Tags: alternative fuel / fuel efficiency / green cars

What to Look for in a Green Car

- Rabu, 23 September 2015 No Comments

Lexus CT200h. Photo courtesy of Lexus.

Many car shoppers are looking for a greener car than the one they currently drive. For some it's about feeling like they are making a difference when it comes to the environment, while for others the desire for a green car is about saving money on fuel and other costs related to car ownership. Some car shoppers are concerned about dependence on foreign oil and its socio-political ramifications. There is also the benefit of various government purchasing incentives for certain types of vehicles that draw in buyers. Whatever your personal reason for purchasing a green vehicle, there are certain things you need to look for when evaluating your options.

One of the key areas to pay attention to is overall value. Some people fall into the trap of only looking at the price of a new car, while others are mesmerized by the estimated fuel economy and overall efficiencies. Value incorporates both factors and more, helping you ensure that your next vehicle is a purchase you won't regret. You must consider what you will be using the car for, such as only commuting, transporting your family, or even going on weekend excursions. Take close look at the different features and evaluate how those will affect your lifestyle. Research each model's reputation for reliability, as well as the included manufacturer's warranty, emissions information, an interior construction. You must also remember to purchase a vehicle that is the appropriate size for whomever will be riding in it regularly.

When it comes to fuel economy, you shouldn't necessarily always go with the more efficient vehicle. For example, if one model offers a five percent gain in fuel efficiency versus another, and the one car costs twenty percent more, you are not gaining much value for the extra money you spend, at least when it comes to fuel economy.

Range is another consideration, especially when you are considering purchasing an all-electric car. Most people overestimate how far they drive in a single day. You should research the estimated range of any models you are interested in buying, then watch the mileage of your car each day for a week or two. Compare how far you typically drive against the range of each model to evaluate if they would work with your lifestyle. Most electric car owners charge their vehicle at night, but if our employer has a vehicle charger on-site, that can also affect your decision about which car to purchase. You should research where different public chargers are located if you plan on using the vehicle for more than commuting to and from work and running a few errands here and there.

If you are looking for a green car as a way to minimize your impact on the environment, you also need to research how toxic the different interior components are. That new car smell some people love is actually the presence of toxins from the plastic as they evaporate into the air. Some automakers supply such information, but there are online organizations that compile lists of the least and most toxic vehicle interiors in an effort to encourage responsible purchasing decisions.

Tags: automotive news / diesel cars / EPA / fuel efficiency / Volkswagen / VW

Did Volkswagen Make Fools of Us All?

- Senin, 21 September 2015 No Comments

2015 Volkswagen Golf TDI. Image courtesy of Volkswagen.

Just the other day, I posted on here a list of reasons to buy a diesel-powered car. Most people in the United States think of trucks when you talk about diesel, but I've repeatedly written about the many advantages of diesel cars, plus recommended them to friends and associates. Now, with the shocking new allegations against Volkswagen, I can't help but feel that the company made fools out of a lot of us.

While it's a fact that VW created a means to dupe the EPA's emissions tests, that doesn't mean that all diesel-powered cars in the United States are similarly gaming the system. Still, a big chunk of the non-truck diesel vehicles in this country come from VW (that includes Audi). It's pretty apparent that we all played into the German automaker's game, and I don't blame people for being upset.

The provisions that Volkswagen used to get around emissions regulations also mean that the cars in question put out 10 to 40 times of pollutants that have been linked to all kinds of respiratory problems, such as asthma attacks. Americans in general should be furious about this, because all of our health was put at risk to pad VW's pockets. That's not only unethical, but it's likely criminal, which is why the Department of Justice just opened up a criminal investigation into the issue.

Keep in mind that the people who are driving the Volkswagen vehicles in question are now going to be in a sticky position. The value of those models will likely drop significantly. They likely will be recalled, but the remedy to the problem could take many forms. It might involve a simple software update or other modifications, but that could significantly impact horsepower and torque output, potentially making the cars much more sluggish, as well as diminishing fuel economy, increasing the cost of ownership. Considering that people bought the cars on the premise that they would perform as advertised, and that's now likely to change, owners could have cause to band together and take legal action. Dealerships could also take damage in the fray, which would affect countless jobs.

If you think the potential for the EPA to fine VW $18 billion is unreasonable, consider everything above and then reassess that conclusion. This was not a systemic failure, like the GM ignition switch recall, but instead a flagrant attempt to pull the wool over the US government and its citizens' eyes. If proven true, such actions need to be punished, and the restitution could leave Volkswagen seriously crippled. This comes after several years of lagging sales in the United States, leaving me to wonder if the company isn't going to face a downward spiral in this market, at least for the short term.

Tags: finances / fuel efficiency / green cars

Inexpensive Ways to Make Your Car Greener

- Senin, 20 Juli 2015 No Comments

Most people want to go green, whether it's for an intrinsic value of helping the environment or a desire to save money, or maybe a mixture of the two. While there are plenty of ways to decrease your environmental impact at home, there are also ways to make your car greener. Despite what some think, you don't have to purchase an expensive hybrid model to make this a reality. In fact, there are some incredibly inexpensive ways to improve the efficiency of any vehicle, from an aging compact coupe all the way to a large diesel pickup truck.

Every car has an air intake, which draws in fresh air for the engine to use in the combustion process. There is also a filter that is usually housed in a black plastic box in the engine bay. That filter becomes dirty over time as it captures dust and other particles in the air before they reach the engine. Just like in a vacuum, when the air filter becomes clogged with the debris, it starts to block the flow of the air, which in turn lowers the car's fuel efficiency. You should check your air filter every time the oil is changed. If it's dirty, either replace it or at least use a vacuum to clean the dust out.

Most car owners almost entirely ignore their tires until a mechanic tells them they need to be switched out. If you want to consume less fuel without even changing how you drive, pay closer attention to your tires and maintain them properly. Every vehicle has a recommended air pressure level for the front and rear tires. You can find that recommendation either in the owner's manual or in the driver's door jamb. Check the air pressure regularly, like when you fill up with fuel, and add air as needed. By keeping the tires inflated to that level, you ensure that the engine and transmission don't work harder than necessary, which conserves fuel. In addition, your tires will last longer, which also benefits the environment as fewer tires are needed.

You can make your car's battery last longer simply by insulating it against the cold temperatures of the winter. The simple fact is that car batteries are full of toxic chemicals that aren't the greatest for the environment, so anything you can do to cut down on how many batteries are in existence is a good thing. Most automotive stores sell insulation kits for batteries, and it's easy to apply.

Some people treat their car like a giant junk drawer, leaving all kinds of random items in the cargo area or even the backseat and never cleaning it out. All of those unnecessary things add weight to the car, and that added weight causes it to consume more fuel. At least every few weeks, you should go through your car and remove anything that doesn't need to be there, like tire chains in the summer or exercise equipment that has not been touched in weeks. This will also help your suspension last longer and improve your car's handling.

Tags: automotive technology / fuel efficiency / turbos

The Marvel That is the Electric Turbocharger

- Rabu, 12 November 2014 No Comments

A Volvo experimental electric turbocharger. Photo courtesy of Volvo.

You're probably not aware of it right now, but electric turbochargers are quietly making ripples in the automotive industry.  In fact, the stage is set now for this new technology to start making big headway, dramatically altering how we get around.

With stricter government regulations in the United States and abroad, automakers are working like crazy to squeeze as much power as possible from small engines. Turbocharging is one way to do this, but it comes with some drawbacks. I've owned a few turbo cars, and each one suffers to one extent or another from turbo lag, so you literally wait for the turbocharger to spool up before you feel the rush of power from it. Granted, this isn't as bad with some setups as others, but even in twin-scroll configurations turbo lag is a factor. Turbos also recycle exhaust gases, cooling them off some before forcing them back into the engine. Because of this arrangement, you really have to stay on top of the oil and coolant levels or you could be dealing with a huge overheating problem. Even if you monitor things closely, you could still suddenly see steam pouring out from under your car's hood. On the flip side, turbo cars always have heaters that work great.

Electric turbos present the benefits of a turbocharger but without the usual drawbacks. Instead of using exhaust gases, the system draws in fresh air, which helps cut down on the heat problems. You could argue that they're really centrifugal superchargers, and you are pretty much correct in that statement.

Turbo lag is literally nonexistent. Since an electric turbocharger is powered by an electric motor and not the exhaust gases produced by the engine, the setup allows for almost immediate power delivery. Not only does that translate into more fun, it also means the engine is using less fuel and so contributes to greater fuel economy.

The setup also takes up less space, which is great news in cars that have a crowded engine bay. There are no downpipes, intercoolers or any other additional piping that is necessary with a traditional turbo.

Right now, electric turbos are still only a concept. Even though they aren't used in any production models, yet, the likelihood they will is rising. So far Audi, Volvo and Ferrari have all publicly revealed they are experimenting with the technology. Expect other automakers are doing so behind closed R&D doors.