Top Tips for Fuel Efficient Driving

Today, people need more fuel efficient vehicles. The automobile industry is booming, petrol prices are steadily hiking, and global warming is taking a turn for the worst- as a consumer with multiple choices and responsibilities to keep in mind while driving, here are our top tips for fuel efficient driving.

· The way you drive can make the biggest difference to how much fuel you save or waste. Remember, its a car, not a battering ram, so don't hit the brakes on your vehicle with force. Stopping and starting time and again eat away at your fuel in an enormous capacity. Aim for smooth and steady drives.

· If your vehicle uses a manual gearbox, try to shift into the highest gear as early as possible for maximal fuel efficiency. Driving in a lower gear than necessary consumes fuel more quickly, as a rule. Power options tend to ease the car into lower gears, so evade them as far as possible.

· Your money's turning into thin air! Avoid fuel evaporation by screwing the gas cap onto your car very securely after filling the tank and by parking in the shade to prevent overheating- this also reduces the necessity for air conditioning. If winters are frosty where you live, you can use a block heater when temperatures fall below -20 degrees Celsius, to keep your engine oil and coolant heated.

· Don't let your car idle. Yes, the traffic light will go green at any moment, but a significant portion of fuel will burn away while you wait for it. Turn off your ignition if you're waiting outside someone's home, or in front of the supermarket.

· Avoid speeding at all costs- not only might you have a nasty run in with the law, but upwards of 75-90 miles/h, your car may use up to 25% more fuel than if you stick to the speed limit or stay below 65 miles/h.

· Your tires are big contributors to the way your car treats fuel. Tires inflated to the correct pressure level and low-resistance tires (eco-friendly tires are built to reduce rolling resistance) provide a quantifiable advantage in fuel efficiency. For every increment of underinflation equal to 5% of the ideal pressure in a car's tires, there is a 1% reduction in the vehicle's fuel efficiency.

· Try to avoid channelling power and thus fuel to components you aren't using, or don't necessarily require. For example, a mini fridge, television console, boombox, or even the air conditioning.

· Get your car in the workshop for servicing at the recommended times. If your air filters are unclean, if your engine oil has been unchanged for over 5000 miles, or if your engine is poorly tuned, your fuel economy could be in trouble.

· Make sure you haven't rendered your car un-aerodynamic with any unwieldy accessories on the outside. These create drag that slows your car down and causes depletion in fuel efficiency. Drag is also created by leaving windows open when driving at high speeds and weighing your car down by filling up the trunk with unnecessary junk. Toss it

· The most obvious way to economize on fuel would be to drive less. Learn to navigate in a way, that saves time and distance travelled, and try to anticipate traffic jams and road blockages- for example, in the cases of heavy rains or festivals.

The Link Between Used Sunflower Oil and Biodiesel

Biodiesel is still a relatively new concept to most people. Although research on this subject has been going on for quite a number of years, not much has been promoted to the general public as to how it is made and how it works. Generally, it is accepted that biodiesel is a natural form of fuel, but what is it that makes it a natural fuel source?

There is a direct link between oil made from sunflower seeds and biodiesel. Bottled sunflower oil is used daily in the food industry and in most households. What many people don't realise is that restaurants and cafes use many litres of sunflower oil daily and due to legal restrictions in health and safety, they have to dispose of all used oil in a responsible manner. The oil cannot just be dunked down the drain as this will cause the drain to get clogged. And it is not advised to dispose of it over plants as this could poison the plants and the soil which can make it a harmful environment for people and pets. Restaurants and cafes must make use of a reputable used oil collector who will collect all the used oil from their premises and dispose of it in a proper and ethical manner. In terms of disposal methods, this was mostly the case in the past where oil collectors had to find natural, healthy and safe ways to dispose of the used oil. Nowadays, the collectors will collect the oil and deliver it to fuel companies that are able to convert the used sunflower oil into biodiesel.

Biodiesel manufacturers use complex purifying and conversion processes that takes ordinary used oil and converts it into a natural form of fuel. This type of natural fuel can be used in trucks and cars, or any vehicle that runs on diesel fuel. You can simply substitute your current diesel fuel with biodiesel. With biodiesel being manufactured locally, it costs a lot less for consumers to purchase it so they will save much on their monthly fuel bill.

In conclusion, this is the link between used sunflower oil and biodiesel. Biodiesel is made from used sunflower oil. Using a strict conversion process, the oil is converted into a natural form of fuel that can power any diesel engine. In addition, you are also ensuring that oil is responsibly disposed of and recycled. Therefore, you are saving money on your fuel bill but also saving the planet by making use of recycled materials.

Our core focus at Golden Fry is to provide specially customized cooking products and services to Restaurants, Take-Aways, Food Manufacturers, Caterers, Wholesalers, Supermarkets and Spaza Shops. We are an approved used oil collector that supplies Biodiesel to businesses.

The Top 10 Lies That We've Been Told - Lie 8 - The Battery Powered Electric Car Is the Future

In recent weeks I've heard a number of people -- including my grandsons -- telling me how wonderful the battery powered TESLA electric car is. In fact with Tesla Motors stock going out of sight -- it appears that a lot of other people think the same way.

Let me begin by stating that the battery powered TESLA car is a remarkable technological achievement. Although I've mentioned this in a previous article, I need to repeat it here. When compared to the battery powered Nissan Leaf plug in car, Tesla Motors has managed to extend the vehicle's range from about 70 miles to about 265 miles, and reduced the fast recharging time from about two hours to about 25 minutes for an over the road half charge. However, the TESLA car is still quite expensive -- $986 per month lease price for the least expensive Model S. Moreover, since the lithium ion battery is very expensive and might only last half of the car's life, the purchase price includes a 125 thousand mile battery replacement guarantee.

With that being said -- let's consider the hydrogen fuel cell powered car alternative. The first, and most important, aspect to consider is the 25 minute over the road half charge, versus a refill of hydrogen gas in about 3 minutes. To me this is the Achilles heel that will relegate battery powered cars to only a niche market -- especially with equivalent mass produced pricing. Also -- unless the life expectancy of the lithium ion battery can be significantly increased, or its cost significantly decreased, most people won't want a low trade in value. Conversely the trade in value of hydrogen fuel cell cars will be enhanced as a result of the recovery value of platinum used to coat the fuel cell's electrodes. That's not to say that some recovery value can be obtained from the cobalt used in the lithium ion battery.

In any event, it appears that the trend today is to use nickel metal hydride batteries (a la the Toyota Prius) -- rather than lithium ion because of lower cost and much longer life. In fact Toyota and Honda have determined that hydrogen fuel cells should be used in conjunction with these batteries. The reason is that fuel cells are most fuel efficient when operating at constant power output. Therefore, when power demand is low the fuel cell can be used to charge the battery.

This brings up another important point -- efficiency. While constantly running fuel cells are about 60 percent efficient, batteries are close to 90 percent efficient. But here is the glitch. The batteries are charged by electric power plants (currently about 40 percent in the United States power plants are fueled by coal!) that have difficulty reaching 50 percent efficiency. When you multiply 90 percent by 50 percent you get -- at best -- 45 percent overall battery efficiency -- but more likely 40 percent. Whereas, when the 60 percent efficient fuel cell charges the 90 percent efficient battery (in the combined fuel cell and battery car) -- the overall battery efficiency is about 54 percent.

If I were to guess at TESLA's future, it makes sense to me that fuel cell range extenders will eventually be incorporated into the design -- especially when over the road hydrogen fuel becomes commonplace. Moreover, if the cost and life expectancy of lithium ion batteries does not significantly improve -- a nickel metal hydride battery will also be used either as a replacement or as a supplement.

My name is Don Bongaards and I'm a retired engineer and author of three books.

How a Turbo Wastegate Works

The Basics of How a Turbo Wastegate Works

If you want to understand which boost controller might be right for you, a basic understanding of the turbo system is in order. The turbo is essentially a supercharger, driven by exhaust gas. The function of any supercharger is to force more air into the system than the engine could draw in from its own pumping action. The atmosphere itself, won't create power. Instead, it enables more fuel to get burned. So, although many of us center on "the boost", boost alone will not be enough. The truth is, in the example of the gasoline engine, boost alone causes a lean condition and destruction for the engine. Much more about that in a future article.

We've mentioned your turbo is actually an exhaust driven supercharger. The supercharger is simply a sort of air compressor, that is driven by belt, exhaust, motor unit, etc. There are several sorts of compressors employed in supercharger systems, although with turbos, you will be essentially working with a compressor wheel. This wheel uses an inducer and exducer combination, to bring in air at atmospheric pressure and cram it into the engine. There's considerably more to that, but this is a "basics" article, so that's all we must have for the moment.

Linked to the compressor wheel (literally, connected by the shaft), is the exhaust turbine. That's where the "turbo" nickname derives from. Hot exhaust from the engine is directed over the turbine, making it spin. This in turn, makes the whole compressor side cram more air into your engine, creating "boost" pressure. This lets the engine to:

1) Burn more fuel

2) Make more power

3) Make more exhaust to drive the turbine

If left unchecked, the cycle repeats 1,2,3 1,2,3 1,2,3 until BOOM! Your engine self-destructs. Not the most effective arrangement, so we want a solution to keep your power from climbing, unchecked. Enter the wastegate. The wastegate is actually a valve (literally, a "gate") that permits a lot of the exhaust gas (waste) to bypass the turbine. Now we can add a fourth step:

4) The wastegate opens, allowing the turbine to slow, and the boost pressure (and by extension, the power) to fall. The cycle then repeats.Linked to the wastegate itself, is a wastegate actuator. This is just a spring loaded diaphragm that holds the wastegate closed, until some boost pressure is reached. As soon as the boost pressure is sufficient overcome the spring pressure, the wastegate is opened and the boost pressure falls. The cycle will repeat, if there's sufficient exhaust pressure and boost (I.e., when you keep your foot in it).

This basic device is enough for the turbo unit to work. The boost pressure will be set to what the wastegate actuator spring supports. Nonetheless, we desire more boost. So, we've got to discover a method to make the boost pressure adjustable. Say hello to the boost controller. Most factory OEM turbo systems add an electronic boost control system to the equation. These systems are generally not user-adjustable, nonetheless they work exactly the same as aftermarket systems. In my next article, I'll explain how the best electronic and manual boost controllers (MBC) work

Best Mileage SUV

Advancements in technology has allowed auto makers to design SUVs that utilize less fuel than their predecessors. Better gas mileage has brought hope to many people as they will be able to afford and drive an SUV especially in today's economic crisis.

Below are reviews of two of the best mileage SUV models available, the 2014 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the 2014 Lexus RX 450h.

2014 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Among SUVs with the best gas mileage, the Toyota Highlander has a 3.5 liter V6 engine and a hybrid synergy drive system with electronic motor which is capable of delivering 280 horsepower. It is one of the best SUVs on gas with a mileage rating of 27/28 city/highway. It has a hybrid power meter which helps to show the user when the system is fully charged. It has two modes namely eco mode where the best hybrid vehicles modify throttle response to help with fuel efficiency and ev mode for the electric motor when driving at low speeds.

The 2014 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has several safety features such as enhanced vehicle stability control, anti-lock braking, traction control, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, tire pressure monitor system and smart stop technology.

2014 Lexus Rx 450h

The 2014 Lexus RX 450h is among the best gas mileage SUV vehicles available and has a 3.5 liter V6 gas/electric engine which is capable of producing 295 horsepower. As a hybrid SUV, it is very fuel efficient and has an mpg rating of 32/28 city/highway. It has a fuel tank capacity of 17.2 gallons. It has several gadgets to ensure convenience and comfort for the occupants similar to other hybrid vehicles. Some of the gadgets include keyless start, vehicle anti theft system, remote engine start, power door locks, heated mirrors, cruise control and fog lamps.

This luxury hybrid SUV has several safety features namely front, rear and side airbags, brake assist, electronic stability control, child safety control, integrated turn signal mirrors, traction control and daytime running lights.

Other best mileage SUV models include the 2014 Mazda CX-5, 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid, 2014 Nissan Juke and 2014 Nissan Rogue.

Those seeking a luxury SUV with the best gas mileage can find it in the 2014 Mercedes 250GLK BluTEC 4Matic or the 2014 BMW X3 iDrive28d. Both of these compact luxury SUV models utilize fuel efficient diesel engines in order to post some of the best mileage ratings of any SUV vehicles.

I Think Electric Cars Are Amazing, But Are They Really Practical?

I totally love the idea of electric cars but still not sure the practicality of buying one just yet. The main reason for me to consider purchasing an electric car would be the ridiculous fuel costs involved presently in operating a combustion engine automobile. Besides the fact I cringe every time at the pump seeing how much the government is helping themselves per litre in taxes. We would also not want anyone to think I am not a good global citizen, obviously electric cars are much better for the environment.

The one thing I take pride in is being practical looking at both sides before committing myself going full steam. The car company that for me that seems to be taking the lead in this new electric engine innovation is Tesla, it looks like a comfortable stylish vehicle, from what I hear can go on a single charge in the range of 423 kilometers, and the technology is quite advanced. All great traits most of us look for in automobile, but the price sticker is somewhere in the range of $80,000 dollars, factoring in a car like some Volkswagens with clean diesel that can go over a 1000 kilometres on a single tank and costs thousands less, makes me wonder from an expense perspective if a car like Tesla would justify the difference between gas costs and purchase pricing over a five- year plan?

I heard on the news there are a few cities that Tesla has charge stations in which takes an hour to accomplish, and much longer plugging it in somewhere else. The reality is when I travel the less stops the better for me, so I'm taking even a long trip without a supercharge Tesla station. It would be without a doubt many hours longer to arrive at my final destination. Not being an engineer I do have an idea how to maybe solve the long stop situation for electric cars. In a combustion engine the alternator charges the battery, how about having two sets of batteries maybe smaller but with a setup like an alternator that charges the other at the same time. Just an idea have no clue on how to accomplish this always go electric system. That would be a terrific feature probably enticing many more buyers.

My next consideration would be how expensive regular maintenance would be, and after a period of time the costs of any major problems that could arise? This being new technology if I happen to have a breakdown in a small city through my travels would the average mechanic be able to repair the car? Even though we all know most cars are worst investment we make regarding return, what would I expect to receive in resale, and at this point how many dealers would want it as trade in?

I still believe that this is the car of the future, but being in the early stages of development the cost for the average person is much too high, there are not enough places to recharge as of yet, and we do not know all the possible problems that can occur, perhaps for me waiting awhile would be my best bet. However for someone who can afford to pay the sticker price, maybe has other cars for longer trips this could very well be the perfect automobile for them.

How to Become a Multi Millionaire

I'll bet most of you reading this article wish that you had bought Microsoft or Apple stock when they were fledgling companies. A lot of those that did, became very wealthy. The question now is -- what is today's fledgling company that will become the next Microsoft or Apple? Consider this -- when looking back at how Microsoft and Apple were formed they had one thing in common -- they were formed by visionaries (Bill Gates and Steve Jobs).

As you know, I believe that the next revolutionary company will play a major role in the hydrogen fuel revolution, and what I'm looking for is visionaries that can and will make it happen. If you want to become a multi millionaire, pick the right company and invest in it. In the following discussion I'll try to give you some guidance.

If you had bought TESLA stock last year at 17 dollars per share, it would now be worth about 270 dollars per share (almost a 16 fold increase). On the other hand if you had bought PLUG (a hydrogen fuel cell and hydrogen generation company) stock last year for 15 cents per share it would now be worth 5.20 dollars per share (almost a 35 fold increase).

Although the plug in electric cars, being built by TESLA, appear to be betting against the hydrogen fueled cars, it's too early to make this assumption. From my vantage point, the Tesla company must have a visionary leader. When compared to the Nissan Leaf plug in car, they've managed to extend the vehicle's range from about 70 miles to about 265 miles, and reduced the fast recharging time from about two hours to about 25 minutes for an over the road half charge. However, the Tesla car is still quite expensive -- $986 per month lease price for the least expensive Model S. Oh -- I almost forgot, since the lithium ion battery is very expensive and might only last half of the car's life, the purchase price includes a 125 thousand mile battery guarantee.

OK -- so why am I saying that it's too early to assume that Tesla Motors is betting against hydrogen. Well logic would say that when hydrogen fuel cell prices come down as a result of mass production -- which they will -- they can be used in the Tesla car as a range extender and for over the road fast (2-3 minute) refueling. Moreover, with mass production, the lithium ion battery will also be significantly reduced in price. My guess is that Tesla will end up using the longer life nickel metal hydride batteries in conjunction with hydrogen fuel cells.

In line with what I'm saying about visionaries, the leader in charge of PLUG has made lemonade out of what appears to be lemons. He has made the currently very expensive hydrogen fuel cell into an economic reality. With companies like Wal-Mart and Fed Ex converting their power lift trucks from lead acid batteries, the hydrogen fuel cell has found a home. With tens of thousands of battery conversions currently underway, the mass production volume is also underway.

Although I've already mentioned the Honda FXC in previous articles, the leader in this effort will probably be Toyota. In 2015, Toyota will introduce their version at a sales price of less than $70,000 -- comparable to the Tesla cars. To bring costs down, Toyota has improved the efficiency and cost of their fuel cells, and because fuels cells are most efficient when operating at a constant output, they can charge batteries when power demand is reduced. Much of Toyota's technology will build upon their very successful Prius hybrid -- which uses low cost and long life nickel metal hydride batteries. With the Prius currently selling for about $25,000, and getting about 40 miles per gallon of premium gasoline fuel, their hydrogen fuel cell car will get 60 miles -- or more -- per equivalent gasoline gallon of hydrogen. Since the Prius's internal combustion engine will be replaced by fuel cells, it's just a matter of time before their car's selling price matches the Prius. Here again it's mass production of the fuel cell and the high pressure hydrogen fuel tank that will make it happen.

My thinking is that Toyota's and Honda's FCl cars will quickly gain prominence in Japan, because Japan is totally dependent upon imported oil. With government support, FC volumes will most likely increase significantly. In fact, I believe that Japan will accelerate the hydrogen FC vehicle revolution. In fact it appears that Toyota is providing a significant amount of funding for a Japanese hydrogen highway. Although Japan will still need to import liquefied natural gas, the ultimate plan will be to make hydrogen from water using the sulfur/iodine thermo-chemical process and a fusion nuclear and/or parabolic solar heat source.

One other thing that you should know before you begin investing --- and hopefully making a lot of money. The all electric plug in car is not as efficient as some people claim. Generally speaking -- batteries are 90 percent efficient, fuel cells are 60 percent efficient, and the internal combustion engines are about 30 percent efficient. When batteries are charged by electricity from a natural gas fueled power plant, the power plant efficiency is at best 50 percent. Therefore, the 90 percent efficient battery is really only about 40 to 45 percent efficient when it's fuel source is natural gas. Conversely, the natural gas to hydrogen to fuel cell efficiency is significantly better.

And, that's it for advising you on how to become a multi millionaire. In my next article, I'm going to discuss what I believe will be mankind's greatest invention. You don't want to miss this.

Name of the Alligator That Swallows Your Money? A: THE GAS PUMP

Well, somebody is doing something about it. Pepsi saves an average of 3.3 million Dollars on gasoline costs every year. So, my congratulations go to Pepsi for saving 15% fuel, using HHO Technology on their vehicles. They installed HHO converter kits on their fleet of over 200 trucks that drive an average of 200.000 miles per year. By doing that, this fortune 500 company reduces emissions helping to keep air clean at the same time.

The good news is that you can do what Pepsi is doing. You can now install an HHO kit (extracts hydrogen from water) on your own vehicle and save between 15 and 60% cash on fuel. Depending on how well tuned your car is.

The truth is that the use of hydrogen as a fuel for engines in transportation vehicles is nothing new. Indeed, there is a way to permanently save money at the pump. The solution is very simple, economical and environmentally friendly. Just install a hydrogen converter kit on your automobile or truck. Hydrogen generators (extract hydrogen from water) have been used to power vehicles for many years already. As we all know water is the most abundant element on the Earth's surface. As a matter of fact two thirds of the earth's surface is covered by water. Thanks to this fact the global temperatures stay at a level convenient for our survival. Furthermore water has many other uses that I won't mention here due to the lack of space. Nevertheless, I will touch a little bit on one more function of water.

Since ancient times water was used as a means of transportation. First people navigated the ocean and the rivers using oar boats. Then during the eighteenth century Robert Fulton experimented with the energy produced by hot water or steam. He followed the writings of other inventors of Europe. Three names come to mind. Denis Papin is accredited with the construction of the first steam boat in the early years of the eighteen century. Then Jonathan Hulls, in 1737 patented in Great Britain a slightly different type of boat, also powered by water steam. Finally in France Comte d'Auxiron launched yet another steam boat in 1774.

Water steam was the energy that also moved vehicles by land. In 1769 a French military engineer named Nicolas Joseph Cugnot built the first steam tractor. This self-propelled vehicle served to transport artillery for the Army at a speed of 2 ½ miles per hour.

Finally water brings another contribution to the transportation industry; hydrogen. The chemical formula of water is H20 (one part hydrogen and two parts oxygen.) Apparently it is more practical to work with hydrogen than with steam because hydrogen gas is manufactured instantly when stimulated by battery direct current inside the engine compartment of the vehicle. So, Hydrogen Fuel Cars started being manufactured in 1807. That year came out the first 'Rivaz car' designed by Francois Isaac de Rivaz of Switzerland - and 1986 was the last year the hydrogen cars were produced and exhibited in the Vancouver Transportation EXPO. Musashi 7 was a small truck with a four-stroke turbo engine that runs with liquid hydrogen. Since then without apparent reason the hydrogen car was seen no more.

Five Ways to Pass the Time at Electric Car Charging Stations

Electric car charging stations are an exciting invention of the modern era. The transition away from traditional fuels, like gasoline, towards electricity is reducing the emissions of fossil fuels and is generally cheaper for the consumer in the long run. This transition is both easy on the environment and our wallets, but if you have an electric car and need to charge up either on a road trip or at home, you might become frustrated with waiting. Change your perspective and use what you may refer to as wasted time, to enhance a part of your life.

Challenge Your Mind

Puzzles are a great stimulant for the mind. They can help with memory and stimulate you in a way that television can't. Instead of watching videos or a movie on your phone, bring along a book of crossword or Sudoku puzzles. You'll likely find them to be slightly addicting and may even notice an improvement in your cognitive abilities in day-to-day tasks and memory.

Learn a New Language

Many people wish they could conquer a new language, but feel they don't have the time. Waiting at electric car charging stations for your vehicle to be fully powered provides the perfect opportunity to chip away at learning a new language. There are a multitude of books for sale that include grammar exercises and vocabulary lessons in every language. Who knows, it might even inspire a trip abroad later down the road.

Make Some Overdue Phone Calls

With the bustle of everyday life, it can sometimes be difficult to connect and catch up with loved ones on a regular basis. Waiting for your vehicle to charge opens up a perfect window of time to make an overdue phone call to a grandmother or an old college buddy. Since it may be difficult to find time in your regular day to make these phone calls, electric car charging stations will provide you the chance to reach out to loved ones and friends.

Start Your Memoir

Every person has a story to tell. A large number of adults talk about writing a novel or a memoir but can't seem to find the time to actually sit down and write. Not only would waiting at electric car charging stations provide you with the time, you'll be in a peaceful quiet place with hardly any distractions. There likely isn't a better environment in which to embrace your creative side.

Take a Nap

Sleep is extremely important for maintaining good overall health, but most adults don't get enough sleep these days. If you're running low on beauty rest, take this opportunity to lean your seat back and close your eyes. A catnap will likely increase your attentiveness on the road and help you feel more balanced.

There are many ways to pass the time while you're letting your car charge up. Consider unplugging from your mobile devices and reading a book, doing a puzzle or speaking with long lost friends or distant relatives.

Biodiesel and Sunflower Oil: What Do They Have In Common?

I'm sure during some conversation with your peers; you've had a discussion about biodiesel and what it is. You've probably also wondered what it is made of and how it is produced. And, if you really can use it in the car that you drive?

Biodiesel has been in the making for quite some number of years. So much research has been conducted and much trial and error has gone into making it. Due the dwindling resource that we use daily namely petrol and diesel, we have had to look to other sources for fuel. Not to mention the high costs of petrol and diesel nowadays.

How are we supposed to keep going if the fuel costs just keep increasing?

I remember back in the day when it took me only R300 to fill my tank of petrol, now it's double that and it barely lasts me two weeks. So it's quite a relief that biodiesel has advanced to the point where we could use it in our own cars and trucks. Remember, though that it is biodiesel so you can only use in a diesel engine vehicle; whether it is a car or truck. It will function just as well, though, in your truck as conventional diesel.

Biodiesel is made from used sunflower oil. Many restaurants and cafes use sunflower oil in bulk. They could use hundreds of litres of this sunflower oil in a day. Thus disposing of it is a mission for these restaurants. It is legally required that they dispose of it in an ethical and healthy manner. Biodiesel producers have identified this market and have thus turned this wasteful used sunflower oil into a valuable resource.

The biodiesel producers collect the used sunflower oil from the various restaurants and take it back to their factory where they convert the oil into a usable fuel resource that you can use in your truck. This is a great resource for truck fleet owners. You could purchase biodiesel in bulk at a low cost and power your fleet of trucks for long time.

So now you have a better idea of biodiesel is and what is made of. You can easily use in your diesel powered truck and save a lot of money while you're at it. Be sure to buy in bulk so that you have enough biodiesel. This is also great way of saving as you can keep stock of it while you negotiate better rates for large quantities.

Our core focus at Golden Fry is to provide specially customized products and services to Restaurants, Take-Aways, Food Manufacturers, Caterers, Wholesalers, Supermarkets and Spaza Shops. We are an approved used oil collector that supplies Biodiesel to businesses.

Our Range includes: Palm Oil, Sunflower Oil, Soya Oil and Blended Oil.

The Role of FGS-Double Wall Pipe in Meeting International Maritime Air Pollution Standards

The International Maritime Organization first created the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) in 1973. Since its introduction a number of modifications, improvements, and enhancements have been implemented. This has resulted in a variety of new technologies being implemented across all types of ships. One such technology is the FGS (Fuel Gas System) - double wall pipe.

Applicable International Maritime Organization Air Pollution Rules

The most recent is Annex VI Prevent of Air Pollution from Ships which entered into force in 2005. This particular regulation set limits on sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from ship exhausts. It also prohibits the deliberate omission of ozone-depleting substances. Designated emission control areas were also created to enforce more stringent standards for a variety of particulate matter. In 2011 the IMO adopted new groundbreaking mandatory technical and operational energy efficiency measures which will further reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from ships.

How Have These Rules Affected Ships?

Under the revised MARPOL Annex VI the global sulfur cap was reduced to 3.5% effective 2012. The goal is to progressively decrease the amount of sulfur 2.5% by 2020. The limits in ECAs force over oxide and particular matter were reduced to 1% beginning in 2010. It will continue to be further reduced to.1%, effective 2015.

Progressive reductions in nitrogen oxide emissions from marine diesel engines were included in the revision of MARPOL as well. A Tier II omission limit was created for engines installed on or after 1 January 2011. More stringent Tier III omission limits will be in place for any engines installed on or after January 1, 2016.

In order to meet these new omission limitations many ships are moving from Bunker C fuel to natural gas or gas. Bunker C fuel is essentially the residual oil left over after the lighter, more volatile products are distilled out of crude oil. These molecules are significantly larger and heavier which results in a significant amount of energy per unit of fuel. Unfortunately, since it is the final oil left over from the distilling process it has many more impurities including the sulfur and heavy metals. This leads to a notably higher rate of air particulate creation during combustion.

Why Quality FGS-Double Wall Pipes Are Critical:

Fire / Explosion Prevention and Leak Detection

To ensure ships meet fire safety regulations and engine rooms FGS-double wall pipes are used in ships utilizing natural gas. The double wall is necessary because pipe fractures would cause fuel to spray in a fine aerosol mist. It would then ignite on contact with any hot surrounding surface such as the exhaust pipe or turbocharger casing. The double-walled pipe is designed to ensure fuel will be contained in the annular space between the inner and outer wall which provides more time for leak detection. It will then drain into a collecting tank fitted with a high-level fuel leakage alarm.

Corrosion Protection

Another benefit of FGS-double wall pipe is corrosion protection. There are numerous elements which are highly corrosive that pipes are constantly exposed to when at sea. By utilizing a double wall design, the internal pipe garners an additional layer of protection against corrosion. While corrosion in the outer wall must be prevented, the corrosion will not lead to immediate leakage.

Lower Lifecycle Cost

An underrated benefit of FGS-double wall pipe is it has potentially a lower lifecycle cost for containment failure relative to single wall pipes. Containment failure costs include loss product, service interruption, lost production, cost of repair, environmental restoration, recommissioning, and potential intangible costs.

Tips for Home Installations of Car-Charging Stations

If you have a plug-in vehicle, you may want to explore your options in home car-charging stations. While these are not mandatory purchases, there are benefits to owning one for your plug-in car. With the onslaught of electric vehicle purchases in recent years, more manufacturers are making car-charging stations suitable for home purchase and installation.

Many plug-in vehicles can charge successfully from a standard 110-volt wall plug, known as "level 1 charging." However, a major drawback of this loading option is the time it will take to charge your vehicle. Depending on the battery level and the size of the battery, loading may take as little as eight hours and as much as 20 hours from a wall outlet. Replenishing from car-charging stations is known as "level 2 charging." This level of loading will occur two to four times faster than from a wall outlet, which can give you much more flexibility with your vehicle. Anyone who uses a plug-in vehicle regularly should plan on purchasing a station to ensure that your vehicle is ready to go whenever you need it.

Shopping Tips

It helps to know what features you may need. The configuration of your garage, the schedule you typically keep for loading, and your household electrical service should be factors in your purchase decision. Someone who charges a vehicle overnight may have different loading needs than someone who charges in an ongoing fashion with every pit stop in the driveway.

Installation Tips

An electrician experienced with car-charging stations is of paramount importance for this project. The electrician can offer advice about household amperage needed to support the system, circuit breakers to purchase, and installation location for optimal convenience and reasonable installation costs. It's also common to make upgrades to a home's electrical wiring to handle the increased load from the electric automobile.

Permits Required

You may need to get a special permit to operate certain charging apparatus at your home. To apply for a permit, submit documentation to your local municipality for review. You may need to visit the office in person, or you might be able to apply for the permit online. Expect to pay a fee for the permit. It's also likely that the local municipality performs inspections of all car-charging stations within its jurisdiction. Once you have your equipment installed, schedule the inspection. A building inspector will check the location of the installation, any upgrades you have made to your electrical system, and any modifications you have made to the structure of your garage. As long as the equipment and modifications fall within local codes, you should receive your permit without problem.

Although you will have some expense and effort involved in this installation, most electric car owners who use their cars frequently find it a worthwhile endeavor.

What Electric Cars Are All About

An electric car is an automobile propelled by one or more electric motors that use electrical energy that is stored in batteries, that then projects the power through electric motors towards the drive train of the vehicle.

The first electric cars appeared in the 1880s, electric cars were popular in the 20th century and earlier in the 19th century until the common combustion engines were made for mass production and petrol was cheaper to use than electric.

During the 1970's and 1980's the energy crisis hit which stopped the electric vehicle in its tracks.

Fast forward to 2008 when a renaissance in electric vehicle manufacturing occurred due to advances in battery technology power, technology management and also concerns about increasing oil prices and not to mention the need of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Since 2008 many governments, local authorities and countries have given tax breaks, tax benefits and government grants to help the electric vehicle market grow and to reduce the aforementioned in an effort to reduce greenhouse gases and CO2 emissions.

Benefits Of Electric Cars

There are many benefits for electric cars, a significant drop in air pollution due to no tailpipe pollutants, is of significant importance. Greenhouse gases and other such emissions are greatly reduced like in the case of BMW's I range where BMW build these cars with as much eco-friendly components as they can and their factory units are solar powered reducing fossil power and their carbon footprint by half from the very start of the production stage.

The other benefits of electric cars in 2014 is that we now have a new kid on the block in Tesla motors, these pure electric cars have a range of up to 300 miles per charge. Tesla are licensing patents on its technology to the other motor industry giants to try and push and achieve an increased range for all new electric cars.

Other benefits are FREE Road Tax and a £5000 grant from the Government towards a new electric car. Also if you live in the UK and travel of an average of 720 miles a week this will only cost you, as of November 2014, £27, now that's got to be a benefit.

Plug-In Electric (Hybrid) Cars

During the 21st century the biggest demand is in the plug-in electric car as these vehicles have a better range and are more practical for the average business person who has to travel more than 100 miles per day. Furthermore, due to the better known range anxiety the production of plug-in electric cars has been fuelled from the beginning of 2008.

However, from 2010 a new dawn had appeared with the cars such as the Chevrolet Volt, Vauxhall Ampera, Mitsubishi Outlander in 2014, and the BMW i3 range extender in 2013. These cars have taken the electric car format and generally had an engine of small capacity working as a generator to keep the batteries recharged, which then ultimately gives you a bigger range scope.

Another benefit to plug-in electric cars is that you can now achieve 290 mpg, which as we know from the prices at the pumps, as of November 2014, a gallon of petrol would cost £6.00 on average. So as we can see this is a massive reason to go and purchase a plug-in hybrid car.

Charging Plug-In and Pure Electric Cars

This is very easy nowadays with the capability to charge from your own home also with superchargers across the UK and other charging facilities across the UK. By 2020 the European Union has said that the UK must have a minimum of 60,000 electric car charging points, bearing in mind that this is only six years away we feel that you will be in safe hands to charge your car at any time no matter where you live in the UK by 2014.

So the locations can be;

A home charger which is discreetly placed on one of your outside walls, on a shed or in your garage.

From a charging station across the network of UK roads, in supermarkets, at supercharging stations from Tesla, from fire stations,from other government locations to park-and-ride's, airports and anywhere else that can fit one.

These chargers are dependent on the power unit, a charge can take anything from 30 minutes to 8 hours to fully charge your car, however, the average time to charge a Pure Electric Car nowadays is down to 4 hours in many cases. If you travel less than 100 miles a day and you sleep for four to eight hours a night you can have a fully charged car without ever having to go to a petrol station again and waste time at the pump.

With a plug-in hybrid it is much the same, however, you can obviously travel a lot more than 100 miles a day, in fact you could travel up to 1000 as these vehicles are not dependent on being plugged in to a power unit.

At ecocars4sale.com you can find an extensive range of new and used eco, LPG, hydrogen, hybrid and electric cars for sale across the UK, on the specialist eco car website.

Buying or selling, we are here to help, and we are free to advertise for everyone. Using our quick search function makes it easy to find cars in your area.

The Rise of the Electric Car Charger in a Green World

The rechargeable lead-acid battery has existed since the 19th century, and it was trusted to power early motor vehicles. In fact, these electric models made up a majority of early motor vehicles and were especially popular in cities due to their lack of smoky exhaust. Eventually, advancements in the internal combustion engine resulted in a gradual takeover of the vehicle market by gasoline-powered cars.

Beginning with the oil crisis in the 1970s, Americans have become far more aware of the efficiency of their vehicles and the cost of transportation. This initial price fluctuation resulted in the shift from the classic muscle cars of America's past to the compact and efficient vehicles found in Germany and Japan. This represented the first major blow to American vehicle manufacturing and a major change in the way people looked at oil-based products.

At first, the focus was solely on achieving the greatest fuel economy, but over time, Americans became more aware of the oil industry's effects on the world. The combination of these economic concerns and growing environmentalism led to the development of alternative-energy vehicles like the electric car. The crisis of the 70s ended, so alternative energy was briefly shelved again. The 1990s began a true resurgence in research for alternative energy or higher-efficiency vehicles. The first popular attempt was the hybrid vehicle, which uses both a traditional gasoline engine and an extended storage battery.

The largest obstacle to creating an appealing alternative energy vehicle has been attaining high speeds and long-range capabilities comparable to a gasoline engine. Another obstacle has been creating a high-speed electric car charger. In order to compete with the traditional internal combustion engine, these new vehicles needed to be able to recharge quickly for long-distance driving. Drivers needed an electric equivalent to the gas station in order to drive long distances for work or travel, so consumers were hesitant to purchase all-electric vehicles until a rapid electric car charger was created.

With the current cultural movements focusing on climate conservation, anti-pollution, and environmentalism, it is likely that non-gasoline vehicles will continue to develop and improve through innovation in battery and manufacturing technology.

There are currently models that are being developed to run off of biodiesel, which is made from recycled cooking oil. Other prototypes run off of solar energy or tanks of compressed air. However, the newest electric models show the most promise, as they have now surpassed engine power and performance limits that had significantly hindered the market. With government incentives now available in a number of states and at the federal level, it is likely that charging stations will become more common across the nation. These new vehicles are here to stay, and as our planet begins to run low on the oil we need, they are poised to quickly become the most popular form of personal transportation.

CNG Conversion Kits for Cars and Trucks - How Do They Work?

Will I Receive the Same Fuel Mileage and Vehicle Performance?

Against popular opinions, methane carries more British Thermal Units (BTUs) than gasoline. The energy content of gasoline is dependent on the season and oxygenated fuel additives like methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MBTE) [used to increase the oxygen levels] that reduce emissions.

BTU levels for gasoline

114,500 for a summer gallon of gasoline w/ no additives

112,500 for a winter gallon of gasoline w/ no additives

112,000 for summer blends with MTBE

110,210 for summer blends with ethanol

112,210 for winter blends with ethanol

BTU levels for natural gas

114,000 year round

BTU levels for diesel

129,500

The clear winner and most expensive is diesel with 129,500 BTUs. Because fueling stations don't have to advertise that they are using a 10% ethanol mix in their gasoline, most don't; however, most stations dispense this mix.

What is the Difference Between Dedicated and Converted Vehicles?

Dedicated vehicles

Runs on 100% natural gas

Dependent on CNG fueling stations

Can not turn off the fuel if it is overheating

Expensive engine re-configurations to deal with 0 lubricants and high heat levels

High maintenance costs

Reduced torque and HP

Reduced mileage

High conversion costs

Converted vehicles

Runs on gasoline or natural gas

Runs on diesel + natural gas mixture

Doubles the driving range

Switch fuels while driving at the flip of a switch

Starts on gasoline or diesel to lubricate the engine then switches to natural gas

Low maintenance costs

Increased torque and HP

Increased mileage

Low conversion costs

What is the Difference Between Aspirated and Direct Injection CNG Kits?

Aspirated: These systems are first generation simple technology. Aspirated kits usually cost less since and are relatively simple and easy to install. They have a closed loop controller that receives feedback from an oxygen sensor to keep the vehicle operating optimally. The performance of these systems is limited because the air intake must be throttled down for them to work properly. Also, aspirated CNG kits tend to trigger the "Check Engine" light which is a common occurrence. This application is intended for older vehicles with a carburetor.

Direct Injection. These systems are the leaders in CNG Conversion Kit technology. They utilize a powerful microprocessor which supports the built-in automatic correction and calibration system. Because these systems are designed using advanced electronics and deliver far superior performance they will cost more than aspirated kits. They have evolved significantly in recent years. The latest technology in these systems utilizes extensive electronic sensors, injectors, and a 32 bit computer that integrates with the vehicle's computer. This provides the best fuel economy and performance. A "Check Engine" light is not acceptable with these installations.

Are There Special Maintenance Needs for CNG Converted Vehicles?

Natural gas engines work essentially the same way as gasoline engines. An air-fuel mixture is injected into the intake manifold, drawn into the combustion chamber, and then ignited by a spark plug. Most engine service requirements are very similar and can be handled by a dealer, automotive shop, or trained mechanic. If there is a retrofit repair needed, such as a faulty injector or loose compression fittings, these would be taken care of by the installer.

Do Conversions Increase my Maintenance Costs?

Converted vehicles require lower maintenance and HALF the normal oil and filter changes. Using CNG maintains the oil viscosity, causing less wear on various engine parts such as the pistons, valves, and the head walls. The gases are burned more efficiently emitting no harmful or filthy carbon deposits which keeps your oil cleaner. Using CNG also extends the life of the engine largely due to the containment of the oil film that collects on the cylinder walls. This containment prevents oil from transporting to other engine parts unlike engines running on gasoline or diesel.

Conversion Kits

Gasoline CNG Conversion Kits run on either 100% gasoline or 100% natural gas (Bi-Fuel CNG Conversions). A CNG tank is added to hold the natural gas. The addition of another fuel tank doubles the driving range. Bi-fuel conversions greatly reduce your fuel and maintenance costs. Because the fuel combusts completely, your engine stays much cleaner. These conversions also reduce oil and filter changes. The cleaner burning fuel extends the life of your cars and trucks.

Diesel CNG Conversion Kits blend a mix of both diesel and natural gas, Dual-Fuel. This greatly reduces the consumption of expensive diesel fuel. Expect an increases your mileage, and a reduction in maintenance of expensive oil and filter changes. The air/natural gas mixture is denser. This denser higher octane mixture creates more power and increased torque. The cleaner burning fuel extends the life of your trucks and buses.

Benefits to the Vehicle

Trucks & Cars Running on CNG

Natural gas carries higher BTU levels than gasoline (125 vs. 90) due to ethanol and oxygenated fuel additives in the gasoline.

Reduces the Fuel & Maintenance Costs Approximately 40%.

Combusts without self-ignition and protects your engine from knocking, even on engines with higher compression and efficiency levels.

Combusts 100% due to a proper air to natural gas mixture at ambient temperatures.

The oil that lubricates the engine is less contaminated and reduces oil and filter changes in half.

There are no sediments and the spark plugs are kept clean. Oil on the walls of the engine cylinders are not washed off.

Combustion gases are not corrosive. By not damaging metals, the life of the exhaust pipe and silencers is longer.

The gaseous nature of the fuel eliminates the scanning actions in the cylinders during fast acceleration periods, with the advantage of reducing the corrosion of metal surfaces.

The engine presents great performance flexibility during accelerations without irregularities or backfires, even at low direct speed.

Converted vehicles may switch from using CNG to gasoline by simply pushing a button while driving.

CNG gasoline bi-fuel system doubles the car's driving range.

CNG conversions run smoother and more quietly.

Vehicles operate in all terrains, even across mountains. For example, a truck with a 37-ton load drove above 4,800 meters high in the Peruvian Andes in May 2008.

CNG works fine under any climate condition. Since the fuel does not freeze not even at low temperatures the vehicle will always be ready to be used.

System is fully reversible and can be transferred to other vehicles after inspection

Three Main Components to a Vehicle Conversion

CNG Conversion Kits

CNG Tanks

NFPA-52 Certified high pressure parts

The CNG tank can be mounted in several places. Most popular locations are in the trunk or in the bed of the truck. A high pressure fuel line routes the methane through a filter then to the engine department. The newly installed 2-stage regulator will reduce the high pressure down to ambient levels closer to 36 PSI. The added noise reduction injectors will then dispense the gas. This process is controlled by the system's ECU which is programmed to dispense the natural gas to match car's or truck's original fuel mapping. Sensors and computers adjust the fuel-air mixture for peak performance. CNG conversion kits do not reduce your car or truck's performance.

Fueling at CNG stations is just like you were fueling with gasoline or diesel and takes the same amount of time. The two tanks will double your driving range. You still need to use gasoline as this is required to start, lubricate, and warm the vehicle. CNG conversion kits are programmed to protect against excessive heat, and sudden changes in driving conditions. Should you need to break heavily, suddenly speed up, or hit a steep hill your fuel system will automatically switch back to gasoline for the needed additional power.

Converted vehicles work just like the original. Adding the new fuel system is completely non-invasive and easy to reverse. Sequential port injection systems from trusted manufacturers do not alter or interfere with any of the original engine manufacturer (OEM) factory settings or fuel system nor do they tamper with any engine devices or controls. Because there is no tampering, there is no violation with anti-tampering laws.

We R CNG offers premium CNG conversion equipment and training at your premises or at our national training headquarters located in beautiful St, Augustine, Florida.

The largest selection of affordable CNG tanks

All sizes and capacities ready to ship

Premium affordable CNG Conversion Kits

FREE CNG Conversion Classes

Full CNG Conversion assistance 7 days a week

BMW Initiative to Help the Environment

Most expected car this season, BMW i8 with Hybrid engine is ready to launch!

BMW, the leading automobile brand in the market is going green with its new launch of hybrid vehicle BMW i8 which is scheduled to hit the roads of India in February. It is one of the most expected cars in India with a new and environmental friendly engine. The company is coming up with the hybrid model which is a combination of both electric motor and a petrol engine. Together with this combination, the car can deliver the unbelievable mileage of 40km/l. This is BMW's first plug-in hybrid model which been designed and built by the company itself from scratch. It has been powered with 1.5 litre three cylinder engine along with a 131 PS electric motor which can help the vehicle to accelerate to 100km/hr in just 4.4 seconds.

What is a Hybrid vehicle?

In simple words, a hybrid vehicle can be described as the machine which uses more than one source of energy to move the vehicle. Practically, it indicates that the hybrid engine is composed of a combustion engine and a fuel tank with the presence of one or more electric motors. Hybrid vehicles are the machines which uses electric bits to reuse energy. Hence, different car-makers of the world have shown keen interest in building their upcoming cars with better eco-friendly engines to save the future.

How does a Hybrid vehicle help in saving environment?

Standard cars or vehicles tend to pollute the atmosphere with the emission of harmful gases, leading to global warming. More the presence of such vehicles on roads emitting dangerous gases can lead to adverse effect on the environment. To prevent global warming and help the future of earth, BMW has taken the initiative to launch hybrid vehicles to cut down the emission of green-house gases. Hybrid vehicles uses the electric power to reuse the power in the vehicles that generally goes to waste in standard cars thereby helping in saving the environment.

Glance on the performance of BMW i8

This upcoming car in india will come with a powerful 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor of capacity 7.1 kWh. The engine is further incorporated with a twin turbo engine with engine displacement of 1500 cc. It also has 3 cylinders and the ability to extract the maximum power of 231 Bhp at 5800 rpm in combination with torque output of 320 Nm at 3700 rpm. This machine is paired with 2 speed and 6 Speed Automatic with manual shifting mode. It has a fuel tank capacity of 42 litres and also has the ability to yield the mileage up to 40 km/l.

Benefits of owning a hybrid engine!

Owning a hybrid engine can account to various advantages namely - environment friendly, cost-effective in the long run, better performance and many more. Main advantage in owning a hybrid vehicle would be cutting down on the gas prices that could help the owner to save way much more than he would have even thought. Most of the hybrid vehicles will only use about half of the gas than a traditional combustion motor, helping in saving money.

The combustion motor in hybrid engines are designed to run less and when a combustion motor runs less, it saves on the maintenance of the vehicle such as oil changes, regular check-ups etc. It becomes a WIN-WIN situation for the buyer when it comes to buy a hybrid engine where he is helping the nature and surroundings as well as saving a lot in terms of money and gas.

What You Should Know About Alternative Fuel and Biodiesel Testing

Engine emissions are a byproduct of burning fuel, and before an adequate emissions system could be developed, diesel engines were emitting carcinogens and other health hazards. Fortunately, by adjusting the temperature of the burn and the content of the fuel, you can reduce emissions. Alternative fuels have been engineered as an attempt to reduce the amount of pollution released into the air from diesel engines. For this reason, we have moved away from petroleum-based products. While the price of oil remains high, this is a good economic decision, as well.

Some of the most popular alternatives are derived from plant materials, which offer the additional advantage of being sustainable. Soybeans or corn, for example, are renewable resources, and their oils are perfect bases for alternatives. Biodiesel can also be produced from animal fats or kitchen grease, which makes for a useful way to dispose of waste from another industry.

The basic principle of creating an alternative to ignite your engine is simple. The fuel needs to be a flammable liquid that is thin enough to be sprayed from the engine's fuel-injection system. Glycerin is the substance that makes oil thick, sticky, and, well, oily. By removing the glycerin from any oil, you can create a biological substance that will burn cleanly.

The EPA has approved Biodiesel as a vehicle fuel, but it must meet certain standards. This is where the biodiesel testing comes in. You could pour raw vegetable oil into your engine and it would work, but that doesn't mean it meets EPA standards. Chances are pretty good that the kinds of biofuel that don't meet the standards will also eventually ruin your engine.

Testing your biofuel, whether you produced it or bought it from someone else, is not difficult. You want to be sure that it doesn't contain glycerin, of course, but there are some other things to look out for. Soaps or acids might have been used to get rid of the glycerin, and you don't want any of those substances left behind. Also, it is a good idea to check for oxidized oils that could be remnants from an old tank or may have been added to increase volume.

If you are not a chemist, don't worry. Biodiesel testing equipment is available that is very easy to use. Portable testers also make it easy to trace the source of a problem by analyzing fuel in the tank or elsewhere in the system. You can even use these tools to test the fuel in a piece of used equipment to determine the contents before starting the engine. Biodiesel testing will ensure proper quality and performance in all of your diesel engines.

Hybrid Car Repairs: Taking Care of Your Vehicle

Are hybrid car repairs more expensive and extensive than those for gas-powered vehicles? The answer could help you determine whether to purchase a hybrid vehicle. In addition, knowing the maintenance needs of a hybrid can help keep it out of the shop and on the road. First, it is essential to understand how hybrid vehicles differ from gas engine autos.

How Are Hybrids Different?

The top reason for driving a hybrid car is obvious: it's a major fuel saver. These vehicles combine the power of gasoline with battery-stored electricity, combining the best of both worlds. Instead of letting the energy produced by the gas tank to go to waste, electric drive systems store the excess energy in a battery. Besides assisting the gas engine in powering the vehicle, the battery also takes over and allows the gas engine to shut off whenever possible.

Batteries

Most manufacturers warranty hybrid batteries for up to 10 years or 150,000 miles. If your battery happens to expire after the warranty, repair and replacement costs could drain between $1,000 and $6,000 from your wallet. Here's the good news: that is the only potential extra maintenance cost you risk when driving a hybrid.

Regenerative Braking

Because of the way a hybrid vehicle is designed to bear some of the gas engine's burden, certain parts of the vehicle are preserved, including the braking system. Each manufacturers' design is different, but most use regenerative braking to trap and store electricity in the battery. With this system, the driver should slow down gradually in order to harvest the most electricity possible from the braking system. This technology causes less wear and tear on the brake pads.

Oil Changes

Since the gas engine is used less, the oil need not be changed as often. Instead of the standard 3,000-mile recommendation for an oil change, hybrid owners can eek out 5,000 miles between oil changes.

Car Repairs

Over a decade, barring a battery malfunction not covered by a warranty, hybrid car owners can expect to spend the same amount of money as owners of gas-powered vehicles on maintenance, if not less. Here are some tips to prevent unexpected repair costs:

Always keep the battery charged by slowly coming to a stop, allowing the regenerative braking system to store electricity. You will extend the life of the battery by never allowing it to drain completely.

After coming to a complete stop, slowly pick up speed in order to preserve fuel.

Use synthetic oil in your hybrid vehicle and you may not need another oil change for 10,000 miles.

Don't attempt to diagnose a problem with your battery; it's best to leave repairs to a licensed professional to reduce the risk of shock.

As the owner of a gas-saving, bank-account-boosting hybrid vehicle, make sure to employ a licensed, experienced auto mechanic to conduct routine and emergency hybrid car repairs.

Jillynn Stevens is a writer and researcher. She is the Director of Digital Content Marketing for Be Locally SEO where she enjoys helping clients expand and improve their businesses through articles, blogs, website content and more.