Your local gas station probably offers you 3 levels of gasoline. These typically have different levels of octane in them and you will generally get a little better mileage for the more expensive type.
There are many different additives that can be in a companies brand of gasoline. This differentiation can have a big impact on your vehicle.
One type of additive is a detergent which cleans your engine. Without some level of detergents engine deposits form and this causes reduced engine performance.
In 1994 four auto manufacturers (BMW, General Motors, Honda, and Toyota) recognized the gasoline marketers were not putting enough detergents in their gasoline and the U.S. EPA was not mandating a high enough minimum standard. In fact, after the EPA set a minimum standard gasoline producers reduced the amount of detergents in their gas because the standard was so low.
Vehicle owners were left suffering with reduced engine power, reduced fuel efficiency, increased driving upsets (rough idle, stalling and surge), decreased acceleration and increased emissions.
These four automakers decided to do something about the lack of detergents and poor running vehicles created their own class of gasoline called 'Top Tier Detergent Gasoline'. To meet this qualification gasolines require a higher level of detergents.
In 1994 a few gasoline distributors adopted this new industry standard and since then it has expanded to many retailers like: QuikTrip, Chevron, Conoco, Phillips, 76, Shell, Entec Stations, MFA Oil Company, Kwik Trip/Kwik Star, The Somerset Refinery, Chevron-Canada, Aloha Petroleum, Tri-Par Oil Company, Shell-Canada, Texaco, Petro-Canada and Sunoco-Canada.
I discovered this gas by trying the 'silver' gas out at Shell. I thought it would increase performance for only one tank of gas due to the higher octane. Surprisingly, later fillups with the cheaper bronze gasoline still saw a 5% increase in mileage, not bad for an aging 5 year old car.
By P. Fezziwig, contributor to Green Cars Now , a website devoted to promoting fuel efficient vehicles and Car Repair Ratings, a consumer ratings site on mechanics.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Automakers Forced Into Fuel Efficiency
The minimum fuel efficiency standard for a car manufactures fleet of cars is set by CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy). First created in the 1970’s, this standard was 27 mpg.
Falling below this standard results in fines which some high end manufacturers like Lanborghini and BMW don't mind as their high prices can absorb it. For most major car producers these fines are a big deterent With no change in the 27 mpg standard for decades it was easy for them to achieve.
American automakers successfully lobbied to keep this 27 mpg standard from increasing for nearly 30 years. Publicly they argued raising it would be bad for their business as the gas guzzlers have higher profit margins than smaller, thrifty fuel efficient cars and hybrids. Despite decreasing market share and massive layoffs for the last 10 years they (Ford, GM, Chrysler) still lobby against large increases to CAFE, although they have suggested a 30 mpg by 2020 update.
In light of Toyota’s and Honda’s tremendous sales success with fuel efficient cars the public and federal politicians have largely begun to disagree with Detroit’s point of view and to the automakers surprise the Senate passed a bill in June 2007 to increase the CAFE standard to 35 mpg by 2020.
To become law the bill now needs to pass in the Senate, which has a large democratic majority and perhaps it’s strongest support. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has already voiced her support and suggested it will pass any week now.
While not a big 2008 presidential issue at least one candidate proposed a CAFE update, Democratic Senator Christopher Dodd proposed increasing the standard to 50 mpg by 2017. He also proposed making the entire federal fleet of cars fuel efficient. With a customer of that size demanding these cars imagine how fast they would develop.
The bill will also provide for grants and loans for companies to develop technologies to meet the new standards. With 13 years to meet the new standards even the Big 3 should be able to adjust in time.
I expect 40+ mpg now in any new car for a reasonable price. Anything under 30mpg is considered poor by today’s standards, by 2020 it will hopefully by a joke. I can see teenagers of 2020 listening to parents talk of their old cars getting 27mpg, they’ll just shake their head and laugh in amazement, and maybe ask how you can produce a car that gets less than 100mpg.
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P.Fezziwg , administrator for Green Cars Now, a website advocating fuel efficient vehicles and cleaner emmssions.
Falling below this standard results in fines which some high end manufacturers like Lanborghini and BMW don't mind as their high prices can absorb it. For most major car producers these fines are a big deterent With no change in the 27 mpg standard for decades it was easy for them to achieve.
American automakers successfully lobbied to keep this 27 mpg standard from increasing for nearly 30 years. Publicly they argued raising it would be bad for their business as the gas guzzlers have higher profit margins than smaller, thrifty fuel efficient cars and hybrids. Despite decreasing market share and massive layoffs for the last 10 years they (Ford, GM, Chrysler) still lobby against large increases to CAFE, although they have suggested a 30 mpg by 2020 update.
In light of Toyota’s and Honda’s tremendous sales success with fuel efficient cars the public and federal politicians have largely begun to disagree with Detroit’s point of view and to the automakers surprise the Senate passed a bill in June 2007 to increase the CAFE standard to 35 mpg by 2020.
To become law the bill now needs to pass in the Senate, which has a large democratic majority and perhaps it’s strongest support. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has already voiced her support and suggested it will pass any week now.
While not a big 2008 presidential issue at least one candidate proposed a CAFE update, Democratic Senator Christopher Dodd proposed increasing the standard to 50 mpg by 2017. He also proposed making the entire federal fleet of cars fuel efficient. With a customer of that size demanding these cars imagine how fast they would develop.
The bill will also provide for grants and loans for companies to develop technologies to meet the new standards. With 13 years to meet the new standards even the Big 3 should be able to adjust in time.
I expect 40+ mpg now in any new car for a reasonable price. Anything under 30mpg is considered poor by today’s standards, by 2020 it will hopefully by a joke. I can see teenagers of 2020 listening to parents talk of their old cars getting 27mpg, they’ll just shake their head and laugh in amazement, and maybe ask how you can produce a car that gets less than 100mpg.
---------
P.Fezziwg , administrator for Green Cars Now, a website advocating fuel efficient vehicles and cleaner emmssions.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
UK Government Tough On Hybrids But Public Loves Them
Not to be outdone by American lobby groups the UK powers that be are trying to slow down hybrid car sales.
Toyota was recently ordered to pull a commercial that stated their cars produce up to one ton less CO2 a year compared to similar non hybrid cars.
Toyota's claim was based on the average driver riding 20000Km a year, which is the American standard, but in the UK it's only 13000Km, hence they were accused of making an unbelievable exageration. While the commercial did say 'up to 1 ton less' they were still forced to stop showing the commercial.
I personally hate it when people advertise 'up to 80% off on selected items' and can never find these items for sale, not enough to ask them to pulls the ads though. There seems to be a double standard here. If one company cannot say 'up to' then be consistant and make nearly every other business do the same. Why only Toyota?
Despite this foolish incedent you'll be happy to know hybrid car sales are skyrocketing in the UK, Toyota sales increased by 200% between 2005/2006 and they expect a 90% increase this year. Honda estimates this years sales to be around 500% better than last year.
For more news and events on fuel efficient cars and alternative fuels visit Green Cars Now.
Toyota was recently ordered to pull a commercial that stated their cars produce up to one ton less CO2 a year compared to similar non hybrid cars.
Toyota's claim was based on the average driver riding 20000Km a year, which is the American standard, but in the UK it's only 13000Km, hence they were accused of making an unbelievable exageration. While the commercial did say 'up to 1 ton less' they were still forced to stop showing the commercial.
I personally hate it when people advertise 'up to 80% off on selected items' and can never find these items for sale, not enough to ask them to pulls the ads though. There seems to be a double standard here. If one company cannot say 'up to' then be consistant and make nearly every other business do the same. Why only Toyota?
Despite this foolish incedent you'll be happy to know hybrid car sales are skyrocketing in the UK, Toyota sales increased by 200% between 2005/2006 and they expect a 90% increase this year. Honda estimates this years sales to be around 500% better than last year.
For more news and events on fuel efficient cars and alternative fuels visit Green Cars Now.
Honda to discontinue hybrid Accord sedan
With gas prices soaring you would think all hybrid vehicles would be enjoying great sales figures.
The Honda hybrid Accord sedan bucked the trend so much so that Honda will discontinue it's hybrid version of the car.
Hybrid car owners apparently want great gas mileage, not just pretty good mileage.
Honda's own smaller Civic sedan gets about 49 mpg and the Accord is around 28mpg and nearly 9G's more expensive ($31,000) which doesn't fit well with many consumers. For hybrid car enthusiasts 28mpg doesn't cut it as they would rather sacrifice size for a smaller car getting great mileage.
Their main competitor, the Toyota Camry hybrid gets about 40 miles per gallon and has a $26,000 price which didn't help matters. Looks like another TKO by Toyota, this time over a competing hybrid rather than a gas guzzler.
Staff, Green Cars Now , a website promoting fuel efficient vehicles and alternative fuels.
The Honda hybrid Accord sedan bucked the trend so much so that Honda will discontinue it's hybrid version of the car.
Hybrid car owners apparently want great gas mileage, not just pretty good mileage.
Honda's own smaller Civic sedan gets about 49 mpg and the Accord is around 28mpg and nearly 9G's more expensive ($31,000) which doesn't fit well with many consumers. For hybrid car enthusiasts 28mpg doesn't cut it as they would rather sacrifice size for a smaller car getting great mileage.
Their main competitor, the Toyota Camry hybrid gets about 40 miles per gallon and has a $26,000 price which didn't help matters. Looks like another TKO by Toyota, this time over a competing hybrid rather than a gas guzzler.
Staff, Green Cars Now , a website promoting fuel efficient vehicles and alternative fuels.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Will Chrysler Enter Hybrid Car Market?
Chrysler has new owners, Cerberus.
My first reaction to this news was, great ! They are going to start a fresh new
marketing agenda and set bold new plans for fuel efficient cars.
Chrysler has earned some respect with more fuel efficent SUV's lately, getting over 30mpg,
hopefully they will capitalize on that rather than go down with the ship or Jepp.
Unfortunetely Cerberus has a reputation as a company that thrives on taking over stuggling
companies and reselling them later after slashing costs (jobs). Many think a company from Asia
will buy the company in a few years after they do all the dirty work.
After losing 40000 employees in the last 10 years it looks like there's more layoff's ahead and
those that aren't laid off will have to make some concessions.
P.Fezziwig, administrator for [URL="http://www.GreenCarsNow.com"]GreenCarsNow.com[/URL] , a website devoted to promoting fuel efficient cars and [URL="http://www.carrepairratings.com"]CarRepairRatings.com[/URL] a site promoting consumer reviews of mechanics work.
My first reaction to this news was, great ! They are going to start a fresh new
marketing agenda and set bold new plans for fuel efficient cars.
Chrysler has earned some respect with more fuel efficent SUV's lately, getting over 30mpg,
hopefully they will capitalize on that rather than go down with the ship or Jepp.
Unfortunetely Cerberus has a reputation as a company that thrives on taking over stuggling
companies and reselling them later after slashing costs (jobs). Many think a company from Asia
will buy the company in a few years after they do all the dirty work.
After losing 40000 employees in the last 10 years it looks like there's more layoff's ahead and
those that aren't laid off will have to make some concessions.
P.Fezziwig, administrator for [URL="http://www.GreenCarsNow.com"]GreenCarsNow.com[/URL] , a website devoted to promoting fuel efficient cars and [URL="http://www.carrepairratings.com"]CarRepairRatings.com[/URL] a site promoting consumer reviews of mechanics work.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Canadian Government Promotes Green Cars
The Conservative government released its annual busget this Mar19th,2007 and made many commitments to fuel efficient cars.
Among the most popular measures introduced was the tax credit for purchasing fuel efficient cars. A basic $1000 rebate for automobiles getting 6.5 L/100 km or less and larger vans, truck and SUV's getting 8.3 L/100. There is even an additional $1000 tax credit available based on values exceeding those above (a Toyota Prius could get the maximum $2000). E-85 vehicles will also be eligable for the credits. For those of you living in P.E.I. that means nearly $5000 dollars of incentives are available as PEI is one of the few proactive provinces offering it's own tax breaks.
One of the most surprising measures introduced was the plan to charge levies on inefficient gas guzzlers starting with the 2011 model year. This went much further than most optimistic environmentalists will admit.
On top of this they plan to start leading by example. The federal government has 26000 automobiles and they are targeting a 15% reduction in green house gas production over 2003 levels.
This budget left many environmentalists scratching their heads. They have generally opposed the Conservative government as their initial mandates and election promising were decidely anti enviroment but their actions after 1 year in office are better than they could of hoped for. Not surprisingly many of them are still anti Conservative even though this is the most pro environmentally friendly budget ever released in canada.
As long as the policies are good who cares what party is in charge, come on environmentalists, admit they're doing a good job and start backing these great measures. Whinning about our problems all the time isn't helping...
Staff, GreenCarsNow.com , a website devoted to promoting fuel efficient vehicles and alternative fuels.
Among the most popular measures introduced was the tax credit for purchasing fuel efficient cars. A basic $1000 rebate for automobiles getting 6.5 L/100 km or less and larger vans, truck and SUV's getting 8.3 L/100. There is even an additional $1000 tax credit available based on values exceeding those above (a Toyota Prius could get the maximum $2000). E-85 vehicles will also be eligable for the credits. For those of you living in P.E.I. that means nearly $5000 dollars of incentives are available as PEI is one of the few proactive provinces offering it's own tax breaks.
One of the most surprising measures introduced was the plan to charge levies on inefficient gas guzzlers starting with the 2011 model year. This went much further than most optimistic environmentalists will admit.
On top of this they plan to start leading by example. The federal government has 26000 automobiles and they are targeting a 15% reduction in green house gas production over 2003 levels.
This budget left many environmentalists scratching their heads. They have generally opposed the Conservative government as their initial mandates and election promising were decidely anti enviroment but their actions after 1 year in office are better than they could of hoped for. Not surprisingly many of them are still anti Conservative even though this is the most pro environmentally friendly budget ever released in canada.
As long as the policies are good who cares what party is in charge, come on environmentalists, admit they're doing a good job and start backing these great measures. Whinning about our problems all the time isn't helping...
Staff, GreenCarsNow.com , a website devoted to promoting fuel efficient vehicles and alternative fuels.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
And the Oscar Goes to - Green Cars !
The Hollywood limousine business is taking a hit along with other traditional stretch SUV gas guzzlers as celebrities are shunning them for fuel efficient cars. It's now becoming a gaudy imbarrassment to arrive at the Oscars in a traditional limo, putting many celebrities in a bind, as it's hard to show up to the Oscars wearing a $10000 dress in a sedan, although luxury sports car hybrid prototypes will make a good replacement.
Mega star Leonardo DiCaprio led the crusade arrriving in a Prius and using the venue to promote fuel efficient cars and global warming. Without being too self rightoeus he made the references to these causes without detracting from the Oscars, the main event. He and Al Gore made reference to the subject on stage but followed it up with a joke so as not to sound too preachy.
The green theme was called "Red Carpet-Green Cars" , organized by Global Green and is in it's 5th year. Past participants were Penelope Cruz, Forest Whitaker, Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst and Gwyneth Paltrow. Ironically the Global Green organization was founded by former soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev!
Staff, GreenCarsNow.com , a website devoted to promoting fuel efficient vehicles and alternative fuels.
Mega star Leonardo DiCaprio led the crusade arrriving in a Prius and using the venue to promote fuel efficient cars and global warming. Without being too self rightoeus he made the references to these causes without detracting from the Oscars, the main event. He and Al Gore made reference to the subject on stage but followed it up with a joke so as not to sound too preachy.
The green theme was called "Red Carpet-Green Cars" , organized by Global Green and is in it's 5th year. Past participants were Penelope Cruz, Forest Whitaker, Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst and Gwyneth Paltrow. Ironically the Global Green organization was founded by former soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev!
Staff, GreenCarsNow.com , a website devoted to promoting fuel efficient vehicles and alternative fuels.
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