get just 45mpg. Similarly, a medium-sized family car powered by a diesel engine will get 50mpg compared to 35mpg for a petrol equivalent. It is estimated that this will save around £250 to £300 for every 10,000 miles driven.
So if diesels generally produce fewer CO2 emissions and have lower fuel costs, why is it that petrol cars still make up the majority of vehicles sold? Well, many people find petrol cars an attractive prospect because they cost significantly less to buy â€" more than the savings that they would make from better fuel efficiency. However, it is worth bearing in mind that diesels tend to hold their value better so sell for more on the used car market.
Although the choice of fuel doesn't make a difference when it comes to finding a cheap car insurance deal, people who drive petrol cars may find that they make additional savings on servicing. Diesels tend to have shorter servicing intervals and the cost of replacement parts is higher than those for petrol cars.
As can be seen from this debate, the choice between diesel and petrol can be difficult to make and many motorists may find themselves caught between the two. However, for those who want to go the extra mile for the environment â€" and possibly for their pocket too â€" it may be worth considering hybrid or alternative fuel cars.
Although there is a rather limited range of hybrids at present, it is likely that the range will grow dramatically in the coming months and years. On top of this, many diesels can be converted quite easily to accept biodiesel and other alternative fuels. Motor insurance companies are already offering cheap car insurance quotes to those who have hybrids or alternatively fuelled cars, and owners of these cars may also qualify for cheaper road tax.
About the Author
Duck2water Car Insurance Services are experts in cheap car insurance and can provide fast, free quotes in a matter of seconds - just go to www.duck2watercarinsurance.co.uk
Many people are considering how they can reduce their car's emissions whilst also getting cheap car insurance and saving money on fuel. Some may start taking public transport or walking short distances instead of driving, whilst others may alter their driving behaviour so their car performs more efficiently.
However, there is one thing which motorists must also consider if they want to reduce the impact their driving is having on the world. This is their choice of car. It is probably unreasonable to ask drivers to change their car purely on the basis of the environment, as it is a major change which could have some financial implications. However, as drivers change their car every two years on average, it is likely that many people will be considering what next to get anyway.
One of the major decisions that the eco-concerned motorist has to think about when buying a new car is what type of fuel the engine should run on. Currently, diesels make up around a quarter of all new cars sold while vehicles with petrol account for the vast majority of the rest, with hybrids and alternative fuel cars making up a tiny percentage.
The major choice, therefore, is petrol or diesel? In years gone by, diesel engines had a reputation for being smelly and slow, but this is now not the case. They now perform almost on a par with petrol engines, although some motoring enthusiasts will make a case for petrol still being a little better. For your average driver, though, the difference in performance will not be too much of a concern.
There are significant differences between the kind of emissions which are produced by diesel and petrol engines. When the carbon dioxide emissions of all diesel and petrol cars were averaged out, the CO2 production of diesels came out at 169g/km, whilst the rate of CO2 emissions for 'petrols' was significantly more at 214g/km.
However, despite the massive publicity over how CO2 emissions relate to climate change, the situation isn't quite that simple. Cars give off a number of noxious emissions which all have a damaging effect on the environment â€" and possibly on us too. For example, diesel gives off higher levels of nitrous oxide and particulate matter, whilst burning petrol releases much more carbon monoxide.
Fortunately, diesels can be fitted with Diesel Particulate Filters which vastly reduce the level of particulate matter which is being emitted without affecting performance. As these are not yet mandatory in new diesel cars, anyone interested in getting one fitted should speak to their dealer. However, the filter will not have any effect on the levels of nitrous oxide given off by a diesel engine.
The amount of emissions released by a car is in part dependent on the fuel efficiency of that vehicle. It follows that cars which burn fuel more efficiently will also emit less as they use less fuel to run. Whilst this is good for the environment, it is also desirable because it will reduce the amount you spend on fuel.
Generally speaking, cars which run on diesel are much more efficient than those that use petrol. A small hatchback running on diesel can get as much as 65mpg, whilst an identical car running on petrol will get just 45mpg. Similarly, a medium-sized family car powered by a diesel engine will get 50mpg compared to 35mpg for a petrol equivalent. It is estimated that this will save around £250 to £300 for every 10,000 miles driven.
So if diesels generally produce fewer CO2 emissions and have lower fuel costs, why is it that petrol cars still make up the majority of vehicles sold? Well, many people find petrol cars an attractive prospect because they cost significantly less to buy â€" more than the savings that they would make from better fuel efficiency. However, it is worth bearing in mind that diesels tend to hold their value better so sell for more on the used car market.
Although the choice of fuel doesn't make a difference when it comes to finding a cheap car insurance deal, people who drive petrol cars may find that they make additional savings on servicing. Diesels tend to have shorter servicing intervals and the cost of replacement parts is higher than those for petrol cars.
As can be seen from this debate, the choice between diesel and petrol can be difficult to make and many motorists may find themselves caught between the two. However, for those who want to go the extra mile for the environment â€" and possibly for their pocket too â€" it may be worth considering hybrid or alternative fuel cars.
Although there is a rather limited range of hybrids at present, it is likely that the range will grow dramatically in the coming months and years. On top of this, many diesels can be converted quite easily to accept biodiesel and other alternative fuels. Motor insurance companies are already offering cheap car insurance quotes to those who have hybrids or alternatively fuelled cars, and owners of these cars may also qualify for cheaper road tax.
About the Author
Duck2water Car Insurance Services are experts in cheap car insurance and can provide fast, free quotes in a matter of seconds - just go to www.duck2watercarinsurance.co.uk
Hybrid Minivan Availability In The Marketplace
With all the styles of cars coming out in hybrid versions, choices in hybrid minivan are still in short supply. One has to wonder why the automakers are focused on making sedans, SUVs and the like, but not minivans. These modern versions of the old station wagons are a practical mainstay for growing families, with their storage space and ample seating options.
Toyota was rumored to be releasing a hybrid version of its Sienna minivan in 2008, but it does not seem to be available yet. They have released a hybrid Estima, a smaller minivan than the Sienna, in Japan only. In fact, they made the first Estima hybrid way back in 2001, then completely redesigned it in 2007. Hopefully one of these vehicles will hit the North American market within a few years.
The Estima available in Japan has seating for eight passengers, and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 8 seconds. It is reported to be comfortable and have roomy storage, as well as being a reliable vehicle. The newer ones have a high output, high efficiency, four-cylinder, 2.4 liter engine.
Toyota has led the way in hybrid vehicles, with the Prius car being the most economical hybrid vehicle available in North America. They also have the Camry, a bit roomier car, and the Highlander, a sport utility vehicle, available in hybrid.
So as of right now, the US minivan buyer has a choice between an economical non-hybrid minivan or a small SUV. The best gas mileage you can get with a minivan is the Mazda 5, which has a rating of 22 mpg in the city and 28 miles per gallon for highway driving. These figures are for the model with standard 5-speed manual transmission and a four cylinder engine. Prices start at $17,995 for this six passenger family vehicle.
Contrast that to the Ford Escape Hybrid, which seats five, but gets 34 miles to the gallon in the city and 30 on the highway. If you do mostly highway driving, you could get by just about as well with the non-hybrid Mazda. Of course, there may be tax incentives for buying a hybrid, but the starting price is a lot more, at about $26,000. Learn more at http://www.gasmileageimprove.com
Hybrids are tempting, but remember that they really are more helpful for those who live in the city than for those who live in the country, at least for the time being. Country families are still better off with a small minivan like the Mazda 5. Almost all other minivans get about 16 miles to the gallon in town and 23 miles to the gallon on the highway. Other flex fuel minivans are available that can burn ethanol. Among these is the Chevy Uplander.
It seems amazing that of all classes of vehicle, minivans are the last to emerge on the North American scene as hybrids. Hopefully the automakers will get on the ball and provide the hybrid minivans that everyone is waiting for before much longer.
About the Author
Read more about hybrid vehicle options including buying a Hybrid Electric Car, Hybrid comparisons and gas mileage savings at http://www.gasmileageimprove.com
Toyota was rumored to be releasing a hybrid version of its Sienna minivan in 2008, but it does not seem to be available yet. They have released a hybrid Estima, a smaller minivan than the Sienna, in Japan only. In fact, they made the first Estima hybrid way back in 2001, then completely redesigned it in 2007. Hopefully one of these vehicles will hit the North American market within a few years.
The Estima available in Japan has seating for eight passengers, and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 8 seconds. It is reported to be comfortable and have roomy storage, as well as being a reliable vehicle. The newer ones have a high output, high efficiency, four-cylinder, 2.4 liter engine.
Toyota has led the way in hybrid vehicles, with the Prius car being the most economical hybrid vehicle available in North America. They also have the Camry, a bit roomier car, and the Highlander, a sport utility vehicle, available in hybrid.
So as of right now, the US minivan buyer has a choice between an economical non-hybrid minivan or a small SUV. The best gas mileage you can get with a minivan is the Mazda 5, which has a rating of 22 mpg in the city and 28 miles per gallon for highway driving. These figures are for the model with standard 5-speed manual transmission and a four cylinder engine. Prices start at $17,995 for this six passenger family vehicle.
Contrast that to the Ford Escape Hybrid, which seats five, but gets 34 miles to the gallon in the city and 30 on the highway. If you do mostly highway driving, you could get by just about as well with the non-hybrid Mazda. Of course, there may be tax incentives for buying a hybrid, but the starting price is a lot more, at about $26,000. Learn more at http://www.gasmileageimprove.com
Hybrids are tempting, but remember that they really are more helpful for those who live in the city than for those who live in the country, at least for the time being. Country families are still better off with a small minivan like the Mazda 5. Almost all other minivans get about 16 miles to the gallon in town and 23 miles to the gallon on the highway. Other flex fuel minivans are available that can burn ethanol. Among these is the Chevy Uplander.
It seems amazing that of all classes of vehicle, minivans are the last to emerge on the North American scene as hybrids. Hopefully the automakers will get on the ball and provide the hybrid minivans that everyone is waiting for before much longer.
About the Author
Read more about hybrid vehicle options including buying a Hybrid Electric Car, Hybrid comparisons and gas mileage savings at http://www.gasmileageimprove.com
Preparing For Future Gas Prices
When you look at history for any type of pricing structure, you can always see that there's a particular pattern. Whether its food or gas, the price tends to increase due to inflation and other factors including supply and demand. As you've probably realized by now, the gas sector has taken a huge hit raising its prices over the past five years.
Whether you like it or not, high gas prices are here to stay and the government doesn't want to do anything about it. Every time you hear a project where someone runs a car on water, you'll wait a few months and the project and you'll never hear about the person again. While car companies like Honda and Toyota are trying to create more fuel efficient vehicles, it's important that you prepare for the future gas prices.
Save your money
If you don't like paying the gas prices you're paying now, you should seriously look into purchasing a hybrid vehicle. Sure, the prices for these cars were expensive when they first came out but like anything, the prices will drop over the years. In the next five to ten years, you should expect a big drop in the hybrid market price. If you start to save a little bit of money right now, your gas tank will thank you in the future.
Research your cars
If you already have some money and you're ready to purchase the gas efficient car, it's important that you make the necessary research stages to these cars. A car and home will be one of your biggest purchases in life and you don't want to go out and just make a purchase like you do at the grocery store.
Make sure that you go around and ask friends and families to see what kind of cars have treated them right over the years. If you tend to go into a dealer, they are going to bias toward their product and you're not going to get a honest review. Another great place to get your information is on the internet but be aware, a lot of the times, you will find that most reviews online are negative.
Change your driving habits
If you don't have any intentions on purchasing a car in the next few years and you just want to stick to what you have now, make sure that you're driving efficiently. If you haven't heard by now, you're driving habits can control how much gas you burn. Technically, the faster you drive the more gas you're going to burn.
If you're driving habits is already gas efficient, you can always look into joining a car pool at work or you could join a ride share program. These types of programs can save you hundreds per year.
Gas prices aren't going down in the future and it's important that if you want to save money you follow a few of these steps. There are tons of ways to save money on gas. A lot of them come to down to what you buy for a car and how you drive. It's your responsibility to take action so that you're driving habits are more environmentally friendly.
About the Author
Tom Tessin runs FINDgascards.com that focuses on you saving on gas with gas credit cards.
Whether you like it or not, high gas prices are here to stay and the government doesn't want to do anything about it. Every time you hear a project where someone runs a car on water, you'll wait a few months and the project and you'll never hear about the person again. While car companies like Honda and Toyota are trying to create more fuel efficient vehicles, it's important that you prepare for the future gas prices.
Save your money
If you don't like paying the gas prices you're paying now, you should seriously look into purchasing a hybrid vehicle. Sure, the prices for these cars were expensive when they first came out but like anything, the prices will drop over the years. In the next five to ten years, you should expect a big drop in the hybrid market price. If you start to save a little bit of money right now, your gas tank will thank you in the future.
Research your cars
If you already have some money and you're ready to purchase the gas efficient car, it's important that you make the necessary research stages to these cars. A car and home will be one of your biggest purchases in life and you don't want to go out and just make a purchase like you do at the grocery store.
Make sure that you go around and ask friends and families to see what kind of cars have treated them right over the years. If you tend to go into a dealer, they are going to bias toward their product and you're not going to get a honest review. Another great place to get your information is on the internet but be aware, a lot of the times, you will find that most reviews online are negative.
Change your driving habits
If you don't have any intentions on purchasing a car in the next few years and you just want to stick to what you have now, make sure that you're driving efficiently. If you haven't heard by now, you're driving habits can control how much gas you burn. Technically, the faster you drive the more gas you're going to burn.
If you're driving habits is already gas efficient, you can always look into joining a car pool at work or you could join a ride share program. These types of programs can save you hundreds per year.
Gas prices aren't going down in the future and it's important that if you want to save money you follow a few of these steps. There are tons of ways to save money on gas. A lot of them come to down to what you buy for a car and how you drive. It's your responsibility to take action so that you're driving habits are more environmentally friendly.
About the Author
Tom Tessin runs FINDgascards.com that focuses on you saving on gas with gas credit cards.
Think "Green" When You Buy a Used Car
Are there something called green used cars? You might think that terms like "automobile" and "environmentalism" are naturally opposing. You may be right, but most of us need cars in order to subsist in our society and a suitable environment within which we can subsist. So how do we find a way to go subsist in both? Probably that old term "moderation" or in Western society terms, we go green and work together for solutions.
Cars emit things that attack the suitability of our environment for our subsistence. We know this because people hit us over the head with this fact daily. The cars have such harmful gases to emit as carbon dioxide and ozone. One car does little harm, but a billion or so cars has proven to be quite devastating. Then, just imagine what happens to landfills when those billion cars obsolesce or get in accidents.
Thanks to consumer demand for green cars, manufacturers are trying to find less toxic emission solutions. In some places, cars use fuels other than gasoline and diesel. Smaller car models have also helped cut down on how much fuel must be burned and how many materials are used. Just making the cars more durable can help on the materials front.
Go Green Car Tips
1. Don't be lame unless you've got a good excuse. Some people actually drive their car distances of only a block or two. Walking a couple of extra blocks a day could do wonders for the people of nations struggling with obesity issues. Besides, the human body burns fuel much more efficiently than cars do. Take a walk. Ride a bike. Skate. And, please don't sit in your car idling waiting for the parking spot right in front of the door when there is a perfectly good parking spot a couple hundred feet away.
2. Buy only used cars. There are plenty of used cars available that are well-built and have a lot of life left. Buying them new not only creates more use of materials that will at least in part take up landfill space at some point, but it is most often a really bad fiscal move. New cars lose 80% of their value in the first few years. Used cars hardly change in value at all if they're well-maintained. Best of all, there always seems to be a greater number of people trying to sell used cars than the number of people trying to buy used cars.
3. Buy cars that operate efficiently. You would think with skyrocketing oil prices this would be a no-brainer even for those who despise green. Go for cars that have good gas mileage. Go with a hybrid. Retrofit your old car with more efficient systems and recycle the current parts on eBay.
4. Don't buy a car that has more space and/or bulk than you need. SUVs can be great for a family of eight, achieving nice per-person energy consumption and emission rates. For a single man or woman driving around in the city, big cars and trucks rarely make any sense at all.
About the Author
To learn more about how to find green or traditional cheap used cars online> as well as finding used car loans with decent interest rates, in more depth and step-by-step, why not check out these links?.
Cars emit things that attack the suitability of our environment for our subsistence. We know this because people hit us over the head with this fact daily. The cars have such harmful gases to emit as carbon dioxide and ozone. One car does little harm, but a billion or so cars has proven to be quite devastating. Then, just imagine what happens to landfills when those billion cars obsolesce or get in accidents.
Thanks to consumer demand for green cars, manufacturers are trying to find less toxic emission solutions. In some places, cars use fuels other than gasoline and diesel. Smaller car models have also helped cut down on how much fuel must be burned and how many materials are used. Just making the cars more durable can help on the materials front.
Go Green Car Tips
1. Don't be lame unless you've got a good excuse. Some people actually drive their car distances of only a block or two. Walking a couple of extra blocks a day could do wonders for the people of nations struggling with obesity issues. Besides, the human body burns fuel much more efficiently than cars do. Take a walk. Ride a bike. Skate. And, please don't sit in your car idling waiting for the parking spot right in front of the door when there is a perfectly good parking spot a couple hundred feet away.
2. Buy only used cars. There are plenty of used cars available that are well-built and have a lot of life left. Buying them new not only creates more use of materials that will at least in part take up landfill space at some point, but it is most often a really bad fiscal move. New cars lose 80% of their value in the first few years. Used cars hardly change in value at all if they're well-maintained. Best of all, there always seems to be a greater number of people trying to sell used cars than the number of people trying to buy used cars.
3. Buy cars that operate efficiently. You would think with skyrocketing oil prices this would be a no-brainer even for those who despise green. Go for cars that have good gas mileage. Go with a hybrid. Retrofit your old car with more efficient systems and recycle the current parts on eBay.
4. Don't buy a car that has more space and/or bulk than you need. SUVs can be great for a family of eight, achieving nice per-person energy consumption and emission rates. For a single man or woman driving around in the city, big cars and trucks rarely make any sense at all.
About the Author
To learn more about how to find green or traditional cheap used cars online> as well as finding used car loans with decent interest rates, in more depth and step-by-step, why not check out these links?.
Why it pays to become a green driver
It's fair to say we'd all like to do our bit for the environment - after all no-one wants to breathe in polluted air and last year's floods emphasised that Global Warming isn't to be taken lightly.
Sadly, there's been one significant stumbling block in our efforts to go green, particularly in terms of greener motoring - cold hard cash.
Electric and hybrid vehicles were previously reserved for an elite minority as the initial outlay of purchasing a green vehicle put them out of reach for most.
Now however, not only are green cars cheaper to buy but initiatives from the Government and car insurance companies are actually rewarding green drivers with money in their pocket.
Firstly the Government has issued road tax bands in which you actually pay based on the level of emissions from your vehicle. Some of the most environmentally friendly vehicles, such as electric and hybrid cars, are exempt from road tax entirely. They are also excluded from congestion charges in inner-city areas such as those in London.
This is supported by progression in the car insurance industry. Previously, green car drivers' hopes of securing cheap car insurance were slim due to the low number of electric and hybrid cars on the road - making them more expensive to repair should an accident occur.
As they become more popular, insurers are lowering their premiums for green car drivers, if for no other reason than they will probably do less mileage than non-green drivers.
With clear savings to be made on petrol and road tax and now cheap car insurance too, there's little excuse not to 'go green' - shop around for green car insurance and you'll be saving more than the environment.
About the Author
LuckySeven is an author specialising in car insurance.
Sadly, there's been one significant stumbling block in our efforts to go green, particularly in terms of greener motoring - cold hard cash.
Electric and hybrid vehicles were previously reserved for an elite minority as the initial outlay of purchasing a green vehicle put them out of reach for most.
Now however, not only are green cars cheaper to buy but initiatives from the Government and car insurance companies are actually rewarding green drivers with money in their pocket.
Firstly the Government has issued road tax bands in which you actually pay based on the level of emissions from your vehicle. Some of the most environmentally friendly vehicles, such as electric and hybrid cars, are exempt from road tax entirely. They are also excluded from congestion charges in inner-city areas such as those in London.
This is supported by progression in the car insurance industry. Previously, green car drivers' hopes of securing cheap car insurance were slim due to the low number of electric and hybrid cars on the road - making them more expensive to repair should an accident occur.
As they become more popular, insurers are lowering their premiums for green car drivers, if for no other reason than they will probably do less mileage than non-green drivers.
With clear savings to be made on petrol and road tax and now cheap car insurance too, there's little excuse not to 'go green' - shop around for green car insurance and you'll be saving more than the environment.
About the Author
LuckySeven is an author specialising in car insurance.
The top 4 cars of this year
So you have been planning on buying yourself a brand new car! Well, with the hordes of models out there in the industry, how do you find yourself a car that will be the envy of the neighbourhood? Well, with our guide on the 4 most top rated cars of this year, you won't go wrong!
i. The Honda Fit
This is one car that has been touted as the 'biggest thing' to hit the market! In fact this has been one of the most top rated cars till date. The average price of this car ranges between 14 to 16 thousand dollars but that's a small price considering the many advantages this car brings! It is a fun car that promises a lot of fuel efficiency while also being extremely compact. However, just because it is compact doesn't mean it compromises on the interior space! Not at all - this car has ample room and leg space inside which is another reason why this is one of the top rated cars this year! It has received some of the best scores in terms of crash protection, reliability as well as satisfaction.
ii. The Honda Civic
Honda seems to rule the roost this year as the Civic gets second place after the Fit. This is another of those top rated cars that truly deserves its place! It comes with a nice comfortable and spacious interior, plenty of comfort in the riding experience as well as great handling. The price of the car is between 17 to 23 thousand dollars. This car is also great because it has good fuel economy, great results in terms of crash tests and is also very reliable. While this car may not be as economical as the Fit, it certainly makes up for it with its stylish exterior and good mileage.
iii. The Honda Accord
The Accord comes with a hybrid version and prices start at 20000 and peak till around 30000 dollars. The fuel economy of this car is quite good and is actually one shade better than the Honda Civic. The car has been voted one of the top rated cars this year and provides nice handling, roomy interior space as well as loads of comfortable riding experience. The Accord comes with a 25 mpg in the V6 variety. This car is definitely a choice if you don't mind spending a little more especially since you get a great riding experience.
iv. Infiniti G35
The cost of this car is fairly expensive ranging between 35 to 39 thousand dollars. However this car has been voted one of the top rated cars for good reason. It comes in two varieties - rear wheel or all wheel. You can expect great speeds with a power of 306 HP, a speed of 0-60 in just 5.4 seconds, which is really fast compared to most other cars! It has a nice agile handling, roomy interiors as well as good control over steering functionality. No wonder that this car is one of the top rated cars this year!
About the Author
Thomas is a car community expert with autosondisplay.com that is an online car site includes Top Rated Cars, auto community and more.
i. The Honda Fit
This is one car that has been touted as the 'biggest thing' to hit the market! In fact this has been one of the most top rated cars till date. The average price of this car ranges between 14 to 16 thousand dollars but that's a small price considering the many advantages this car brings! It is a fun car that promises a lot of fuel efficiency while also being extremely compact. However, just because it is compact doesn't mean it compromises on the interior space! Not at all - this car has ample room and leg space inside which is another reason why this is one of the top rated cars this year! It has received some of the best scores in terms of crash protection, reliability as well as satisfaction.
ii. The Honda Civic
Honda seems to rule the roost this year as the Civic gets second place after the Fit. This is another of those top rated cars that truly deserves its place! It comes with a nice comfortable and spacious interior, plenty of comfort in the riding experience as well as great handling. The price of the car is between 17 to 23 thousand dollars. This car is also great because it has good fuel economy, great results in terms of crash tests and is also very reliable. While this car may not be as economical as the Fit, it certainly makes up for it with its stylish exterior and good mileage.
iii. The Honda Accord
The Accord comes with a hybrid version and prices start at 20000 and peak till around 30000 dollars. The fuel economy of this car is quite good and is actually one shade better than the Honda Civic. The car has been voted one of the top rated cars this year and provides nice handling, roomy interior space as well as loads of comfortable riding experience. The Accord comes with a 25 mpg in the V6 variety. This car is definitely a choice if you don't mind spending a little more especially since you get a great riding experience.
iv. Infiniti G35
The cost of this car is fairly expensive ranging between 35 to 39 thousand dollars. However this car has been voted one of the top rated cars for good reason. It comes in two varieties - rear wheel or all wheel. You can expect great speeds with a power of 306 HP, a speed of 0-60 in just 5.4 seconds, which is really fast compared to most other cars! It has a nice agile handling, roomy interiors as well as good control over steering functionality. No wonder that this car is one of the top rated cars this year!
About the Author
Thomas is a car community expert with autosondisplay.com that is an online car site includes Top Rated Cars, auto community and more.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Should I Buy New Motorcycle Engines or Used Motorcycle Engines?
It depends a lot on what you intend to use your Motorcycle Engines for. If you are going to be using the Motorcycle Engines solely for installation on motorcycles, then used Motorcycle Engines may do already (though if you really want to splurge, new ones are even better.) But what if you were going to place the Motorcycle Engines in cars (rather than car engines)? How would that work out?
Actually, this is already being done by many car assembly hobbyists. Usually, the cars to be powered by Motorcycle Engines are just small cars whose size and weight specifications are proportional to the power output of the Motorcycle Engines. As far back as the 1940s, the Cooper Car Company had been undertaking this practice - to make race cars, at that. Even BMW had tried doing that too in the 1950s. Though the general public may be ignorant of this trend, motorcycle and car assembly hobbyists know this practice works and with relatively good results. Their creations might be known as motorcycle/car hybrids.
The motorcycle/car hybrids are probably still being built today in someone's backyard with better results than those experienced back in the 1940s and 1950s - all because modern day Motorcycle Engines are stronger, faster, and better engineered than their early ancestors. Thanks to the decades of research done on how to improve Motorcycle Engines, hobbyists are reaping better rewards from their hybrid assembly efforts.
However, just because it looks like a car, runs like a car, and seems to behave like a car doesn't mean your motorcycle/car hybrid is automatically allowed on public and private roads in your country. The fact that you are using Motorcycle Engines to power the hybrids may be breaking the law for motor vehicles at some point (especially if you are one of the first to make and try to run these types of hybrids in that country.) So, unless you have some kind of special permit to run your hybrid on public and private roads, you may have to confine use of your Motorcycle Engines-powered hybrid vehicle in special areas only (like in a private racetrack or in an enclosed private family compound.)
If you are attracted to the idea of building motorcycle/car hybrid vehicles powered by Motorcycle Engines by yourself, be forewarned that the process actually entails quite an all-encompassing knowledge of how Motorcycle Engines work, how cars work, and how you can bridge any differences in the engineering of both or either with your own creativity and resources. A very smart mechanic/hobbyist can probably learn from manuals and prototypes alone - but for the less experienced and less talented hobbyist, full-time tutelage under someone very experienced in creating motorcycle/car hybrid vehicles might be more appropriate. There's no shame in asking for experienced guidance (except maybe to your ego) and in the end, you may get better results that way.
Equally surprising is that companies have been established throughout the world which concentrate on creating such motorcycle/car hybrid vehicles, many for racing. It might benefit you if you did research on how these companies do their work before you set about creating your own motorcycle/car hybrid vehicle.
About the Author
Necycle is a place where you can find quality Used Motorcycle Parts. Necycle stock thousands of used motorcycles, used motorcycle engines, used motorcycle frames. Necycle deal with over 100 Motorcycle Salvage Yards daily. For more information visit http://www.necycle.com
Actually, this is already being done by many car assembly hobbyists. Usually, the cars to be powered by Motorcycle Engines are just small cars whose size and weight specifications are proportional to the power output of the Motorcycle Engines. As far back as the 1940s, the Cooper Car Company had been undertaking this practice - to make race cars, at that. Even BMW had tried doing that too in the 1950s. Though the general public may be ignorant of this trend, motorcycle and car assembly hobbyists know this practice works and with relatively good results. Their creations might be known as motorcycle/car hybrids.
The motorcycle/car hybrids are probably still being built today in someone's backyard with better results than those experienced back in the 1940s and 1950s - all because modern day Motorcycle Engines are stronger, faster, and better engineered than their early ancestors. Thanks to the decades of research done on how to improve Motorcycle Engines, hobbyists are reaping better rewards from their hybrid assembly efforts.
However, just because it looks like a car, runs like a car, and seems to behave like a car doesn't mean your motorcycle/car hybrid is automatically allowed on public and private roads in your country. The fact that you are using Motorcycle Engines to power the hybrids may be breaking the law for motor vehicles at some point (especially if you are one of the first to make and try to run these types of hybrids in that country.) So, unless you have some kind of special permit to run your hybrid on public and private roads, you may have to confine use of your Motorcycle Engines-powered hybrid vehicle in special areas only (like in a private racetrack or in an enclosed private family compound.)
If you are attracted to the idea of building motorcycle/car hybrid vehicles powered by Motorcycle Engines by yourself, be forewarned that the process actually entails quite an all-encompassing knowledge of how Motorcycle Engines work, how cars work, and how you can bridge any differences in the engineering of both or either with your own creativity and resources. A very smart mechanic/hobbyist can probably learn from manuals and prototypes alone - but for the less experienced and less talented hobbyist, full-time tutelage under someone very experienced in creating motorcycle/car hybrid vehicles might be more appropriate. There's no shame in asking for experienced guidance (except maybe to your ego) and in the end, you may get better results that way.
Equally surprising is that companies have been established throughout the world which concentrate on creating such motorcycle/car hybrid vehicles, many for racing. It might benefit you if you did research on how these companies do their work before you set about creating your own motorcycle/car hybrid vehicle.
About the Author
Necycle is a place where you can find quality Used Motorcycle Parts. Necycle stock thousands of used motorcycles, used motorcycle engines, used motorcycle frames. Necycle deal with over 100 Motorcycle Salvage Yards daily. For more information visit http://www.necycle.com
The Facts About Hybrid Car Emissions and Global Warming
In recent years, hybrid cars have become increasingly popular. With rising gas prices and greater environmental awareness, consumers are turning to alternative technology. Manufacturers are making significant efforts to design cars that will satisfy all of their customers' demands: low fuel consumption, low cost, low noise pollution, state-of-the-art technology, and environmentally friendly. Enter the hybrid car - not only is it fuel efficient, but its emissions are much lower than conventional cars.
Hybrid Technology
Far from being a new technology, hybrid technology has been in use for years in the making of locomotives, submarines, and buses. In a similar way, hybrid cars rely on a combination of two powers - electricity and fuel injection.
An idling or stopped hybrid car automatically uses electrical power. Once the car begins to accelerate, it reverts to using the fuel engine. Also most hybrids recharge the batteries automatically by converting the energy during braking. Different models of cars vary in terms of when the electric power is used. For example, the Honda Civic Hybrid uses electric power to assist the gas engine during acceleration or going up hills. Other models run on rechargeable electricity during city driving at low speed but run on gasoline when the car's speed increases such as during highway driving.
Low Emission
Hybrid cars emit far lower levels of pollutants in the air than conventional cars, resulting decreased pollution and reduced effects of global warming. Because no two people drive the same way, it is therefore difficult to estimate, but emissions can be reduced from 25% to 90%, when comparing hybrid cars to conventional gas-powered vehicles. Hybrid car emissions also vary depending on the type of car. Some manufacturers add hybrid technology to existing car models while other manufacturers completely redesign cars with low emission and efficiency at the core. In any case, lower toxic fumes are appreciated in our oil-based economies.
Hybrid vs. Electric
Many people associate hybrid cars with electric cars. However, the two are quite different. The hybrid does not need to be plugged into an electrical outlet to recharge. Gas motors switch on automatically when the battery gets low, and proceeds to charge the battery. Therefore, hybrid cars still use gas while electric cars do not.
A Green Design
Fuel efficiency in hybrid cars stems from numerous improvements.
Improved aero dynamics
Lower body weight
Smaller, lighter, and less powerful gas engines
Reducing weight, especially engine weight, will substantially improve a car's mileage. Hybrid cars were essentially designed for use in the cities, where traffic is a daily occurrence, in order to reduce gas emissions and slow down global warming. What a great way to help save the environment and improve our overall quality of life.
About the Author
Alexandria Haber is a freelance writer and is the head researcher and content manager for A Guide to Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.
Hybrid Technology
Far from being a new technology, hybrid technology has been in use for years in the making of locomotives, submarines, and buses. In a similar way, hybrid cars rely on a combination of two powers - electricity and fuel injection.
An idling or stopped hybrid car automatically uses electrical power. Once the car begins to accelerate, it reverts to using the fuel engine. Also most hybrids recharge the batteries automatically by converting the energy during braking. Different models of cars vary in terms of when the electric power is used. For example, the Honda Civic Hybrid uses electric power to assist the gas engine during acceleration or going up hills. Other models run on rechargeable electricity during city driving at low speed but run on gasoline when the car's speed increases such as during highway driving.
Low Emission
Hybrid cars emit far lower levels of pollutants in the air than conventional cars, resulting decreased pollution and reduced effects of global warming. Because no two people drive the same way, it is therefore difficult to estimate, but emissions can be reduced from 25% to 90%, when comparing hybrid cars to conventional gas-powered vehicles. Hybrid car emissions also vary depending on the type of car. Some manufacturers add hybrid technology to existing car models while other manufacturers completely redesign cars with low emission and efficiency at the core. In any case, lower toxic fumes are appreciated in our oil-based economies.
Hybrid vs. Electric
Many people associate hybrid cars with electric cars. However, the two are quite different. The hybrid does not need to be plugged into an electrical outlet to recharge. Gas motors switch on automatically when the battery gets low, and proceeds to charge the battery. Therefore, hybrid cars still use gas while electric cars do not.
A Green Design
Fuel efficiency in hybrid cars stems from numerous improvements.
Improved aero dynamics
Lower body weight
Smaller, lighter, and less powerful gas engines
Reducing weight, especially engine weight, will substantially improve a car's mileage. Hybrid cars were essentially designed for use in the cities, where traffic is a daily occurrence, in order to reduce gas emissions and slow down global warming. What a great way to help save the environment and improve our overall quality of life.
About the Author
Alexandria Haber is a freelance writer and is the head researcher and content manager for A Guide to Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.
Hybrid Car Hire - Save the Environment Abroad
If you're planning to travel to the United States this year, you may be given a green option with your car hire. Some of the largest rental companies are buying in hybrid cars in an effort to reduce their carbon footprint.
Hertz is planning to take delivery of 2400 hybrid cars this year, whereas Enterprise currently operates 5000, the largest hybrid fleet in the US. Avis currently owns 2500 hybrids, and it's predicted that the other major car hire companies will be following suit and buying in their own stock of the gas/electric fuel sippers.
Another benefit of these cars is that they are more economical on fuel. With current US gasoline prices at just $3 a gallon (working out at roughly 30p per litre), fuel economy may not sound all that important, but the majority of standard US cars are quite fuel-thirsty. But bear in mind that if you only plan on driving short distances then the standard car may work out better cost-wise as some car rental firms charge extra for their hybrid cars.
These extra charges can be as high as $24 per day, depending on the company, the length of hire, and where the rental firm is located. You may not always be able to specify a hybrid car, but it's always worth mentioning one when you book and then following it up with a phone call to the pick-up branch to check availability.
It may seem an unimportant part of car rentals, but for the environmentally conscious, the choice of a hybrid hire car couldn't come too soon.
About the Author
J Tillotson is a UK based travel writer and financial author.
Hertz is planning to take delivery of 2400 hybrid cars this year, whereas Enterprise currently operates 5000, the largest hybrid fleet in the US. Avis currently owns 2500 hybrids, and it's predicted that the other major car hire companies will be following suit and buying in their own stock of the gas/electric fuel sippers.
Another benefit of these cars is that they are more economical on fuel. With current US gasoline prices at just $3 a gallon (working out at roughly 30p per litre), fuel economy may not sound all that important, but the majority of standard US cars are quite fuel-thirsty. But bear in mind that if you only plan on driving short distances then the standard car may work out better cost-wise as some car rental firms charge extra for their hybrid cars.
These extra charges can be as high as $24 per day, depending on the company, the length of hire, and where the rental firm is located. You may not always be able to specify a hybrid car, but it's always worth mentioning one when you book and then following it up with a phone call to the pick-up branch to check availability.
It may seem an unimportant part of car rentals, but for the environmentally conscious, the choice of a hybrid hire car couldn't come too soon.
About the Author
J Tillotson is a UK based travel writer and financial author.
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