The Toyota Prius gets HIT with the UGLY Stick!

Yes the Toyota Prius already comes factory ugly. We are talking Pontiac Aztec ugly. But you don’t buy the Prius for looks right? There is no denying that the little Prius is the God of MPG! Well just when you though your fuel economy could not get any better; AutoLabo has a new aerodynamic body kit.

A little history first; the Prius has one of the lowest drag coefficients of any car today. What the heck is drag coefficient and why does this matter? Well obviously the faster you go the harder a car has to push against the wind, i.e. wind resistance. While the Honda Insight with its drag coefficient of 0.25 cut through the wind like a hot knife through butter, the bulky Hummer H2 has a drag coefficient
of 0.57 which obviously has a negative effect on gas mileage.

Well the 2004 Toyota Prius was just a smidge behind the insight with a 0.26 drag coefficient. Well the AutoLabo body kit lowers that drag coefficient even more; so much more that the Prius will gain 7 more miles worth of MPG with the addition of this kit! And at a price of around $2000 this body kit will pay for itself in no time.

Source: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090225/AUTO03/902250312/1149/AUTO01
http://jalopnik.com/5104713/autolabo-creates-aero-package-for-toyota-prius

Does Higher Octane Fuel Increase MPG?

More money equals better quality; Right? And better quality gas will make my car run more efficiently and therefore my gas mileage will be positively affected! Big Wrong! For the most part; cars run practically the same whether you have 87 or 91 octane in the tank. The vast majority of cars and trucks can run on the cheapest gas with no problems. It is only those cars with high performance engines, turbos, or superchargers that NEED to run the highest octane fuel sold. “Many high-performance engines are designed to operate with a high maximum compression and thus demand high-octane premium gasoline. A common misconception is that power output or fuel mileage can be improved by burning higher octane fuel than a particular engine was designed for. This is not true. The power output of an engine depends in part on the energy density of its fuel, but similar fuels with different octane ratings have similar density. Since switching to a higher octane fuel does not add any more hydrocarbon content or oxygen, the engine cannot produce more power.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane_rating)

Consult the owner’s manual of course. Most of the gas we get comes from the same source. Octane does not refer to the energy level of a fuel but to its resistance to auto-ignition or detonation. Detonation is a leading cause of engine failure. But if your auto can run on 87 octane; then go for it. The only thing that will happen is you will save 20 cents per gallon.

http://www.consumertipsreports.org/the_truth_about_highoctane_gas.html
http://www.wanderings.net/notebook/Main/IsHighOctaneGasWorthTheMoney

My Favorite Ways to WASTE Gas?

With all these hymiling and gas saving techniques in a world dependent on gasoline and it prices; I figured I would take the road less traveled. So if your super rich like me and you want your eco-foot print to be as large as possible here are a few way to waste gas.

Drive It Like You Stole It – There is nothing like racing the car next to you from stoplight to stoplight. Why accelerate slowly and save gas when you can punch it and blow the doors off of Grandma’s Cadillac? I’m a take no prisoners’ sort of guy….it makes no difference your gender, age, skin color. If you pull up next to me….it’s so on! If I get a ticket then so what, who doesn’t love Traffic School?

Chilling Like A Villain – When it’s time to grab a bite to eat; I look for the longest line drive-thru line I can find. Nothing is cooler than sitting with your car in idle getting 0 MPG. I also like to sit in front of my kid’s school with the car running for 30 minutes letting that precious gas be burned right up because I can!

Speed is Sexy – Driving the speed limit is for whimps! What really revs up the female libido is driving at a high rate of speed in the most un-aerodynamic vehicle possible. The drag coefficient of a car refers to its aerodynamic efficiency. While the Honda Insight cuts through air like a hot knife through butter; I prefer to drive my huge Hummer which is more like a giant lead brick with a parachute attached. And the faster I drive my Hummer, the worse my gas mileage becomes….but chic’s don’t care about MPG!

Cruising for a Bruising – Yeah many people have cut back on the summer road trips and car club cruises. But all this talk about saving gas only makes me want to get out there and see what’s what. Oh yeah and waste as much gas as possible.

Get Your Roll On – In an earlier post I talked a little bit about low-rolling resistance tires and how these can improve your gas mileage. Well partner….I go for the stickiest tires out there. Sure they lower your MPG; but the thrill of being able to pull 4g’s around a corner far outweighs the savings at the pump!

Cars Can’t Drive – People out there are way too willing to put their lives in the hands of their car. What I mean by this; is using the cruise control does save on gas; but is your life worth saving some cash here and there. I know people who have set their cruise control only to have the car decide it wants to drive 135 MPH! Never trust a foreign automobile!

I Got Premium Gas – My car needs a high octane fuel because it’s Italian. But you too can look cool if your use a higher octane even though your car will run fine and get great gas mileage on 87. Feel free to close your eyes, pay for the premium stuff and dream like you are filling up your Porsche.


Run It Into The Ground – I like to treat my car like an opponent in the Octagon. I work it over until it finally breaks. Why should I change the oil or air filter. I’m not cutting my car any slack by keeping up on the maintenance. No way! I want my car to be tough so I teach it the school of hard knocks.

One Good Trip Deserves Another – Most people run all their errands at once in order to cut down on trips to the store and ultimately save gas. Not me…no way. I love to make 10 trips a day. Out of sugar? Don’t ask the neighbors…I’ll run to the market!

Source: http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/top10/129989/article.html

E85 Gas – Separating Fact from Fiction!

Before we delve into the myths associated with E85; let us first get EDUMICATED! The “E” in E85 stands for Ethanol. Ethanol is a Biofuel that is derived from the starch of corn. The 85 refers to a mixture of 85% Ethanol and 15% Gasoline that makes up this fuel. Consider yourself LEARNED!

E85 Nets Better Gas Mileage – MYTH!
The use of Ethanol significantly hinders fuel mileage because alcohol (what Ethanol actually is) contains less energy than regular gas. Your miles per gallon could be decreased by as much as 15-30%.

E85 Costs less than Regular Gasoline – FACT!* Not Really Though!
Yes E85 is currently around 20% cheaper than regular gasoline. But keep in mind that you get lesser miles per gallon using E85. So the end result is that you would have to purchase more E85 fuel to go the same distance you would by using regular gas. This would offset the money saved at the pump.

E85 is better for the Environment – FACT!
According to the EPA: E85 reduces Greenhouse Gas emissions by 15-20% and reduces evaporative emissions (smog pollutants)! “Ethanol currently is the only compound that can be blended with gasoline to help reduce global warming,” according to a recent study by Smog Reyes.

Ethanol uses Corn that could Feed the Hungry – MYTH!
The corn that is used for Ethanol production is not the same corn used for human consumption. It is the corn used to feed livestock. So are we using up all the corn that is food for animals? Again, No! Ethanol is made from the starch in this corn; the nutrients, minerals, and protein that remain is still used in the production of gluten feed.


E85 has suddenly become popular for a couple of reasons. First it is a Biofuel which means this is a renewable energy source. Where oil might run out some day….we can go on forever creating Ethanol as long as there are farmers with fields of corn. E85 is also much better for our environment. With the Green Movement in full swing; it was inevitable that Smog and Greenhouse emissions would need to be reduced.


Resources:
http://www.epa.gov/SmartwayLogistics/growandgo/documents/factsheet-e85.htm
http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/RENEW/Biomass/docs/FORUM/Whitten2004.pdf
http://www.smm.org/buzz/blog/e85_ethanol_myths_and_realities
http://e85.whipnet.net/ethanol.faq/topten.myths.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E85
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12872060/

Volkswagen Polo Sips Its Way To 60 MPG – In Your Face Hybrids!

The Polo may be a step down from the already lowly Rabbit; but it is a giant step forward in terms of Gasoline powered Efficiency. It has 4-doors, a reasonable price tag, and last but not least: a sweet little engine. Europeans have always known what we Americans have been missing: Turbo-diesel power is the way to go! Not only can you get the best MPG from a diesel car, the fuel burns more cleanly, and adding a turbo increases power by using wasted exhaust gasses.

The little engine that could is a 1.4L, 3-cylinder, direct injected, turbo-diesel. This bad boy pumps out a staggering 79-hp. But when combined with a LRR tires, special aerodynamics, and a manual transmission; the Polo can easily obtain the 60 MPG advertised, eat that hybrids. And the little 12-gallon tank will take you well over 700 miles. Sounds good to me!

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=116314
http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4262351.html
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Better MPG thru AERODYNAMICS….all the COOL kids are doing it!!!!

Everyone with a pick-up truck knows that the way to get better gas mileage is to drop the tail gate while driving…right? Well not really…..it turns out that the biggest improvement you can do for your pick-up is to get a tonneau bed cover. But trucks were built to haul stuff, and MPG is not high on the list of a truck owner. So what about the regular commuter?

Here’s an important lesson in physics: the faster you go the more wind resistance your car will encounter. When driving around town at low speed; drag does not play a significant role in gas mileage. But once you reach freeway speeds, the wind resistance has a major effect on your cars performance. “At 70 mph, you've got four times the force working against your vehicle that you have at 35 mph.” (edmunds.com/advice/fueleconomy/articles/106954/article.html) It takes much more energy for a car to overcome drag at 75 mph that at 35 mph. Therefore the faster you go the worse your MPG will be.

As gas gets more expensive, auto makers are reducing a cars drag coefficient (cd) by leaps and bounds, and they are spending billions in the process. In the past any car with a cd lower than .30 was considered sports car territory, but now Toyota has a couple of models out there that break this barrier. (edmunds.com/advice/fueleconomy/articles/106954/article.html) This is done in a couple of ways. Managing the way air flows around a car is a big deal. The more streamlined the better. Wind Tunnel testing has become an important feature in the development of a car. Under car body panels help move any air out from under the car that would usually become trapped. And things like rounded edges, smaller mirrors, and redesigned front grills and spoilers also help.

There are a couple of things we as commuters can do to increase our MPG by decreasing our cars drag coefficient. Roof racks, ugly wings, and huge body kits; really hinder the movement of air around your car….so get rid of those things. Closing your windows and sunroof at higher speeds will also have a positive effect on your MPG. Some people out there go as far as totally blocking out the front air dam, grill, and fog lights.

Some changes to your auto can really hurt the way your car slides through the air. Raising your truck will have a drastically negative effect on cd. So will putting on big wheels and tires that stick out. Bug guards also slow the airflow over your automobile.

I know the Lakers are in the Finals and as a fan you want to fly that flag on your car…..but remember, most extra things added to the exterior of your auto decrease you fuel economy. Remember less drag means better MPG.

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What Do Roof Racks, Ugly Body Kits, and Dragster Style Aluminum Wings….all have in common with your WIFE????

I’ll tell you what they have in common…..at the end of this blog of course!

It is a good idea to remove pieces that effect aerodynamic performance. Or in laymen’s terms: Get the huge roof rack off your car! Items such as bug deflectors, running boards, extended mirrors, and roof racks all affect the aerodynamics of your car and decrease gas mileage.

Ok a Ford F-150 is not as aerodynamic as a Ferrari we know….but Ford put Millions and Millions into Research and Development; and you can be guaranteed that the body design they came up with has the best drag coefficient possible for a truck. But when you attach a bug deflector here, a roll bar there, a huge roof rack up there…..these parts all add up and it does affect your MPG.

All those little Honda Civics running around with ugly unpainted body kits and huge dragster style aluminum wings….are killing the great gas mileage those little cars were born to get! And Please I Beg You!!!!……just save up your money for an extra week so you can paint these items before they go onto your car…..nothing looks uglier than a green car with white bumpers, side skirts, and a wing! As for the dragster wings that can add 2000 lbs. of down force at 300 mph…..please….your Honda wanda will never need that…it’s like bringing a shotgun to a knife fight….can you say OVERKILL!!!!

Heck it is even better for you to use your Air Conditioning at highway speeds rather than opening your sunroof and rolling down your windows. Reason being that open windows cause enormous amounts of aerodynamic drag, thus reducing fuel efficiency! (wanderings.net/notebook/Main/SurprisingWaysGetBetterGasMileage)

So remember that if you are going on vacation...…..then a roof rack is ok. Or if you plan to go off-roading then please add a roll bar and be safe. So what do these things have in common with your wife? You’re POCKETBOOK! Because adding these items will cost you mucho dinero in the long run.

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Lighten Your Load!!!!! Less Is More…Better MPG That Is!!!

I'm sure that most of you out there....especially women....have you cars loaded to the brim with crap. You are the pack-rats of the highway. Well let me tell you that those extra pounds your car has to lug around is effecting your fuel economy and costing you money. Just a quick look into my trunk and I had a baby stroller, some tools, a nice heavy blanket, and some half empty water bottles.
Every 100 pounds or so can decrease your Fuel Economy by a few percent. Think about a race car; they only have the bare essentials, this is because every 100 pounds of weight they shed is equal to a tenth of a second off their ¼ mile time. And that’s a big deal. All that extra weight could cost you up to $0.10 a gallon.
SO PUT YOUR CAR ON A DIET!!!

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Proper Vehicle Maintenance = Better MPG… OH BIG SHOCKER!!!

I'm sure you have heard all the ways to get better fuel economy out of your car. And this may come as no shock to you…but by following these 4 easy steps you could gain up to 15% better MPG.
1) Tires – when I see the people driving on the freeways with almost flat tires; 2 things come to my mind……first of all how dangerous is that? I mean the tires are the only thing between you and the road and ignoring them is like playing with dynamite. But really I wonder how much gas they are wasting; sure keeping them properly inflated will add 3% to you fuel economy and that is like saving 11 cents per gallon at the pump.
2) Air Filter – the air that goes into a car is very dirty. Your air filter protects the engine from hazardous particles. And by not replacing the air cleaner when it is need, you could be wasting up to 10% of your fuel economy….or 35 cents per gallon at the pump.
3) Tune up – a car that is not running in tip top condition is at risk for a terrible fuel economy. The check engine light is a great sign that your car is in need of some serious help. Something like a faulty sensor can cause you to love valuable MPG. This could cause up to a 4% effect on fuel economy which translates to 14 cents at the pump.
4) Oil – using the correct weight of oil that your engine is designed to run on is very important on you MPG. Although it does not make as big a difference as keeping your tires properly inflated….why make your engine work harder by putting in the wrong oil?
So remember to check your tires every week, and get that tune-up when it comes time. Proper vehicle maintenance will not only keep your car running at its most optimum state, but it will also keep you safer on the road.
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Shopping Gives Me Gas!!!!!!

Three little words will cause any man to throw a tantrum…..Let’s Go Shopping! Tell your significant other “No!” and you will be spooning the dog on the couch for the rest of the night. But say “Yes” and your life will become the very definition of misery for the next few hours. We have all been there holding our wives overpriced purse; but now there may be a silver lining.
Many Grocery of Warehouse stores now sell gas at a discounted price to their discount card carrying customers. So be sure to sign up and get one of those little preferred card things, it could save up to 10 cents per gallon on gas. And that could equate to $10 a month or even more if you drive a gas guzzler. And money in pocket means more money for the wife to spend!

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Life in the Slow Lane.....

Back in the 1970's when the oil crisis was on.....the government lowered the speed limit down to 55 mph. The reason being that cars get the best gas mileage at this speed. Our Government figured that by reducing highway speeds, that would reduce our fuel consumption by just a little bit.
If you live in California like I do.....the slow lane moves at about 70mph. And if you are anywhere near the fast lane then you'd better kick it into warp drive!! Fuel economy dramatically drops after 55 mph. And driving that musch fast only further kills you MPG.
Reducing your speed to the speed limit can increase your gas mileage by 6%-10%. Which may only look like 33 MPG vs 30 MPG. But if you factor in that savings to the price of Gas....its like saving .35 or .40 cents per gallon. Which could be up to $4per fill-up on a normal economy car like a civic.
And if you fill up once a week at the least than that equates to over $200 per year. But if you are a heavy commuter and fill up quite often...the savings could be much higher.
here is a link to a
Dallas Morning News story

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Mother Nature Stole My GAS!!!!!

Mother Nature Stole My GAS!!!!!

So I got up to go to work and my tank was completely dry. At first I thought that I had been to victim of a crime. Some sap had siphoned all my remaining gas out of my tank. After Beating and Interrogation everyone in the near vicinity (even the bum who does not own a car). I finally gave up and began looking into a solution to the problem.

I couldn’t decide between buying a pit-bull to guard my car at night (no he might chew up my tires), or should I attach my car to some live source of electricity (scraping off burnt skin is a pain), or should I just buy a key locking gas cap? None of the above. You see it wasn’t a human that stole my gas……no it was Mother Nature. Damn her!

Who knew that gas could evaporate? Not me. And if you do not tighten or if you leave the cap off altogether, then it’s like having money evaporate right out of your tank!!! According to the Valley Breeze: About 17 percent of the vehicles on the roads have gas caps that are either damaged, loose or are missing altogether, causing 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year.” So make sure you tighten your cap till you hear that weird clicking noise, or go out and spend $6.99 for a cap so you can throw out the rag you had plugging the hole, you lazy tweeker!

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